They Live Amongst Us. (ELK)

[Ugly Sauce]

The wife took this picture about one mile from our house about two hours or so ago, before it got dark. Either sex elk season (muzzle loader) opens tomorrow. Maybe they will pass through the State Land tomorrow, on their way to hide out on the wildlife preserve, which they do every year. Wish me luck.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

If your luck s like mine they won't be anywhere around when you want them to be. I swear, all the deer and elk get a.hunting manual the same time we do.
They always seem to know.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Truth, that picture was on private land, about a mile-mile and a half from the state land which is two miles from me. About four miles from the state land is a wildlife preserve, and yes they herd up there as soon as season starts. They know. But, the odd elk or two sometimes wanders back on the State Land, so what I do is just take a book and spend the day out there and hope for that chance encounter. I figure it's worth my time. The odds aren't great, but not hopeless either. This year/now I'll do that every-other day, and get my firewood in, between those days. That's my plan anyhow. Today will be a late start as I have to go into town for a bit. Hopefully when I pass the state land there won't be too many other hunters hunting it. Would have been nice to get out there at daylight, but....obligations. !!!!

 

[courtgreene]

How’d it go?

 

[Ugly Sauce]

How’d it go?

Spent the whole day until dark, with the Jeager and 1860 Colt, spent most of my time sitting in hopes of other hunters jumping game in my direction. I was able to get on the far west boundary of the State Land, which was down-wind of the other hunters east of me. Not a bad set up. Deer was also open, but with a three-point minimum/bucks only. (three rigs, parked at the three different gates, I had the wife drop me off) But, no dice. No elk. Enjoyable day for sure, took a good book and lots to eat. Thanks for asking!

 

[22250Rem]

Glad you enjoyed the day, even without scoring. Just remember that you won't fill any tags by sitting on the couch or lying in bed. Good luck in the future.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Glad you enjoyed the day, even without scoring. Just remember that you won't fill any tags by sitting on the couch or lying in bed. Good luck in the future.

My motto exactly. Much greater chance of filling the freezer sneaking around the woods, then sitting on the couch. No chance of Mr. or Mrs. Elk wandering into my house. For sure. Elk are open for a week, so my plan is go out every other day, work on my winter wood supply every other day.

 

[Doug444]

Never go in the woods unarmed. Wood cutting may turn into elk cutting. As they say, luck is for those who make their own.

 

[InTheSwamp]

Either sex elk season (muzzle loader) opens tomorrow.

Time to make some sauce for that Elk, @Ugly Sauce

 

[jmr40]

I saw this photo online a few years ago and saved it. I'm pretty sure this is Estes Park CO. Just outside of Rocky Mt National Park. I've seen a handful of elk in the streets near gift shops on the other end of the town right at the NP boundaries.



There is a private college about 15 minutes from my home that has about 20,000 acres that the state leases from them to use as a WMA. There are a LOT of deer there, but they tend to stay on the campus where hunting isn't allowed.

I do almost all of my small game, archery deer, and turkey hunting there. No reason to travel farther, but you have to be drawn to rifle hunt. I've been picked several times in the past.

They have several bike trails and this is a common sight when I ride.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I think that is Colorado, isn't that weird. !! I've been through some towns like that kind of mid-Washington State. There's a little town, Medical Lake Washington not too far, that has a big State Mental Hospital, (worked there several years) and the grounds look like that lower pic with all the deer.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Another day on the State land. I thought the book and Bess were "appropriate". No I don't got no Baker rifle. Probably not a great decision, as the Jeager out-ranges Bess quite a margin. But hey, just wanted to give Bessie some love. I'll switch back to the Jeager for the next two hunts. Then early season ends. Dang. As the elk have moved onto the preserve, best I can do is find a good place to watch for them, read a book, smoke a cigar, and eat stuff and drink coffee. And hope one wanders off the preserve as they sometimes do. This is a nice spot that overlooks a big meadow where I see elk often. Other hunters in the area too, so staying put and hoping for them to push one my way while they beat the brush is part of the "strategy".

Ain't she purty? 1863 Remington New Model Army in Navy caliber was my side arm of choice. Well I know that's a "fantasy" pistol, but, I like the concept. Last time I loaded it, which is how it's loaded here, I was curious as to just how much 4fg I could get under a ball. 30 grains and the ball still seated a comfortable distance from the front of the cylinder. Would probably take 32-33 grains. Dang...that ain't no "pop gun". This belonged to Maria Uberti at one time. Anyhow, was packing the 1860 previously, but today I thought I'd change things up for luck. Have shot three deer with the Jeager, when packing this pistol, so it isn't unlucky by any means.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Never go in the woods unarmed. Wood cutting may turn into elk cutting. As they say, luck is for those who make their own.

I don't go out of the house unarmed. !!!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Got into a small herd today, around 15-20, but of course they were on the other side of the fence, and were having no part of coming over to the State Land. This is the "Giant Meadow", which is private property. Watched them for quite a while, then they moved off into the far tree-line. When I would squeak the cow-call at them, they would raise their heads and stare for a bit, but showed no desire to investigate. And again, they seem to know what the fence means. Did not frustrate me at all, sitting there watching the elk, with Rosie the Jeager in my lap, and a tag in my pack, was a good thing. Yes, switched back to the Jeager, cutting my range in half was not brilliant, but me and Bess didn't see anything to shoot on Monday anyhow. But I did feel much more confident with Rosie today. (I do have a morbid curiosity about what a .690" ball over 140 grains of Swiss will do)

The terrain on the state land is quite variable. Contrast this with the "Big Meadow".

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Today was the last day/close of the early ML Elk hunt. No dice. Now the modern-rifle season will be on soon (I think starts the 16th) and will run it's course, then some late ML seasons.

Ready to rock the last day of "any elk" early muzzle loading elk season. Yep, got the BIG gun on me hip. .54 Caliber...makes me feel warm and fuzzy all day.
Yeah, sun is already up. Dang!

This coffee break brought to you by the Plains Pistol, .54 caliber. Stoked with 60 grains of 3fg under a patched ball. Why? Because I can.

Normally I load it with 70 grains of 2fg, but using 3fg I thought I'd load it "light". Ha ha ha. Ammo load out was six loads in paper cartridges. Fast. Tear-pour-ram-cap and Ka-pow. Capper hanging around my neck for instant access. Also, as you can see, I modified the flash cup so it would not interfere with the capper. Still keeps the soot in the cup and off the breech. But the pistol is very fast to reload.

Carries really nice, for sitting on the ground the holster slides on the belt so I can pull it to my front. Plus it has a lot of "cant". And she don't weigh a lot, about 42 ounces, right in the same weight-zone as my 1860, Remington, EL Patron, etc.

This winter I plan to give it a make-over. Going to put a brass cap on the pointy end of the handle...I really never liked the shape that it is. Also, can't take all the writing and warnings and crap all over the barrel anymore, so I'm going to address that. "De-farb" it. That will involve removing all the blue, but I think it will look good "in the white", and then a natural grey will develop. But man, the left hand side of the barrel requires a book marker to read it, ".54" and "54 Caliber" is on it twice. The markings run all the way from the front sight to the rear. Then where the belt hook was (I hate belt hooks) it's ugly, !! I need to get/make/devise some kind of side plate. A mini-serpent side plate would sure look cool. !!! And I will also replace my bow-handle grip material with some buckskin. Hawg will appreciate that!

Thanks for listening! Next hunt will involve snow.