Where to start,
Utah 2021 was the most physically demanding, mentally challenging and most satisfying hunt I have ever had. Most would say success is in the harvest, My self for a hand full of years included. By no means am i on the level of most on this forum but I’d assume as we gain experience in the field and adventures had our mind set changes and the small things start to make impressions that stick with us for life. It started in May when I had just landed at San Diego international and turned my phone on, my notifications started dinging, check some emails and noticed that Utah had put out there draw results. I always long shot a few applications and hope for the best as most do. Had no idea with my 3 points that a limited entry archery elk tag would be In reach. I drew the random non resident tag for the Wasatch mnts, That’s when my plans for the 2021 season went in to thin air and everything changed.
One never see’s the implication of drawing a unlikely tag in the excitement of realizing the tag has been drawn. There was constant nagging on my conscious knowing time away from work, making sure to dot my I’s and cross my T’s to get everything lined up to be away for an extended amount of time. Amongst my tight group of hunting friends we all in good faith have spoken about the what if’s and in the past we all have said at one time or another that we would be there in the unlikely Scenario one of us draws a great tag. Unfortunately this was not that case due to new baby’s, change of careers and season dates which is understandable.
After long conversations with the wife the decision was made to hire a guide, this was not my first choice but considering the situation it was the best option. As the season opened, the reports of bulls hitting the dirt and rutting activity increasing daily my eagerness to be out there with bow in hand increased as well. My days were to hunt the 11-15th and the season ending on the 17th. I could not contain my self any longer so I left non a whim on September 6th. I was solo which my wife was not happy about, got to camp and instantly after setting up hit the woods, getting away from the wind ripped ridges and dropping in to the deep fingers the bugles of September were in abundance.
Being relatively inexperienced in chasing elk, all I really have to go on is YouTube knowledge of bulls screamin in the rut, shit works. Cow callin for response and going in fast with the wind in your face will will get your heart pumping. Being late in the day and last light coming fast cow calls were the ticket, bulls moving in,it seemed to me that once the bugles started the bulls did all the work and just fired each other up. Never got an opportunity, beautiful it was and the light faded. Over the days of running solo and making mistakes I was eggar to meet up with my guide. His name was Ammon, he is young, strong and full of energy. This kid has grown up on the mountain and knows it well. Ammon and I were able to get in close and I was able to knock an arrow 6 times, never was able to let one fly but this was not for lack of effort. Almost 80 miles in 7 days and my body breaking down, socks full of blood and running out of luco tape the season came to a close. I will keep my lessons learned, small success had and the memories of this hunt to my self. Ammon pushed me to a physical limit that I have never experienced before, this kid is a true mountain goat and has a bright future as a guide. As the days pass since coming home I reflect not on the hardships of this hunt but on the small victory’s had. Screamin bulls at 50 yards In The dark timber, the sound of a bull in a wallow, the raking of pine trees and shrubs in between the gust of wind that reveals the location of the bull your after, the smells of rutting elk in the crisp morning air and finding out that heard bulls rarely leave the wind.
I truly believe to kill a heard bull everything has to be perfect and that a mistake on a wild animals part has to be made. I walk away from this hunt knowing that I may not have filled my tag but I am a butter hunter for it.
I love UTAH!
Utah 2021 was the most physically demanding, mentally challenging and most satisfying hunt I have ever had. Most would say success is in the harvest, My self for a hand full of years included. By no means am i on the level of most on this forum but I’d assume as we gain experience in the field and adventures had our mind set changes and the small things start to make impressions that stick with us for life. It started in May when I had just landed at San Diego international and turned my phone on, my notifications started dinging, check some emails and noticed that Utah had put out there draw results. I always long shot a few applications and hope for the best as most do. Had no idea with my 3 points that a limited entry archery elk tag would be In reach. I drew the random non resident tag for the Wasatch mnts, That’s when my plans for the 2021 season went in to thin air and everything changed.
One never see’s the implication of drawing a unlikely tag in the excitement of realizing the tag has been drawn. There was constant nagging on my conscious knowing time away from work, making sure to dot my I’s and cross my T’s to get everything lined up to be away for an extended amount of time. Amongst my tight group of hunting friends we all in good faith have spoken about the what if’s and in the past we all have said at one time or another that we would be there in the unlikely Scenario one of us draws a great tag. Unfortunately this was not that case due to new baby’s, change of careers and season dates which is understandable.
After long conversations with the wife the decision was made to hire a guide, this was not my first choice but considering the situation it was the best option. As the season opened, the reports of bulls hitting the dirt and rutting activity increasing daily my eagerness to be out there with bow in hand increased as well. My days were to hunt the 11-15th and the season ending on the 17th. I could not contain my self any longer so I left non a whim on September 6th. I was solo which my wife was not happy about, got to camp and instantly after setting up hit the woods, getting away from the wind ripped ridges and dropping in to the deep fingers the bugles of September were in abundance.
Being relatively inexperienced in chasing elk, all I really have to go on is YouTube knowledge of bulls screamin in the rut, shit works. Cow callin for response and going in fast with the wind in your face will will get your heart pumping. Being late in the day and last light coming fast cow calls were the ticket, bulls moving in,it seemed to me that once the bugles started the bulls did all the work and just fired each other up. Never got an opportunity, beautiful it was and the light faded. Over the days of running solo and making mistakes I was eggar to meet up with my guide. His name was Ammon, he is young, strong and full of energy. This kid has grown up on the mountain and knows it well. Ammon and I were able to get in close and I was able to knock an arrow 6 times, never was able to let one fly but this was not for lack of effort. Almost 80 miles in 7 days and my body breaking down, socks full of blood and running out of luco tape the season came to a close. I will keep my lessons learned, small success had and the memories of this hunt to my self. Ammon pushed me to a physical limit that I have never experienced before, this kid is a true mountain goat and has a bright future as a guide. As the days pass since coming home I reflect not on the hardships of this hunt but on the small victory’s had. Screamin bulls at 50 yards In The dark timber, the sound of a bull in a wallow, the raking of pine trees and shrubs in between the gust of wind that reveals the location of the bull your after, the smells of rutting elk in the crisp morning air and finding out that heard bulls rarely leave the wind.
I truly believe to kill a heard bull everything has to be perfect and that a mistake on a wild animals part has to be made. I walk away from this hunt knowing that I may not have filled my tag but I am a butter hunter for it.
I love UTAH!
