An Outdoorsman's Journal

   Elk Country/Calgary Bound

Hello friends,

   Where do I start with this column is a big question as I just returned from 4200 mile adventure that went from Necedah, Wi to just south of Anaconda, Montana to Salmon, Idaho, then Missoula, Montana and then Calgary Alberta and back home. Long story short, I have an elk and deer license for Montana and will hunt with a rifle in late October by myself.
   Four years ago, I harvested a beautiful 6x6 bull near Big Sky, then I did not see elk in the next 2 seasons. Last year I relocated to the Livingston area and despite the fact that each August I scouted, I did not see an elk while hunting but plenty while scouting. I put out some feelers and had two choices, one south of Anaconda, the other near Phillipsburg.
   After the planned five days of scouting, I was going to help my 25-year-old daughter Selina Walters relocate to Calgary, Alberta, where she will attend the University of Calgary to pursue her Master’s degree in a subject that she truly loves, fisheries.

   Friday, August 14th
   High 82, low 48

   I arrived in Beaverhead National Forest this morning after being lodged in my truck for the last 30 hours. The 10 mile drive to where I was told to camp and check out the area was remote and beautiful and The US Forest Service campsite that would be our home until Monday was perfect.
   First I built a comfortable camp, then I unloaded my Polaris 570 from its trailer and went on a 6 hour exploration trip. Pros and cons of this area, I was told by a biologist and my friend George that there were plenty of elk, but I could not shoot a mule deer and there were very few whitetail.
   Reality of searching for new elk country, wolf numbers, elk migration and just importantly has there been a forest fire in the vicinity in the last five years? A fire brings hunters that have to relocate, wolves eat elk, and migration to lower country "grass" in the fall means no elk.
   I have been ill for the last 3 weeks with Giardia and E.coli, I am mending but my stamina and muscle have taken a hit. I put 10 miles on the atv, probably 4 on my legs and loved it. I did not find what I wanted but had a great afternoon after a marathon drive.

   Saturday, August 15th
   High 77, low 46

   Selina was going to meet me at camp today, there is no phone service and 2 days ago she finished her last hitch on a snorkel crew where she lived in the water during the day and slept on the ground at night. Today I was on a remote road getting firewood for camp with my atv and trailer and who appears, my little girl who is no longer a little girl. We headed back to camp, had a great lunch and then did some big time exploring by atv and on foot. We found elk and deer.
   More good news happened today when Rachel Valeria and her 2-year-old son Arlo showed up on the same road and we were all smiles. Rachael is an anadromous fish biologist with Idaho Department of Fish and Game has been a great friend of Selina's since their days back at UWSP and is one heck of a unique person.
   Tonight it was atv rides for Arlo and a great night of fun and laughs at camp.

   Sunday, August 15th
   High 79, low 45

   Today the 4 of us did a 3 hour hike bushwhacking and Rachael carried Arlo every step of the way. We did not find good elk sign, but it really was a classic experience. This afternoon Rachael and Arlo left, and Selina and I did some big time exploring. We really did find what I would call excellent elk sign but it will require a spike camp to hunt, and I am fine with that.
   The following day we headed to Phillipsburg and met with my new friend Ray O'Dell who lives at Phillipsburg and is my neighbor Sandy Bezemek’s nephew. Ray had a place where I could harvest either a whitetail or muley and there were elk. Bad news reared its ugly head when the only road into my newest version of paradise had a bridge out and there was not a dam thing we could do.
   If anyone has an idea where I can get remote and there are elk, mule deer and or whitetail in Montana that I can legally hunt I am all ears. Otherwise, I will be heading to Beaverhead National Forest and I hope to make some memories and meat!

   Sunset