I shot bulls with my father and son near Pagosa Springs on public land during the early season rifle hunt. They were still bugling and I shot mine on his bed at 12:35 after stalking him for more than 2 hours.

My son was right with me the entire time. It was really special and amazing, and we had a fantastic trip.

We're guessing my bull to be 14-15 years old. He was definitely post-prime. His ivories were heavily worn and one was even cracked. It's incredible to think how many times he has crossed U.S. 160 and the Ute reservation during migration without being killed.

This is the first elk I’ve killed since I was 16. I'm 40 now. My name is Ryan Mickelson, my dad is Mike and my son is Zach. Thanks for the opportunity.  

My father is 68 years old and my son is 13. We shot bulls near Pagosa Springs on public land during the early season rifle hunt. 

My dad shot his bull the night after I shot mine.  We used his old, lever-action model 99 .300 Savage that he has been hunting with since he was a youth.  He carried it in a scabbard he made when he was a Boy Scout.  It was the first time he has hunted in more than 25 years.

My name is Ryan Mickelson, my dad is Mike and my son is Zach. Thanks for the opportunity.

Cody Malone shot this cow elk while hunting with his dad, Craig, during a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Youth Hunt program at the MacGregor Ranch near Estes Park.

Alaura Prenzlow, 14, harvested this pronghorn doe while hunting on the Chico Basin Ranch southeast of Colorado Springs.

Here is the pronghorn I took on the first day of my hunt.

This is my third hunt in Unit 120, using the Big Game Hunter’s Access program. I have filled my tag all three times while hunting on the Trainor Ranch. If you are looking to see a lot of animals, this is a good place. But be prepared to put on the miles. The pressure from the surrounding area seems to push the animals onto the ranch.

After a 17-year wait, I gave up on trying to draw a rifle tag for Unit 201 and put in for a muzzleloader tag and drew. My friends Jerry Swaro and Buddy Grinstead came along to help.

The first morning we were bugling in a bull that hung up. That evening, while sitting on a waterhole, we watched two 6-points come in and stand around for assessment at 75 yards. I couldn't believe I was going to let these bulls walk, but they were short on their thirds.

The next morning, we watched as seven bulls fed along an open hillside. Buddy bugled and three different bulls sounded off behind and below us. We started pressuring the bulls and had one come stomping in looking for the upstart that dared to challenge him. As he passed through an opening, I looked at his dagger and started counting, five-six-seven-EIGHT! I admit, I got excited and attempted to shoot at him moving back through that opening, only to watch him move out of my sight picture as the gun went off.

There were too many big bulls around to mope after a miss. On the fourth morning, Buddy started a calling sequence and called in two big bulls from what looked to be a mile away. He stopped a 6X6 in front of me at 50 yards and I ended my 17 year quest.

The question I'm asked most is, "Was it worth the wait?" Most definitely!!!

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