After a 6+ mile horseback ride into the Flat Tops Wilderness, I woke up Sat AM and headed to the designated spot after a quick breakfast (guided hunt). A 1.5 mile horseback ride in the dark (scared to death, but awesome experience) and another .5 mile walk scaling rock walls meant for goats, not a Bama by (another scared to death, but awesome experience). Beginning to see well at 7am and heard the first bugle around 7:45am. Saw 6 bulls and numerous cows, 215 yard shot broadside. 1 shot, lungs and heart, 2nd shot (missed high, shaking like crazy), 3rd shot liver and he stumbled and fell down. Total adrenaline rush and humbled when I walked up in this HUGE and MAGNIFICENT animal. 2 hours to clean and quarter (this is NOT a whitetail), then the guide went back to camp for pack mules. I stayed back and soaked it in while snow started falling just on queue. What a once in a lifetime experience! When this 5x5 finally went down, a BIG 6x6 walked out of the trees and just looked at him, same spot, broadside for over 2 minutes. Me and my guide just watched in amazement, no spook, no concern. To say the least, I am completely amazed at these animals and the beautiful scenery I was able to see for the first time.
Gear:
Kuiu Teton puffy- very warm
Kuiu Insulated zip on pants- very warm
Kuiu Pelaton 240 Hoodie- very warm
Kuiu Pelaton boxer briefs- nice!
Sitka Traverse base bittom- didn’t like fit/feel (will be for sale next week)
First Lite Aerowool bade top- performed very well
First Lite Merino Socks- performed very well
First Lite Uncompraghe- great in 40 mph winds over the Teton
Cabelas Windproof Waterfowl Sweater: worth its weight in gold!
Saloman 4d quest boots (comfortable)
Still looking for a WARM pair of gloves!!!
Gun:
Kampfeld Custom 6.5x284
Handload 140gr partition (2 shots complete pass through with a wound channel half the size of my fist) over 50.5 IMR4831.
Optics:
Leupold HD 10x42
Leupold Vx-i 4.5-14x40
Excellent first elk experience. The guide informed me that this is NOT a typical first elk hunt, but I’ll take it all day long!
Not sure how to post pics yet, but a 5x5!
Luke
Gear:
Kuiu Teton puffy- very warm
Kuiu Insulated zip on pants- very warm
Kuiu Pelaton 240 Hoodie- very warm
Kuiu Pelaton boxer briefs- nice!
Sitka Traverse base bittom- didn’t like fit/feel (will be for sale next week)
First Lite Aerowool bade top- performed very well
First Lite Merino Socks- performed very well
First Lite Uncompraghe- great in 40 mph winds over the Teton
Cabelas Windproof Waterfowl Sweater: worth its weight in gold!
Saloman 4d quest boots (comfortable)
Still looking for a WARM pair of gloves!!!
Gun:
Kampfeld Custom 6.5x284
Handload 140gr partition (2 shots complete pass through with a wound channel half the size of my fist) over 50.5 IMR4831.
Optics:
Leupold HD 10x42
Leupold Vx-i 4.5-14x40
Excellent first elk experience. The guide informed me that this is NOT a typical first elk hunt, but I’ll take it all day long!
Not sure how to post pics yet, but a 5x5!
Luke