Gator,
There is alot of things that made this hunt possible. Living in California all of my life, I was offered a job in Colorado in the summer of 2006 working for a Construction Company as a contract Rep to Chevron in Rangley, Colorado. I had burnt my Colorado preference points a few years back, but by living in Colorado and establishing residence (ended up being there about a year and a half)I was able to apply as a resident therefor needing less points to draw unit 54 in the Gunnison area. Applied for the 2007, 3rd season, unit 54 and slopped out a tag. My good hunting buddy from California had max non resident points and drew the same tag.
After making several scouting trips to the Gunnison area
I learned the area very well but did'nt see much other than elk. It all came together in early November. Saw several nice bucks but only two shooters. Tried to get Ed to shoot one of the non-typicals we saw, but he said that it was only the 2nd day and he would continue to hunt for a true monster. This buck was killed by one of the outfitters on the last day, ended up scoring gross low 200. Big mistake for both of us.
The hunt overall was pretty tuff due to lack of weather, We pounded two different areas, daylight to dark looking for the type of buck that everyone wants. Spotted my buck on the last morning at about 2000 yards in the middle of a big basin, took one look at him in the spotting scope and started moving in on him. The country was very open with slight depressions, I got within 473 yards according to the Leica's and was hung out to dry. The only thing that saved me was he was facing away from me, I set up my spotting scope turned it sideways on the tripod and used it as a shooting rest. It was a steep angle downhill, so I split the difference between the 400 and the 450 crosshair and as soon as he turned broadside, the rest is history.
Ed was huntin the far side of the basin and heard me shoot. It took him quite awhile to make his way to where I was at, we boned out the buck and while Ed was caping the head I loaded up the pillow cases. We tied everything to the packs and headed out of there. (uphill of course)
I feel very fortunate to have hunted the 2007 season.
because everyone knows of the winter kill that year.
Jim (jp7mag)
"You don't have to be the best, just good as the best, forget the rest!"
