THE TRIP WAS FABULOUS

By Jim George

THE TRIP WAS FABULOUS! November 8 - 13, 2004

Despite not getting any elk, everyone had a great time and no one has any regrets. Mother Nature did us in - the temperature was way too warm to get the elk moving, they laid on the north slopes in the dark, thick timber all day to stay cool. There had been snow but it melted and with the warm weather they had no need to roam for food.

Everyone did see elk but either they were too far away or they were cows (we had bull tags only.) A couple of real nice bulls were seen by two of our guys but no opportunity to tag one. I had a cow and calf walk 10 yards from me in a wide open area. I waited for her hubby to show up but -----.

Steven bagged a nice whitetail on Monday, medium rack (5 pointer, eastern count) but BIG body. Hunting from the main camp, we rode horses every day for about 2 hours to get were the guides wanted to hunt. That was a blast. My horse was a mule called Chili. He had a mind of his own so I was constantly "talking" to him to keep his mind on where we were going. A few times Steven's horse did a little rodeo practicing but Steven stayed aboard every time. You would never believe where those critters took us, up mountain slopes of at least 60 degrees, incredible! At that altitude we would have been exhausted after
a quarter of a mile but they just kept plodding along. What awesome animals. 

The guides, four of them, were super and a lot of fun. Three young guys
and a seasoned cowboy who knew the ropes. The outfitters wife came to camp to cook for us, needless to say we ate like kings. Our outfitter, John Law, has probably the best run guide service anyone could ask for. Everything is perfectly coordinated, the stock and equipment is in great shape and the accommodations are more than comfortable.

I attached a few pics: John and his wife and the guides, the camp, the view from where I hunted, Steven and Sam, my pal Chili and our crew. Steven and I and two others are going back in Sept 2006 to hunt the bugling season. I am already looking forward to it. This has been one of life's most memorable experiences. Idaho is gorgeous.