It feels like it’s been a long time since I “penned” out an article on my computer. For the last three weeks I’ve been here on tape delay due to my trip to Colorado for the annual archery elk hunt. I could easily fill a couple of month's worth of material from that trip but I’ll condense it down to a couple of weeks.  

For review, I was hunting with my brothers Garret and Whammer along with our childhood friend Dan. He has hunted with us enough to qualify as an unofficial brother. We have even suggested trading a couple of sisters to his family so he could join ours but that swap is still pending. 

The last time that we all hunted in the same area where we camped this year was in 2017. It was six years ago when I was leading the charge with Garret walking behind me and Dan walking behind him. A cow elk came racing in on us probably because we sounded like other elk walking across the top of a small saddle connecting two ridgelines. Startled, we all stopped  I quickly figured that Dan, being last in our line, had the best chance at getting a shot because he had the benefit of the cover that Garret and I provided.    

In a calm and quiet voice I said: “Shoot the cow Dan.” When nothing happened, I repeated the request. A long quiet pause was interrupted when Garret said: “Shoot the cow Dan.” To make a long story short, Dan was startled by the suddenness of the shot opportunity and in the end, the elk drifted off. From that day forward Dan accepted any and all barbs thrown his way that included: Pay the check Dan, pump the gas Dan, wash the windshield Dan.    

Fast forward to two weeks ago when Garret and Dan were hunting across that same ridge and history partially repeated itself. I’m not sure if Garret and Dan bumped into the elk or the elk bumped into them but Dan got what most elk hunters never get: a second chance. He drew back his bow, let an arrow fly, and he made it count. Dan “shot the cow” and the elk traveled less than 100 yards.  

By the time Whammer and I arrived with the meat packs, Garret and Dan had the elk boned out and ready to be hauled away on our backs. The pack out wasn’t too bad and for Dan it was pretty satisfying. He had bagged his first archery elk. That little ridge in the vast Rocky Mountains is now hallowed ground for him and will forever be known as “Redemption Point.”

Didn’t get enough Dave this week? Visit “Outdoor Trails and Tales with Dave Beck” on Facebook for photos and video of Dave’s adventures. You can share your own photos and video with him there as well, or by emailing him at dave@piercecountyjournal.news Also, check out OTT content on Instagram @thepiercecountyjournal