Chasing a Ghost
Part II
Unit 29
Sept 3-4, 2006
To the archer this place is paradise. Thick areas of aspen and pine, willows and small open spaces. One could sneak up close without being seen. The terrain is
easy to hike and the hiking is limited so you don’t have to go far. Three to five miles a day would allow you to see the entire area.
And the elk sign is fresh in the aspen grove. It always is. From June through November. All one has to do is simply sit at the edge of a game trail leading into the aspens. The elk are there every evening without fail. It’s the one sure thing you can count on. No points are needed to draw a tag in Unit 29 for archery elk. However, there are a limited number of licenses. And still not a lot of people know about this spot. They either hunt up high around timberline or they hunt up high. People probably pass by this area all the time thinking it is too low at 9500 feet. If you don’t mind a hiker or two on the weekends this place isn’t bad at all. And it’s never crowded.
This large print in an aspen cirque was made in the spring and preserved until next spring when the snow will melt and fill this low lying area with water. It’s a large print and there were several. Almost as large as a moose. The largest elk print I’ve seen in a while. You have to remember it was made in soft soil which enlarged the print.
Then there was this smoking hot print from this morning where I stopped to bugle (and received no response). This isn’t the only print of a lone elk heading into the aspens from some far away summer hiding place. This bull came to compete in the upcoming rut. Like a magnet the elk are drawn to this area where cows are. Like so many of the hyper sensitive elk that call this area home this one snuck past me. Often you can hear and even smell the elk. But because there are many thick areas, you don’t get to see them. It can be very frustrating to hunt here. You KNOW the elk are here but you can’t get a open view of them. And to add to my frustration the elk won’t hesitate to walk away at the single sound of twig snapping under boot. If anything they have learned to avoid people in such a high traffic area. And they have mastered it.
In between lush stands of aspen there are many areas like this. Dark timber areas where little sunlight hits the ground as you can see, nothing edible grows here. Theses are transitional areas or bedding areas. I did find some bones in the area. It appeared to be a small cow elk that expired many years ago.
Another week here and another fresh scrape. You can see shavings of bark on the ground. This was a wet area with some willows. This single willow trunk was freshly scraped by an elk. While elk on private or protected lands are already bugling and positioning for cows elk on private lands are just getting into polishing those antlers a rich, dark brown. Each week will lead closer to the peak of the rut. So far we’re on track concerning wild, public land elk. Nights are quiet but bulls are starting to migrate into position. Soon they will be testing each other and searching for cows.
This is what I mean by fresh. In fact this is from this morning and by the looks of it the elk has stomach problems or his diet is filled with lots of wet plants. Much like the diet of a moose. That’s why the elk are here. The habitat is perfect for growing large and growing plenty of fat stores for winter. When it comes down to survival they will manage the bugs and heat to eat well.
I’d like to actually show photos of the elk I’ve seen in the area. I know they are there because the evidence is everywhere. And there aren’t just a few elk there are a lot of elk in the area. However, I can’t seem to see them. They are extremely sensitive to human pressure. Some areas are like this. And it makes for a demanding hunting situation. Because you have to have patience. I probably should just sit on the game trail that leads into the middle of the aspen grove and just wait them out. However, I can’t sit still. Could you?
Join me next week as I BAIL OUT of this area in search of a nearby alpine area in Unit 20. Though I’d like to tough it out in 29 I just can’t stand the suspense. I need to hear an elk bugle. Most of all I need to see one bugling. I need a place where I can get above the trees and see forever. That ought to help my confidence a bit. Thanks for reading.