A different kinda muley hunt this year

freedivr2 · Sep 6, 2004

LAST EDITED ON Sep-06-04 AT 08:41PM (MST)[p]I've got an interesting hunt coming up next week in Colorado. I just had knee surgery just 4 weeks ago (removed cartilidge from both meniscuses in the right knee) and have been working my butt off to get the knee in the best possible shape for this hunt (even pushed it a little too hard a couple of weeks ago and had a little setback, but since then have been on a good mend). Nonetheless, the doc and physical therapist think I'm a little nuts for going, but, well, you guys DEFINITELY know how it is......I've got a muzz tag for GMU 35/36 and a statewide muzz for cow elk, and the season starts next saturday. I gotta give er a go.......

So, the lungs & legs are not anything close to what they should be in for this kind of hunt, which is killin me. Nonetheless, I'm going to give er a go with a different approach. I'll start a little earlier, walk slower and not challenge the big climbs this year. Plan on doing a whole lot more glassing than usual & do more spotting and stalking than I would've thought of doing.

Bottom line to my friends here at MM; if you guys see me post another dink this year or I don't score on a cow, you'll know that it wasn't because my heart wasn't into it.......I just am going to be way more conservative than usual (but I AIN'T STOOPING TO ROAD HUNTING, NOT TO WORRY!!!), Nonetheless, maybe I'll learn something new from spending less time climbing and more time intensely glassing than ever before. I'll let ya know what happened when I get back. For the rest of you mountain climbing studs, my bestest wishes for a huge muley and/or elk for you. If your legs are good to go, don't hold back from your hearts desire!

P.S. If anyone missed the point here, it's pretty straight up; if you're lucky enough to be physically up to it this year, definitely give it your all simply because you can!! Later.....

BCBOY · Sep 6, 2004

Free,
Looking forward to seeing the results of your hunt posted up when you get back. I for one wouldn't be so quick to rule out Road Hunting. Spot and Stalk road hunting can be a very effective hunting technique and can give that knee of yours the much needed rest it deserves. But, regardless of your hunting style, I admire your determination to keep on hunting.

browtine · Sep 6, 2004

Give em hell..I hope you have a successful hunt. No need to worry about what MM.com thinks is a trophy. I would bet the majority would say that a true trophy is in the eye's of the beholder. Make sure you dont do anything that could have long term illness to your health. Remember, there is always next year. Looking forward to hearing how it went.

www.browtine.com
Later, Brandon

freedivr2 · Sep 6, 2004

Steve & Brandon........thanks for the good words, fellas. I didn't want to sound like I was whinin, just want to let the guys who can climb those mountains know that it's a blessing to be able to do so......And IF I get lucky at all this year, it will be from a smarter hunt, not a harder hunt I think. Best wishes and yak at you soon, Free.....

TheKnack · Sep 6, 2004

I hope you have a safe enjoying hunt.
Do not worry what standard others go by as far as size or even taking a deer or elk. Just enjoy yourself in the great outdoors.
Best,
Jerry

saminwy · Sep 6, 2004

i'll second the dont rule out "road hunting" as a spot and stalk technique. the area i hunt its one of the better methods, especially for locating elk. in the case of where i hunt, its very steep, but very open. frequently when we spot something from the road, it takes a half day to get there. not something we usually do every day-but every couple days its nice to let the legs and lungs have a break.

dakotakid · Sep 6, 2004

free,

You just might be surprised what happens if you sit tight in an area and wait for whatever to come walking along. I had the same surgery as yours but about 3 years ago now, and I did the same thing as you and pushed it too hard too soon after surgery and suffered the same setback. I dont think the knee ever did heal up properly and have that funky lil feeling that sooner or later I'll have to have it re-worked one day.

Mike

MichaelJ · Sep 6, 2004

LAST EDITED ON Sep-06-04 AT 10:24PM (MST)[p]Free, hey, I know that if anybody deserves a little more easy hunt. It's you! Best of luck, and I hope you get what your after!

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.

scottyboy · Sep 6, 2004

Free, good luck on those deer and elk hunts. Get those knees in good working order cuz when I get out to Cali in Jan. to chase Mountain Quail with ya, you don't want to be left in my dust, do ya?? LOL, J/K!!!! Those boogers are supposed to live in some nasty stuff up there. Like a little covey of minature elk with wings!
Stay safe and good luck and we'll be seein ya in a couple of months,
Scottyboy

kingfish · Sep 7, 2004

Hey bud, Take it easy on that knee. I have had both knees done one of which was done 6 weeks before the 2000 hunting season. Yes you are doing to much to soon but "A MAN HAS GOT TO DO WHAT A MAN HAS GOT TO DO"!!. The real test will be after you kill something. Be very carefull dragging anything. Hunt smart! Don't chance your health there is always next year...Good luck my friend...Keith.

COHunter · Sep 7, 2004

Are you gonna be in the Springs before you head out ?

Give me a holler if you are

five_point_buck · Sep 7, 2004

Free..

Last year was my first hunt after my Tommy John Surgery and it helped me slow down and stumble on things I had always passed up. Hunting smart is just as har4d as hunting hard, and the results can be very much the same. Enjoy the time afield.

As a reminder, trophy is a reward for an outstanding performance. Its not a record, which is different because it's based on a score.

Take er easy
five_point_buck *

ICMDEER · Sep 7, 2004

Free,

Good luck on the hunt. And luck can sure play a big factor. Use the spotting scope and save your legs for that big stalk. I'm betting that you'll do well. If you do get a decent buck, you'll have a special memory of him. I'll be in the neighborhood down there this weekend, too. I hope we both have good memories in a week.

Jim

BeanMan · Sep 7, 2004

Free,

Sent you a PM

BeanMan

LookinForBuck · Sep 7, 2004

Free - Just wanted to pass along my best wishes for your hunt - don't forget to post the pic's when you get back. Man I need to pick up a Muzzle, waiting till Nov. is killing me. Good luck and take care of that knee.

DeerKing · Sep 7, 2004

Free
Good luck on the hunt, take it slow. Methinks a buckie will fall where R & C got their bucks. Will make an easy haul out for you and the bum knee.

bigbull1 · Sep 7, 2004

I read about(probably on mm) a 80 year old guy who finally drew a desert bighorn, that had a recent hip surgery. He took a nice ram that would have made anyone proud.

Good Luck- get a hog!

freedivr2 · Sep 7, 2004

You guys are too kind. Here I am putting up excuses as to why I might not be able to get a nice big un and you're nothing but positive about it. Just goes to show what kinda good dudes we really do have on this forum. I'll giver my best all things considered.........

P.S. DK.......Methinks the same, least I'll give that area a real good, long downwind hunt (or two or three), that's for sure.

MichaelJ · Sep 7, 2004

Go Get Em' Tiger! GRRRRR! hehe Best of Luck, and I second to remember there's always next year. Don't push it too hard!

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.