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After
all those years of being skunked, Benefield says it’s impossible to
describe how excited he was when he saw that massive rack headed his way.
“By the time that bull had gotten to within 400 yards, my heart had
slowed down and the ‘shakes’ were subsiding enough I could begin to
think about making the shot if he approached closer.”
Benefield
and his guide, Bill Green with Pinnacle Mountain Outfitters (970-824-9269)
near Craig, Colorado, continued to watch the bull approach them when
suddenly he turned and followed a cow elk out of site. “Man, my heart
sank as that giant bull walked away. My guide said there were two legal
bulls in the herd within range but after seeing that big bull I decided to
play the odds that maybe he would reappear. We decided to get closer and
set a course to intercept the bull within shooting range.
“It
worked—he followed a cow out into a meadow and gave me a broadside shot
at about 200 yards. I placed the cross hair for a heart/lung shot and
squeezed the trigger on my 7mm Sako bolt action. My first shot was a
little far back of his vitals and didn’t put him down, but my last shot
was right in the boiler room. It was only 200 yards to my bull, but with
the thin air and excitement, my heart was beating in overdrive by the time
we got to him,” says Benefield.
According to
Benefield, all outfitters in the west are not as reputable as Pinnacle Mountain Outfitters. “We have been on some hunts that can only be described as rip-offs. One outfitter we went with in the early years just boarded us in old dirty trailers and basically left us on our own as far as hunting. Being new to elk hunting and the area, we didn’t have the foggiest idea where or how to hunt,” says
Benefield.
Western big game hunts are usually conducted in one of three ways: one, you are lodged and fed, assigned a guide who stays with you, transports you to the hunting area, and generally assists you in finding game. Two, the outfitter provides you with a place to stay, but you are on your own without the services of a guide. Three, a do-it-yourself hunt where you provide your own lodging and hunt public land.
Benefield recommends hunters planning an elk or mule deer hunt out west consult guide associations, various fish and game agencies, fellow hunters, and get maps and regulations from The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.
“Get references from the guide and check them out.” However, he cautions about putting too much stock in the references the guide furnishes. He recommends talking with someone you know who was pleased with the guide and facilities and then book your hunt. Apply at the same time for tags through the guide if he offers that service as you may have a better chance of drawing a tag
this way. |
