Colorado Continued
Russ and Mary Meloche’s Piney Ridge Ranch in Bayfield Colorado turned out to be the “stuff” dreams are made from! Not only do they own 2000 acres, but they lease another 4000 acres of BLM land, so we had a pretty good chunk to hunt. The Meloche property sits in the southwest corner of the state with elevations around 7000 foot maximum.
Ken, Bill, and I only had 5-days at the ranch, and we were just getting the lay-of-the land when it was time to catch our flight home. The first few days we all kind-a stayed around the perimeter of the field, where we saw the elk our first evening. The third day I set off by myself, and saw six elk, including a spike bull. I could of shot a cow, but was holding out for a bull, which has to have at least 4-points on one side of his rack. I made myself a little blind behind a bush, and placed a bunch of thorn branches around me for cover. I started cow calling around 5:00 in the evening, and had turned my head for a few seconds, when a long tined spike poked its nose right into my blind. I was glad I had a barrier of thorn’s between us, as he had the look of “love” in his “wild eyes!” Because he couldn’t get through the blind he came around my right side, and stopped two yards away from me. The wind was in my favor, blowing behind me, as he stood there looking for “his” cow! The saliva was dripping from his mouth, and his chest was heaving in and out. I’m glad he didn’t bugle, cause he would of blown me right off my little stool, and into the thorns. After awhile he walked behind me, and finally got my scent, as he melted into the landscape.
I was pretty pumped when I got back to the ranch that evening. Ken had missed a nice mule deer buck, and Bill had a pack of coyotes within 5-yards of his position. Right before dark he had a couple elk working their way into his shooting lane, when they caught wind of something they didn’t like, and spooked. Bill figured they got wind of the coyotes that had passed through earlier.
Stay tuned for the conclusion of our dream hunt.
Mike
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:55 am
I had a fawn do that to me once in the Upper, I wasnt worried about becoming part of the family I will grant you that, but it was still breathtaking. Sounds like you had a great time out there, you got me hooked, cant wait to read about the conclusion.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 am
Sounds like an awesome time. I don’t know what I would have done when that Elk stuck his head in the blind. Pretty cool stuff though.
Looking forward to the “rest of the story”