SFC B
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About to hit the rack....SP is 0400!!
SFC B and the rag-tag band of brothers for 2022!!
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SFC B
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Got back last evening from 1st season with CPO (son and father), Redman and his better half. Let me start by saying how great it was to have Redman and Casey in camp this year. Many laughs were had by all and they are incredible camp mates. As for the hunt.
The weather was carbon copy for everyday. Lows around 20 highs in the freaking 60s, crystal clear skis and a moon so bright it cast shadows :/ It was obvious that it had been a while since measurable moisture. The road into camp was in decent shape (for a pretty nasty jeep trail) .....but I think it was a bit more than Redman expected for his rental truck
As soon as CPO and I pulled into camp we knew it was going to be VERT tough going. The POS rancher we have had NUMEROUS problems with in the past (see previous threads) who has the grazing allotment for this piece of land really outdid herself this year. The entire area had been grazed within an inch of its life. Add to that HUNDREDS of cattle still out, having apparently spent the last month or so running a entire crew through the area replacing fence (by cutting down untold spruce and fir small trees), AND leaving all that damn fence up until 3 days into the season when she sent another crew out on ATVs to finally drop the fence.....mind you this is wilderness, NO MOTORIZED vehicles area but the damn hamburger farmers get to do whatever they want. Rant MOSTLY over.
Every night we heard cows chirping all around. Night before the opener Redman heard one lonely bugle. Every patch of dark timber/blow down seemed to hold cows. However, not a SINGLE elk was to be seen in the daylight all week. Between the 4 of us hunting we were all over and couldn't even scare up more than a few tracks or scat out of the deep stuff.
We did however see a boat load of deer. The biggest park we hunt that runs up to the mountain had them pouring out every evening. Had this been 2nd season we would have hung at least 4-6 on the pole. In addition to that had the biggest buck I have seen in the area take a jog across the meadow we camp in about 300 meters away from us and right next to another camp. Big boy. Also seen were too many dang foxes to keep track of and a little pine marten that probably soiled himself when he almost walked over my boot in the dark as I coughed
Meal times and evenings were spent with stories and copious amounts of comedy and a FEW Busch Light Apples! My new sleep system worked out great as I was plush and comfy (coldest morning seen was 18).
We missed the last half day of the season as CPOs father was in bad enough shape to necessitate an early exit. He is in pretty poor health and probably should have given this season a miss but insisted. CPO took him to the doc straight away who diagnosed him with pneumonia and placed him in the hospital for the next few days. Kind thoughts are appreciated and the doc has said that it should be good in a couple days.
After we left camp Redman, Casey and I headed to Kremmling for some pretty decent Mexican food. We said our goodbyes there until next month in IN. The next 3-4 weeks can't come quickly enough for me! The first set of pics here is camp and my ugly mug.
The weather was carbon copy for everyday. Lows around 20 highs in the freaking 60s, crystal clear skis and a moon so bright it cast shadows :/ It was obvious that it had been a while since measurable moisture. The road into camp was in decent shape (for a pretty nasty jeep trail) .....but I think it was a bit more than Redman expected for his rental truck
As soon as CPO and I pulled into camp we knew it was going to be VERT tough going. The POS rancher we have had NUMEROUS problems with in the past (see previous threads) who has the grazing allotment for this piece of land really outdid herself this year. The entire area had been grazed within an inch of its life. Add to that HUNDREDS of cattle still out, having apparently spent the last month or so running a entire crew through the area replacing fence (by cutting down untold spruce and fir small trees), AND leaving all that damn fence up until 3 days into the season when she sent another crew out on ATVs to finally drop the fence.....mind you this is wilderness, NO MOTORIZED vehicles area but the damn hamburger farmers get to do whatever they want. Rant MOSTLY over.
Every night we heard cows chirping all around. Night before the opener Redman heard one lonely bugle. Every patch of dark timber/blow down seemed to hold cows. However, not a SINGLE elk was to be seen in the daylight all week. Between the 4 of us hunting we were all over and couldn't even scare up more than a few tracks or scat out of the deep stuff.
We did however see a boat load of deer. The biggest park we hunt that runs up to the mountain had them pouring out every evening. Had this been 2nd season we would have hung at least 4-6 on the pole. In addition to that had the biggest buck I have seen in the area take a jog across the meadow we camp in about 300 meters away from us and right next to another camp. Big boy. Also seen were too many dang foxes to keep track of and a little pine marten that probably soiled himself when he almost walked over my boot in the dark as I coughed
Meal times and evenings were spent with stories and copious amounts of comedy and a FEW Busch Light Apples! My new sleep system worked out great as I was plush and comfy (coldest morning seen was 18).
We missed the last half day of the season as CPOs father was in bad enough shape to necessitate an early exit. He is in pretty poor health and probably should have given this season a miss but insisted. CPO took him to the doc straight away who diagnosed him with pneumonia and placed him in the hospital for the next few days. Kind thoughts are appreciated and the doc has said that it should be good in a couple days.
After we left camp Redman, Casey and I headed to Kremmling for some pretty decent Mexican food. We said our goodbyes there until next month in IN. The next 3-4 weeks can't come quickly enough for me! The first set of pics here is camp and my ugly mug.
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SFC B
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SFC B
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Here are some pictures from my phone. Casey has more to add later. No elk down but had a blast!
SFC & Casey heading out for an evening sit.
This gopher decided to join our afternoon lunch circle. Ms Casey wasn't happy when I spit crew on his head and really got on CPO when he smashed a beer can on his head!
Here is what SFC was talking about over grazing. I have never seen anything like it. Even the small parks deep in were like this with rutted up cattle trails leading every where.
A beautiful sunset.
Looking forward to these guys staying with us next month and there will be fresh meat pictures I assure you!
SFC & Casey heading out for an evening sit.
This gopher decided to join our afternoon lunch circle. Ms Casey wasn't happy when I spit crew on his head and really got on CPO when he smashed a beer can on his head!
Here is what SFC was talking about over grazing. I have never seen anything like it. Even the small parks deep in were like this with rutted up cattle trails leading every where.
A beautiful sunset.
Looking forward to these guys staying with us next month and there will be fresh meat pictures I assure you!
SFC B
Well-known member
Did my laundry today and have the boxes packed and ready to go for Indiana. Had a GREAT weekend at work and reached a sales goal which will give me a free Seekins PH2 that I have been listing after all year. It will be in the desert shadow pattern with the black Melanite finish. On a bit of an up swing and can't wait to leave again.
SFC B
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A little eye candy....
SFC B
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I'm less than a week from leaving for IN and am READY!! Gonna head to the range this afternoon to get a little last minute trigger time for Simo and the POF.
SFC B
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Teaser pics...
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SFC B
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SFC B
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Got everything settled in the garage.....have to work 1200-2130 today ( of course) so it will be a come home, load out and hit the road.
so it will be a come home, load out and hit the road.
SFC B
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Wheels UP!!!
SFC B
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I finally made it to Casa de Redman about 1930hrs......NOT a fun drive this time. Construction and the fact that EVERY farmeri KS, MO and IL decided to harvest their corn TODAY while using US 36 as their grain wagon, grain srmi, tractor, harvester highway added about 3 very tedious hours to my drive. At least it is in the books and I'm worth my peeps. Ol Sarge has been up 40 hrs straight at this point... I gotta sleep 
SFC B
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SFC B
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Ended the day with several more deer sightings out and about. Planned the approach for the morning and getting ready for chow. I decided the POF Rogue is getting called up to Active Duty!!!
SFC B
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SFC B
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SFC B
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In at lunch. First morning was chilly and snowy. Up to lunch 3 does (no shot) and a lil buck that needs a couple more years.
