Colorado hunt
- Bob Hanna: Someday
- September 23, 2018
- 1698
Hey everyone, it’s that great time of year once again: hunting season.
Just a few days from the start of deer archery season, western hunts in full swing, social media lit up with stories and pics. Keep them coming. Taryn and I have been busy practicing for our upcoming Wyoming hunt as well as putting up Taryn’s new tower blind.
Before we go on, just a word of caution: In our enthusiasm to chase our dreams, let’s not forget safety first.
We received word of the hunters attacked by a bear in Western Wyoming. One hunter was found dead after his partner ran for help. It did say they had a pistol but no mention of bear spray. Remember these animals are in survival mode 24/7. And the trophy to us is their daily meal.
As promised, let’s get back to Colorado ‘06. We had just witnessed several hunters shoot elk in the valley below us, and the herd started to cross the river to our side. We scampered around the hill to head them off, but our timing was bad as the lead cows had already cleared the hill and spotted us, which chased them back across the river. So we had to leave them.
The next morning we were back on the same canyon and once again saw some nice mule deer in that same field. After witnessing a beautiful sunrise, our guide tapped me on the shoulder and pointed out a herd of elk traversing the ridge line behind us at about a mile away. We don’t believe they spotted us, but they did slide down the backside of that ridge.
My guide said one of our hunting groups should be in position to see these elk. After a few minutes and no shots heard, it was determined they were out of position, and my guide said, “Let’s go!”
We hopped into his Ranger and “flew” about 5 miles around the mountain to get ahead of them. I remember trying to film the ride, hang on to my rifle and stay in my seat all at the same time.
When we got close, we stopped the Ranger and crept over the ridge. We spotted the herd at about 700 yards on the other side of a ravine. There were several legal bulls in the group.
We were standing about waist high in sagebrush, so we blended in nicely. Suddenly we heard a shot in the distance, which spooked the herd directly toward us. My guide said to get ready to shoot the lead bull when he reached the bottom of the canyon.
Once again, as I looked through the scope, I couldn’t find him because I had left my telescope setting at 12 power. And when I did find him, I fired two shots but forgot I was shooting downward at a steep angle and completely shot over him.
As they scrambled around us, they disappeared into another draw. My guide yelled, “Follow me,” as we headed over the crest of the ridge.
Now we’re at 8,000 feet. My nerves were shot. I had no oxygen. My adrenaline was off the charts. As I cleared the ridge, my guide was pointing out as the herd came up the draw. The nicest bull was still in the front.
My guide said, “From here,” and tapped his arm, urging me to shoot off his shoulder. I can remember my total shooting instincts took over: running target at about 225 yards right to left, lead him about 1 1/2 feet. As I squeezed the trigger, we saw the whole herd disappear.
As we glassed them coming up the other side, my bull was not with them. He was laying in the draw with a perfect neck shot. I was elated.
After pics and field dressing, my guide went after the Ranger. While I was waiting, my youngest daughter called and asked, “Where’s Mom?” I said she was in church with David (Sunday morning). She asked, “Why aren’t you in church, mister?” We raised our kids to know the importance of church.
My reply: “I’m sitting on top of a mountain in Colorado. I can see God’s beautiful mountains in every direction. He has blessed my with a 5-by-5 elk this morning. What better way to worship him than right here?”
Her response: “You have an answer for everything, don’t you Daddy?”
And worship him we did, with praise and gratitude.
God bless.