The day didn’t start off too well. My blood sugar was really low, so it took a bit to get going. Then, when I was packed and ready to leave camp, I realized the battery for the bike light was completely dead. I changed my plans and went with Jacob to sit in a place where elk seem to travel regularly. We didn’t see much of any activity besides a spike mule deer. The deer definitely wasn’t too intelligent. We came out at noon to do some stuff around camp. Josh came out shortly after we got out, so we had a good afternoon of joking and laughing. Sometimes some of the best hunts are all about the memories made around camp.
People have started coming out now. Although the snow had kept everyone out of the woods the last two days, there are two side-by-sides and two wheelers up here today. The snow is just about gone, and people can more easily get around. I expect the pressure to increase daily from here on out. It’s going to be tough to get a look at one.
When Brian returned to the tent tonight, we found out he had a good day. He saw three cows and two spikes over off what we call the third knob. They were bedded in a small group of animals. He also listened to one bugle while in its bed. It bugled throughout the afternoon hours. On his way out, he saw a big 6×6 right after it bugled on top of a ridge. Unfortunately, it spooked and crashed timber.
While I feel like we are getting close to finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I also have my doubts. In the first three days of hunting, I’ve experienced things I’ve never seen in the past. There isn’t any bugling in the morning hours, and the bulls are hammering while bedded in the afternoon. When they get up for the evening feeding, they seem to let one rip here and there. Hopefully, the light switch turns and they start coming alive.