MO Sherpa and elk

[tippit]

Shaun, Just a Great Read!  See if you can keep this one going as long as the Bear Quest.  

John, you are certainly one impressive wrangler...I already know you're one impressive hunter.  Finally, Congrats to Eric...Doc

[fatman]

Elk and Cuts....the Rockies at their finest

Great story, Shaun      

[Shaun]

Some of the local valley elk had returned and one had bugled all night on the west slope. We planned a casual hunt that evening and headed up to give it one more try. I took out a special arrow with Woody (Knife River) Blackwell head for luck. It had a nice walk in the woods but no elk and we headed in before dark as it started to rain again.

   

It was a long night of rain and when it sounded like it finally stopped it had only turned to snow. Good for the meat keeping but heck on the pack up the next morning.

Friday Sept 12th

   

It took much longer to pack wet and heavy gear and to make the ride out to the trail head than it would have dry. The last leg we were pelted with pea sized hail but we finally made it down and loaded the truck.

I often work on the road and motels no longer hold much charm for me, but I was so very glad to check in and take a long hot shower. We went out for supper and tried to eat too much, but could not. We slept well and in beds!

[Killdeer]

Love your arrows, Shaun!
Are automatic fly reels traditional?  :confused:      

Killdeer  

[Shaun]

The next morning we had a nice breakfast out and fed and watered the horses. We took Eric to the airport and headed down the interstate. The trip home was smooth and we made a stop that I had wanted to make for many years. No not Cabelas, I've been there, but an iconic hunters spot

[Shaun]

Made it back with the meat still cold from our dry ice picked up the night before. Crashed at Chez Berger and early drive the last little bit Saturday morning.

Thanks so much John and Eric

finis

[fatman]

So where is the Big Game Bar?  Looks like a real landmark....

[Shaun]

That's Ole's somewhere in Nebraska along I-80, the are old time bill boards for miles on each approach, its been there forever. He was an avid hunter and traveled the world. There are mounts of everything you ever heard of and more.

Killy, its the same winding real, just flipped over. Thanks so much for your praise, from a wordsmith like yourself it means a lot. You and Charlie and others on this site have set the bar so high it pushes me to try harder.

If you ever get a chance to hunt with the Sherpa just remember its not a casual nick name. I lost 10 pounds in 6 days and had all I could eat during the trip. He really knows his elk and I hope to half return the favor some day.

Oh yeah, you know that first quote from John at the beginning of the story? John and Eric were scheming away about next time before the truck was a mile down the road from the trail head.

Now there are in-town deer to get after - opened on the 13th. Time to shoulder my civic duty. General deer season here in two weeks, gotta get busy.

[BMN]

Great story and pics Shaun! Thanks!  

[Son of Texas]

Shaun thanks for the story it was Great!!!        

[Lost Arra]

Great hunt and story.

Shaun: how about a little more detail about that bow?  Is that a sleeve-type takedown yew selfbow?

[Shaun]

Bob, I posted some about this bow on the Bowyers Bench forum

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=125;t=000001;p=1

and more pictures on the PA site under the bow's name - Yew Tube.

It held up well and shoots great. The take down sleeve system seems to be holding up well too. Still goes together smoothly and is solid. It is the first yew bow I've made that I am satisfied with its performance and shootability. Its unbacked and really should have rawhide to protect the soft sapwood back, but I like it plane and simple.

[Mike Bolin]

Excellent! The writing and photos are more than worthy of the pages of any hunting magazine! Thank you for sharing! Mike

[Missouri Sherpa]

Great job Shaun.  I am halfway caught up and will try to add a little this evening after the wake.

Ole's Big Game Bar is in Paxton, Nebraska and has been there since at least the early 50's.  Nice watering hole and they serve great burgers and steaks.

More later.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

Thanks Shaun for sharing, made me think of our last elk hunt together when you killed that nice bull at 8 steps. Your story telling is getting even better , see you in Iowa soon Happy huting.

[fireman_3311]

Outstanding story and pics!!!!  Thanks for sharing them with us!!!

[Irish]

Great story, great pictures

[wislnwings]

After having my elk trip canceled this year, thanks for taking me along on your's.

[Bryan pinick]

Fantastic story and photos. I am going to start getting in shape for a "maybe" elk hunt next year!

[Strutter]

Looks like you guys had a great time.  Congrats on the elk as that is icing on the cake.  Thanks for sharing.

Rob