[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A Few Pics From the Evening Hunt #45899

What an amazing day yesterday.

In the AM, I was into elk almost immediately. Managed to call in a young 3×3 bull to less than 20 yds, but couldn’t get a clean shot on him. He was either very lucky, or crafty beyond his years, as he managed to always keep some vegetation between me and his vitals. Still, it was an awesome 10 minutes or so of checking each other out at close range. He couldn’t smell me, and couldn’t figure out what I was, but never spooked either.

And then, in the evening, I decided to set up in a little stand of trees where I’d seen a 5×5 the evening before, to see if he might return. At dusk, I gave one little cow call, and withing 30 seconds I heard crashing through the underbrush coming my way. It kept getting louder, and pretty soon I realized it was more than one animal, and they sounded even larger than elk (moose?). And they were moving. They passed about 15 yards behind me, but because of the fading daylight and the dense vegeation, I never got a good look at them. And then, 30 seconds later, I hear smaller creatures coming from the same direction, also moving fast. I look over at the trail, which is about 20-25 feet from me, and watch a silver wolf fly silently by at mach speed.

And then suddenly, it was very dark, and I thought, “I better get the #$%& out of here…”

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: I hope my dreams never come ture #44718

I dreamt I was born 8-1/2 months premature.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Eagle's Flight Quivers #44700

alexbugnon wrote: I just went to their site. You guys are right, they revamped the straps. I bought mine 5-6 years ago and it didn’t have any buckle. Just a velcro flap on bow backside that you had to pull to the belly side.
Cool! Thanks Hammer and Scout
Alex

Yup, the buckle really allows you to crank it down tight and secure.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Eagle's Flight Quivers #44499

Hmm, maybe they’ve changed the straps/rubber. Mine feels as secure as a bolt-on and doesn’t move at all (maybe even more so since the bolts were always loosening).

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A Few Pics From the Evening Hunt #44097

Got within 35 yds. of a 5×5 tonight, and then had an ATV come down the trail and blow it. ARGHH!!!!

Though in all fairness, we ended up chatting for a while and he was sincerely sorry and turned out to be a good dude. Said he’s been hunting this area for a long time, and this is the toughest rut he’s ever seen. Made me feel a little better about the lack of success so far. They’re in there, but they’re spooky as hell. Nothing to do but go out again first thing in the morn…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Curious about numbers of deer most shoot. #43656

Heck, if I get one a year, I’m a supremely happy man. Supplemented with birds and fish and sundry forage, of course.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A Few Pics From the Evening Hunt #41802

David Petersen wrote: Bruce — The picture we most want to see is the real you, if you in fact exist. You must either be some kinda ugly or wanted by the FBI, CIA, KGB, or IRA.

What’s that saying about the ‘discretion being the better part of valor?’

Do you have grizzlies there?

A very healthy population. I’m on the w. side of the Tetons. Good numbers of wolves and cats as well.

Re wallows, at least down here in my CO elk turf they tend to wallow most commonly 3-4 or so in the afternoon. The latest I’ve seen is 5:30. It’s “displacement behavior” — something to do while awaiting the evening fun and games. Just last week I was an hour late heading out for the evening hunt thanks to some Honey-Do’s, and as I approached my stand I heard bugling, precisely 4 p.m., and arrived just as the bull had walkedaway from the hot-fresh wallow. Trick is for hunting wallows that time of day, getting the wind right. And in your photo, finding good cover could be a challenge. Anyhow that’s my 2 scents worth — go out on your evening hunts around 3 and watch a wallow until early evening or when something starts bugling that you can play with. Another wallow tip: Get ’em the first chance you have approaching or in the wallow, before they piss all over themselves and flop down to roll in the muck. I see no possible way to get clean meat from a freshly wallowed bull, unless you have a fire hose handy. They are completely black and at the peak of stinkiness. A few years ago I passed easy shots on a nice 5×5 for that very reason — he “got down” before I could get a clean shot off. After that he was safe. Enjoy.

Great advice, Dave. I’m hoping next week to get in there and spend a few days, instead of snatching a few hours before and after work as I have been. 7 days to go before archery season ends and the war zone begins…

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: A Few Pics From the Evening Hunt #41522

Thanks, all. Had them bugling all around me again this morning, pretty close. Even had one walking in to a couple cow calls, but something changed his mind when he was about 30 yards out and still out of sight. A few more pics from this morning:

The wallow. I have yet to see any elk here, but their tracks and body prints are all over it. I need to sit here till dark some time, but it’s a long hike out in the dark from here if I do:

Beds:

After another night with 5 hours of restless sleep and wapiti dreams, I’m starting to feel the effects of sleep deprivation. I think I’m going to run myself into the ground if I keep this up. But what the hell – sleep when you’re dead.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What are you reading in Elk camp? #41347

Just finished reading ‘Racks.’ Truly a must read.

But boy, the author sure looks like a weirdo, judging from his bio pic…:lol:

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: My Wapiti quest ended last night #41339

Great post, Alex. Elk time is rich time, meat on the back or not.

And yeah, who makes that “camo” pattern?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: Congratulations Dave #38708

Awesome. Strong work, Dave and congrats!!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: What are you reading in Elk camp? #38053

Since the elk are in the foothills right behind my house, elk camp is home. But right now I’m reading “The Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine” by Steven Rinellla and re-reading Tom Brown’s “Field Guide to Nature Observation and Tracking.”

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: September is hard on the mind! #37626

No kidding. Up @ 4:30am, hiked back down to the truck by 11, now it’s 1pm and I’m at work, eating my first meal of the day. The payoff? I was in bugling elk all morning. And as soon as I get home I’m going back out…

I can’t get enough of this.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: wolfs , hydatid disease #36383

I find this mentality often goes hand in hand with the notion that all wilderness should be managed as nothing but a giant game farm, to produce as much walking meat as possible for human consumption, with any competition from other predatorial species eradicated. And that wilderness has no other, greater function or importance.

I also find this mentality commonly astride ORVs, wondering why they’re not seeing game and needing something other than themselves to blame.

I don’t think wolves are any more “sacred” than any other species, but nor are they any less. In fact, I think it’s the notion that some species are more so than others that is a big part of the problem.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

in reply to: My first ever shot at a deer…second even… #36378

ssumner1 wrote: I continued to watch her until she left me and the dark consumed the light. I enjoyed that hunt more than I have ever in any of my hunts combined.

Excellent.

[Author]

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