David658
Well-known member
Let me know when you plan to stick them in the ground. If my shoulder gives me permission, would be a good excuse for a cuppa and some pie.
David
NM
NM elks...
- Thread starter hank4elk
- Start date
David
NM
Gotta build stout cages 1st, this year. Order from forestry in spring and plant in the fall.
You are on the list of those who have helped me David.
I'm still like a kid opening day.
Went to bed @2000hrs. Got up to hit the head and let Rio out. Started a fire.
Pondering life. Each day I wake is gold.
Checked my e-mail. One from oldest sister.
My ship is just outside the harbor. The pilot boat is along side.
I wasn't expecting it til next year...if I made it.
Stars out with some clouds. Nice fire going and a warm house. Rio asleep on the couch.
Rain and snow in the forecast still. Tag in my pocket. Gear ready. Rifle ready.
It can rain all it wants on my parade today.
I'm a lucky guy.
Went to bed @2000hrs. Got up to hit the head and let Rio out. Started a fire.
Pondering life. Each day I wake is gold.
Checked my e-mail. One from oldest sister.
My ship is just outside the harbor. The pilot boat is along side.
I wasn't expecting it til next year...if I made it.
Stars out with some clouds. Nice fire going and a warm house. Rio asleep on the couch.
Rain and snow in the forecast still. Tag in my pocket. Gear ready. Rifle ready.
It can rain all it wants on my parade today.
I'm a lucky guy.
Valley1320
Well-known member
Good luck hank! Get one!
Addicting
Well-known member
Rio’s got to be excited to get a new bone to chew on.
Wallydeuce
Well-known member
Be safe. Savor every single moment.
Oh boy. I love elk hunting.
Out the door,1st light. Overcast. Wind in my favor.
I'm 150 feet from my door and there, in the corner, a cow and her calf hop the fence. 600 yards away.
I'm already glassing the fence line across the south meadow. I'm glassing the near trees heavy, I have walked into them right there 3 years in a row.
I move down the stringer of trees. 100 yards from where Ty's bull fell.
Right then I spot a cow and calf. More down the line. Moving where the 1st cow went out.
Commit time.
I move south to the edge and get down beside the last pinion.
The cow with the calf is 395 now and there following is a dozen more. 420 yards away.
I set up my tripod and range. Light rain falling now and thunder.
She is 380 and hops the fence.
Another cow/calf is next in line. They are stinging out. 10 2 year old cows heading this way.
I spot a spike down the treeline closer.
Light rain. I wait. They wait.
The 10 are feeding slowly this way, 100 yards from the fence. Perfect.
I'm watching the lead cow. She would spot me in an instant if I move.
She hops the fence and her calf follows.
The ten are 405...and stop. Look west and bunch. No shot.
So of course instead of resuming coming they head west and toward the fence. 500 yards away they stand there eating.
I'm pinned now.
I waited a half hour and they finally hopped the fence to my neighbors.
I back out unseen and go to the other side of the trees and in the corner by the windmill is 24 cows and calves heading out that corner.
Go back and there are the others next door. 500 yards away.
I have permission and a unit wide tag.
I sneak back to the house as the rain stops.
Manana. I have a plan.
And I want to fill that tag here on the ranch.
Those cows are lucky today. I could have easily caught them.
Rio is beside me and a nice fire going. Hot cuppa. Rain all day and snow in morning.
Elks! LOL
Life is good.
Out the door,1st light. Overcast. Wind in my favor.
I'm 150 feet from my door and there, in the corner, a cow and her calf hop the fence. 600 yards away.
I'm already glassing the fence line across the south meadow. I'm glassing the near trees heavy, I have walked into them right there 3 years in a row.
I move down the stringer of trees. 100 yards from where Ty's bull fell.
Right then I spot a cow and calf. More down the line. Moving where the 1st cow went out.
Commit time.
I move south to the edge and get down beside the last pinion.
The cow with the calf is 395 now and there following is a dozen more. 420 yards away.
I set up my tripod and range. Light rain falling now and thunder.
She is 380 and hops the fence.
Another cow/calf is next in line. They are stinging out. 10 2 year old cows heading this way.
I spot a spike down the treeline closer.
Light rain. I wait. They wait.
The 10 are feeding slowly this way, 100 yards from the fence. Perfect.
I'm watching the lead cow. She would spot me in an instant if I move.
She hops the fence and her calf follows.
The ten are 405...and stop. Look west and bunch. No shot.
So of course instead of resuming coming they head west and toward the fence. 500 yards away they stand there eating.
I'm pinned now.
I waited a half hour and they finally hopped the fence to my neighbors.
I back out unseen and go to the other side of the trees and in the corner by the windmill is 24 cows and calves heading out that corner.
Go back and there are the others next door. 500 yards away.
I have permission and a unit wide tag.
I sneak back to the house as the rain stops.
Manana. I have a plan.
And I want to fill that tag here on the ranch.
Those cows are lucky today. I could have easily caught them.
Rio is beside me and a nice fire going. Hot cuppa. Rain all day and snow in morning.
Elks! LOL
Life is good.
You betcha!
Thick bases,socks and the wool sweater.
New tires ordered and on way. Just in time.
Tons of tracks in and out of here.
Just gotta catch them.
If it's snowing I can really cut the distance , in the open.
David658
Well-known member
No need to put me on a list. Just enjoy time with like-minded friends, and activity to get my old joints moving. Optimistic I can actually start to do stuff again in March or April.
David
NM
Nada...here.
No snow. Wet, just freezing. Perfect breeze in my face. Damp cold.
I get down the finger of trees to the juniper blind. Horizontal growing next to the clearing. Great glassing spot.
Nothing in the open here. I move about and look into all the draws. Nothing.
Back to the blind. Wait and watch.
Find a herd a mile away that left thru the windmill gap. Heading for the trees.
Glassed the trees next door. Nada.
Start scanning the valley. Nada.
Suns coming up. And a flash catches my eye.
40 feet from my west fence is a nice 6x6 under a juniper. Nodding off and then raising his head and looking about.
Damp cold and my back bugging me now from twisting and glassing. I walk another loop.
Get to my drive and look up at the neighbors place.
There are my young cows feeding in the meadow. Right in front of the porch and big windows.
No permission there, they are never there. But this guy would have cameras...LOL.
I go inside and restart the fire. Big red head on my lap. Hot cuppa.
If I move and look under a tree in front I can see the bull in the morning sun. Nodding.
The pills kick in and I'm fine. Good thing I didn't drink half a gallon of water before I went out.
Got a quarter of an inch yesterday. 1st rain since July.
The snow hits tonight/tomorrow now. Rain today again.
Sunny now.
I'll put on my hunting sweater dad gave me tomorrow. Good luck. Wool. As old as me.
And I'll see what I can see.
Got invited to the Quemado town T-day meal. And to the Pie shop.
I think I'll go full BF and have hot dogs and beans. Here.
Life is good.
No snow. Wet, just freezing. Perfect breeze in my face. Damp cold.
I get down the finger of trees to the juniper blind. Horizontal growing next to the clearing. Great glassing spot.
Nothing in the open here. I move about and look into all the draws. Nothing.
Back to the blind. Wait and watch.
Find a herd a mile away that left thru the windmill gap. Heading for the trees.
Glassed the trees next door. Nada.
Start scanning the valley. Nada.
Suns coming up. And a flash catches my eye.
40 feet from my west fence is a nice 6x6 under a juniper. Nodding off and then raising his head and looking about.
Damp cold and my back bugging me now from twisting and glassing. I walk another loop.
Get to my drive and look up at the neighbors place.
There are my young cows feeding in the meadow. Right in front of the porch and big windows.
No permission there, they are never there. But this guy would have cameras...LOL.
I go inside and restart the fire. Big red head on my lap. Hot cuppa.
If I move and look under a tree in front I can see the bull in the morning sun. Nodding.
The pills kick in and I'm fine. Good thing I didn't drink half a gallon of water before I went out.
Got a quarter of an inch yesterday. 1st rain since July.
The snow hits tonight/tomorrow now. Rain today again.
Sunny now.
I'll put on my hunting sweater dad gave me tomorrow. Good luck. Wool. As old as me.
And I'll see what I can see.
Got invited to the Quemado town T-day meal. And to the Pie shop.
I think I'll go full BF and have hot dogs and beans. Here.
Life is good.
Sure sounds like it!
Well,I glassed up a mule.
An inch of snow and it looks like a foot ,riding on top of rabbitbrush & gramma. 34,light NW wind.
It blew 40-60 and sideways rain and hail yesterday.
Wet ground and muffled steps. Occational flurry.
I was on the fenceline as the night grew gray. Wind eased off.
Glassing down the south meadow hoping they would be out and come the way they have been.
Footfalls are snow clumps dropping off trees.
It gets light and I put the Zeiss binos to work.
I picked this place apart, every place an elk could bed down out of the wind. Every place I could in a mile.
Moved to the other side of the low rise than cuts across my place. Through the trees.
I glass up the neighbors mule out feeding on bare snow covered ground.
No tracks anywhere ... well I find Rio's heading back to the house from his predawn outing. The patrol loop.
He has learned not to bark during a hunt. Sort of. Sometimes at the steps to let me know he wants in.
My perfect hunting weather and snow will be gone now.
41 today and clearing, no mas snow. 21 in morning.
Crunch city.
I'll pull the winter gear out.
2 more days.
I have time.
An inch of snow and it looks like a foot ,riding on top of rabbitbrush & gramma. 34,light NW wind.
It blew 40-60 and sideways rain and hail yesterday.
Wet ground and muffled steps. Occational flurry.
I was on the fenceline as the night grew gray. Wind eased off.
Glassing down the south meadow hoping they would be out and come the way they have been.
Footfalls are snow clumps dropping off trees.
It gets light and I put the Zeiss binos to work.
I picked this place apart, every place an elk could bed down out of the wind. Every place I could in a mile.
Moved to the other side of the low rise than cuts across my place. Through the trees.
I glass up the neighbors mule out feeding on bare snow covered ground.
No tracks anywhere ... well I find Rio's heading back to the house from his predawn outing. The patrol loop.
He has learned not to bark during a hunt. Sort of. Sometimes at the steps to let me know he wants in.
My perfect hunting weather and snow will be gone now.
41 today and clearing, no mas snow. 21 in morning.
Crunch city.
I'll pull the winter gear out.
2 more days.
I have time.
20 out. Degrees.
Had a nice walk about yesterday, no elk anywhere.
Helped the rancher get 2 dozen coriente beasts off his lease next door and back onto their overgrazed spread.
We repaired the rotten fence.
I found the elk have destroyed the wire gate next to the H brace the MT guys helped me with.
I'll hang a green gate I have and lock it today.
If those beasts had found this gap my place would be wrecked quick. The range cattle.
Another welding project. 2 H braces to go with the tree cages.
I hate fences. I hate range cattle more.
Reminds me to stick the "NM cattle are great" plate on the headache rack...camo in a hostile land.
Almost time to suit up. One last try. For me.
2 weeks till my WI buddy comes.
Another morning. Another day.
Had a nice walk about yesterday, no elk anywhere.
Helped the rancher get 2 dozen coriente beasts off his lease next door and back onto their overgrazed spread.
We repaired the rotten fence.
I found the elk have destroyed the wire gate next to the H brace the MT guys helped me with.
I'll hang a green gate I have and lock it today.
If those beasts had found this gap my place would be wrecked quick. The range cattle.
Another welding project. 2 H braces to go with the tree cages.
I hate fences. I hate range cattle more.
Reminds me to stick the "NM cattle are great" plate on the headache rack...camo in a hostile land.
Almost time to suit up. One last try. For me.
2 weeks till my WI buddy comes.
Another morning. Another day.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
A walk off homer would be nice hank...
Well I effed that up.
Rule #1,the wind.
I'm out the door and get the gloves on and pull the windchecker. Light NW.
I skip checking the east fence 1st and figure I can glass back up there good if I get out front in the stringer of trees.
Just light and I see no movement up there...I glass the open grass and down the meadow.
I glass the trees ahead. A elk! Moving across the tree row. To the open.
I get around a juniper and set up. The body is 180. Just move forward some, safety off now. Out he comes...a spike.
Fudge.
He's wary and looking around. I let him get aways and stand up and glass the fence line, the empty fence line.
I walk 10 feet and see all the young cows now. The spike heading their way.
I stoop down and cut 300 yards quick with a tree between us. Following the spike.
I cut another hundred and am behind 3 big junipers. I peek out. Cows. Range 208 in a group. One alone on the end.
Piece O Pie.
I shoulder my rifle and step to get a shot.
Off they go in a flash.
Stop at 300 and just as I shoulder...off again.
Winded. Or the spike ratted me out.
They stopped again around 500 yards and try to find me. Then they went out the crossing I made for them and towards the mesa to the west.
Well sheet. That was exciting.
I could have taken one easy, if I had checked that fence line 1st. And used the wind.
Well I have a gate to fix and the rancher friend left a message.
"Thanks for the help. I'll bring over some beef next week."
Life is tough. The alternative is...
Life is good in Pie Town.
Maybe they will be back. 2 weeks.
Cool.
Rule #1,the wind.
I'm out the door and get the gloves on and pull the windchecker. Light NW.
I skip checking the east fence 1st and figure I can glass back up there good if I get out front in the stringer of trees.
Just light and I see no movement up there...I glass the open grass and down the meadow.
I glass the trees ahead. A elk! Moving across the tree row. To the open.
I get around a juniper and set up. The body is 180. Just move forward some, safety off now. Out he comes...a spike.
Fudge.
He's wary and looking around. I let him get aways and stand up and glass the fence line, the empty fence line.
I walk 10 feet and see all the young cows now. The spike heading their way.
I stoop down and cut 300 yards quick with a tree between us. Following the spike.
I cut another hundred and am behind 3 big junipers. I peek out. Cows. Range 208 in a group. One alone on the end.
Piece O Pie.
I shoulder my rifle and step to get a shot.
Off they go in a flash.
Stop at 300 and just as I shoulder...off again.
Winded. Or the spike ratted me out.
They stopped again around 500 yards and try to find me. Then they went out the crossing I made for them and towards the mesa to the west.
Well sheet. That was exciting.
I could have taken one easy, if I had checked that fence line 1st. And used the wind.
Well I have a gate to fix and the rancher friend left a message.
"Thanks for the help. I'll bring over some beef next week."
Life is tough. The alternative is...
Life is good in Pie Town.
Maybe they will be back. 2 weeks.
Cool.
34 out. Snow melting away.
Windy manana. Then cooler for a couple days. No snow in sight for 10 days.
WI buddy is on his way.
Cows bedded in the bottom until 11am last Sat. & Sunday.
60 degrees and sunny. 20's at night.
LOL Only in NM.
Bison Chile, JP and laughs is plan.
Windy manana. Then cooler for a couple days. No snow in sight for 10 days.
WI buddy is on his way.
Cows bedded in the bottom until 11am last Sat. & Sunday.
60 degrees and sunny. 20's at night.
LOL Only in NM.
Bison Chile, JP and laughs is plan.
29, 1st light out.
Jeff & I slip out the door and leave Rio behind.
The breeze is strong in the face. I check the fenceline. Nada.
We weave down through the stringer of trees and glass from the spot. Nada.
Wind picking up early, we glass the valley. Nada here. Then we both spot a head.
I went back for the wool sweater. Jeff went out as close as he dared. And sat.
I get back to where he went and now 15 cows are trying to figure out where to go. Just over a low hill on the neighbors.
He has them at 300. We wait. The wind blows in the face. Cold.
A truck drives down the county road and they just sit there. Then they are on the move coming right at us.
They turn and head to the bottom by the windmill and hop the fence. Must be 20 trotting on the west fenceline.
I head back up the hill to the trees. They are coming this way now.
Jeff is now behind his new shooting pod and laying out. He cycles a round.
I'm waving at him to come this way. He does not see me , he's on one.
The elk head right where they always go, up and over this low ridge through the stringer of trees.
I cow call twice and the herd stops 40 yards from me. Jeff sees the end of the line cow and she leaves as he raises his rifle.
They went right through where we were and the glassing juniper.
They trot to the east fence and slowly head off my place.
That was fun. An hour has passed.
From nada to a whole herd 40 yards away, behind the trees.
They ran from something next door. Had no clue we were there.
Manana.
Just back from picking up my truck and cutting some firewood.
Beans cooking. Chile tomorrow.
Bacon swiss bison burgers and fries tonight.
Blowing up to 35 now and cold out.
9 in the morning is the word. Calm.
Jeff is taking a siesta. 1400 miles in 2 days. For a cow hunt.
What fun we have.
Jeff & I slip out the door and leave Rio behind.
The breeze is strong in the face. I check the fenceline. Nada.
We weave down through the stringer of trees and glass from the spot. Nada.
Wind picking up early, we glass the valley. Nada here. Then we both spot a head.
I went back for the wool sweater. Jeff went out as close as he dared. And sat.
I get back to where he went and now 15 cows are trying to figure out where to go. Just over a low hill on the neighbors.
He has them at 300. We wait. The wind blows in the face. Cold.
A truck drives down the county road and they just sit there. Then they are on the move coming right at us.
They turn and head to the bottom by the windmill and hop the fence. Must be 20 trotting on the west fenceline.
I head back up the hill to the trees. They are coming this way now.
Jeff is now behind his new shooting pod and laying out. He cycles a round.
I'm waving at him to come this way. He does not see me , he's on one.
The elk head right where they always go, up and over this low ridge through the stringer of trees.
I cow call twice and the herd stops 40 yards from me. Jeff sees the end of the line cow and she leaves as he raises his rifle.
They went right through where we were and the glassing juniper.
They trot to the east fence and slowly head off my place.
That was fun. An hour has passed.
From nada to a whole herd 40 yards away, behind the trees.
They ran from something next door. Had no clue we were there.
Manana.
Just back from picking up my truck and cutting some firewood.
Beans cooking. Chile tomorrow.
Bacon swiss bison burgers and fries tonight.
Blowing up to 35 now and cold out.
9 in the morning is the word. Calm.
Jeff is taking a siesta. 1400 miles in 2 days. For a cow hunt.
What fun we have.
Can't beat that with a stick!
9 again this morning. Clear.
Second morning Jeff has glassed up a herd next door and they bedded in the open 500 yards from my fence. 50 cows.
Yesterday we saw a head, which turned into 15.
Today there were 40 on the BLM until 9am and they split. Half around my place across a neighbor and the rest to a ranch 1/2 mile away.
The dozen I was after are still coming in the same way and out. Just not today.
Seen elk every day and twice they were on my place, just the stars did not align. Yet.
Went to the Pie Shop yesterday and we scored. Big dinner and we were full. No need for Pie...lol
He brought homemade carmel/fudge brownies his wife made for me.
Had Pie Town Xmas bison chile tonight.
Gate installed today and firewood cut.
24 in morning tomorrow and west winds. Cool. We have time.
Second morning Jeff has glassed up a herd next door and they bedded in the open 500 yards from my fence. 50 cows.
Yesterday we saw a head, which turned into 15.
Today there were 40 on the BLM until 9am and they split. Half around my place across a neighbor and the rest to a ranch 1/2 mile away.
The dozen I was after are still coming in the same way and out. Just not today.
Seen elk every day and twice they were on my place, just the stars did not align. Yet.
Went to the Pie Shop yesterday and we scored. Big dinner and we were full. No need for Pie...lol
He brought homemade carmel/fudge brownies his wife made for me.
Had Pie Town Xmas bison chile tonight.
Gate installed today and firewood cut.
24 in morning tomorrow and west winds. Cool. We have time.
