Fresh Tracks returns to Colorado
- Thread starter Big Fin
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Gerald Martin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2009
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Congrats Randy!
stillkickin
Well-known member
Thanks everyone, a few details about the whole trip to fill in some blanks.
Monday evening just prior to my flight to Colorado I was helping coach my 12 year olds Pee Wee hockey team. As I was probably thinking too much about hunting and not enough about hockey I tripped on the blue line while coaching a drill and went down hard. When my breath returned I was sure that I had broken my wrist and probably bruised a rib or two. Having spent most of my life on the ice, I still can't believe that I went down that hard with no one to blame but myself.
When I got up the next morning at 4:30 a.m. I had a heck of a time breathing and if I coughed or sneezed I went right to my knees it hurt so much. I didn't get much sleep either as you might imagine. By the time I got to Colorado I was really hurting, I am sure that Randy, Brad, and Matt were thinking what kind of knothead would risk an injury just prior to going on a hunt?
I was worried that I would let the show down, so I sucked it up as good as I could but knew I would be a burden. Who knows, if I would have been 100% I might have been able to catch that really big buck, but, I questioned whether I should have jumped out of the truck immediately with the camera guys and done what was necessary to put him on the ground.
I really hadn't considered the fact that getting an early buck down would make the filming much, much easier especially since we were trying to get two episodes in six days. But, because we spotted him while in the truck I am really conflicted when it comes to shooting a buck, bull or any other trophy type of animal under those kind of circumstances.
Monday evening just prior to my flight to Colorado I was helping coach my 12 year olds Pee Wee hockey team. As I was probably thinking too much about hunting and not enough about hockey I tripped on the blue line while coaching a drill and went down hard. When my breath returned I was sure that I had broken my wrist and probably bruised a rib or two. Having spent most of my life on the ice, I still can't believe that I went down that hard with no one to blame but myself.
When I got up the next morning at 4:30 a.m. I had a heck of a time breathing and if I coughed or sneezed I went right to my knees it hurt so much. I didn't get much sleep either as you might imagine. By the time I got to Colorado I was really hurting, I am sure that Randy, Brad, and Matt were thinking what kind of knothead would risk an injury just prior to going on a hunt?
I was worried that I would let the show down, so I sucked it up as good as I could but knew I would be a burden. Who knows, if I would have been 100% I might have been able to catch that really big buck, but, I questioned whether I should have jumped out of the truck immediately with the camera guys and done what was necessary to put him on the ground.
I really hadn't considered the fact that getting an early buck down would make the filming much, much easier especially since we were trying to get two episodes in six days. But, because we spotted him while in the truck I am really conflicted when it comes to shooting a buck, bull or any other trophy type of animal under those kind of circumstances.
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stillkickin
Well-known member
The good news was that my wrist was sore but not broken, the ribs however were definitely not good and not getting better. We hunted out the rest of the day, and for the first time in my life I was wishing the sun would set a little faster so I could go to bed. I was dreading the bumpy ride out of that area.
I started really getting bummed as I realized how I might have, should have, could have, done things differently and how I really let the team down. Randy, Brad, and Matt were telling me not to worry, its no big deal, etc., but it was really getting to me. This TV thing changes hunting so much more than I or anyone can imagine.
We spent the next morning looking for the big boy, but to no avail. That evening we headed for a different area but one that was full of other hunters and a lot of ATV traffic. Brad and I walked about a mile to a good vantage point, and it was easy to convince me that sitting in one spot glassing was a good idea. Physically I was struggling, but Mentally I was at the lowest point I have ever been while in the woods. I had convinced myself that I just blew the best, and maybe only opportunity to shoot a nice buck much less to capture it on film in this heavily hunted area.
We saw some does on the hillside across from our location, but right at prime time an ATV came putt, putt, putting right between us and the does. Brad suggested we move another 1/4 mile to a larger opening and I was more than willing as I was certain that we were just wasting time until dark anyway. Hopefully Randy will get a bull down, but so far no shots were heard anywhere in the valley and we didn't have much filming light remaining.
I started really getting bummed as I realized how I might have, should have, could have, done things differently and how I really let the team down. Randy, Brad, and Matt were telling me not to worry, its no big deal, etc., but it was really getting to me. This TV thing changes hunting so much more than I or anyone can imagine.
We spent the next morning looking for the big boy, but to no avail. That evening we headed for a different area but one that was full of other hunters and a lot of ATV traffic. Brad and I walked about a mile to a good vantage point, and it was easy to convince me that sitting in one spot glassing was a good idea. Physically I was struggling, but Mentally I was at the lowest point I have ever been while in the woods. I had convinced myself that I just blew the best, and maybe only opportunity to shoot a nice buck much less to capture it on film in this heavily hunted area.
We saw some does on the hillside across from our location, but right at prime time an ATV came putt, putt, putting right between us and the does. Brad suggested we move another 1/4 mile to a larger opening and I was more than willing as I was certain that we were just wasting time until dark anyway. Hopefully Randy will get a bull down, but so far no shots were heard anywhere in the valley and we didn't have much filming light remaining.
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stillkickin
Well-known member
We got into position, and I think we were both reviewing the two days events as we sat watching an unproductive hillside. I was just thinking of bagging it, and was contemplating a lot of dumb things to do to myself when we got closer to a tavern when I saw some legs moving throught the junipers about 450 yards away on the hillside.
Oddly enough, my depression seemed to instantly subside and I saw a small doe pop in and out of view through the brush trotting in that familar way that we all know means she is being bothered by a buck.
She popped in and out of view as she closed the gap to 325 yards, then 275 yards, then appeared in a larger opening with a buck close behind that looked to be wearing more than the fork that I expected. They both vanished again and I expected them to be gone for good, a fitting punishment for my stupidity in risking my hunt and Randy's show by being careless on the ice.
But, she came trotting out low and I ranged her at 185. No buck showed for what seemed to be minutes and Brad whispered "I'm on him!" At first I didn't find him in the scope, but he was a little left of where I thought he should be and of course at a very bad angle for a shot. I shifted my prone position to get a clearer shot and was promptly reminded by a rock that my ribs were still not good, and I winced causing my rangefinder to spill out and clink on another rock. The buck stopped, looked directly up to our location, and looked like he was going to blow out of there.
Luckily, the doe started walking off and he refocused on her instead of the two odd looking orange suited guys across on the other hillside. When he turned to run after her, I touched one off and the Howa sent the Accubond through his shoulder and took out most of his breathing capability. A few stumbles and he was down for good!
Brad was as excited as I and was and said the footage was as good as it gets. We finshed everything up and got back to the pick up location more relieved than I have ever been after completing anything.
I really thank Randy and Matt for trying to keep my spirits alive, but really owe it to Brad for being the professional that he is and putting up with this old crippled half-wit. Those guys are the best!
Oddly enough, my depression seemed to instantly subside and I saw a small doe pop in and out of view through the brush trotting in that familar way that we all know means she is being bothered by a buck.
She popped in and out of view as she closed the gap to 325 yards, then 275 yards, then appeared in a larger opening with a buck close behind that looked to be wearing more than the fork that I expected. They both vanished again and I expected them to be gone for good, a fitting punishment for my stupidity in risking my hunt and Randy's show by being careless on the ice.
But, she came trotting out low and I ranged her at 185. No buck showed for what seemed to be minutes and Brad whispered "I'm on him!" At first I didn't find him in the scope, but he was a little left of where I thought he should be and of course at a very bad angle for a shot. I shifted my prone position to get a clearer shot and was promptly reminded by a rock that my ribs were still not good, and I winced causing my rangefinder to spill out and clink on another rock. The buck stopped, looked directly up to our location, and looked like he was going to blow out of there.
Luckily, the doe started walking off and he refocused on her instead of the two odd looking orange suited guys across on the other hillside. When he turned to run after her, I touched one off and the Howa sent the Accubond through his shoulder and took out most of his breathing capability. A few stumbles and he was down for good!
Brad was as excited as I and was and said the footage was as good as it gets. We finshed everything up and got back to the pick up location more relieved than I have ever been after completing anything.
I really thank Randy and Matt for trying to keep my spirits alive, but really owe it to Brad for being the professional that he is and putting up with this old crippled half-wit. Those guys are the best!
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Summitthunting
Well-known member
Sounds like good TV. Glad to see you get it done.
ID_deerslayer
Active member
Way to overcome the obstacles and have faith the hunts could still end up in your favor Randy and Mark. Congrats!
Devil Diver Down
Well-known member
Good job both of you for getting it done on tough hunts.
T Bone
Well-known member
Congrats to both!
LopeHunter
Well-known member
Great recaps guys! I am beyond caring about horn porn since have seen enough of those monarchs on various shows and on magazine covers. I am now all about the quality of the effort and the experience which is where I was at age 10 when I shot my first mallard drake while wing shooting over decoys. I guess is the circle of (hunting) life. Have to get back to work before I sink into "clicksand" since lots of great posts here as usual.
Duck-Slayer
Well-known member
Great hunt and novel.....
congrats too all involved....
Matt
congrats too all involved....Matt
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