3 October 2007
2007 Colorado Archery Elk Hunt - Days 4-6
Posted by Darrell under: Elk; Colorado; Hunting Stories .
Welcome to Hell!
Day 4 - In the morning, I accompanied Jeff and Billy back to the area we had hunted on day 2. We jumped a large herd of mule deer, including 3 monster bucks. All would have been EASY bow shots. (Of course I wasn’t even carrying a bow as mine was back at the lodge with the sight ripped up) I didn’t see any elk. At noon, I headed back to the lodge and then made the trip to a bow shop in Durango to have my site fixed (the fiber optics replaced).
Day 5 - The fiber optics in my bow site all broke between when I left Durango and arrived back at the lodge (hours later). I sacraficed a morning’s hunt and headed back to Durango to purchase a different site. I settled on a Spot Hogg, purchased it, sighted in and headed back to the mountains. I arrived a little before 4pm and immediately started the hike to the top of a mountain where Billy and Jeff had seen some cow elk the evening before (while I was in Durango). I made it to the top about an hour before dark, did lots of calling and hiking, and then made my way down off the mountain in the dark. No elk.
Day 6 - We went to Hell. Almost literally. The steepest, scariest canyon that you can imagine was calling to us. Al, the guy that owns the Ranch told us that it stacks up with elk because no sane person would attempt to go in after them. Well, my friends and I certainly aren’t sane - so in we went! I split up from Jeff and Billy and started working my way down a few thousand feet into this endless canyon. Imagine steep walls covered in brush and blow downs where every step could mean a twisted ankle, dislocated knee, or broken leg. I fell into a hole (more about this later) and was certain that I would die on the mountain. This ended up being the most physically demanding day of my life and I did not see any elk.
What fun!
11 Comments so far...
Phillip Says:
3 October 2007 at 10:11 am.
Not only do we call this fun, we pay someone to let us have this much fun!
Enjoying the read so far…
Arthur Says:
3 October 2007 at 10:29 am.
Sounds like an interesting trip all the way around.
How did the sights keep breaking??? I’m curious.
Darrell Says:
3 October 2007 at 10:36 am.
The first time the fiber was ripped out of the site by by brush as I rolled and slid down the mountain side. The second time the fibers all just broke, while in the truck and in a case. The fiber would become extremely brittle. The only explanation I can come up with is that something to do with the change in elevation was creating the fiber to become brittle and break?????
deerPhD Says:
3 October 2007 at 1:19 pm.
Darrell,
Sounds like a crazy trip. I guess no sane elk goes to that spot either! Thanks for these updates…looking forward to reading more about your trip (and those hunters you successfully called it!).
Best…
Kristine Shreve Says:
3 October 2007 at 4:18 pm.
Great story so far. We even have a cliffhanger.
How did Darrell fall in the hole? Will he get out alive?
Tune in tomorrow to find out!
Marc Says:
3 October 2007 at 7:46 pm.
that sounds like the most insane elk hunt ever! I want to go on one right now 
subrban bushwacker Says:
4 October 2007 at 6:28 am.
Jealous? Me? YES VERY!!!
I have to make do with gathering chestnuts, they’re nice, but it’s just not the same!
Matt Says:
4 October 2007 at 7:09 am.
Exciting story so far. There’s a good article in Field & Stream this month about hunting elk without a guide.
Michelle Rene Says:
4 October 2007 at 7:48 am.
I am interested in hearing more about the hole!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
BuckNakedFever Says:
4 October 2007 at 8:42 am.
This series is awesome. I want to see pictures of this hole! LOL
Falling In A Hole - Smarter Than A Coon » AlphaTrilogy.com Says:
8 October 2007 at 6:41 am.
[…] day 6 of my recent Colorado archery elk hunt, I fell into a hole - literally. I was hunting by myself working my way down into a really knarly […]
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