Enough self pity. I saw elk every day I was out hunting, they just weren't legal spike's. The fact that roughly 66.7% of the elk I saw were from the relative warmth and comfort of the seat of my truck, vs. the 33.3% I saw sitting in the woods and hills is frustrating, but is not a sign that I am bad hunter(I hope). I put in far more effort this year than I have in any previous year, and the fact that NO ONE shot a spike(and only two of my fellow hunters even reported SEEING one) means the problem is not likely me.
I guess it is good news that I can't blame myself. It's not like I missed...that would be tough to live down. I can live safe in my delusion that I am a crack shot.
A major change is needed. This spring I will look hard at what my chances are of being selected for a cow tag using modern firearm vs. muzzle-loader. I don't want to make a hasty decision, but right now I am thinking there is a 75% I will be muzzle-loading next year, at a minimum for deer, but quite possibly for both deer and elk.
The only real reluctance to switch methods comes from my fellow hunters. These are guys that I have hunted with for 5 years, and worked with longer than that. Only 2 of the 7 are interested in switching to muzzle-loading. Not only will my possible switch create a possible skism in the group, but umm...I'm kind of a moocher*. The fact that all these guys have the tents and trailers has meant I have become very spoiled.
I will not get to sleep in this kind of luxury if I go on my own...
Or have these kinds of cooking facilities:
Sigh.
I might have to actually spend some of my own money if I go hunting next year!
*Clarification...I help pay(more than)my share of money for food, beer, gas for the generator's and propane...I'm not a total leach. It just hasn't made sense for me to buy my own trailer or wall tent yet..and until the house sells, I probably won't be able to.
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