NM elks...

I went to New Mexico last December on my first ever elk hunt. Cows only, but it was still an amazing experience! Can't wait to get to go after a bull.
 
I told them there is no leaving the ranch to cut wood today. Not with 6 bulls around and rain coming in.
They owe me, I said..LOL.
Ty has some dead trees here picked out to cut up. He insists.
Evening hunts and a couple mornings to go.

Rio has a leg bone on the ground, 3 more in the trees.
Boning out/cutting up going on and meat cooling quick.

Cow party in the morning is the plan,Ty says.

Rio is laying by my feet. The old guy is all tuckered out with these young guys around to watch. He gets the liver,cut into bite size chunks and frozen for healthy treats.

3 trips hiking around here the last couple days has my hip a bit sore. But I was less winded than the low landers. LOL
I have not had this much fun in a while.
Elk and tri-tip burritos for dinner.
 
Damn, what a day.
Ty & Todd gave it go. They could just could not coax on of the 3 bulls next door to come back.

So after some breakfast we loaded saws,fuel,cooler,etc and headed to the Apache Nat. Forest to look for firewood.
Ty had to load Rio in the passenger side of my truck since I crunched my drivers door last week. I climbed in and across the console. LOL
Off we went on a adventure. Down the hwy and off south on washboard gravel roads. Past ranches to the forest.
Within a few miles we found wood. Lots. I said lets go further and look for oak.
Bingo!.
Dead oak,standing and down. Dozens in groups on both sides of the road. We went to work. Rio explored.
By 2pm we had both trucks filled gates open with 2"-12" dry dense oak.
Back to the ranch and they just said take a break.
Rio & I finished the smoked meats and rested. Lots of water.

Ty & Todd then unloaded the trucks and bucked over half and then split the rounds.
I started homemade bacon and then grabbed the eggs cheese and torts for dinner in the tent.

They had stopped for a bottle of brown and beers. The whole time they worked today it was team work and happy pleasant conversation. Brother style. Jokes and talk and team work.
Before Rio & I headed to early bed, they asked if I was happy with the wood.

I said boys you cut 3 years of good all night wood. At least 3 cords. Priceless.

Tomorrow one more chance for Todd to get a bigger bull. Or one. A 1st bull.
Then north to Park City for the night with friends.
I'm headed to bed next to Rio.
 
Well, Ty said they didn't want to play today. Got some cows to come but there is a bull 600 yards away who will not budge.
2 more to the south drew 2 shots off BLM.
All smiles.
They hit the road at 11 with 200+ lbs of boned cold elk meat. I filled the thermos.
Smiles and shakes and hugs.
New friends.
Todd is up 1st again next year if things work that way.
Ty said he'd send pics.

A month til my cow hunt.
Cool!
I have wood for the winter and an almost full freezer. Rio asleep beside me.
We got it made.
 
I think I do too
No new wanted posters went up while they were here...that I know of. LOL
They did not grab the cute "senerita". Unless she was in a cooler hiding.

There were names mentioned, from HT. Besides BF.

They were going thru Winslow and would stop. But no flatbed.
 
Rio & I ate bison burgers and fries.
I went to bed at around 7, I was beat.
We both napped thru multiple NCIS shows during the day.LOL A tribute to Ty's wife. He almost swiped my Gibbs rules mug.

Rule #51...Sometimes Your Wrong.
I may be too quick to judge folks.

Hell, Todd cranked John Prine while they split wood!

Got up and started a fire. Rio snoring on the couch.
That bull is right out front now, going off.
I'll nap here til I have to go get blood work done.

New freezer coming manana from my HT friends in SF.
Some bison burger and a tender for their troubles.
Liver treats for their dogs.

I had been by the Pie store but too swamped.
We never made it over there.
I owe the MT boys some pie.
 
Love it Hank! You are living the life man, but you deserve it. Just one question red, green, or Christmas?? Green for me. I'll be at Fina's this Sunday for my fix-Can't wait!!
 
Love it Hank! You are living the life man, but you deserve it. Just one question red, green, or Christmas?? Green for me. I'll be at Fina's this Sunday for my fix-Can't wait!!
Thanks.
I love the earthy reds. The sauce.
4 green hatch chiles waiting to be roasted and laid on bison meat.
I gave them some bacon covered in northern dark red.
It might be the chile roasting weekend for the school and I have room.

Xmas! I can't decide.
 
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