Yes, I do not know what I enjoy more. Your words or pictures. Both high quality.

Never been a reader but I do really enjoy reading your tails. Thankyou for sharing

Plenty of screen saver photos.

As always.

Outstanding work Coley.

Choices.

You can take great pride in knowing you have made the correct ones for you.

Nice job.

Awesome stuff!

Great read---you sure you're not a cop?

It's almost like he was 2Near us in the woods last Tuesday and stole my technique...which, incidentally, didn't work. Shooting at a running deer the size of a terrier in thick brush is apparently not a successul technique for me.

Fish on...

Todd

Finally had a chance to sit down and read all of this Coley...I shared my congratulations with you privately a while ago when you showed me the pics, this time I'll just thank you for the wonderful write up.

Very inspiring.

Fish on...

Todd

Oh so wrong my friend.
It did work.
Your pack out was lighter.

My pockets got lighter as I was running like a commando thru the woods while reloading...that deer probably thought I was fuckin insane.

I know Nick did...nothing like sitting in a tree stand watching your buddy play Tecmo Bowl with a deer in the bushes...not sure how he didn't fall out of the tree.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Shot a better one later that day, the only reason I can laugh at myself on this one

Glad you got out and found success.

As always, great story and read, Coley! Always look forward to your fall adventures and you never disappoint.

Bravo!!!

'G,
Speaking of getting closer....

After watching two Clydesdale 6x6 bulls feeding at just over 100 yards before they dropped into the adjacent drainage, it took this third, smaller 6x6 bull about 2 hours to browse his way from a saddle at 200 yards to about 40 before he bedded down in the thick stuff just below me for the day.

Saw him the day before too. I had just come up from the bottom of the drainage to sit on a steep sage slope that was on the lee side to a known bedding area. Factors pointed to watching this timbered edge until dusk while also reducing some of the vertical back to camp. I paused briefly to grab some water and snap a couple of quick photos as the sun and clouds atop the far ridge were making for some interesting scenes. Was just getting ready to continue up to my chosen sit spot when a bull chirped just inside the nearby timber and a hoof struck a windfall. I rapidly ditched the camera, grabbed my rifle and stepped into the squat tree with my pack at my feet as 3 calves tumbled out onto the sage slope with 5 wary cows. The lead cow fixed my eyes and everyone bunched up behind her. Thought I was busted by my mere proximity. Fortunately, I had the fickle mountain wind in my favor and after a fair spell, she began to browse and they all warily joined in their breakfast, each keeping one eye on me. After a few minutes passed and they fed to within 15 paces, the 6x6 bull joined the group but was more interested in the furthest cow and licking the source of his latent lust. The Lord and Ladies of the realm from 15-25 yards.

After about 5 minutes, the wind subtly began to swirl around and my knees began to shake in their semi-squat as I made cozy-like with a Christmas tree. First, one cow abruptly lifted her head to sample the wind and bounced sideways, uncertain of which way to flee. All of them tensed, and the bull threw back his headgear as he dove into the thick stuff. Cows and their calves ran up, down and sideways from the scene. I had to laugh at the sudden chaos and flying snow. The whole experience again confirming the priority of their defenses, and all the while leaving me a humble and thankful admirer....

While not a remote sheep hunt, I also have an appreciation of being in places where there are no other boot tracks, and the wonder of such wild places can be savored for what they stir inside. Thank you again for taking us along....

Awesome encounter Driftin' Thanks for sharing and it sounds (and looks) like a magical day to be in the hills. Getting close to and sharing company with these critters is a phenomenal experience alone, not to mention having something to show for the effort after the fact.

Damn Coley, I wished you'd carried a cigarette pack size digital like the LX7 with you. The photos and story are fantastic. And what a lifetime memory. I don't think it would fit a 20 page photo book, but Artisan has a $5.00 book offer for first time users that keeps coming up on Facebook. There is a $5.00 shipping fee as well. If you could do it it would be really something to share with your grandkids and possibly even great grand kids.

I don't hunt anymore as it interferes with fishing and I'm even slowing down on that.

I am so glad I read Reefskunks post and saw the mention of your hunting post.

I'm not a hunter, but I like a good story. And that's a great account of a great experience. Seems like there are alot of hunting magazines who would pay top $$'s for what you wrote. Get a good editor, write it up, and see who might be willing to publish it. The only thing missing is a good pic of the entire animal. The rest of the article is tailor-made for a hunting mag. Good luck.

Have to agree w/ cohoangler.

Might be a nice second income for you Coley, your better than 95% of the professional writers I read.

Check out https://www.riflemagazine.com/home/index.cfm

pull up the pdf on Successful Hunter magazine.

Wolfe publishing is about the cream of the crop IMO.

c/22

Again many thanks for the kind words. One day I will get around to submitting something for consideration somewhere, but for now it's just therapy for me and a chance to share an experience with a few who might be interested or appreciate it.