September 15th I'm headed Idaho to hunt elk and mule deer with a few friends. This is my 5th attempt for elk, first time for mule deer, and 3rd trip to the same location.
During previous Idaho trips I had opportunities to shoot an elk, but they didn't work out. In 2009 I had a half rack bull walk up to about 15 yards from me. It was a steep climb out and since I couldn't take the meat overseas I let him go. During the same trip I could have shot a calf, but I thought my buddy had already shot it and I didn't want to take his first archery kill from him (turns out he hit a pine tree and the calf was fine). In 2013 I hesitated when I wasn't sure how far a cow was.
This year I'll be using a compound bow vise a traditional bow. I'm also going into this hunt with a MUCH more humble attitude. During previous trips I hyped myself up and let my ego guide me down the path of failure. This year I'm going with natures flow and plan on enjoying time with good friends and being in elk country during the rut.
I've been training hard for this trip. Luckily we have plenty of mountains to climb and the weather has been fair enough to train without risking heat exhaustion. Five weeks ago I quit drinking. I wasn't a total lush, but I did drink A LOT, gained 50 pounds since retiring from the Marine Corps, and was headed down the dark path to alcoholism. Honestly I haven't felt this good in years, the weight is coming off, and I'm literally tearing it up at the gym like I did five or six years ago (although I will admit I'm a lot stiffer in the morning).
Idaho has a great deal for disabled veterans. If you have a VA disability rating of 40% or greater you qualify for discounted tags/licenses (even as a non resident). For $117.00 I'm getting a hunting license, elk, and mule tag (normally this would have cost me over $1000). If anyone happens to be a disabled veteran all you have to do is send the Idaho Fish and Game Department a copy of your VA letter and they'll put you in the system. Washington state has a similar deal too.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the trip and will let you all know how it goes.
During previous Idaho trips I had opportunities to shoot an elk, but they didn't work out. In 2009 I had a half rack bull walk up to about 15 yards from me. It was a steep climb out and since I couldn't take the meat overseas I let him go. During the same trip I could have shot a calf, but I thought my buddy had already shot it and I didn't want to take his first archery kill from him (turns out he hit a pine tree and the calf was fine). In 2013 I hesitated when I wasn't sure how far a cow was.
This year I'll be using a compound bow vise a traditional bow. I'm also going into this hunt with a MUCH more humble attitude. During previous trips I hyped myself up and let my ego guide me down the path of failure. This year I'm going with natures flow and plan on enjoying time with good friends and being in elk country during the rut.
I've been training hard for this trip. Luckily we have plenty of mountains to climb and the weather has been fair enough to train without risking heat exhaustion. Five weeks ago I quit drinking. I wasn't a total lush, but I did drink A LOT, gained 50 pounds since retiring from the Marine Corps, and was headed down the dark path to alcoholism. Honestly I haven't felt this good in years, the weight is coming off, and I'm literally tearing it up at the gym like I did five or six years ago (although I will admit I'm a lot stiffer in the morning).
Idaho has a great deal for disabled veterans. If you have a VA disability rating of 40% or greater you qualify for discounted tags/licenses (even as a non resident). For $117.00 I'm getting a hunting license, elk, and mule tag (normally this would have cost me over $1000). If anyone happens to be a disabled veteran all you have to do is send the Idaho Fish and Game Department a copy of your VA letter and they'll put you in the system. Washington state has a similar deal too.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the trip and will let you all know how it goes.