I have a client that owns approximately 465,000 acres here in Montana..because of the size of the ranch and all the moutainous area involved, the elk herds have become quite large. So large they are starting to cause crop damage on the lower lands. We were invited to go there yesterday along with several others to cull out some of the cows.. everyone was able to hunt 2 cows if the opportunity presented itself.. My son Trent and I got into the woods at about 7:45 in the morning--it was an absolutly awesome day.. fresh snow on the ground..about 18 degrees F..with light snow coming down.. We cut fresh tracks about an hour into the forest.. the herd split so my son and I did as well ...I heard his shot about 30 minutes later with another follow up shortly after--it was not long when directly in front of me stood about 30 head of elk, all cows, calves and spikes...I slowly inched my way forward and waited for the opportunity to present itself..As they milled around, a cow moved into the clearing presenting me with about a 75 yard shot..I slowly raised the rifle and placed the crosshairs directly on her shoulder.. she fell to the shot while the others stood there wondering where the shot had come from... after about 20 seconds they slowly moved off..

After taking care of my downed elk, I backtracked to my sons prints and followed him up to see if he needed help.. As I was moving through the forest I saw something sticking out of the snow.. walked over and it was the end of an "old trap" . I dug in the snow to remove it as it was still stuck into the ground from when it was set many, many years ago... I finally got it removed.. it is severly rusted and actually had lichen growing on it. I felt really fortunate to find an old relic like this out in the middle of nowhere. This trap will set in my trophy room from this day forward.. and hopefully the next time the stresses of everyday life seems to be mounting, hopefully it will serve to remind me of this day and the great time it was..for both my son and I.

My son had indeed shot a cow at about 30 yards--she ran about 150 yards and layed down--the second shot I had heard was indeed the finishing shot... he was very excited for several reasons. One, he has not shot many elk and they other that he had done it all on his own... he did a great job.

It was an awesome experience and as in most things in life, I sat there wondering why I have not done this more..hunting elk with a rifle...the excitement of tracking game in the snow and getting in on the herd is amazing. It also makes me realize why most of us on this site and around the world do what we do---I can honestly say I NEVER feel as alive as when I am hunting, whether it be in the mountains in Montana,in the bush in Afica or the tundra in Alaska.. GOD has truly blessed us all on this planet..hopefully most of us acknowledge that more often than not...

Ripp