I’m an Ambler, Rambler, Idaho Gambler

by: Gary Sorenson

I can’t believe I just said that.  Its quite possible I have just invited all kinds of problems from my circle of friends.  Let me say this first in my defense, on our way to our antelope hunt this fall we went within 16 miles of Jackpot Nevada and I never once felt the urge to swing down there for the evening.  But on that hunt I became very aware you don’t sit over a water hole or along a game trail very long before the mind starts rambling on about all kinds of things, some making sense and some I admit, doesn’t. 

The last evening of the last day of our bow elk season found Sue and I sitting over a water hole, not by choice but it was about the only alternative we had left with the winds swirling as they were.  We had already busted 3 herds with the wind that day as it was, so felt maybe it would be a little more stable down in this hole.  We set up 40 plus yard from the water to give us as much cushion as I felt comfortable with.  Then we sat, and the mind started ambling, and rambling, and it wasn’t always on the water hole in front of us.

What went wrong this year? Why are we going to be eating some store bought meat this winter? We hunted more locations this year then we have in the past, all good prospects for success.  Yeah, the weather was hot on some days, but over the entire season I think it was cooler then normal.  Then it hit me just how many times this year I rolled the dice and lost every time.  Is this just me or is it elk hunting, and the very thing that draws me back every year? If I won every time I went out, would it still hold the appeal to me that it does?

At location # 1, twice we had an elk bugle, one time within 100 yards.  Both times they responded to my calling but both were moving away.  Both times I gambled and backed out afraid I would push them out of the country, as I wanted them to come to me.  It would have been a gamble to push them but looking back I like those odds better.

Location #2,  the boys had been in there 10 days before and although they hadn’t scored, they had all kinds of action.  So we thought things had settled down enough to give it another shot.  We hunted from dark to dark and saw and heard absolutely no elk.  Finding elk in itself is a gamble.  They are nomads in a sense and just because they are here today gives no promise for tomorrow.

Location #3 was the area that I was saving for closer to the time of the rut and for which I had very high expectations.  It seems that during the rut the elk like to rendezvous in this farmers field and then head back into the hills early in the AM.  My plan was to be up in the canyon about 4 miles and do the ambush thing when they come by.  We started up the ridge a little later then we wanted to but I was still shocked when we got to the base of the ridge and there off 500 yards was a lone six point bull heading for the fields.  I believe looking back I could fairly easily have cut him off as the ambush favored my approach, but I rolled the dice on the AM hunt being the better hunt.  To multiply my loses on this gamble, we hadn’t went up the ridge a half mile and in our hurry kicked out one of the most interesting bulls I’ve ever seen.  70 yards ahead of us this dark chocolate bull bailed out and headed around us for the fields.  This bull had antlers that were about 40 – 48 inches long, just as big at the top as they were at the bottom, and no tines, just some inconsistencies.  How I would have loved to have had that trophy.  We slept under the stars that night and listened to the sweet sounds of the bugles and dreamed of a sure thing at the harvest table in the morning.  I was already counting my winnings. The next morning was reality time as the wind foiled us again as we heard down canyon about 200 yards some barks when they winded us and went up and out or our draw.  We were losers again.  That was being a 3 time loser in less then 14 hours.

Location #4 was were I was sitting and thinking all this.  This day we had gambled and got aggressive and ended up bumping them 3 different times.  So my last card was played at the water hole that evening, and we lost again. 

I know this sounds like we are a couple of losers in the elk hunting gambling game but we are addicted.  We can’t wait for next year to roll around and try our hands again at the tables of the mountains, the valleys, the forests and even the deserts, because I think I know how to stack the deck in my favor next year.  Yes I’m a dreamer, but I prefer it that way.