Elk hunt!

[Cindy]

Black Powder season opened on the 11th of Sept and of course I dreaded the 3 AM rising out of my warm bed. But once up we were flying to get left. It was a beautiful morning after a little rain the night before. We rode horses for 2 hours and tied them and began our hike, by 7:30 I had my cow elk tagged. A nice feeling to know there will be meat in the freezer this winter, but in turn was sort of sad that my season ended as soon as it began.

I continued to hunt with Greg, other than 2 days during the week as had to work(guess you could say I enjoyed the rest...haha). We was able to get a few bulls to bugle back at us but they wouldnt come across the canyon. We were headed out of this awsome canyon as didnt want to get stuck down there for the night, and when hubby says he wants to find the trail out before dark I know we better, he never gets lost, has this built in compass I think. Its a pain finding this trail in there and 10 times harder to find it coming out. We were just about out when this bull bugled at us, of course Greg and I think here we go again, so without dismounting Greg gives out a cow chirp, this bull caught us off gaurd! He answered right back and was on his way, Greg was off the horse in a split second(wish I could get him to move that fast at home...hahaha) Of course I was in charge of tieing horses, by time I got them tied he was 50 yrds up the draw. From Gregs bugles and the bulls it sounded like they were right on top of eachother. When he came in Greg knew he was a legal bull but didnt realize just how big until we walked up to him. We hunt for the meat not the horns, but got to say Greg was on cloud 9. This was the bull of a lifetime for Greg. This is the biggest bull taken in the areas around here in 10 or more yrs, Bulls dont grow to this caliber very often here, not because of hunting but because of diet and habitat. We made it out of canyon right at dark and had a 3 hour ride back to truck and trailer in the dark, kind of spooky after seeing a big bear just a day before. Not worried about the bear as much as the horse I was riding catching wind of him, bears usually wait till your pretty close to run off we have noticed when we are on the horses, I was riding my sons horse, she is young and yet to have an experience with a bear. We spent all day Sunday packing this bull out.

Happy Hunting! Cindy

[Mountainman]

WOW! What great pictures Cindy!! Still not sure what's bigger. The rack on the bull or Greg's smile. Be sure to tell Greg that there is an ancient hunter custom. When you shoot your first trophy bull, you must eat the "oysters"! I always draw a cow tag.....

Ed

[Mountainman]

Can anyone recommend a saddle for backcountry ridding? Something that would work for hunting. Got my eye on the Outfitter saddle from www.coloradosaddlery.com. Just was wondering if there was something out there better or more useful.

Ed

[Cindy]

Ed,

The outfitter saddle is made to fit a mule isnt it? Colorado Saddlery is a great company and can be assured the saddles are of good quality. Everyone has a prefrence when it comes to a comfortable saddle, I like one that does not have a high back, but Greg likes the higher back, but he cautions that its impossible to lean back in the saddle if you are caught off guard by a low branch...hahaha...it can cause injury, but he says for an all day ride in the saddle it helps with comfort. Although I have never had trouble with comfort in a lower back saddle. When looking for a saddle for mountain riding we like a rawhide covered tree, something made to stand up to ranch and cattle work, for if you have to drag anything you will need a saddle that is built for tough jobs. Many riders are going to the fiberglass wrapped trees, they are a lighter saddle.

If you look around you can find used saddles that are still in great shape for a fraction of the cost, just make sure to check it over good, is tree sturdy, no cracks in it. For mountain riding its a good idea to have a sturdy breast collar as well to keep saddle from sliding back.

Call us if you have any questions Ed, Greg would be the best to help you, he has a lot more experience with this.

Cindy

[Mountainman]

Colorado Saddlery web site claims that the Outfitter saddle will fit either a mule or a horse. I wrote to them today to see if they have a show room. I would like to see several saddles that they make.

Ed

[Cindy]

Ed,

They may say they fit either but be careful. A mule saddle tree is made flatter as a mule has no whithers, so they have a flat back. A flatter saddle may sore up a horse, and the last thing you want is to saddle sore a horse. You can use a horse saddle on either a mule or horse but we wouldnt use a mule saddle on a horse. Hope you find what your looking for. You should be able to find CSC saddles places where ranch and farm stuff is sold, like Murdocks(Big R).

Cindy

[Mountainman]

Hey Cindy, how do you feel about saddles made from cordura? Seem to be much lighter that the leather saddles. How do they hold up over time. I wrote to Colorado Saddlery and they invited me up for a look around. I just don't know what I want so I don't want to spend alot. Once I figure it out, I will spend the money if need be.

Ed

[Cindy]

Ed,

Cordura saddles make great arena saddles for show. But for trail or mountain riding we would stick to the leather saddles, just more durable. Personally have not used a cordura saddle but have been around the rodeo grounds and arena long enough, think they make for a great show saddle, but if you notice when at a rodeo the contestants, in any catagory are using leather saddles, even the barrel racers. Leather stands up to stress a lot better. Cordura is made for pleasure riding.

Cindy