For a wilderness experience you will not find anything as beautiful as this.  From their great base camp to their many spike camps. This years hunt was with a young but very professional guide. He got this Elk to bugle the very first day and also on the next 3 days. The bull would not move from his spot on the mountain across the valley. We hunted several different locations and were able to get another Elk to bugle, but we were unable to put a decent stalk on the second animal. 

After getting the first days Bull to bugle again on the fourth day, I felt we needed to begin the journey to the other mountain and the guide agreed if I thought I was up to the hike. After almost 4 hours of continuous bugling between my guide and the Bull we made it to the bottom of the drainage. We were now in old growth and underbrush. 

The guide would bugle and the bull would answer, this went on for another hour as we tried to move in. We found a shooting lane but again could not get the bull to come in. We decided that we would get real aggressive and go after him. The guide would bugle and as soon as the bull would bugle - we would move up on him. This seemed to go on for ever, and still no movement from the bull. 

We got to the point where we were within 50 yards from him when my guide started grunting and raking the trees. We heard movement coming up the hill our way. I was standing to the right of my guide and he said here he comes ...do you see him?  I could not because a 3 foot evergreen was blocking my view. About his time we both realized that this bull had mating or fighting on his mind and it didn't matter what was on his mind as we were going to be participants if I didn't get a shot soon. 

About this time my guide was looking for a tree to climb and I was looking for a shot. He stepped from behind the tree at 20 yards and I had a perfect broadside shot. After 5 1/2 hours of bugling the 300 mag put him down quickly at 20 yards and I had a trophy that many hunters dream of. This is the 5th animal I have harvested with York Outfitters. 

I do several things to add to my success rate. I get myself in good shape because these aren't hills - these are mountains. I always put at least 2 boxes of shells through my gun. It is unbelievable how many hunters make this trip only to miss their animal when a shot is presented.  

Most importantly is that I pick a quality outfitter that I know has good guides, camps and there are animals in the woods to be harvested. I have hunted with John Law's outfit several times and you will not find a more quality hunt.

Blue Skies,

Gregg Ortega