trophyhill
WKR
Welp? I've been blessed to draw the Gila again! Nowhere else id rather be even if im not hunting. Every day is an adventure in the Gila.
I have no doubt i have stepped on ground where virtually no human has stepped. I've seen the wild at its wildest. And it's not always good. Ive seen where wolves have killed multiple elk. I've seen what bears do to full grown elk in the Gila.
I've seen so many Turkey's you'd swear you were listening to a Tyson slaughter yard befor the slaughter. I've felt the watchfull eyes of big cats on me even though i did not see them. I've seen so many bears that i stopped fearing them. Until one attempted a predation on me while scouting in 2019.
There is predator sign everywhere you go in the wilderness. As well as prey. During a wet year, everything is so green and gorgeous. During a dry year everything is so rugged and brown. I wonder how these animals survive. Huge rocks turned over everywhere lets you know bears feed here.
My first pack in huntin 2015 was spooky. I did not sleep that first night in the backcountry. Everytime i heard a noise, my mind played tricks on me. I just knew a mountain lion or a bear was going to rip thru my tent at any moment. And the sounds of bugles at night kept me awake. But i conquered my fear of solo hunting and camping where noone would hear me scream if things went south.
Now i wouldnt have it any other way. In 2017 i had daily encounters/opportunities but came home empty. Still though i felt fulfilled. I had given it all i had and left it on the mountain. The memories are what brings me back time and again.
In 2019 i blew more opportunities. And late in the hunt killed a giant. Some call him a unicorn with nearly 60" main beams. But i know better. He wasnt my first encounter with a Gila Monster. My techniques have put me within bow range on probably a dozen big bulls in the Gila since 2012. They do exist!
This year i will do my hybrid style of hunting. I will pack camp in and have a tent at the truck. Instead of taking everything in at once, i will hunt my way back to the truck every couple days. Truck camp does have its advantages. You can get clean, eat good, and get rejuvinated after some rugged hot sweat filled days.
It also has its disadvantages in that i hate leaving elk once I've found them. Unless you pack 10 days of food and water in though, you have no choice. Water is the biggest issue when hiking from the truck into the back country. I've seen it both ways where there is plenty, and when there is none. Still though i have to get back. The adventure of the Gila is 2nd to none. Whether i make a kill or not, new memories, new locations will be etched in my elk brain forever. See you in the elkwoods!
I have no doubt i have stepped on ground where virtually no human has stepped. I've seen the wild at its wildest. And it's not always good. Ive seen where wolves have killed multiple elk. I've seen what bears do to full grown elk in the Gila.
I've seen so many Turkey's you'd swear you were listening to a Tyson slaughter yard befor the slaughter. I've felt the watchfull eyes of big cats on me even though i did not see them. I've seen so many bears that i stopped fearing them. Until one attempted a predation on me while scouting in 2019.
There is predator sign everywhere you go in the wilderness. As well as prey. During a wet year, everything is so green and gorgeous. During a dry year everything is so rugged and brown. I wonder how these animals survive. Huge rocks turned over everywhere lets you know bears feed here.
My first pack in huntin 2015 was spooky. I did not sleep that first night in the backcountry. Everytime i heard a noise, my mind played tricks on me. I just knew a mountain lion or a bear was going to rip thru my tent at any moment. And the sounds of bugles at night kept me awake. But i conquered my fear of solo hunting and camping where noone would hear me scream if things went south.
Now i wouldnt have it any other way. In 2017 i had daily encounters/opportunities but came home empty. Still though i felt fulfilled. I had given it all i had and left it on the mountain. The memories are what brings me back time and again.
In 2019 i blew more opportunities. And late in the hunt killed a giant. Some call him a unicorn with nearly 60" main beams. But i know better. He wasnt my first encounter with a Gila Monster. My techniques have put me within bow range on probably a dozen big bulls in the Gila since 2012. They do exist!
This year i will do my hybrid style of hunting. I will pack camp in and have a tent at the truck. Instead of taking everything in at once, i will hunt my way back to the truck every couple days. Truck camp does have its advantages. You can get clean, eat good, and get rejuvinated after some rugged hot sweat filled days.
It also has its disadvantages in that i hate leaving elk once I've found them. Unless you pack 10 days of food and water in though, you have no choice. Water is the biggest issue when hiking from the truck into the back country. I've seen it both ways where there is plenty, and when there is none. Still though i have to get back. The adventure of the Gila is 2nd to none. Whether i make a kill or not, new memories, new locations will be etched in my elk brain forever. See you in the elkwoods!
