Lost in the Woods - Mental recharge season

[FrontRangeDude]

The draw season is here and it’s looking like incredible so far.

As of right now my September will be maxed out with 2 archery elk tags and 2 archery deer tags.

On top of that there will deer hunting in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kentucky, fishing, turkey hunting, and trapping. Add in a few other random adventures and this might be a fun season to document.

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The draw season started off swell with an Archery Elk tag in Montana plus the deer tag.

I’m going with a friend who has hunted the unit a few times and has been fairly successful. I’ve never stepped foot in Montana so this should be fun.

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Next New Mexico gave me a heart attack when I drew an archery elk tag and archery mule deer tag.

The elk unit is one that I hunted in 2020 and took my best bull.

See below

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The deer unit is near where I use to live when I was stationed in New Mexico and there is a decent population of deer.


Ultimately my goal for this season is to slow down and enjoy my time in the woods/mountains/outdoors.

These past few seasons my brain has been on fire and my body has been on overload from work and life stuff. So it’s time I learn to recharge better and there is no better place to do it.

Hope you enjoy.

100% agree!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Better check the weather and your schedule. It’s going to be grab a snickers time in that country after this week

Hope the mud doesn’t get ya! Pretty soggy around these parts!

We got some rain last night and more coming today. I am getting to experience how much it likes to hold on to your boots and layer up as you walk!




That being said - I got into some elk last night. I had the herd bull at 10 yards in some tall grass, but could only make out his head. His cows were all around me too and it was awesome.

The way they communicate reminds me of public land turkeys. Very silent and low level calls.
Weak bugles (if any), moans, light barks, etc.

The only time they really bugle is if the herd gets busted up.

Back at it today!

 

[Lostinthewoods]

Hello from mud country.

Put some elk to bed this morning in some willows. I backed out and will try to get in on them tight this evening.

Almost got it done last night, but the wind swirled on me last minute.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

This morning is more what I’ve been looking for.

It was the first morning we had a little chilly bite and there was a lot of fog down in the bottoms.

Bulls were lighting off light crazy and I was able to get in tight on one. In fact feel like I was anywhere from 25-60 yards from him for over an hour. The only issue is we were in willows and grass over my head. I kept finding micro openings for shots, but he would just edge out of them in time.

I did put him to bed near a spot where there are a few openings close by so I’m hopeful this evening when he gets up I can be ready for an ambush. It was tough not to leave him and shoot one of the many cows around! I think I’m close to that point where cows are added to the menu too.

Fun hunt for sure. Very different from anything I’ve experienced, but it’s fun.

I’m absolutely soaked from playing in the heat all stuff so it’s oatmeal with peanut butter time, coffee, and time to dry off!