The Way of the Elk. Pt 1

It was pitch black by the time I made it back to the road from an overland (that means no roads, no people) hunt last night ...The new forest service signs marking the attractions in Hyalite canyon glowed in the reflection of my headlamp as I jogged past. I probably looked like a german foot soldier with the riffle in my hand, but I was glad to be on the road.... I did not want to reverse miles of deadfall in the dark. The road would provided a nice running opportunity for me anyways.

It began to rain hard, and I cam upon a truck with some human activity. The rain was coming down in sheets , but I was able to make out 3 people near the bed of the truck. They looked to be sportsman.....maybe they will swing me a lift back to my car. I tried to buddy up.

"Any luck?"

"Ya, got three of 'em"

"Three Elk !?" ....with all the shooting I heard, three elk seemed reasonable.

"No, three trout."

"Say, how much farther till the dam?"

"bout 2.5 miles" one of them said as they sped off in their nice truck. I suppose I cant blame them, as I probably looked pretty crazy, soaked to the bone and toting a weapon.

I will be back in the same spot tonight to hunt again, but the rain will have turned to snow, which may help decipher the age of the thousands of elk tracks I saw.