Well, my inaugural archery hunt was nothing short of a great time, an “on the job education”, and humbling experience, all while surrounded by some of nature’s most beautiful country. I was hunting elk in Colorado on my wife’s distant relatives ranch outside of Telluride. I have hunted this ranch a handful of times over the past 20 years, but always during 2nd rifle. While on our annual family reunion vacation back in July they mentioned they didn’t have any archery hunters coming this year so I inquired about coming up to hunt from the 11th-18th.

The rut was not in full swing and it made “calling in” a bull a true challenge. It probably didn’t help that I was/am an amateur at hunting the rut and calling but I gave my best. I frequently saw bachelor groups of 5-6 bulls (3 of which would be considered herd size bulls) all grouped up without a cow in sight. These groups were on the opposing private ranch which the owners does not allow hunting on, so I am sure they feel very secure and have no need to leave the prosperity.

Tuesday morning one of the smaller satellite bulls was lagging behind the rest. I gave my advertising bugle, raked a tree with a stick and he immediately turned form heading up hill into timber to down the hill towards me. He was probably a 1,000yds out at this point. In a panic I figured I probably need to back up and find some cover since I was currently just standing in a very open small park of aspens. Once I got back into some cover, I then realized I didn’t have my bow. I had laid it down to call and never picked it back up. So I ran back 30 yds to get it and then got repositioned.

Off to my left was a 40yd wide meadow that sloped at about a 20-25% grade down to the junction of two fences, one into national forest and then the next which was the opposing neighbor. So he needed to jump two fences to get up to me. The neighbors onto national forests and then the next fence was from national forest on to our property. I waited for about 5-10 mins and nothing. Figured he got distracted and thought otherwise about sizing up his competition. So I got up and snuck up to the meadow edge to look down to the fence line. And there he was......on national forest broadside at 80yds. The mental debate then ensued.....I can make that shot. It’s 80yds. Then I realized....no, no I can’t. Fortunately at that time he jumped off national forest and onto us and was grazing his way up to me.

Now I am on the edge of the meadow with zero cover, panic ensues again....I see a bush about the size of half of a round hay bale 10 yds in front of me. I wait till his head is down and quickly dart for it. Once there I am sitting with my knees On the ground (mistake #1) with my reared on my boots. I get my range finder out and start ranging distances to know what yardages I have to shoot before he gets to me. He is coming quickly and have him pegged to be at 20 yds once he clears past my line of sight that is obstructed by the bush I am sitting behind. I place the rangefinder on my lap (Mistake #2) and clip my release on my loop. A couple more steps and I have a shot.... so I start my draw and ............... the rangefinder on my lap starts to slide (in what seems like slow motion). I use a wrist release and I am clipped into the loop so the fluid immediate reaction to just reach down and catch it was a no go. So....it hits the ground . Bull immediately bolts and that was the one and only opportunity I had all week.

Definitely a learning experience.

But you came here for photos and I tried to take as many as I could while I was hunting. This ranch was homesteaded in 1882. It to this day still functions as a working ranch and is their main source of income. Someone had the foresight 100+ years ago to pick one of the most majestic views in the area. The backdrop is Mount Wilson, one of the many 14’ers throughout Colorado. This is also the mountain range on the Coors beer cans. The movie The Hateful Eight was filmed on the ranch, multiple Marlboro commercials as well as many automotive SUV commercials (Hummer was filming their new commercial for their Hummer EV release while I was there) and clothing apparel magazines photos. It is simply an amazing majestic place. Enjoy the photos.

This was one of the top 5 mule deer bucks I have seen in the ranch. Sorry the pic is terrible. It was through my binoculars with my phone.

This was buddy Rocky. He ate pine cones 5 ft from for about 2 hours. Never moved. He made my cheeks hurt

This photo and the very first one are not mine and I do not take credit for. I believe my wife’s relative snapped these and shared them but they are amazing. I have never seen the “Milky Way” any more pronounced that cloudless clear nights on the ranch.

Too bad you didn’t get your Elk!!

Great pics!!! Thanks for posting them!

A bunch of great pics and an awesome write up.

Beautiful area, thanks for sharing the pictures and a good story.

Great recap of what was obviously a wonderful time in Gods majestic wilderness. Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing

Awesomeness

Great photos....thanks for posting.

Looks like a great place.

Great story...too bad about the ending though. That place looks amazing.

I'm sorry you didn't get your elk but wow, what a beautiful place.
Thanks for sharing

Beautiful pics and nice write up. Thank you for sharing

Congrats on a great trip, I’m glad you took time to film it, unbelievable photos and county

Great writeup! It would be incredible to live in a place so beautiful!!

Gorgeous country.

Amazing photos. I am sorry, my friend, that you didn't get your elk. But you got closer than 95% of elk hunters. I know zilch about bowhunting, so I cannot comment further. That is one gorgeous stretch of God's creation.

Great pics and write up, thanks for sharing. Chalk this hunt up to a great time in a magnificent location and experience gained. Getting them that close sure makes for some nerves and excitement.

I have got to get away!