Richard Nelson's "encounters with elk" radio program

[David Petersen]

#2635

You may be aware of Richard Nelson, author of The Island Within, which I hold to be among the very finest “nature books” ever written and a beautifully gentle introduction for nonhunters to the passion of hunting. Nelson is a Ph.D. in anthropology who lived for years among hunter-gatherer Eskimos and Indians in AK. “Nels” was very helpful when I was putting together Heartsblood, contributing not only an essay but also a foreword. He now has an NRP radio program called “encounters” that profiles various wildlife species. Use this link http://www.encountersnorth.org/archive.htm to reach the home page, then click on “elk” and you’ll get a wonderful 20-minute narrative about elk, recorded amidst a herd of them during rut. The presentation level is perfect for anyone who is interested in wildlife, like the spouses of elk hunters who wonder why we go crazy each September, and especially perfect for older children. It’s best enjoyed with some pictures of elk to refer to. This is especially timely for me, as we are enjoying wild bugling daily now not only when I’m out hunting, but from the cabin porch each night.
Dave

[strait-aero]

#11447

Will check out this link asap, as we boys from Ohio can only dream of living amongst the elk herds. BTW were you out today and did you hear any bugling or have any close encounters?

[David Petersen]

#11679

Today is the first day of the season, which opened the 28 Aug., that I haven’t been out. The one house guest my wife allows during hunting season arrives tonight for a week, and there were things to do. And I figured it was time to give the elk a break as I’ve been at ’em hard of late. Passed a cow at 7 yards last night. Couldn’t decide whether to shoot a nice 5×6 at 12 yards the previous night (he’d be my second biggest bull but I know bigger boys are on the way) but he solved that by walking away and showing me only a butt shot. A very good year so far so far as numbers of elk and bugling — which we can hear from our cabin porch most nights — but only that one shot op at a cow so far. Very dense cover here so easy to get close to the elk but not unusual to be under 20 yards from a bugler and never see him. One reason I carry a 54″ Shrew — lost too many shot ops in past years due to longer bows in close cover. That’s my story so far. dave

[strait-aero]

#13901

Dave, I tried the link but wasn’t able to get through…Don’t know what te problem could be.
Hope your hunting has been going well,and you’ve had more close encounters.
Wayne

[Mark Turton]

#14500

Hi Wayne, try updating/reinstalling Quicktime.

Dave, thank you for the introduction to Richard Nelson, few people have his descriptive powers and infectious enthusiasm I look forward to exploring his archive of previous encounters.

Mark.

[svoss]

#15034

Dave,
Thanks for the information. I met you a few years ago in Durango. I want you to know that your writing has been a big inspiration to me. I posted a picture on this site of my first bull with my wood bow that I got over Labor Day Weekend. I killed a cow last year with my wood bow and your advice has paid off big for me. Thanks for all you have done to encourage us all to do it the hard way.
Shane Voss

[David Petersen]

#15771

Thanks, Shane, and great news to know of your success. Well I’m sure “doing it the hard way” this year so far. Elk are beating me to pieces; I had to take a morning off. They’ve been very finicky about bugling, and the mountains are so very dry now that it’s like walking on firecrackers, so stalking is out. Tons of cows, complicating calling. Watering only at night and mostly somplace I haven’t found yet. Still, overall the bugling has been great and seeing lots of animals most every day, and the same summer-like weather that complicates hunting, is also a pure joy to be in the woods with. My good friend Alex Bugnon (www.alexbugnon.com) and the only guest my wife allows any more during elk season (and even then, his “room” is a tent) is here this week and had a big 5×5 broadside at 10 yards last night but was afraid to slow-draw on it, fearing it would react like a whitetail. He probably could have gotten away with it but erred on the side of caution, which I respect as a spooked bull will be much hard to get that close to another time. He’s walking up the mountain in the dark right now, while catch up on home chores if not sleep. Cheers to all, dave

[Chiloquin]

#18499

Thanks for posting this Dave! I will share it with my wife and kids.

Now on another note

“This is especially timely for me, as we are enjoying wild bugling daily now not only when I’m out hunting, but from the cabin porch each night.” You Lucky Bum..lol:lol:

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