Hi All

Well I made it.

Left NY 3:00 AM on the 14th. Spent the nite in Lincoln NK, 2nd nite out found us in Grand Junction CO. We could of went on in to Naturita and camp but opted for a few cold ones and a good steak. Next morning we drove into camp around 11:00 AM, giving us time to lay back abit before the Sat opener.

Welcome to sunny CO, hot and dry describes the weather. About the same as the 07 opener.
I was using a 338 RUM with the new 250gr Accubond in front of 91 gr RL-25. Same rifle I had in AK & CO last fall. Easy gun to shoot. Only this year it wears a NightForce 5.5-22x50 in NK rings and 20 moa mount--bought from Joel Russo at a great price. Wasn't to sold on the scope at first but the more I use it, I'm thinking its the way to go. Also have a new Leica rangefinder that left a bit to be desired on those bright sunny days. But it's compact and would range the animal if not the terrain--a trade off I can live with.

I have a good hide, between a bedding area and feeding grounds down below with water. Was confident I'd see some action. Openind morning had a cow break a saddle leading to my spot just after daylite. She kept looking back over her shoulder but she was alone. Considering the conditions I decided to take the first legal bull sighted. During the morning I spotted eight more cows and a calf. Around 1:00 I saw a small bull, nothing legal, but I got set up on him thinking he may be traveling with another bull as they often do. Sure enough through a break in the oak brush there was a 4x5, I took the shot at 453 yds and filled my bull tag. Turned out to be a good decision as he was the only legal bull I sighted on the trip.







I get to do the shooting, plus dress out and then its not to long before these boys show up to do the work. Taking the bull out in one piece was not a problem. At the road they loaded it in the back of a Chevy Suburban, which was something to see. At my age, I couldn't hunt these big animals without them. Actually depending on how they lay its about all I can do to dress em out. I made the shot from the high point over Ray (blue sweat shirt). That's my spot. killed quite a few elk from there.





Had a cow tag. Hunted hard, saw a few but couldn't get a shot. Last morning shortly after daylite saw a fair mule deer, made the the shot at 633 yds.







Also saw two bears, one a beautiful chocolate brown color. And me without a bear tag. Heavy acorn crop, there was bear dung everywhere. Quite a few bear sightings, no one in camp had a bear tag. Third morning, had one feed on the gut pile left from my bull at 453 yds, standing broadside til I got tired of watching him. He was a good bear, a shooter.

Four of us took one bull, two cows and two mule deer. Not our greatest year but considering the conditions , not to bad.

Phil

Phil:

What, not using your .358 STA? Sounds about like the conditions we had in Alaska.

Dave

Very nice animals!

Phil, I hunted the first rifle hunt near Steamboat Springs and it was COLD! At least for a N. GA boy. Temps were in the teens in the mornings.

Congrats on the successful hunt. Those are a couple of nice animals and I'm sure that they'll provide you with some good memories for years to come. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the story!