Been home a week and finally have my thoughts and pics together. Just wanted to share our story for those who, like me, enjoy the story behind the success shots. I will try to get this start to finish today and tomorrow. There are so many people who were more than kind in trying to help us. They all know who they are and that Chase and I are very grateful for their help and friendship!
First, the back story. I'm a father of 2 boys, 23 and 25. Both are bow-hunting fanatics. We apply in several states and are rarely the ones to draw a tag. I have been putting in Utah for 9 years for elk and the boys have been in for two. When we put in for Utah, I put all three of us on my card. When the back-door opeded I saw that the card was hit, we were beside ourselves and of course wondered WHO drew the tag. When the results finally came out, we were pretty sure it was me because of my point total. But, it turned out to be my youngest son, Chase, that drew the Monroe NR Archery elk tag. We were pumped for this hunt. The three of us planned to all go to Utah and spend our fall hunt together chasing elk.
Plans were made and I even talked the wife into traveling to Monroe for the second week of our vacation so I could at least scout the roads and trails and get familiar with the unit. I also got to work contacting as many people as I could find who had hunted Monroe in recent years. That effort was very fruitfull and I have to say, the opportunity to help a fellow archer was not passed by many. We had all kinds of suggestions and pointers to work with and by the time I got to the mountain, my map was full of places to check out.
After our trip, I was really excieted for Chase and couldn't wait to spend a couple of weeks with him and his brouther Hunter on Monroe. Can you say 'stoked'?
Then, came about the last of the western states to draw. Out home state of Washington. When the results were posted, we quickly took a look actually kind of hoping none of us drew. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we were shocked to see that Hunter drew a quality elk tag in one of the few places in Washington that produces really big bulls, Dayton. Then saw that I too had drawn a Daton area archery elk tag! We didn't put in together andhe had a lot more points than I, but somehow we both drew. Now the wheels really started turning trying to figure out how to pull off 3 primo bull tags in two states in 18 days?
After lots of discussion, we decided on a plan that brought us the best chance of success. Hunter and I would hunt Dayton for 4 days, then Chase and I would continue on to Utah and hunt Monroe until he scoredor the season ended. (the 16th) Then head back to catch however many days of the Washington season was left. (the 19th) Hunter would join us to Utah IF he tagged early, otherwise he would stay until he got a bull and then head for home. All three wives were behinds us with this plan and the clock started ticking.
Home sweet home on Monroe.......
First, the back story. I'm a father of 2 boys, 23 and 25. Both are bow-hunting fanatics. We apply in several states and are rarely the ones to draw a tag. I have been putting in Utah for 9 years for elk and the boys have been in for two. When we put in for Utah, I put all three of us on my card. When the back-door opeded I saw that the card was hit, we were beside ourselves and of course wondered WHO drew the tag. When the results finally came out, we were pretty sure it was me because of my point total. But, it turned out to be my youngest son, Chase, that drew the Monroe NR Archery elk tag. We were pumped for this hunt. The three of us planned to all go to Utah and spend our fall hunt together chasing elk.
Plans were made and I even talked the wife into traveling to Monroe for the second week of our vacation so I could at least scout the roads and trails and get familiar with the unit. I also got to work contacting as many people as I could find who had hunted Monroe in recent years. That effort was very fruitfull and I have to say, the opportunity to help a fellow archer was not passed by many. We had all kinds of suggestions and pointers to work with and by the time I got to the mountain, my map was full of places to check out.
After our trip, I was really excieted for Chase and couldn't wait to spend a couple of weeks with him and his brouther Hunter on Monroe. Can you say 'stoked'?
Then, came about the last of the western states to draw. Out home state of Washington. When the results were posted, we quickly took a look actually kind of hoping none of us drew. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we were shocked to see that Hunter drew a quality elk tag in one of the few places in Washington that produces really big bulls, Dayton. Then saw that I too had drawn a Daton area archery elk tag! We didn't put in together andhe had a lot more points than I, but somehow we both drew. Now the wheels really started turning trying to figure out how to pull off 3 primo bull tags in two states in 18 days?
After lots of discussion, we decided on a plan that brought us the best chance of success. Hunter and I would hunt Dayton for 4 days, then Chase and I would continue on to Utah and hunt Monroe until he scoredor the season ended. (the 16th) Then head back to catch however many days of the Washington season was left. (the 19th) Hunter would join us to Utah IF he tagged early, otherwise he would stay until he got a bull and then head for home. All three wives were behinds us with this plan and the clock started ticking.
Home sweet home on Monroe.......