Farting around on Elk Ridge/Bears Ears

[DAA]

Me and Tim spent this past weekend farting around on Elk Ridge for a couple days. I drew the expo tag for the rifle hunt there, so we were also sorta taking inventory, so to speak. Saw more than thirty buck, but only about three that I'd shoot. Thinking I might not fill my tag? Not a big deal, it's going to be an awesome hunt whether I fill my tag or not!

We had us a pretty good weekend! Camped, did some wheeling, did some good eating, did some exploring, did some wildlife viewing and even called in some coyotes.

As far as wildlife, we saw a bunch of deer, a lot of elk, a ton of turkeys, a few bears and four called in coyotes. I managed to get half way decent pictures of all of the above except the elk. Got a few crappy pictures of cows and calfs running through the trees is all. The elk just weren’t cooperating with the camera!

Anyhoo… Me being the pic posting hoe that I am, here’s a bunch of pics from the weekend.

Just some pics of camp and our typical random wandering.

- DAA

 

[DAA]

Didn’t see as many deer as we usually do and didn’t see any real big ones, but still saw plenty enough to keep our attention. Here’s some of ‘em.

- DAA

- - - Updated - - -

Saturday during the day we were rolling through an area down on a shoulder of the mountain and seeing a lot of coyote sign so we stopped at high noon to make a stand. Little bit of the usual on the Foxpro for this time of year called in two old ones and two pups. The old ones didn’t act very sophisticated, but the pups acted downright stupid. The two pups came in separately, after the old ones had left.

So, had already had the old ones and one pup come all the way in and leave. Stand is over. Tim is smoking a cigarette, the two of us are standing up talking about what good fun the previous 15 minutes had been. All the sudden I see a pup not 20 yards off peering at us from the tall grass. Tim turns around so he can see it and starts to lip squeak and the durn little furball came bounding in to about 10 feet away. Then it finally circled us – at 10 feet and got our wind and left. But we were both just standing there big as life the whole time it ran towards us and around us. That was the only stand we made for the trip, but it was a lot of fun!

Few pics from the stand.

Later that evening we spotted a sow with two cubs.

Oh, and we saw a chit ton of turkeys. Have never seen so many poults. Every hen had a bunch of them. Bumper crop this year I guess.

All in all, a really nice relaxing weekend. The kind that makes it hard coming back to civilization! Could have stayed up there farting around for a couple more weeks, easy…

- DAA

 

[Tonkaman]

Excellent photos as always! I love the "cabin"

 

[Jinx]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[jeeper]

That can't be the same doe you guys have seen a few times before can it? If not.. That's amazing that they come right up to you guys. If it is the same, even more amazing.

Awesome pics as always. I have enough jealousy of you to last a lifetime.

 

[DAA]

Almost has to be the same doe. We brought pumpkin seeds, hoping she'd still be around. We'd no sooner got camp setup and sat down that Tim let out a long loud whistle, hoping to get her attention if she was around. About three minutes later she came walking into camp. The first year, she'd eat the grass we peed on and hang around, but wouldn't get too close. Last year, it took a couple days before she was eating out of our hands. This year, she more or less came right up and was like "so don't you HAVE something for me?". Came up and sniffed my boots, then Tim's, then the Jeep, then made herself to home!

- DAA

 

[Herzog]

Beautiful report!

And just look at all that destruction from humans! Lock it up! /sarcasm

 

[Pile of parts]

Wow!

Always enjoy your reports and amazing photography.

 

[mbryson]

I wonder if I've met that sow bear a few years ago. Certainly had my attention at about 1 am. Had two cubs....

 

[Greg]

Incredible Dave, I'm always amazed at how you seem to call in the animals and get some great shots! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Noahfecks]

I just heard on the radio this morning that everybody's favorite taterdick wants to grab this area and make it a 2MM acre monument. I have driven through on my way to AZ many times but it looks like I better get out there for some exploring before it gets closed off

 

[RogueJeepr]

This doe is almost a celebrity on here. Great report and awesome pics.