Two Wheel’n After Elk
Idaho closes many of the old logging roads during Rifle Elk season. This has always seemed like a good thing to us in the past… but with my Dad approaching 80, and having a leg that had suffered a severe compound break in 2003, stints put in after a heart attack in 2005, breaking the same leg again just this last spring, and arthritis topping everything off, we realized it would make things nearly impossible for him to hunt in the kind of country he had always loved. We had been racking our brain for weeks, trying to come up with some method to get my dad up in the mountains for an Elk hunt. We realized that it wouldn’t be comfortable for dad to try riding horseback… the arthritis in his knees would make it too painful. My nephew Cody suggested a cart that could be pulled behind a bicycle…the problem was no one in the family owns a bike or bike cart that could go in the mountains. I was pondering this cart idea when something clicked in the recesses of my brain… we have a two wheeled hose cart, and horse to pull it…Bingo!…There was just one little hitch to this idea… our mare Marta hadn’t pulled a cart in about 8 years! So the work began… and there wasn’t much time to do it in! Gary and I both worked with getting Marta familiar with pulling a cart again… and we had some refreshing to do ourselves! I held a picture of a horse in harness in one hand and fumbled with straps and buckles with the other hand! I have to say Marta remembered a lot quicker than I did, and she was patient with me when I didn’t get the harness just right the first try. After this crash refresher course in buggy & harness we made plans to head for the mountain the day after Elk season opened.
Those plans fell through because my dad wasn’t able to get away… we set another day, and Gary announced he had to go out of town on a business trip that day. This looked like it was the wet blanket on my horse and cart idea because I needed Gary to drive the horse trailer… yes I’m the helpless female when it comes to handling mechanical things!… anyway I decided it wouldn’t be a good time to learn to drive his diesel truck pulling a stock trailer with a thousand pound horse in the back, on a winding mountain road! So Dad and I decided we’d just be content to drive up and see how far he could hike up the closed logging road. As we were getting ready to leave Dad’s house, he got a call from my nephew Bryan on his cell telling of his successful hunt that morning … He’d shot a 5 pt. bull , his first elk and was pumped! It fired us up too and we headed for the mountain to meet up with Bryan and share in the celebration!
A happy Bryan with his first elk!
After all the happy celebration, Dad and I started up the old logging road to see how far we could get. I was touched to see how much my dad does just with sheer grit… but soon saw that this was just too painful… we did enjoy the beautiful quiet evening, and Dad seemed grateful to be out breathing the mountain air… but I knew he ached to be up high on a ridge top glassing the open slopes…
The beautiful mountains…
The next day nephew Cody called and said he was going up the next day and wondered if Dad and I wanted to come too… I realized this was my chance and jumped at it! Cody could drive the horse trailer!… so Thursday afternoon it finally looked like the horse and buggy elk hunt would happen! Cody brought his new bride Rachel, and a good friend Dustin, who had never been elk hunting and just wanted to come along and see what it was all about! We left my dad’s house late afternoon, anxious to get up the mountain before dark. We set up camp in a little snow squall, but Dad got a roaring fire going and soon dipelled all the cold ! Mom sent along a potato and ham casserole she had made. She had heated two bricks in the oven and put the casserole on top of the bricks wrapped in a heavy towel… it was still piping hot when we feasted on it 4 hours later! THANKS MOM!!
Mom seeing us off
Dustin cheerfully helping set up camp!
Newlyweds, Cody & Rachel… and me & dad
Cody & I taking Marta for a test run
During the night I could hear rain and sleet hitting the sides of the tent… I was just hoping the weather would break a little for our hunt in the mornin… Dad was up at 5:00 and had a welcoming fire going by the time us youngsters dragged out of our sacks! After several cups of strong camp coffee we were ready to roll! Marta seemed anxious to head up the mountain too … and she hadn’t even had her mornin coffee! About a mile in, Cody, who was leading the way stopped and pointed to some track in the road… bear!… It made me more nervous than Marta… she had been blowing and snorting a little, but never seemed really alarmed… I didn’t feel like it was a good idea after such a short refresher course to rein her, so I was leading her. All went smooth and several miles in ,the road became too overgrown to get the cart any farther… but we were only about 200 yards from the top of the ridge where dad wanted to sit. I unhitched Marta and took off her harness so she would be comfortable, found a good spot to picket her and then joined the rest who had gone up to the top of the ridge.
Marta was fantastic!
Cody, Rachel and Dustin headed cross country to glass a big basin. Dad and I found a good spot under a lone pine tree and settled in. Soon after we were settled the fog began to roll in. Dad built a little fire and in spite of the miserable drizzling fog we were snug and warm in our little oasis!… perhaps to some it would seem a very uneventful hunt… we never saw any elk… but sitting with my dad under that pine tree with the fog swirling was a wonderful event for my Dad and I… he was up in the mountains he loves and we were drinking in the pleasure of it together. Dad and I are looking forward to next year!… we’ll be able to plan ahead and make a real hunt out of it!
Here’s a short video of our outing!
I honestly think that this is the best story I’ve read on a blog. I just love the whole feel of the post, and the feel of the video as well. Being able to share in that experience with your Dad is incredible, and to see him have such spunk at that age, and the will to want to go still is incredible. I really admire your family and the lengths you go to to make things happen. It’s very refreshing.
And, by the way, that is one heck of an ATV your Dad has. Awesome!
What a great story and video. Marta is a spectacular horse and by far the best ATV I have ever seen. I commend your “can do ” ingenuity in making it happen for your dad. This is what hunting is all about. Hooray!
Memories for the long haul. Perhaps next year the elk will cooperate.
[...] to be reminded why we hunt, and what draws us to it in the first place. Suzee, in her latest post over at Base Camp Legends, did a great job of helping me to realize what the most important parts [...]
I always love your family stories you share. Very heartwarming. So nice to see Grandpa out enjoying the hunt.
You all are one of my favorite outdoor families!
Love it! That is truly some innovative thinking! Something about having horses along on the hunt seems to add a degree of difficulty, but with a sense of satisfaction even without an eventful hunt.
My hat’s off to you both for making the effort to get in another elk hunt together. I could really see a horse drawn cart working for a late season hunt on wintering areas in Western Colorado or Wyoming or more open and less steep areas of Idaho( are there any?).
There is an outfitter in Jackson who used draft teams to drag out Buffalo from a successful hunt. I don’t see why it wouldnt work for an elk?
I hope you pursue this avenue some more, including navigating the truck & trailer !
It does sound like a wonderful hunting trip!
Great story! It’s not hard to tell your dad is having the time of his life, and how could he not with kids like ya’ll!
Beautiful country, too.
Your story reminds me so much of the last years my grandfather hunted. He was 89 years old and full of life! As deer season approaches I realize how much I miss him. Thanks for the special video!
That last photo of you and your dad says everything. Great hunt! Really glad you made it happen. Beautiful.
We just got back last night from a week of hunting mountain whitetail… I didn’t know Tom was going to post this while i was gone!… I’m glad he did and so gald to read all of your comments… I needed the reminder again of what it really is all about, after my dad and I sat over 40 hours in a ground blind and didn’t see anything! I have to say I was disappointed… but after reflecting on the time I spent with my dad… it was priceless… my dad has such an appreciative attitude.
How blessed you are to not only have your dad with you “on the hunt” but to be making memories that will sustain you in the coming years. Your right Suzee it is “priceless.” Your family seems to be an awesome group of rugged and hardy individuals. Loved the video.
Love that buggy rig!
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[...] Susie Sorenson at Base Camp Legends would know. When the Sorensons set up camp they mean business. After watching many of their [...]
Thanks for a great story and video. Sometimes sharing the quiet waiting times are the best. Great daughter and dad!
And a wicked cool ATV!