OUTDOOR

Tales and Trails

Boy time sure flies when you’re having fun._I can’t believe that knee high corn on the 4th_was over two months ago._The western states’ big game seasons are already going on and I am taking a break from packing for an archery elk hunt to type this._So, forgive me if I’m a little distracted today but I’m in the middle of trying to figure out what I have already packed and what I need to pack.

To set the stage for this year’s hunt I will introduce the main characters. First, there is me, your all-time favorite musky fisherman and resident outdoor guy. The other hunter in the party is my younger brother, Whammer, the family’s elk guy._He leads the family-friendly competition in bulls bagged._He is an elk hunting machine and if you’re going to bet on anyone bringing home a bull elk, bet on him. Honest, if you’re going to Vegas, I’ll give you money to put down on Whammer._That’s more of a statement of Whammer’s luck than it is a slight on my ability. He’s always been a horseshoe kind of guy and I have always been a grind it out kind of guy.

Bugle call? Check, packed.

Elk decoy? Check, packed.

My youngest brother Garret is also coming along. He doesn’t have a tag but he is coming along as an elk caller and head chef._My mom was a wonderful cook and Garret takes after her in that area._He will go out, catch a limit of bluegills, and the next thing you know is that you’re eating a bowl of bluegill chowder._It’s not an accident that he was invited this year and given the most important job in elk camp: Camp Cook.

Two pairs of boots? Check, packed.

Wind Indicator? Check, packed.

Our childhood friend Dan is coming along as the other caller as well as the assistant to the Camp Cook. He has elk hunted with us before and has proven himself to be “elk camp worthy.” The fact that he has an awesome sideby- side Ranger four-wheeler to take out with us is just a coincidence, (wink, wink).

Extra arrows? Check, packed.

Boot dryer? Check, packed.

So where are we going?_That’s a great question. _For 12 years Whammer and I have been applying for preference points. In Colorado, the more preference points you have the better the hunting area you can go to._In other words, Colorado has some trophy managed areas that require a lot of points._ In theory we are spending our preference points in a zone that will hopefully offer some monster bulls._So, in effect, we have been waiting 12 years to hunt the specific area near Gunnison, Colo.

Sleeping bags? Check, packed.

Rain gear? Check, packed.

As the pile of gear gets bigger, the more excited I am about going._I obviously am excited about the hunt but I also enjoy the camping and hiking._If you go out there and only focus on the hunting, you’re cheating yourself out of the entire experience._I sure hope I get a crack at a monster bull when I’m there but even if I don’t, I know I will come back and tell everyone how much fun I had.

Hunting gloves? Check, packed.

Double Stuff Oreo cookies? Dang, I gotta run an errand. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.

BY DAVE BECK