Wyoming 2018
I went on an eight day Elk hunt with T-Lazy-T Outfitters out of Jackson Hole.
Elk in the area consist of a local herd and a migratory herd. Due to unseasonably warm temperatures, elk had not started to migrate down from Yellowstone to Jackson Hole. We saw lots of elk, but not the typical amount. The only two shots I had were outside my comfort zone and I didn't want to risk potentially wounding an animal.
We rode horses 15-20 miles per day and usually climbed 2-3000 feet per day. We would typically start and end on some very rugged trails while bushwhacking in-between.
I had tons of fun and saw some great country. I plan to go back in a couple years for a mule deer hunt, and maybe another trip for a try at an elk ;-)
We would usually drive for at least an hour in the dark to get to a trail-head
Yellowstone was my horse for 6 out of the 8 days. He had two speeds, slow and fast.
He also liked to run down hills which I had to discourage!
Stopping to glass for elk.
The first of many beautiful locations.
Eventually saw 100+ elk including 2 shooter bulls. Initially saw first bull around 275 yards, but he was alerted. Didn't have a good rest and my heart was still calming down from short climb. He took off before I got a safe shot. Scrub brush makes it difficult to shoot prone.
We went back to the same spot as Day 1 and saw some of the same elk as yesterday, but no larger bull.
We were watching the herd from about 400 yards when we saw someone on horseback spook the herd. Turns out there were several other hunters who ended up shooting 2 smaller bulls and sent the herd really running.
Had a great dinner with the 3 other hunters. Pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and homemade gravy!
Waiting for legal shooting light to glass.
We spent a lot of time today off trail weaving through the woods and deadfall. We only saw 5 cow elk, maybe because we also saw fresh wolf tracks.
We had one interesting spot where my horse slipped and kind of laid down, but I stayed on top and he recovered.
When we got to the top of the mountain we saw 4-5 cow elk feeding about 300 yards away. Billy told me to get my gun in case there were some bulls nearby. When I went to get my gun out of the saddle scabbard it was gone! I briefly thought WTF, but Billy had a gun I could use if a bull showed up; one never did.
On the way back we set up for a drive. I eventually saw about 4 cow elk at 400 yards, and latter a small spike bull at about 150 yards. At one point I heard a lot of noise back near the horses and we latter found fresh elk tracks that ran right by where we left the horses.
Not far down the mountain we found my rifle where it had apparently came out of the scabbard on a steep incline when Yellowstone was lurching forward. The scope turret cap was loose and there was a big scratch on the scope eye piece. I knew the scope was a rugged scope, but feared it was now out of zero.
We got back to the ranch, had a casserole, then I went to the rifle range to see if my scope was OK. One of the other hunters went with me since he has a spotting scope. I tightened the scope turret cover and shot some rounds at 100 yards. Everything was hitting exactly where it should. So, I tried the gong at 500 yards and it was perfect too! I'm glad I had a rugged Nightforce scope!
Today we saw about 7 cows and a spike bull. Then a little farther up the valley we saw 8 cows, 2 spikes, and a 5x5 bull. The larger bull never presented a decent shot.
On our way out we saw 2 goats (nanny & kid) up on a cliff and then bumped into 2 moose bulls when we rounded a bend in the trail.
We would hike as needed, usually on very nasty spots or just to give the horses a break.
This was the longest trail ride so far and when I got out of the truck at the ranch I was finally walking like I was riding a horse. My calves and thighs were pretty sore.
Look lower right hand corner for 2 bull moose.
We didn't see any elk. We spooked one moose on the way in, saw one deer up on the mountain, and saw a few grouse on the way out.
It was extremely windy on top, probably 20 mph, and snowing and sleeting.
We were pretty close to the Idaho border.
