This is my second rifle season elk. I harvested him in Unit 75 with my rifle on public land.

A trip to Missionary Ridge, first season. Out of four hunters, three of us were successful. Hunters are: Mark Shelton, Buzz Wisner and Michael Wisner.

My name is Teresa Brevik and I am a native of Durango. I have been waiting to see a buck like this my entire life. I had not been able to put in for a license for four years because I was in Texas going to school. Finally, I graduated, came home and drew a third season buck tag, private land only in unit 75.

I scouted all summer for the right deer. Little did I know, I had a monster buck lurking not too far away. The hard part about hunting during third season in 2009 was the full moon.

On the fifth day of the season, I decided to try a mid-day attack. I went out at about 1:30 in the afternoon and snuck into the oak brush. I saw this buck and I froze. He was massive and gorgeous. There he was, standing broadside to me on the other side of a downed tree. I took one deep breath and tried to steady my .270. All I could see was the top of his shoulders through the grass.

I shot and everything took off. I thought I missed him and my heart sank. When I walked around the tree, I heard movement about 20 yards away. I saw my buck lying under a tree. I had hit right on. 

I was, and still am, the happiest girl in the world.  I want to thank the owner of the private land for letting me and my family hunt there every year.

Photographer and co-hunter: Chad Owen, Brighton

My uncle Cary invited me to hunt the fourth elk season in 2007. I bought my either-sex tag from the leftover list for units 18 and 181. Having moved from Hawaii via San Diego I had never hunted, but was an avid saltwater fisherman.

My brother Chad, a Colorado resident also hunting for the first time, joined me.  We had no idea what we were doing.  For four days we drove his loud diesel F250 over every passable road in both units. It’s funny how a novice hunter thinks that big game just hangs out by the road, waiting for you to shoot it. 

On the fifth and last day we drove to a clear cut south of the Never Summer Wilderness and southwest of the Granby entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.

About a half hour after sunrise we stopped for a break. I looked up and a bull elk was crossing the clearing 200 yards away.

I pulled my first shot and thought I missed (I hit him on the fourth rib into his stomach). The bull kept walking and went behind a large pile of logs. I used the opportunity to go prone over a fallen tree. When the bull popped his neck out from behind the logs I made another 200-yard shot and dropped him at the point of impact.

I don’t drive around looking for elk anymore and have learned to study maps, migration patterns and habitat, which brought me another freezer full of meat last year.  Sometimes, however, beginner’s luck can bring the best of rewards.

Thanks to my uncle for introducing me to hunting. I still love saltwater fishing, but I am hooked on hunting for life.

Photo:Travis Cavenah and CPW Officer Joe Nicholson.

Shawn Bruner’s eyes grew wide as three bull elk ran across the sagebrush park towards him. Joe Nicholson, an officer with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, whispered to Shawn and his father Mike to remain still. The elk chased each other in circles before running into a pond less than 50 yards away. As the elk splashed in the water and chased each other out of the pond, Shawn turned to Nicholson and said, “This is like television, only better because it’s for real!” Nicholson told Shawn and his father that moments like that are what makes hunting in Colorado great, even when you don’t harvest an animal.

Shawn was one of three kids enjoying a youth antlerless elk hunt on Three Springs Ranch in Northwest Colorado in August. He, Travis Cavenah and Charlie Craven participated in the three-day Hunter Outreach Program event.

“While Colorado is rich with wildlife resources and opportunities to hunt and fish, times have changed,” explained Nicholson. “While rural traditions may still exist, most kids are growing up in urban areas where kids and their parents may not know how to start exploring a budding interest in hunting and fishing.”

Shawn, Charlie and Travis had the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife, interact with landowners, discuss regulations and ethical dilemmas and experience disappointment at missed opportunities to harvest an elk. The boys did all harvest elk, but sharing the hunt with friends and family is what ultimately makes the experience memorable.

For information on youth hunting with the CPW, contact the Hunter Outreach Program, (303) 291-7248.

I have been hunting this area for nine years. I draw my either sex tag every other season. I have scored a bull the last four hunts, gotta like it.

I have friends from out of state that have been hunting with me the last five years, they look forward to coming back every year.

The Grizzly Park area has been good to us, we will miss it in 2010 as none of us drew a tag this season, good hunting to whomever finds our spot.

That is me with my elk.

Thanks,
Marty

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