Why There, Why not Somewhere Else?

I've asked myself many questions in my lifetime, like the time I decided it would be a good idea to hoist a roll of carpet up on my shoulder. After feeling the pain that followed this "clever" decision, I was certainly asking myself, "Why did you do that ya durn fool?" Yup, two neck surgeries later, I'm still askin' that same question. Ya see, gettin upset and actin' like a 'durn fool' cost me plenty. Now, I get reminded of that decision on a daily basis. Guess I've gotten a bit of the subject here, huh? Back to the question at hand, "Why There, Why no Somewhere Else"?

Well, I suppose familiarity has something to do with it. I mean, after all, we've been there so many times, it just feels sort of comfortable. Ya see, once you've found a spot that you know pretty well and you feel at ease with it as you hike into the woods, it provides a comfort level that just brings you back. I'm talkin' about this spot that is our fallback, our security blanket, our elk camp when our desired elk camp just doesn't work out.

All those years ago, we used to be able to elk hunt just about anywhere we felt like wandering. We'd try one spot, then another, then yet another. We've sought out the Wily Wapiti in places called Conner, Sugar Loaf, Corrigal, Vinegar, Vines, Bull Run, Table Mt, Tieton, Nainamo, Sheep, Ritch, Phillips, Deer, Trinity, Rye, and the list goes on and on and on. We've had success in some and not in others, but we've left a piece of ourselves on every ridge, in every canyon, across every stream, through every thicket and around every bend. We've learned lessons about where, or more properly I suppose, where not to set up camp. We've found Elk in places they really shouldn't be and not seen the critters right where we just knew they'd be hiding.

Ya know that feelin'? The one that has you doin' the "sneak n peak". Yeah, it's got every sense on the alert, every thing is on the ready. You're eyes see every movement of every bird, squirrel, mouse and bug. You're ears hear every chirping bird, buzzing insect, whistling breeze and chattering squirrel. You're nose smells all of the aromas of the woods, from the flower's to the pines to the critters. This is the moment, the time that all Elk Hunters are keen for. We've been waiting for this moment since the last time we were in the woods, it's in our blood, it's in our dreams, it's just in us, period.

I spose I've had that feeling, at one time or another, in just about every corner of the woods I've been to. That's a big part of what brings me back every year. Brings me back to the spots I've grown to love and have even named some of the trees and logs and such. Why There? Because it's a part of us now. Once the State decided that we'd have to apply to hunt in certain areas, it became impossible to just go where you felt led to go. You had to decide months ahead of time and then, if you didn't get "drawn" for the area you had so carefully decided upon, you needed that "fall back" spot. The place you could always count on to accept you back after you'd gone away and spurned her for another for a year or so. She's always there to take you back, and welcome you home for yet another adventure.

Why There? Why not? We've spent many a night in tents and trailers in that meadow. We've raised kids to love that spot just as we do. We've laughed there, cried there, loved there and heck, I can think of a lot worse places to die than there. There's a comfort walking down that old closed road before light. We know our way and we know our destination. We'll stop at the little meadow on the way in, the early light, so dim, opens up the valley below and the mountain beyond. Then off down the trail again till we meet our 'marker tree' and head into the trees. We're extra quiet now, for beyond this thicket is the meadow and the log where we so often meet. And just below to the right is the canyon where we've seen Elk so many times, so we must be as silent as we can so we can enter this Wapiti home without being seen or heard.

Once we've made it to the "lunch log", as we have aptly named it, we finalize our plan for the day. We'll make the decision to sneak our way through the meadow and the thickets to the South or we'll position ourselves along the edge of the canyon to wait and watch and listen. Either plan can work, but which plan will work for that morning. No-one really knows, we just have a feeling that the decision made is the one that is gonna' land an Elk Steak on our dinner plate. Funny thing about those morning decisions, I've yet to see much of a disagreement as to just where we ought to go. We're kind of in tuned with each other and trust each others premonitions. The morning hunt then carries on through the hours of watching, waiting, sneaking, peeking, glassing and just plain taking in the glory of seeking the Bull of the Woods. Just the mere sound of a Bull Elk bugling is music to the ears of anyone who has entered the Elk woods during the rut. And mind you, there is nothing in this world that compares to the sound of a Bull Elk bugling, nope nothing.

Well, once the morning hunt is complete and if we've not been fortunate enough to have a Bull in the tree, it's time to meet once again at the Lunch Log. And this time we'll have, you guessed it, lunch, usually consisting of a granola bar or a sandwich, an apple, a few nuts & raisins or maybe even some sardines and crackers. Oh yes, there is also the leftover Halloween candy. My personal favorite is a Big Hunk, good stuff for sure. Now is when we tell our tales of the morning's adventures. We'll find out who saw what and how many, now this includes Elk, deer, bear, coyote, and hunters. You see, it's good to know how many other folks are out there traipsin' around in the woods. Sometimes you can use someone else's location to help you decide just what your next move should be. Heck, I'm certainly not opposed to allowing some other feller to run the Elk my direction. It's called bird doggin', and as far as I'm concerned, I'd rather that some other guy is bird doggin' for me instead of the opposite way around. Then again, if you've seen too many of those other fellers, it's time to move on out and find another spot to bag a Bull.

Once the plan is set for the afternoon hunt, it's off into the woods again. Maybe we'll head back to the same spots, maybe we'll head somewhere else, but for sure, we're headed back after em. It's a bit different on those afternoon hunts. You're more apt to hafta get into the brush more and kick a critter out of his hidy hole. But that's okay, cause I hunt with a couple that seems to thrive on gettin' into the thick of it, Literally.

Did you know that Elk Hunting is always successful, now I don't mean that you get an Elk every year, cause by now you know that I certainly don't. It's just that sometimes yer more fortunate than others, that's all. When we are among the less fortunate and the day is gettin' long in the tooth, its time for the hike back to the main road where our rig awaits the tired and hungry hunters. It always feels really good to see the truck, I mean, who wouldn't be happy to unload the fanny pack (bum bag to my Aussie and Kiwi friends), take the rifle sling off the shoulder and sit yer tail down in the seat of the rig. Feels darn nice, I'll tell ya!

After the drive back to camp it's time to get the gear ready for the next day and fix up a dinner fit for the Kings and Queens of the mountain that we most certainly are. I'll tell ya what, we have some of the best meals know to man up there on the mountain sittin' in a wall tent. The steaks, crab, pork loin, salmon, lasagna, etc. is as good as you can get anywhere. On top of that there is just something extra special about sharing these wonderful meals with the best people on earth. Yes, Elk huntin' partners are without a doubt and undeniably the best people on earth. Ok, so here's a funny story You know how the Elks Club has the initials B.P.O.E. for their acronym? Well, when I was a young feller, I used to think it stood for Best People On Earth. Funny thing is that it's not the Elks Club, its the Elk Hunters that are the Best People On Earth.

After all the great eats with the great people the stories and tales begin to flow, along with an adult beverage or two. I'll never grow tired of listening to those stories. There are brand new stories from the day just finished, there are stories about friends and family and work and play that have accumulated since the last time we all sat around a fire or a wood stove, and really, best of all are the stories we've all heard a hundred times. Stories just as fresh and new as the first time they were spun. Stories that make your gut ache from laughing so hard you've nearly fallen out of your chair. Yep those are the best ones, and if you've ever sat around the fire at Elk Camp you know just exactly what I'm talkin' about.

The laughter eventually fades, and one by one we amble off to our cots to get the much needed rest we'll need to renew our bodies for tomorrow, for tomorrow brings fresh, new experiences around every bend in the trail and glimpse through the binos. Yep, fodder for more tales to be told and laughter to be heard. Another glorious day in the Elk Woods has come to an end and it will be hard to beat, but we will try and we will succeed. You see, every day in the Elk Woods is successful, successful indeed and wonderful and beautiful and inviting and well, it's the reason we go There and not Somewhere Else. It is our home in the woods, our place of comfort and welcome, our place of awe and wonder, our escape from the day to day, our peaceful and yet exciting haven. I just can't wait to get There.