"Well, you came up here for adventure, didn't ya?"

[Wild Bill]

Great read! Thanks for sharing this one.

 

[Hunting Wife]

I am a sucker for a captivating read, and this was one. Many thanks for an exceptional story during the winter doldrums.

 

[wa_archer]

Hell of a story well paced out to hold us all on the edge to come back when updated. Great job

 

[gouch]

Great story and a great presentation. Thank you.

 

[Southern Elk]

I am a sucker for a captivating read, and this was one. Many thanks for an exceptional story during the winter doldrums.

An early nominee for a talkie award.

 

[targetpanic]

Holy hell! What an adventure!! Great read!

 

[longbow51]

This was one of the best hunting stories I have read in a long time. I have hunted that terrain, and suffered with you every step, you made it that real.

 

[fowladdict]

Great write up. Thanks for taking us along. A HT Dundy award winner for sure.

 

[Wallydeuce]

Entertaining read. Thanks for taking us along!

 

[Schism]

What a great adventure! Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[MT_elk]

What a great story and awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Happy Myles]

That sir, is a spectacular adventure . Congratulations and thank you for sharing

 

[PaulRevere]

@Bluffgruff are you gonna make your way to missoula for the rendezvous?

 

[brownbear932008]

It was a 75+ mile death march, in this case, haha.

Pure grit and determination is all I can say. A journey I promise you will never forget. You have me thinking about another trip up there now.

 

[fmnjr]

Very inspirational!

 

[bowhuntmontana]

Exactly what I needed as winter drags to an end and I am nearing cabin insanity. Fantastic adventure and a write-up that does it justice. Core memories for you on that trip.

 

[Bluffgruff]

@Bluffgruff are you gonna make your way to missoula for the rendevous?

Not this year. Maybe next year?

 

[Bluffgruff]

The end game with any hunt for me is the vittles.
From one ham, I locate the oyster steak and tri-tip and they go in a bag with the rump roast. When I get home, those go directly in the pan with just salt, and it's some of the best meat I've every tasted.





I clean up the skull and get it simmered and power washed. The hundreds of tiny holes in the muzzle are different than any other ungulate I've ever seen.



The antlers keep their color, but the skull is stained deeply.



Ultimately, the hair bleach does its job and the skull goes up in the wall to keep the memories fresh every time I walk our stairs.