Saturday, April 28, 2007

Now we wait...

My application is in. Due to my new "situation" I've opted to stay close to home for the coming Elk hunting season. At least that's my intention. If I win the Powerball lottery then all bets are off.

At this point my plan is to spend a lot of time scouting my "back yard" (Arapahoe National Forest) as well as Green Ranch in Golden Gate State Park. If I see enough encouraging signs, I may just put in for the Green Ranch lottery and give myself some more options. First season is pretty short, compared to second season, so I want to have a few other places to go in case the weather does another number on me.

After feeling lost most of the time last season I've committed myself to spending more that just one afternoon scouting and learning the area I want to hunt. Granted, hunting in your back yard makes that easier, but only if you put in the time. My scouting plan includes using a GPS to mark springs, creeks, rubs, beds, etc. I may also lay in some caches of water and Powerbars just because I can.

Now would probably be a good time to inspect my rifle and make sure the oil I put on in the Fall is doing the job it should be doing...