Just got home after hunting the conservancy property in eastern Oregon 51 sq. miles open . for cow elk. As usual things did not go as planned. The afternoon we(my son and I) arrived weather was ok so we went for a walk to look over the area we planned to hunt the next day. As we were not really hunting I grabbed the knock around Ruger all weather 338 and off we went. The area is grass tops that drop into the Imnaha River, fairly steep. After walking apx 3 miles we decided to investigate a small side draw about 1 mile away. Walked over the brow of the hill and my son says "how about that one" I looked and bedded down was a youngish cow about 80yds below-something did not look right so I yelled and she got up, it became obvious she had been shot previously, so the die was set. She hopped behind some small trees and at the shot disappeared, she had fallen down a small waterfall into the steepest place around and was laying in the small pool at the base of the fall. Have you ever noticed how a mere second can radically alter well laid plans. Went down and checked-some fool had shot her in the right ham. We were able to salvage 90% ending with a trek in 40 mph wind with sleet and snow in the low 20s-not a trip to be forgotten. It was great a pleasure even with the extreme weather while retreving the remaining portions. Anytime I can spend in the woods with my grown son is a true blessing.
I had planned on using my 416/280 AI but the Ruger was on top the pile in the back seat of the truck so the 338 got the nod. It did not end up the way we planned-but it sure will not be forgotten. Both my son and I looked more like arctic explorers with the amount of snow and sleet stuck to us. But still any hunt you end up with meat and survive is a good if not great hunt.
