---

Share memories of your best Colorado hunts here. These photos and stories, written by hunters, capture tales of successful hunts throughout the state. Tell us your story by sending an e-mail to hunter.testimonials@state.co.us. Please include your name, a general hunt location and the story behind your outing (up to about 250 words). Also include a high-resolution, digital photo (.jpg) with the name of the photographer and any people in the photo.

NOTE:  Submissions become property of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and may be used on the Web site or in future editions of Colorado Outdoors magazine. All stories and photos are subject to review and editing to ensure CPW rules and regulations are met. Publication is not guaranteed. Items will remain online for a limited time.

Colorado big game regulations require all rifle hunters to wear blaze orange while hunting. Photos in this gallery, if taken after a hunt, may not illustrate this safety measure. Please review regulations, when planning your hunt.

---

This hunt started in 2006 when I first met my wife Priscilla. She was a hunter and I told her about my trips to Colorado and how great it would be to hunt there together, so we started applying for preference points.

In 2009 we drew muzzleloader licenses, I drew a deer tag and my new wife an elk tag. When the time arrived, my friend Barry and I left for Colorado and drove 1,900 miles in 34 hours straight. We set up camp at a state park. Our wives flew out to join us for the week.

We returned to camp one afternoon to eat and get some rest, when the camper across from us said he and his wife were out in their boat fishing and had seen a big buck wade onto an island in the lake. Priscilla and I drove around the lake to spot him. I was having trouble believing a large buck would be hanging out with boaters and fishermen around, but there he was!

My wife agreed to wade over to the island with me. Once there, she circled around and popped up over a small ridge. The lounging buck jumped up and ran straight at me. I placed a shot in the middle of his neck from 60 yards and he dropped in his tracks.

I wouldn't have been able to get this buck if it wasn't for my beautiful bride. Not many women will roll up their pant legs and wade through a lake to help their husband kill a buck of a lifetime.

---

October 2012, second season, day four of the hunt. I have hunted elk in Colorado for at least 18 years now, it is my passion. This is great country and I have had some really good luck hunting elk and mule deer in Colorado.

On last season’s hunt, I did not see a lot of sign the first three days of the hunt, so I moved up the mountain to 9,000 feet elevation around 8:30 in the morning. I saw a group of elk go by, but I had no shots.

While sitting and enjoying the mountains, I noticed this big bull trotting down through the aspen, coming toward me. I set up and watched this bull come out into the meadow and stop to look around — broadside. I settled in and took this 6X6. It was my best bull ever.

By then, it was 10:30 in the morning and the work began. I skinned and quartered it and called my friend Chad, after three trips down the mountain, I had my best elk ever — a heavy-horned 6x6. At 58 years old, it took me a couple days to heal myself, but I will be back if God allows! 

Love your state!

---

After 15 years of acquiring preference points for a bull elk and eight years gaining points for a buck deer, I successfully drew both tags for the same hunt on the Bosque del Oso State Wildlife Area in 2012. 

Three very beneficial scouting trips were taken to the area prior to the five-day hunt.  Accompanied by my oldest daughter Allie, and my good friend Walt, I harvested a 4X4 buck at 200 yards on the second day and a heavy 5X5 bull from 125 yards at sundown on the fifth day.

Many miles were walked and the hunt was difficult. But we had a great and memorable hunting experience. Many thanks to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and others for acquiring and managing this unique area.

---

This is my 17-year-old daughter with her doe pronghorn. Savannah and I went hunting Nov. 12 after she got out of school.

We went to unit 87 on my friend’s private land. We saw this pronghorn and parked about a half-mile away. We stalked it to within 250 yards, hiding behind small, rolling hills. She finally got in position and got off a shot with her 7mm Mag. The antelope ran about 100 yards and fell.

The feeling of seeing your kid get an animal is better than getting one yourself. It was her longest shot ever, and Savannah has been hunting since she was 12.

Photo and story by Chris Strauss