After 10-plus years, I was fortunate enough to draw a bighorn sheep tag. And, thanks to the Sheep Class sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, I met a great guide.

Earlier this season, I was even lucky enough to take a full-curl 13-year-old ram. My ram is exceptional. He will be a few inches short of the Boone & Crockett record book, but it is truly impressive as far as Colorado rams go. In addition, he looks exactly like the ram on the DOW logo.

Conditions for sheep hunting were tough due to our current hot dry conditions in the high country. We put in many hours glassing, walked uphill many miles and had a few blown stalks. But in the end it all paid off.

Here is a great picture of me with Mark Turner (middle) of Turner's Guide Service and my guide (far right) Brandon Powell. Mark and Brandon are members of the Colorado Outfitter Association and Bighorn Sheep Association. They help the DOW do sheep and goat counts each year. Mark is a sponsor of the DOW sheep seminar each year as well. True professionals!

Photo: Adam Saunders poses with the cow he harvested.

Adam and I met and found we share a love for hunting. He wanted to observe how we hunt and call in bull elk. So, we decided to hunt for cow elk in muzzleloader season with two other hunters, Jim Gross and Keith Whitlatch.

Adam was so hyped, good to see a hunter that way! While setting up camp in Unit 67, he spotted a 2x2 bull and a cow and we watched them until dark, everybody's hopes were high!  We ate and got our gear ready for opening morning.

Leaving camp on 4-wheelers in the dark with 32-degree wind in your face will wake you up! We found a spot and heard a bull bugling across the opening. Suddenly, Adam told me not to move, he saw a cow standing 130 yards across the field. Resting on a tree he took aim and, "Boom!" It was 7 a.m. on opening morning.

Crossing the field, we found where he thought it had been standing. I found one drop of blood on an aspen leaf and thought to myself it was going to be a long morning of tracking. Soon I saw it lying on the ground and yelled for Adam. He walked within 10 feet of it and never knew it was so close. He took two steps and saw it. High fives and pictures, then the fun began: field dressing and getting it back to camp for processing.

A first-time elk hunter and an opening morning kill - it doesn't get any better! I killed mine on the sixth day at 60 yards.

Submitted by: Mark Miller, Quincy, Ill.

Photo by: Dan Nelson of Lincoln, Neb.

I shot this bull on Missionary Ridge, first season. It was a Sunday morning, the second day. We packed in approximately 5 miles up the Florida river drainage.

I was able to take this 6x5 bull on the third day of a hunt during the second rifle season in 2009. This was in Unit 28. It was my first elk hunt ever.

I went into the hunt with realistic expectations of having a great experience but with the possibility of not even seeing an elk. I cow-called this one in at first shooting light and he came to me at 143 yards. It was truly a great experience that everyone in my camp will cherish forever. He looks fantastic above my fireplace, by the way.

Thank you to the state of Colorado for providing a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors. Good luck to all my fellow hunters!

My father, grandfather, uncles and I have always dreamed of coming to Colorado to get a chance at an elk. We talked about it for many years, and in the winter of 2009 we decided to make it a reality.

We researched and researched, choosing to hunt near Steamboat Springs. Five of us went with very few goals, the main one being to just see an elk in the wild. When we arrived in Steamboat, we spoke with the Division of Wildlife officers. They were very helpful, telling us the best way to hunt our area.

On opening morning, one of my uncles took a 5X4, so we spent the rest of the day and night taking care of the elk. On the third day, I walked up on a 6X6 in some dark timber at 35 yards. I wasn't certain on how many points he had because he had his head down feeding, but I was certain he was legal. After he was down, I saw that he was a beautiful 6X6, with one tine broken off, and I couldn't have been happier. When my father came to help me, he couldn't believe we successfully harvested a beautiful bull elk. Later that evening, my other uncle took a very large cow to top off a wonderful day.

Overall, three of five elk tags were filled, not bad for a first trip. We were happy with our trip and achieved many of our dreams! We will be back to Colorado to get our other members their elk!

Photo: Matt and Rob Bornhorst

Since I was young, my dad and I - along with other family and friends - have hunted in GMU 68.  By the time I was old enough to hunt we moved to Iowa. However, that love always will be in my blood. My dad and I have made it back to hunt for six or seven years, and I hope to make it for another 50-plus. 

In 2007, it was hot and dry. I can remember thinking that there is not an animal within 30 miles of here because it was so hot. All of a sudden, I heard the clatter of a bull running straight down the mountain. The guys above me kicked him out of bed and he was in a hurry.

I stopped and drew my gun when I saw him crashing down the mountain about 40 yards ahead of me.  I got only a glimpse but knew he was a valid bull. I squeezed the trigger and he tumbled immediately. I stayed put for about 20 minutes and then walked up to him. When I saw how big he was, I was speechless. I couldn’t even talk over the radio to tell the rest of my group where I was.  

It was big and - for a first bull - was more than my dad or I could have dreamed.  It took four guys 7 hours to get him off the mountain, back to camp and in the tree. Now I need to purchase a bigger home to make room for him in the house.

Pages  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8
  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17