​We are down from the mountain after a tough week long elk hunt... It was HOT, the harvest moon illuminated the night sky all week, and it was DRY. All these factors contributed to the elk not wanting to talk and only play at night. We had one evening with a few light sprinkles which caused the elk to loosen their vocal chords the next morning. So, we exchanged bugles back and forth and had them running into us from all directions. It was like a light bulb went off in their heads for one day and then it was switched off again. Crazy elk!

Troy was able to punch his tag even with these strikes against us and now our freezer is filled to the brim with elk steaks. Unfortunately, I didn't get to punch my tag since I only had spikes come in close enough for a shot. Those little boogers won't leave me alone! (A legal bull in CO is 4 pts or better.) Oh well - I don't think we would've had room in our freezer for 2 elk, so I'm not going to complain much. I'm thankful for the meat we've been blessed with. It should last us all winter long and I'm excited for the first BBQ with friends.

We are busy getting ready for our next hunting trip - elk in our home state of CO. So in the essence of time I thought I would simply share some of the pictures I took during our Mule Deer hunt. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking since we were above timberline for a good portion of this hunt. I still have lots to share about this recent hunting adventure, but time spent blogging will have to wait until after elk season.

I have camo to wash, meals to cook, the camper to pack... I'm busy busy this week! I'm not complaining though. I'm a happy gal with another full week of hunting in my near future and since we are bringing the camper this time I have all the more reason to smile.

​If I had an Indian name it would probably be "Scared of Bears." This new found fear that I'm now trying to conquer surfaced during our recent Mule Deer hunt. Opening morning I found myself wandering a short ways off from our little home on the mountain top - a humble resting place composed of a few tents nestled on a slope at the edge of timberline. The need for quenching my thirst due to climbing the mountain the night before resulted in a desperate need to escape from the single-man tent that I was confined to in the wee morning hours.

As I surveyed the beautiful view around me I noticed movement. With my decaffeinated state of mind, I stared at the object roaming across the tundra-like crest of the mountain. It was huge and tall which is probably why my mind didn't register what I was looking at. I'm not sure how long I watched him. It was a bit surreal for a moment. At some point the words, "Bear!" came out of my mouth. There was a rustle in the nearby tents. All the guys quickly appeared to check out my discovery. One by one I heard.. "that's a big F***ng bear!" Holy *#$! Excitement was in the air. My husband was wishing that bear season was open - the tag in his pocket was now burning a hole. Me on the other hand... the sleepless nights began.

​I don't know what got into me but after seeing Mr. leggy Black Bear, every night afterwards I had a hard time sleeping. You should also know that my husband and I each had single tents. The plan was for the guys to sleep on the outside edge so that I would feel safe being nestled in the middle. They had guns in their tents. I didn't and I didn't feel safe. So, for the subsequent nights my sweet husband awoke to me whispering his name and me crawling into his single tent. We were 'sleeping double in a single tent.'

There was one night that I still remember vividly and pray that the memory will not fade away soon. One of my sleepless nights as I lay awake straining to listen to anything that roamed closely to "our" tent, the ritual began. I would hear something out of place and try as I might to be strong, at some point my husband was getting poked... "Did you hear that?" "Is that a Bear?" And the response... "No. Go back to sleep. You are fine." This night was different though. I could hardly take it anymore, I found myself praying and asking my Father in Heaven to please calm my nerves. I knew it was an irrational fear I was developing but still couldn't convince myself that Mr. Bear wasn't going to pay me a visit. So, like a child asking again and again for the piece of candy, I asked my God again... please comfort me. He is faithful. The next sound I heard softly in the distance... "meeewww."

Me: "Did you hear THAT?"
Husband: "What?"
Me: "I think it is an elk."
​

​Me: "Psst - Evan. Are you hearing this?" 
Elk: CRASH! RaTtLE!
Evan: SNore..ZZZZZ
Me: "Psssstttt..... Evan!"
Elk: CraSH!
Evan: ZZZZZZZZZZ