Archery elk hunting in Colorado: If only I could fill my freezer with memories.

My first archery elk hunt has come and gone. My husband Glenn and I didn't harvest an elk, but we we sure learned a lot and had fun.

Mind you I am originally an upland hunter. Not exactly a quiet sport. The dogs are running 100 mph, I'm whistling and calling and sprinting to keep up and the blasts of the shotgun certainly liven up the situation. Elk hunting by comparison can be a little slow and monotonous at times.

However, just when I was thinking, "elk hunting is OK, but my feet are getting cold and I'm tired of sitting here so still," my outlook on the sport was forever changed. I cow called for a good thirty minutes when all of a sudden, out of the quiet forest, a herd of elk charged in on us hot.  I'll never forget the look on Glenn's face, which was likely a mirror of the astonishment on my face.

I saw a flash of unmistakeable brown elk fir through the dark timber. I had just enough time to sound off two more cow calls, drop the call, connect my release to my string and draw my bow on a young bull that had run to within 5 yards of me.  After what seemed like an eternity of waiting for a shot through the dark timber, the animals spooked and my chance was over. 

Glenn and I were excited and adrenaline filled the experience. Even though I didn't shoot the bull, I felt like I had finally joined the club of the elk addicted. I had my first dose and now I wanted more.

Our season closed with a couple more close encounters with elk. I now look at those quiet, slow moments as valuable time to reflect on life. I inhaled the smell of decomposing leaves that brought back memories of fall from my childhood. I stole short naps under my tree as the warm sun finally popped its head over the opposing ridge. I sat silently as a striped skunk hunted for grubs under the log across from me.  I conversed with a chipmunk that sat on my boot toe. Like any good hunter, I want to fill my game tag, but if nothing else, I am well fed with valuable memories that I can forever share with my husband and the rest of my family. 

Author's note: I forgot to add that I had fun with a rather vocal blue grouse that called back and forth to my cow call as it was getting ready to roost for the night.

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Sue Melus specializes in public relations and communications for hunting, fishing, shooting sports and resource conservation. Learn more at www.melusoutdoors.com.

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