Back Down from the High Country

I’m happy to report that I’ve returned safely from the untamed wilderness of northwestern Colorado. Overall, I’d say our do-it-yourself elk hunt during the third rifle season (November 3-10) was a success despite being plagued by hot, balmy weather that was not very conducive to late-season elk hunting. To me, any time spent in the mountains is a privilege that I feel fortunate to have experienced. I won’t lie though, seeing a few more elk would have been nice.

A view of the valley where we camped for the week; Our new canvas wall tent performed very well on its first trip.

Our hunt took place entirely on public land, including the Flat Tops Wilderness Area and other lands managed by the US Forest Service. These areas are restricted to hunters on foot or using horses and contain some very steep and rugged terrain. The elevations from our camp to the highest hunting grounds ranged from 8,000 to 11,400 feet. The public campground where we stayed was shared by several small groups of hunters from neighboring states as well as a few local outfitters who used it as a drop-off point for their clients who were headed to nearby spike camps.

Our cook tent contained two Coleman stoves for preparing meals; A look at our sleeping quarters inside the wall tent

Our campsite contained two tents, one for sleeping and eating, and one for cooking meals. The canvas tent where we slept and kept most of our gear was 16’x20’ and was custom made by Davis Tent Company in Denver, CO. We installed wood stoves in both tents, but due to the unseasonably warm temperatures that reached 65-70 degrees in the afternoons, we only used them at night.

A few mule deer on private land; A cow elk feeding on a distant ridge on opening morning

The elk tags among our group of hunters included two cow tags and three bull tags, and legal bulls in our management units had to have at least four points on one antler or a five inch brow tine. Despite the lack of fresh tracking snow, our group of energetic hunters remained optimistic as we made preparations for the season opener.

The first few days of our hunt revealed that very few elk currently inhabited the densely timbered slopes surrounding our camp. After speaking with several other hunters and guides in the area, we learned that heavy snows in the second rifle season had initiated the annual elk migration and driven most of the herds to lower elevations which are comprised largely of private land with limited access. We were pretty disappointed, but with the huge amount of wilderness at our disposal, we were determined to locate some remnant elk that hadn’t yet migrated.

That’s me at a little over 11,400 feet; A pika shares my view of the north face of the Flat Tops Range

Knowing that any remaining bulls in our area would be at very high elevations to avoid hunting pressure, I decided that my time would be best spent by doing some serious climbing and covering as much territory as I could. When the alarm clock beckoned at 3:00am, I gathered my gear and began the long, dark hike to the top of the ridges encircling our camp. My strategy was to arrive at the highest alpine meadows before daylight and hopefully catch the elk in the open before they retreated to the dark timber. If I didn’t see anything within the first couple of hours, my time was spent sneaking through the thick timber of the north-facing slopes. I should clarify that I’m using the term “sneaking” very loosely because the frozen two-week-old snow usually made it sound like I had bags of potato chips strapped to my feet.

Large elk rubs were common in the black timber

Claw marks on an aspen tree signaled that we were in bear country.

I consider myself to be in pretty good physical condition, and I can tell you that the mountains of the Flat Tops Range are very humbling. Their slopes are extremely steep, and impassable shear cliffs are common. Not having a horse (or mountaineering equipment), I was limited to the terrain I could safely cover with my own two feet. I think it would be accurate to say that, on this trip, I saw more territory than my two previous trips combined. On most days, I traveled 10-12 miles and over 3,000 feet in elevation. One thing I can tell you is that I’m very impressed with the Medalist Silvermax silk-weight base layers. I wore these for five straight days of hunting and couldn’t detect any foul odors. They dry very quickly and are definitely the best option I’ve found for demanding hunts where working up a sweat is inevitable. I was also very pleased with the Cheyenne pants. They’re very lightweight, and the soft fabric was extremely quiet when I was crawling through sagebrush and thick blow-downs.

My morning post overlooking a huge alpine meadow; I was ready for a long shot, but the elk didn’t cooperate.

During my hunts, I saw all kinds of interesting sights and critters including squirrels, ravens, grouse, a mink, pikas, coyote tracks, wolf tracks, bald eagles, mule deer, and cow elk. You’ll notice I didn’t mention bull elk because that was basically the only thing I didn’t see throughout the course of the trip. I’m not complaining though, because I enjoyed every minute of it, and I can’t wait to go back. To me, avoiding disappointment is a matter of having realistic expectations of a hunt before you leave home. Hunting public land in over-the-counter bull tag areas in the late seasons is a very challenging proposition. Killing a big bull is not only difficult, it is highly unlikely. I knew that when I purchased my tag, and I was willing to accept the odds.

A curious porcupine kept me company one morning while I waited for elk; Our crew of hunters included me, Vince Hoover, Shane Hoover, Brad Jeannerat, and Dean Ritner.

I’d like to say thanks to the other guys on the trip for a great experience in absolutely awesome country. Everyone worked well together and stayed in good spirits despite the obvious disappointment of not harvesting any elk. Our empty meat coolers weren’t the only ones in the campground, as none of the neighboring groups of hunters (including the outfitters) filled any of their tags either. And that, I’ve come to understand, is the nature of elk hunting. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

First Steelhead Fishing Of The Year

This fall has been unusually warm and dry with near drought conditions through October in Erie.  The steelhead season has suffered.  The once fast flowing waters of the Lake Erie Tributaries were little more than a trickle throughout much of October.  I had been itching to get up there to fish for steelhead, but with reports of low clear waters, few fish and many anglers, I decided to stay away.  On November 8th, I was at my house making a plan for an evening archery doe hunt and a thought crossed my mind…  With the recent rains, I wondered what kind of shape the creeks were in Erie.  After a few phone calls, and a little research, my decision was made.  The word I received was the water was up and a little off colored.  The locals suspected there was a nice run of fresh fish making it into the Tribs.  At 10:30 am I was packed up and on my way to Erie.

My first stop as I entered Erie was to Lake Erie Ultimate Angler on West 12th Street.  I needed to pick up a couple tapered leaders and weights before hitting the streams.  After driving to several spots on Elk, I found a stretch that didn’t look as busy as the rest of the areas.   This isn’t to say I was all alone, as fishing for steelhead in the fall isn’t typically a sport of solitude.  I found a nice semi-deep run that usually held fish about a half mile from my truck which nobody was fishing.  This was where I spent the better part of the afternoon.  After a few weight, and fly changes, I had my first hit of the afternoon.  The only problem is that I didn’t see or feel this until I was lifting my fly rod to cast back upstream.  This scenario played out more times than I would like to admit until I made my first solid hook set of the evening.

After getting the first fish of the year (an 18 inch jack) under my belt, I continued to fish this same general area for the next couple of hours.  After a couple more hookups and fish landed, I decided to call it a day, and head back to my truck for the lengthy ride back home.  On my way back, I noticed a large pool (usually holding several fishermen) with nobody around.  I decided to take this rare opportunity to fish this hole alone, and ended up making a good day, a great day.  I possibly, had my best hour of fishing I have ever experienced in Erie as the fish were plentiful and hungry.  The flies of the day for me were a pick sucker spawn, and a chartreuse glo-bug… both size 12.  Most of the fish caught were relatively fresh with a couple of chromers, and all were full of fight.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to fish for steelhead in Erie, I would encourage anyone to give it a try.  One hookup with these powerful fish could get you addicted for life.  The fishery in Erie is incredible, and many people around the world visit to enjoy the great fishing this lake and its tributaries provide every year.   Good luck in all your late fall ventures and as always, be safe.

Mike Bell

“Fowl” Weather, Snow Day and A Waterfowler's “Gem”

Pictures I took of the snow goose 1 ½ weeks before season.

The second season water fowl came in with a bang feeling a little under the weather and keeping me indoors until mid-morning. Feeling better, I dawned my gear, grabbed my gun and Drake. Don and I hit the highway in pursuit of waterfowl.

I have hunted in worse conditions, but we encountered numerous weather, sunshine, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme winds. It was definitely “fowl” weather! However, the medalist gear really held up to the test! I was impressed. Not only did I remain warm, I was bone dry without the added weight and bulk of wet garments. Which we all know can make it difficult to maneuver and not to mention uncomfortable.

We located a variety of birds due to the extreme weather and were able to capitalize on a few flyaway birds physically and vocally. As you will see by my pictures we harvested 2 Canada geese, one which I shot sporting the “waterfowl gem” (and you all know how I like my jewelry!), 2 mallard drakes, 1 bufflehead hen, and one snow goose. That's right our first snow goose. We had been watching this bird for a couple of weeks on different waterways and it seemed to disappear a few days before season. I had even taken pictures of it on water way it was frequenting with this flock of Canada geese.

Don and Drake above with our Snow goose and Canada goose.

Drake and I with the snow goose and Canada goose.

Drake posing handsomely

Snow goose

We also called in a few Black ducks and Don gave the command “Take em” and I heard, “Click-slide, click-slide” thinking to myself, “Oh yeah! Honey you just confirmed your guns empty!” I wasn't able to shoot...maybe because I was laughing so hard, but the birds didn't stick around. They banked and flew to parts unknown. Just seeing such a beautiful bird and knowing you had them within gun range is a success in itself. It's not always about the kill. Oh and by the way, Don loaded his gun after our laughter settled.

Drake, our yellow lab, worked the elements and the birds like a pro. He loves the water but did have to close his eyes at one point while on a retrieve due to the pounding sleet. Although I think Drake could retrieve in his sleep. All in all it was a really great hunt.

Drake with the sleet pounding in his face. He kept closing his eyes.

Drake and Don below with our two drake mallards.

When arriving home we were met by Don's son Brandon and his friend Scott that had also been out hunting after work. They had harvested in all five drake mallards. One of the birds Scott shot was banded. Which is pretty rare in these parts. Later we went on line and submitted the band number on my bird and Scott's mallard. It came up that Scott's mallard was banded in Ontario Canada. How cool is that? You can just imagine the places that bird had been, how far it traveled, how many hunters he may have encountered. To think just harvested here in Central PA.

Upon giving Scott the good news about his bird, he stated that the date of it being banded, September 18, 2004, was the day he and his wife got married. Congrats again to Scott! We have introduced Scott to waterfowl hunting just two years ago and he is hooked. He already has one banded goose and one banded mallard to add to his memoirs.

So despite the “Fowl” weather it was another great memory in the field with family, friends, trusty canine, laughter and success.

Here's to hoping all you have a great memory your next trip afield. Until next time! Teresa

My Banded Bird

Don Drake and I with our days efforts.

Scott with his banded mallard, left.

Brandon and Scott with their mallards.

The day's harvest

Sights in the Outdoors

Preseason scouting for second season waterfowl

It was a Sunday afternoon and I decided to take a ride to a local waterfowl roost site to do some preseason scouting for the second season coming upon us quickly.

My son Jimmy and I headed off , with the dog of course, and our cameras hoping that I could add some good pictures to my collection. When we got to the area only a few hen mallards, eclipse drakes and mature drakes were already on the site. So this ended up to be a good lesson for both my son and the dog...patience. Sitting and waiting patiently for the incoming geese and ducks. See which way they were coming and get an idea of where they possibly were feeding. That way we would be able to generalize an area to try and pin point their flight for feast. Not to mention, my son loves to call waterfowl. He is only 11 and isn’t able to hunt this year so by listening to the hens and drakes on the water, only helps him hone his skills while watching the birds and their antics. There is no better teacher than the real Macoy!

Pictures above of some ducks being ducks. We listen and learn from their normal activity.

After a short while and a few pictures later, just before dark, I saw the dog, who was sitting very patiently.... turn his head and perk his ears up.

Drake our 20 month old lab patiently on “the down” and cueing us to incoming geese.

I looked at Jimmy and said, “I think the geese are coming in.” Jimmy said, “I don’t hear them.” I didn’t either but I knew Drake did. A few seconds later you could hear the trumpeting calls of geese in flight in a distance headed for the roost. Coming in right from where Drake was looking.

The light was low but Jimmy and I were able to get a few shots off with our cameras at the incoming geese. The geese were “breaking air” as they call it. Slowing themselves down in order to descend onto the roost. I have seen this a hundred times while hunting, the birds twist and turn to slow down to land. They do it so quickly never have I seen with the naked eye what our cameras captured. In viewing the pictures back in the vehicle we saw that while the birds were breaking air some of them were totally inverted. As you will see by our pictures, it is amazing what you can capture with a camera. Other long time water fowlers I told this too and showed them the picture, could not believe it. The birds move so quickly and in the heat of the hunt it goes totally undetected. Just goes to show you that you learn something-new everyday. Only one more reason I think the more you scout, watch and learn about your quarry the more successful you can become.

Notice goose in picture above to the right is inverted, feet in the air.

This picture has the goose to the top inverted.

On more than one occasion while setting my sites on a descending bird I have missed. Maybe I just need to set my sites a “little higher”.

Good luck to all that go out for the upcoming waterfowl season. I will be sure to update you on a hunt. Until next time!

Teresa