My husband and I have been hunting together for more than 15 years around Salida, where he grew up. Nowadays, it is harder for the two of us to get away because we have three children and very busy lives. This year we were able to make it out and it was a true blessing …made even better when I filled my tag (with bragging rights, because my husband did not fill his)!

We set out early Friday morning in the dark, with steaming hot coffee and lots of maps. There hadn't been much sign when we were scouting. When we saw a deer, it was usually a doe. So, my hopes weren't too high this year. 

Right after sunrise we saw a herd of deer — mostly does. However, after quite a bit of glassing, we spotted this buck. I headed over a few knolls and got into a good position for a shot. Some of the does spooked and all the deer started running away from me. I stayed on them and they finally calmed down.

I got into a good position again (with the usual argument right before I shoot of my husband saying I need to move closer and me saying that I’m good and can take the longer shot). As is typical, I did not listen to my husband and took the shot.

One shot at 295 yards and this buck was down. He's a great buck, still rubbing off his velvet in mid-November!

Photo by Chad Carter

Changing hunting spots proved tough for us despite months of scouting and strategic planning. 

Even though my husband had been successful at our old spot for eight straight years, the thought of a new spot seemed an exciting challenge — something different. While scouting the new spot in Unit 54, we saw scores of elk and tons of sign. We were certain we had found a secluded spot with abundant elk and we readied ourselves for the most successful opening morning in history.

Reality started to set in two days before the season opened, as we were setting up camp along with dozens of other groups. The weather was hot and dry and the elk were gone. Still, we persisted, relying on what we had witnessed while scouting in July and August.

After five long days of endless hiking with no sign of elk, we conceded and went home - our spirits crushed.

After refreshing ourselves with hot showers and clean clothes, our thoughts drifted in the direction of the trusty old hunting spot - just 15 miles away. We still had a full day left to hunt.

Arriving at our old spot, we immediately noticed elk sign everywhere and by 11 a.m., my husband was watching this beautiful bull feeding in a small opening. By 5:30 p.m. — after several trips up a long, steep hill to the truck — our season was successful and we were relieved and grateful to have our freezer fully stocked again. 

Photo and story by Dana's wife, Crystal Lambert

After three unsuccessful hunting seasons, including a trip to Alaska, I finally made my first harvest - a nice 3x3 buck.

I used my Remington 7mm .08 with a Leuopold scope and hunted at home, on private property. The buck was taken just after sunrise on opening day of the third rifle season in 2012.

I first learned to use a rifle in 2009. 
 
Photo by Donnie Bergstrom

I started hunting elk in southern Colorado with my dad when I was 11, near the town where I grew up. My dream has been to shoot a 400-class bull. During my many years of hunting, I have harvested my share of nice bulls, but sometimes come away with nothing but my dreams and blisters on my feet.

In all my years in the field, I've only seen a few bulls that were grand enough to be in the elusive 400-class category. I've never had the opportunity to take one, until last November.

This hunting season started with me being as excited as I have ever been. As I started, I walked towards the top of a ridge and saw fresh tracks. I soon came upon four monster elk about 65 yards away.

I got that same feeling every hunter gets - the adrenaline rush, the heightened senses and the idea that this could be the one I’ve been waiting for. 

I didn’t have much time to be selective, so I drew down on the group, picked one bull, made sure the others weren’t in the way, and took my shot. They all busted out, but the one I shot went a different direction. It was that instant when I knew I hit him. After tracking him a ways, I walked up on the bull that I had always dreamed of.  

It takes 60 days for the antlers to dry before it can be officially scored. Those 60 days seemed to last the 31 years it took to get him! He scored 402.

Even though I harvested the greatest bull of my life this season, every season after this will be just as exciting as it was 31 years ago when it all started.

I’ve been hunting the Gunnison area for about 30 years. When I drew the tag for area S69 I could not believe my luck.

Maria and I spent eight weekends scouting and getting to know the area. When the hunting season opened, my life-long hunting partner, Randy Doudy, joined me for four days. But we could not find the large rams.

On the eleventh day of hunting, with Maria at my side, we found the large ram we had been looking for. With my old Winchester model 88 rifle, and an equally-as-old Weaver 4x scope, I was able to harvest this 11-year-old ram.

The lucky one, Randy Cloyd

This is my third and largest buck that I've shot on our ranch in southwest Colorado.

My dad and I hunted the whole season and every time we saw a buck he would disappear before we had a chance. On the last night of my season, as we came into an opening on the ranch we saw this buck standing there, perfect shot. It was a last minute shot and, luckily, I got him.

Of course, we had forgotten the flashlight, so we field dressed him in the dark and then drug him to the truck. I was excited to have filled my tag since I hadn't drawn a tag in the last two years.

Photo by Floyd McKee 

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