Elk Hunt 2013

[Magicman]

Plan "W" made an improvement with the Granddaughter's wedding date being moved to October 26th, so we now have smooth sailing, and are back to Plan "A".

I did the Colorado online applications this morning. Marty should be assured of getting an Elk license with 10 Preference Points in a 7 PP Unit. I applied for a PP which should give me a better chance for a 1st season license next year.

Beginning last year, only one of us will actually hunt with the other acting as the guide/grunt. That way, we hunt together and can better enjoy our time with each other.

[rooster 58]

   Good luck MM  ;) I put in for a new Mexico Bull tag this year 8)  I won't know until April 24th.

[thecfarm]

Yes,Magicman good luck.I know how much you enjoy hunting with Marty.

[rooster 58]

    The application deadline for New Mexico is today! I have to wait until April 24th to find out if I was successful. :

[rooster 58]

    Well, I was not successful in drawing a bull tag :(  now the outfitter is looking for a landowner tag

[Magicman]

Marty should know very soon whether he drew his Colorado elk tag.  Since he had the necessary preference points, it should be guaranteed.   

[thecfarm]

 8) 8) 8) Back from one trip,planing for the next one.

[Magicman]

Yup, I realize that life moves fast.  If I want to keep up, I also have to keep moving and planning.  My "bucket list" stays full to the top.  I cross one item off and add two.   

[rooster 58]

    Way to go Magicman ;) I never heard anyone say they wish they could have pounded that last nail, laid that last brick, sawed that last board etc.

[Ken]

An elk hunt is certainly on my bucket list.  I've love to hear an elk answer a call.  Must send shivers up your spine and get the heart pounding.  I've had that experience with moose and it is an adrenaline rush for sure. 

Good luck with the draw.

Cheers
Ken

[petefrom bearswamp]

Good luck MM
Made my last hunt in Jackson hole WY last Oct.
Can't walk any distance anymore.
Did get a cow tho.

[Magicman]

Congrats.  Any legal elk is a trophy.   ;D

[rooster 58]

   Well, it looks like I'll be going to new Mexico this year 8) I have a muzzleloader tag locked up for sure, but I'm trying to obtain an archery tag ;D

[clww]

Great hunting in NM, too. ;)

[Sonofman]

I have a niece just outside Delta Jct AK. Her husband has been bugging me about coming up and hunting moose or brown bear. I think I will take him up on it in a year or two. Just too good of an oportunity, you never know when they might move back down here.

[Magicman]

I checked and Marty now has "0" Preference Points. That means that he drew his Colorado Unit 49 1st season Elk tag.    After burning all of my Preference Points on a Unit 61 tag last year, I now have one Point.  Our license plan is working.  Now it is back to working to slap my butt back into climbing shape.

[hardtailjohn]

It almost started early here last night.... looked out the window and there's a bunch standing in the meadow, eating my hay! hahaa

[Magicman]

I went to the Colorado website and was able to officially check Marty's draw. It said that he was successful.

"ELK    SUCCESSFUL    LIMITED LICENSE FOR 1ST CHOICE: EM049O1R    2013"

We (actually he) will be hunting near Fairplay, Co.  I will be a tag-along and accompany him such as he did on my last year's Elk hunt.

[clww]

Congratulations to you both!

[beenthere]

That's great!!  8)

[thecfarm]

The hunt is on!!!!!!!

[iffy]

our group had 1 preference point and the unit we were drawing in to traditionally takes 0 - 1 points. We did not draw. Talked to my barber and his group didn't draw either, and they have never had a problem before. Wonder if  dow is reducing tags this yr. I know we saw hardly any elk last yr.

[Magicman]

I have read on hunting forums that the number of tags were reduced in some Units.

[Magicman]

Marty's Elk tag came in yesterday's mail.   

This year's plans are coming together.  "We (actually he) will be hunting near Fairplay, Co.  I will be a tag-along and accompany him such as he did on my last year's Elk hunt."   

[petefrom bearswamp]

Good luck to your hunting partner and have a great trip!
Do you hunt on your own or guided?
Pete

[Magicman]

We will be camping and DIY.  We will get there about a week early to acclimate ourselves and scout at bit.

[beenthere]

Hope your area doesn't get burned. Seems a lot of hot ones going now, especially in CO.

http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/index.php

[clww]

Remember, I was worried about the fires last year? I'm worried about your area this time, too. :

[justallan1]

I don't hunt anymore or know any of the rules, but I know that my boss and co-workers are all upset that out of 6 guys only one of them drew a bull elk tag this year. I think they usually all draw, I'm not sure. It does seem like we've had less guided hunts on the ranch since I started.
Usually the bosses son gets an elk and a couple deer for me and am thinking about going along this year, I just have to figure out what shiny new accessory he needs for his truck for the tolerance fee ;D

Allan

[rooster 58]

    50 more days until I fly to New Mexico to hunt elk. I can hardly wait   :

[pappy19]

New Mexico hunters listen up. Read this report. When they talk about Las Vegas, they are talking LV, New Mexico, not NV.

http://www.krqe.com/news/local/elk-herd-found-dead-in-northeastern-nm?hpt=us_bn10#.Uh9VxNPPhF4.facebook

[Magicman]

It is always sad to watch nature take it's course.

Our countdown is underway.  Items such as personal fitness and getting my boot problem corrected.  I am back with my "tried and true" Danner Pronghorn boots.  No more jammed toes.

That plus my whiskers are growing.   ;D

[Magicman]

Time is slipping by.  Marty and I leave next Monday which is only 6 days !!   

[thecfarm]

I hope you do as well as Haley did.  :D

[rooster 58]

     I leave on the 17th for New Mexico 8)   I hope I finally meet up with Mr. bull elk ;)

[Magicman]

I brought the trailer home yesterday and loaded the truck camper on the F250 today.  We are getting ready.   ;D

[pappy19]

Do you all eat the liver and heart the night of or just after the kill? Elk liver and heart is the best. Salt,pepper, flour and cook in butter or do the bacon, onions and liver thing, either way, it's great. Make sure you cut off the gall bladder bag without getting it on the liver. Soak the heart in some cold salt water, then slice across with about 1/4-1/2 inch slices, flour and fry. Don't over cook, you want it to be medium. When you get the carcass butchered, have them add 20% of beef fat to the burger. It's great for everything. Be careful out there!!

Pap

[sandhills]

Best of luck to you guys and safe travels!  Can't wait to see the pictures.

[beenthere]

I agree with Pappy on the great taste of elk liver. Heart too, but the liver is best. Compared to other liver, elk best, then venison, and then a ways down the list is beef, and last pig. Chicken livers real good, but on a different list of 'food' groups. 

And not over-cooking liver is a must. Hate to say that my Mom cooked everything out of the liver leaving only a shoe-leather type product on the plate. But the onions were good... ;D

[Magicman]

We loaded out today.  Everything but groceries.  Pat is pre-preparing (how bout that word?) our entrees.  Pork tenderloin, brisket, chicken tenders, & hamburger steak.  All with gravy and frozen in two person servings.  All that we need to do is microwave them and add our starch and veg.  Top it off with peaches or pears with her oatmeal cookies and we have our evening meal.  Oh, and she also made a pot of hambone soup.  We will eat well.   

[thecfarm]

The eating part sounds good.   digin_2   The wife freezes up 2,well as she says Ray eats for 2,so it's really 3 people serving.  ;D

[Magicman]

Here is one of last year's meals.


 
Brisket over rice with peas topped off with peaches.   digin1

[WDH]

Looks like that you will be roughing it   :D.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

We loaded out today.  Everything but groceries.  Pat is pre-preparing (how bout that word?) our entrees.  Pork tenderloin, brisket, chicken tenders, & hamburger steak.  All with gravy and frozen in two person servings.  All that we need to do is microwave them and add our starch and veg.  Top it off with peaches or pears with her oatmeal cookies and we have our evening meal.  Oh, and she also made a pot of hambone soup.  We will eat well.   

Did you really have to tell us all this? You a dog.  :D :D :D :D
This is better than I eat at home.  ;D

[Magicman]

Looks like that you will be roughing it   :D.

Not when it comes to food.  But when we "spike camp", it is quite different because it will then be freeze dried foods.   

No shame from me David.   :D

[Paul_H]

I used to hunt a lot with my dad and his brother but there was always grouse or fish to eat for dinner until we got a Moose or Elk.We brought flour,salt,pepper etc and would add a few grouse a day and was it ever good along biscuits in a dutch oven over the fire.Moose liver and heart came later.
The one meat we did bring with us from home was bacon and the fat saved was useful too.
We took a river boat 50 miles up the Muskwa in the '77 and stayed 8 days camped alongside the river in a tent.I got a moose and a Wolverine that year.The wolverine was following our trail toward us as we were making another trip back to retrieve the rest of the moose.

[Magicman]

I'll talk to you guys in a couple of weeks.   

[justallan1]

Good luck and be safe.

Allan

[thecfarm]

Maybe Magicman will put on an Elk Roast.   :D

[Rancher]

MM and son just left here headed home and I guess I will be the spoiler...with a bull elk in tow. I will let him post all the adventure. They left with grins on their faces and a couple bags of cookies from my wife for their trip home.

Dave

[beenthere]

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear they are travelling with great and happy thoughts and experience.
Hunts are great even when not successful bagging one, but much, much greater when meat comes home with you.
Now, how have the other hunts been this year for you? You are at the epitome of the elk hunts, along with a lot of work, and get to enjoy all the experiences.

[thecfarm]

Elk Roast!!!!!

[pappy19]

Elk roast is ok, but chicken fried elk steak is the best of the best.

Pappy's Chicken Fried Steak


Use 2 lbs. of  good grade inside round steak, deer, elk or beef (or better), about ½ inch thick. Trim off gristle and fat.  Cut into pieces about 5-6 inches in diameter. Pound thoroughly on both sides with a butcher knife until almost falling apart. Mix seasoned salt in with flour and then flour each piece thoroughly and shake off the excess. Dip in batter (below), shake off excess and dip in seasoned flour again.  Use a deep fryer or a good cast iron dutch oven/skillet with a good brand of vegetable or peanut oil.  Heat oil to about 325', turn once, and cook until golden brown.

Batter:

3 Tbls. sugar
½ tsp. Salt
1 whole egg
1 Tbls. baking powder
2 cups milk

2 Cups all purpose flour for dredging and dusting
1 Tbls seasoned salt or Tony's

Mix the first 4 ingredients with ½ of the milk and stir until smooth. Add the remainder of the milk and mix well.
Gravy:
1 stick butter
6 cups milk
1 cup cooking oil
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp. salt
pepper to taste

Melt butter completely. Add milk and mix thoroughly.  Bring to a boil. Shake flour and oil in a jar and pour into heated milk.  Stir until smooth and thickened.  Remove from heat, add salt and pepper to taste.
Biscuits :
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
5 Tbls. butter
Enough milk for a stiff batter
1 egg
Sift all dry ingredients into a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork. Add milk and mix. Knead dough, and cut into biscuits. Dip into melted butter on both sides and place on baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Bake at 425' for 12-15 minutes. High altitude will require a little more flour.

[kderby]

The suspense is killing me! 

Elk hunting is quite the experience.  I did not grow up with elk.  Now I live in a place where the elk are neighbors.  The elk population is good in Oregon.  Plenty of hunters and hunting pressure but I get a tag usually every other year (cow elk) for meat.  Much better odds to hunt cow elk.

Wife will harvest her deer this weekend.  Elk season is coming up and we both have tags!  Kaboom! 8)

Lynne, congratulations On the harvest and recreation event!  Get home safely and post pictures for us! I know you will.

Kderby

[WH_Conley]

I think I will give my Dr this recipe the next time I see him so he can have the stroke instead of me. :D

[Magicman]

 :-\  I had the whole thing written with the pictures and accidentally touched the wrong key and lost the whole thing.   :-\   Over an hour and now I have to start all over.  Made me sick.  I guess that I should have made several posts. :-\

[Magicman]

Our trip to Colorado included a traditional stop at the Big Texan in Amarillo for a steak.


 
Prime Rib and fixins.

Our first stop in Colorado was a visit with FF member "Rancher".  We parked and spent the night there before setting up our camp near the Pike National Forest the next day.


 
We unloaded the truck camper and placed skirting around the bottom.


 
The green tent is our privy, and the Honda EU2000 provided power to charge the battery in the morning as we ate breakfast and in the evening before bedtime.  It was also nice to be able to use the microwave.   

Speaking of food, we did very well in that department.  Pat had frozen our entrees and we only had to fix the fixins.


 
Our mornings began with cereal & milk, a boiled egg with bacon and coffee.  (my camera lens fogged up)


 
We each made two flatbread sandwiches for our lunches.  We used the skinny bread because it does not mash flat in our day packs.


 
We ate one ~10:00AM and other ~2:00PM.  Between this we had the normal candy and trail bars.

Our evening meals worked very nicely.


 
Pork loin medallions, skillet fried potatoes, peas..


 
Hamburger steak, mashed potatoes and a veggie. 


 
Brisket and gravy over rice with corn.  Each night we had canned sliced fruit and Pecan oatmeal cookies.

I forgot twice to take a picture of the hambone/vegetable soup.   :-\

[WmFritz]

I know the frustration of typing something up and then losing it.  >:(

You guys sure don't scrimp on the chow. I'm saving those meals to my tablet. I'll be in charge of the cooking this year at deer camp and I have the hardest time coming up with ideas. ;)   Maybe I will smoke a brisket too. Thanks for taking the time on the redo.  :D

[Magicman]

 

 


 


 
We saw so much of nature's artwork with the fallen trees and roots.


 
I sawed a few of them off for Pat.  I am sure that she will decorate with them.   


 
But I left the buzzard in the tree.   ;D


  
They had a way to keep the tree from growing around the wire, but they nailed the uprights to the tree with spikes.   :-\


 
We got up at 4:00 each morning.  Here we are on the mountain top before the sun came up behind me.


 
Taking a break in some beautiful country.


 
This "dark timber" is where we found most of the elk.


 


 
This ole man carried a hiking stick in my right hand and a Stoney Point "Pole Cat" shooting stick in my left.  (just in case he needed a rest to shoot)


 
We found this up high.  They can carry it in full, but not carry their empties out.   :-\


 
This little Spruce tree needed it's picture taken.


 
Our truck is waaay down there.   


  
Sammich time.   


 
There was much logging taking place.  These logs will be left for individual Fuelwood Permit holders for firewood.  The pile of tops and limbs will be ground into mulch and sold to companies like "Miracle Gro" to be processed and sold as soil supplements.


 
The timber crew boss told me that this machine cost $750,000, had a 1050 HP engine, used 600 gallons of Diesel each day, and made $1.00 per second when it was operating.   

(Because of what happened previously, I am posting as I go this time.)

 

[Magicman]

We did some driving and scouting Thursday and Friday before the season opened Saturday.  During that time, we saw elk morning and evening and had located 8 hunt-able bulls.  Two were very large "herd" bulls with cows and we absolutely did not disturb any of them.  That was then and now was now.  We hunted three days without seeing a hair.  Everything could be summed up with one word, WIND.  The prevailing wind was from the West and Southwest.  The instant it stopped, the updraft was from the East.  Too many times everything was going well and then the wind would hit us in the back of the neck.  We found so many places where animals had skidded to a stop and reversed directions.  We finally got down to Wednesday, the very last day of the season.

About 7:30 AM, we cut the tracks of a herd traveling into the wind that also showed bull tracks.  Marty asked me if I thought that it was doable.  Since we knew that we really had little option, we started out.  Two hours later we had really slowed down because we felt that something was gonna happen, and happen it did.  Three cows had bedded facing their backtrack and blew out.  Now, what to do?  We sat down, ate a sandwich, and rested.  Marty got up to stretch and was facing several cow elk and 3 bulls at 50 yards.  He grabbed his rifle, they spooked, and the race was on but elk win that kind of race every time.  This commotion spooked a nearby huge herdbull and several cows and away they went.  Marty was dejected, but I told him that the "fat lady" still had not sung.  I was just being hopeful.

Since we were now over two miles from the truck we decided to hunt our way out.  Of course I was following Marty, and I always look the opposite way that he is looking.  That way we are both scanning and one may see something that the other may miss.  To our left about 150 yards away I spotted yellow.  The binocular came up and I immediately saw antlers.  I said "bull", Marty dropped to one knee, and a bullet was on the way.  I knew that the shot was good and as the bull jumped and stopped, he made another shot.  I saw him go down.  When we got to him, a quick follow up shot ended it all.


 
A 4X4 bull elk was now tagged.  We had seen three others much larger, but any elk is a good elk, especially when you get him the hard way.  We were 1.15 miles from the truck, and he would have to come out on our backs.


 
No saw is needed to separate joints when you cut in the right place.  This is a hind quarter. (notice the John Neeman knife)


 
Here the shoulder "elbow" is separated.


 
All of the quarters, loins, tenders, and neck meat is bagged and ready for pack out.  We used the "gutless" method where the animal is not gutted.  Everything is just removed piece at the time.  The bagged meat is laid across poles to cool.  Black pepper will discourage bears.


 
The first trip out.  Marty would carry a hind quarter and loin, and I would carry a shoulder.


 
We did the same on the second trip which took care of the meat.


 
Marty then carried the head out on the third trip.  (orange flagging was placed after the picture was taken)


 
Finally everything is in the truck.   


  
A Colorado sunrise as we were packing up to leave the next morning.

Neither Marty nor I knew what color shirts that the other had packed to wear home.


 
Two happy men back home safely.  Two good friends.  Two good buddies.  Marty is a good Son.

It was a Red Shirt Day.

[hardtailjohn]

Awesome story MM!!  I admire you and your son's relationship!  Thanks for sharing!

[Peter Drouin]

Good job you two did  8) 8). how lb of meat went home ?

[Magicman]

If I remember right, I believe that the dressed weight is about 40%, so that puts it at about 200-250 lbs.

[Bill Gaiche]

Great hunt,great story with great photos as usual. Glad you had a wonderful trip. Now back to making sawdust with all the memories of yesterdays hunt with the anticipation of next years opening season. bg

[thecfarm]

I know I will be back to read this post again.    You are both are lucky to have each other.

[clww]

Great narrative.
Great pictures!
Great hunting partner!
Thanks for sharing this year's adventure with us all, Lynn. 8) 8) 8)

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I wood have loved to have gone just for the food and to see the old blow downs. A great time indeed.
Thanks for the pics Magic.

[Rancher]

It truly was nice to have met you guys and it was our pleasure to extend a little western hospitality. Seeing the smiles on your faces was icing on the cake. Nice photos to enhance your good memories.

Dave

[kderby]

Hooray for the fine bull. 

When the elk gods offer you a shot then you take it!  I had a friend tell me that once. I had seen a small bull while hunting with him.  I was not hunting but I learned that lesson.  Elk success ratios vary but if only one in thirteen hunters gets an elk, that means one lucky hunter gets a shot and the rest go hungry.

Again, Congrats and thanks for sharing the adventure! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 

[terry f]

    Kderby, I think your numbers are right, but I believe 90% of the elk are killed by 10% of the hunters. After Magicmans success the last two years, they may be becoming part of that 10%. Heard some elk today and had to check them out, but didn't see any horns. My place is in one of the top trophy units in the west, so seeing big bulls isn't uncommon.

[Magicman]

The success ratio hunting public land on your on is about 10%, and as terry f pointed out, that ratio is not spread evenly across the hunter population.

Our success required some hard hunting which meant getting really back into the deep timber and away from roads.  We were also hunting very restricted hunting units.  I had 16 years of applications behind me last year and Marty had 10 this year.  This meant that there were very few hunters in either unit.  We never saw a single other hunter this year.

The "over the counter" units are wrapped up with hunters, and you will see "orange" and ATV's.  The success ratio in those units is probably 2%-3%.   :-\

Due to my age, I could never expect to draw either unit again in my lifetime.  Marty has a chance to draw his again, but it will take many years.

Sadly, without an opportunity to secure a "landowners" tag, this could possible have been my last hunt.   :'(

[Ron Scott]

Well done! Great documentation of the successful hunt.

[Ken]

Thanks so much for the pictures and story.  It is obvious that you and your son take hunting very serious and reap the benefits bestowed on those who put in the effort.  Congrats.

[drobertson]

Very enjoyable read, real happy for the two of you, and it looks like your big toe made it through with no major issues?     david

[Magicman]

Thanks to all for the kind words.

I learned my "toe" lesson last year.  Remember to trim your toenails very short before heading out.  That way, even while going down steep slopes with thicker than normal socks, your toes will not be jammed.    ;D

[justallan1]

Thanks for the great story and pictures, Lynn.
BTW, does Patty have any extra chores that she's needing done? I'm a working son of a gun for food like that! ;D

Allan

[Magicman]

 :D :D

[rooster 58]

     I just got home from New Mexico. I hunted near Truth or Consequences. I had never seen the southwest and was awed by the rugged beauty and diversity of the landscape. We hunted mostly up in high country, around 9000 ft. elevation.
     It was the second muzzleloader season and we were very optimistic as the two hunters in the first season the week before both scored on some huge bulls. I assisted in finishing up dressing up the skull of one of them.
        It turned out to be a tough hunt though. The large bulls had returned from their breeding grounds to the higher elevations, also due to pressure. We saw bulls every day, and some real dandies at that. On two different mornings we spotted a bull that would go around 380. What a majestic critter. It was awesome to watch him thrash some sapplings and graze. However, attempted stalks for him came up empty.
      I did get a crack at a nice bull that was also pretty big but it was a difficult shot that I couldn't pull off. But on the last day, with an hour or so of shooting light left, I was able to make a 250 yd. shot on a nice 4x4, taking him through the lungs and also raking his heart. He stumbled 10 ft. or so, stopped and then finally collapsed and rolled another 20 ft. and piled up under a juniper bush.
     This was my first elk, and I was very happy and grateful to have taken him. And being that he was only a three year old, I and friends and family will have some very tasty meat to enjoy ;)

[thecfarm]

Good shooting!
shot on a nice 4x4      What does that mean?
I do hope you have pictures to share?

[rooster 58]

Thanks cfarm. Yeah I should have some pics a little later. I'm not very computer savvy so I gotta wait for the girlfriend :D
      A 4x4 is the western way of saying it has 4 pts. on each antler ;)

[thecfarm]

I was thinking of a Eastern 4X4 truck.  ;D

[justallan1]

Good job, Rooster. I'm glad you got your hunt and animal.

Allan

[Magicman]

Congrats on the bull.  Any elk is a good elk.   

[terry f]

    Calling a 6x6 bull a 12 point, would probably get a guy laughed out of elk camp. Even our whitetails are counted by sides, which are unfortunately taking over, and I say that not because I don't like the whitetails, just missing the mule deer.

[redprospector]

Wow, I can't believe I haven't found this thread until now.
Congratulations Magicman, Marty, and rooster 58! There is nothing like the memory of an Elk hunt.
Magicman, you shouldn't feel that could be your "last" Elk hunt. You could always put in for a New Mexico tag. Being from another state, you would be more apt to draw out than a resident. With your writing skill's, and ability to tell a story, you should consider writing a book. I enjoyed this.
Rooster 58, just getting the chance to see a 380 bull would make your hunt. But putting that 4x4 in the freezer was the icing on the cake.
I got a NM bull in the 1st archery hunt, but I don't have too much of a story. No travel, no camping (I like my bed), but none the less a good hunt that I'll never forget.

Andy

[pappy19]

Two followup questions; in using the "gutless" method, does that mean you didn't take the loin tenders on the inside of the backbone, and did you pull the bull's "ivory" teeth before lock jaw set in? Looked like a nice hunt and congrats on scoring a fine elk. Great story and super great with your pictures. You should submit it to Fur-Fish-Game magazine as they love those kinds of hunting stories and shy away from professional writers.

Pap

[Magicman]

All of the quarters, loins, tenders, and neck meat is bagged and ready for pack out.  We used the "gutless" method where the animal is not gutted.  Everything is just removed piece at the time.

We have not gutted any deer or elk in several years and the tenders are easily removed whether the animal is hanging or lying on the ground.  Make your cut and then the back of your hand presses the guts back as your fingers free the tenders.  Each end is then trimmed off and out it comes.

The ivorys are not that difficult to remove even after the jaw sets.

Thanks Pap for the kind words about the hunt and story.   

[pappy19]

Try my chicken fried steak recipe on some round steak, you'll like it.

Pap

[Magicman]

   I had already copied and printed it out.   

[Magicman]

MM and son just left here headed home and I guess I will be the spoiler...with a bull elk in tow. I will let him post all the adventure. They left with grins on their faces and a couple bags of cookies from my wife for their trip home.

It truly was nice to have met you guys and it was our pleasure to extend a little western hospitality. Seeing the smiles on your faces was icing on the cake. Nice photos to enhance your good memories.

Dave

It is with much sadness that I just learned that our Forestry Forum member and friend Dave Neukirch, "Rancher", died January 19th of this year.  Marty and I met him and his wife before and after Marty's elk hunt in October and we quickly became friends. 


 
Dave was also a great photographer and contributor to our "Sky Scenes" thread: 

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,2343.msg1046682.html#msg1046682


Dave's obit:  http://www.runyanmortuary.com/obits/obituary.php?id=443933

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Thanks Lynn for sharing this....a sad time indeed. RIP Rancher.

[WDH]

Rest in Peace.

[sandhills]

Sorry to hear this, he was definitely one of the many members here I would've loved to meet in person.  RIP

[Ron Scott]

Sad, he was still very young.

[Magicman]

Visiting with Rancher was a pure joy and I regret not taking more pictures.  He proudly showed us the "woman cave" that he had built for his wife, Carol.  It was full of her craft stuff. 

He was so proud of his photographs and had several albums with some magnificent photos.  I encouraged him to share some with us and he did in the "Sky Scenes" thread.  He was active on a Photography Forum, and also a Writers Forum. 

There were several unfinished projects around and he had an Oscar sawmill that should be for sale. 

This is a tough loss.   :'(

[pine]

Sorry to hear this RIP Dave aka Rancher