By Ron Gayer

The mid-day monsoon was in full flower as it had been every day this week. Lightning bolts flashed across the blackened New Mexico sky as the rain pounded a staccato drumbeat on the canvas of my tent. The rain brought with it a wonderful fresh mix of sage pinion pine and juniper aromas.

I lay on my bunk for some time watching the light show and thinking how lucky I was. This little afternoon siesta was my first break in four days. I had been setting up an elk camp in Catron Co. New Mexico. Elk camp was set on a private ranch with thirty sections of land most of it prime elk habitat. After setting up a cook tent, three sleeping tents, digging three latrines and stockpiling enough wood to last three bow and two muzzleloader seasons, I needed a little rest and relaxation.

Monster bulls and Catron Co. go hand in hand. It was an exciting time to be here. Each preseason-scouting trip was better than the last. Elk rubs and wallows were all over the ranch. I had placed seven tree stands around the most promising water holes and tanks

Each scouting trip I would identify new rubs. Some of the five and six foot trees didn’t stand a chance against the focussed attacks of the big bulls. They were stripped of all branches and bark.

I had been spending each evening in a different tree stand hoping to get a close look at some of the nasty bulls that had been reducing the tree population on the ranch. With the future of the Pinion pine in such obvious peril, I was amazed that I had yet to see a single bull. Only a small herd of cows and calves had been my payoff for three afternoons sitting in a stand till dark.

I decided to pick one tree stand and park myself in it until I got a chance to see the bulls. All seven of the tree stand locations held promise. All were located on water, some had a lot of cover, some had less, and all had ample sign that elk had been watering there. One of the smaller water holes had even produced a shed antler, a nice five point with a base as thick as my wrist, and half submerged but well preserved.

I decided to spend the next three nights on a stand located on a tank that was in an open area. The stand was in a lone tree that stood guard on the east side of the twenty-five yard square tank.

Behind my perched position lay the remains of an old sawmill. A clutter of old beams and lumber debris made it difficult for elk to approach from this direction. My view to the west was an unobstructed 280 degrees. I looked across a sage covered flat one hundred yards wide and two hundred yards long. The tree line at the edge of the flat was sparse for fifty yards then closed in with heavy cover. On my right, the sage flat sloped off slightly then disappeared into the juniper and pinion pine.

My view to the left was an incline that ended at the ridge top almost two hundred yards away.

An archer from this stand would have an excellent shot at any bull in or around the tank. My reward for the first night in the stand was one coyote and a solitary young doe, not much for three hours of quiet attention. Day two I decided to show up an hour earlier. As I settled in I tightened my safety strap… four hours plus in the seat. I don’t want to fall asleep and end up face first in the tank.

Staying focussed after hours in a stand can be difficult. You end up watching a chipmunk, contemplating his daily routine in life. He announces your position to the world. You watch the colors on a bird’s wing and the distant movement of the trees in the wind.

You smell the scents in the air and marvel at the colors in another sunset.

Sunset on day two and no elk, no cows, no calves and for sure no bull. It was dark as I made my way back to camp. Around the campfire that evening I briefly contemplate giving up on the stand and even moving it to another location. Heck from that stand I could see at least three rub trees that are only bark free spires, with a little velvet hanging on them. I know the location is too good to give up on. One more night, if I don’t see a good showing of elk the stand comes down and I find a new “hot spot”.

The rain had stopped and the light show was over for the day. I loaded some water and jerky into my daypack and head out for the stand.

It’s about a thirty-minute walk through rolling hills of J.P. forest.

As I approached the open area near the stand I moved slowly, hoping to suprise anything, something. I made my way into the stand eager with a frustrated anticipation. Two hours drag by and it’s more of the same. I scanned the open field of view side to side each time expecting to see a monster bull step out.

Then it started, as I scanned back to the right, just short of the tree line stood a small 4X4 bull, just appearing like a ghost in the area I had scoured for elk just two minutes ago. He took several steps toward the stand then stopped and looked to the west. Six cows broke the tree line about one hundred and fifty yards from the bull’s location. They were heading for the tank at a crisp gate weaving through the sagebrush coming to an abrupt halt twenty yards short of the tanks west berm. As if on command all of the cows looked to the north.

Just clearing the ridge top to the north was a huge bull. My hands found my binoculars and snapped them to my forehead. 6X6… no he was a 7X6 at eighty yards and closing.

My total attention to the big bull was interrupted by the sound of antler crashing against antler.

Directly west past the cows, still hidden in the trees, was the unmistakable sound of two bulls engaged in an early season sparing match. This was too much too fast! I glanced to my right and found the young bull was now only thirty yards away nearing the edge of the tank. He seemed to be thinking things were getting too crowded and started drifting back into the tree line.

A dust cloud was now drifting above the treetops near the sound of the dueling bulls. Occasionally the sound would stop only to start up fifteen or twenty seconds later. This treat was only for the ears as the thick cover of the trees left all the action to my imagination.

My eyes raced back to the big bull. He was now out in the open moving toward the cows. I could see streamers of velvet hanging from his massive rack. The base of each side was easily larger than my forearms. The main beams were heavy all the way out to the end. I knew I was looking at my first 400-class bull, on the hoof.

The seasoned old bull moved the cows over the berm and into the tank. He stood as sentry on top of the berm. The cows drank and pawed at the cool water. The bull shared his gaze between the sounds of battle and the cows below.

The setting sun changed the elks golden colors to gray as the shadows merged. Two more bulls practiced a bugle in the distance.

Cows began mewing on the hillside behind my stand.

My big bull pressed forward into the tank and with a shake of his impressive antlers he moved the cows out of the tank then quickly into the trees. He made it look easy, the kind of easy that comes from years of practice.

At least twenty-five more elk came to the water that night. I know because I had to sit there until the coast was clear. Finally, about two hours after dark I was able to slip down out of the stand and back to camp.

I figured that night was like an elk hunter Disneyland. When I was a kid the best rides at Disneyland took an “E” ticket. On that day, at that time, that stand was an “E” ticket ride for me.

The stand proved to be one of the seasons best. We took three bulls there. One archer did have a shot at my big bull but excitement got the better of him. The bull made a clean get away. The archer sustained some major ego trauma. However the next day the trauma eased as he took the big bulls little brother a nice six by six.

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Ron Gayer

I turned the pickup’s motor off. I stretched out my arms and took a deep breath of the mountain air. Uncoiling my body from the cab, after a fifteen-hour drive, I stepped out of the truck into a campsite as familiar as my living room. After all, we have hunted out of this camp for many years.

Nestled in the lodgepoles and aspens was a camp that generations of camp planners had approved of in function and design. The tent goes here, ice chest over there, and here, in the center, a campfire ring. I suppose some innovative camp planners may have tried to put the campfire ring elsewhere but it always came back to this perfect spot.

This was the last week of the archery elk hunt in the Colorado Rockies. Some muzzleloaders had just ended their hunt and left “MY” campsite a mess. I could tell they had been successful by the debris [elk legs] they left scattered around camp. Chicken bones and eggshells littered the site along with a few discarded propane cylinders.

I’ll bet that campfire ring has seen a lot over the years, the good campers and the bad. If it could talk, what stories would it share?

Would it talk of the young family on its first summer camping trip? They picked this spot for the great view.

The heat from the campfire burned a blackened shell on the marshmallows just right for s’mores. I’ll bet the children marveled at all the stars in the night sky.

The campfire ring was here when Great Grandpa walked up the mountain on strong legs with a homemade packframe on his back.

He would cut a blaze on the trees marking the way back to his downed elk. Three trips later he would have all the meat packed out.

That campfire ring was here when Grandpa uses his new scoped rifle to bag his first elk. Then, just like his father showed him, he used his G.I. surplus pack frame to pack it out, marking his way with red yarn tied to the trees.

Young hunters on their first hunt would sit around that ring and listen, as Great Grandpa would share stories of the hunts of yesteryear. He would tell them just how “ green” in the ways of the woods their dad once was. Giddy with anticipation, the young hunters would talk in their sleeping bags till the crackling fire was reduced to glowing embers. The smell of leather and gun cleaning solvent still lingered in the night air.

I wondered how many pots of coffee boiled by that fire ring and brought sleepy camps to life? Ventures into culinary excellence can be recalled, like savory flame broiled steaks and biscuits done just right. There were occasional failures like Uncle Joe’s burnt cornbread.

I remember complaining around that fire ring the first time my legs felt the burn of packing out my elk. I marked my trail out with biodegradable surveyor’s tape.

Now, Great Grandpa no longer hunts, he can’t breathe at this elevation. Grandpa listens as his grandson explains how this new GPS [global positioning satellite] will guide him back to that downed elk every time, as long as the batteries hold out!

That campfire ring knows the sound of Grandpa’s new four-wheeler. His legs aren’t as strong as they once were.

Stainless steel magnum rifles with composite stocks now lean in the gun rack near the tree by the fire ring.

Laser rangefinders and carbon arrows have been visiting the fire ring for the last few years. Meals around the campfire are changing too. Can you say MRE [meals ready to eat] or freeze dried?

Several camps of hunters have been here each year for the last fifty or more years.

Some have carved their names and dates on the bark of the Aspens near by.

Men have laughed and cried around this ring, been thrilled by the hunt, or disappointed by it.

Some have bartered with God for a chance to beat a cancer so they might have the time to teach a grandson the ways of the woods. Others lament lost loves.

Lifelong friendships have been made around this campfire ring.

Seasons come and seasons go and each year the hunters return to this site. The campfire ring is here for them all.

We cleaned up the camp and hunted hard. The elk didn’t bugle very much during our season. The weather was very hot and dry this year.

Although our pick up load will be shy the weight of an elk for the trip home, we had a great time at this camp. I especially liked our evenings around the campfire ring.

When we packed up to leave I took special care to clean out the campfire ring and arrange its stones. We will be back next year. Maybe I’ll bring my grandson.

Three generation from now when someone uses this campfire ring I hope they will consider those who were here before them, and those who will follow.

Do you consider those who will follow? As conscientious hunters we all should!

By Ron Gayer

During a turkey season not too long ago, I had a funny thing happen. Now, when I think of this hunt and hunter, I just have to smile.

It was about mid season when I met this hunter. For the sake of my story, we will call him Bob that is easier than calling him Farnsworth or Lancelot. I must change the names to protect the innocent.

Bob’s wife of many years decided to buy Bob a guided turkey hunt. Bob told me had hunted deer. My guess is that he had done most of his hunting from his recliner on Saturday morning watching the Outdoor Channel. He had never hunted turkey and was very excided to experience a guided hunt.

A tall man, Bob stood about 6’4,’’ not in bad shape for a man in his mid 70s. He looked as thought he may have, on some autumn Saturdays long ago, defended a quarterback or stopped a fullback at the line of scrimmage. He had the damaged knees and stiff hips that I am sure earned him a spot in a team photo somewhere.

Bob and I took the time to pattern his shotgun and after a relaxing meal and some talk of how to turkey hunt we turned in for the evening.

The next morning we were up well before dawn but let Bob’s wife sleep in. She wanted to put her feet up in front of the fireplace and read a good book while Bob and I were off to find a long beard.

I had a good spot down near a creek where I knew some turkeys had been roosting. It was the kind of spot I could slide Bob into with not much walking. I parked the truck in a low draw and in the dark we eased into my spot. I sat Bob at the base of a large oak and I placed my decoys in the flat about 30 yards from our tree.

We got comfortable and began to wait for daylight.

When you are turkey hunting, each morning there is a kind of magic time when all is quiet and dark and you have time to think. As the sky to the East starts to lighten you hear the woods come alive. The crows and jays and all of the songbirds welcome the new day with a growing crescendo of sounds. So much life calls from the treetops it is inspiring.

Then the first hint of the presence of wild turkey, a hen’s yelp, grabbed our attention. I nod to bob and he smiles back.

Then it began. A tom roosted in a large oak near the creek gobbled from the roost. Bob, started to laugh out loud. I don’t mean a little chuckle; I mean a very enthusiastic belly laugh.

I do believe bob’s wife may have heard the laughter from the cabin miles away. I put my finger up to my lips and motioned him to be quiet. Just a few moments later another tom gobbled and again Bob erupted with laughter. Now I am thinking to my self no way is this turkey hunt going to end well. Before I can chastise bob for his outburst another tom gobbles and there goes bob again. I mean he is just shaking all over you would think he was front roll center at a comedy club.

Now I grabbed Bob by the arm and in no uncertain terms told him he needed to control the noise he was making. He nodded and we slipped back into waiting and listening. For the first 6 gobbles from the roost, old Bob was out of control giddy with laughter. The next 6 or 7 gobbles he just shook all over but stopped producing any audible sounds.

Sometime during the period when Bob had regained control of his funny bone, he leaned over to me and said with all the control he could muster, his voice cracking, sounding like a 5^th grader at the gate to “Disneyland” for the first time,

“ THIS IS JUST LIKE ON T.V.”

On a hunt where stealth is premium I was betting we were doomed!

I thought about moving to another location but Bob’s knees and the fact we still had toms gobbling near by made me stay. About 15 minutes later we could hear the turkeys fly down and start working up the ridge to our right. There was a low ridgeline that extended to the creek and the turkeys, although not visible, could be heard calling and scratching. I called and listened and again called. I’ll be darned if in about 10 minutes the hens came over the ridgeline and made their way to my decoys. Soon, following the hens, 2 toms, looking like bookends with 9-inch beards, strutted into view.

We were hunting in California, and in this state, a hunter can take 3 birds per season but only 1 bird per day. Our toms would not separate and were bumping into each other like junior high boys on a playground trying to impress the girls. A shot on one bird would surely take the other as well so we had to wait!

The hens circled around the decoys. At one point one of the hens was only 5 feet to my right and turning its head to the side as it studied my camouflaged form against the oak tree.

The toms circled around the hens and the decoys twice and were only 10 yards from our tree but still neck and neck.

The hens finely lost interest in my decoys and drifted back over the ridge retracing their path. The toms, now henless, started working toward the ridge, still neck and neck. We watched helplessly as our opportunity seemed to be slipping away.

Then for some reason know, only to the turkey gods, just before they cleared the ridge the two toms broke apart, one went to the left and one to the right. Bob followed the bird on the left and fired. The tom rolled over and Bob had his Turkey. UNBELIEVABLE!

I have taken many junior turkey hunters on their first turkey hunt. Their excitement and enthusiasm make those hunts some of my favorites. However, those juniors have a tuff time matching the raw, from the heart excitement displayed by Bob on that spring day. Bob, may never hunt turkey again but I am betting he won’t forget that hunt.

I know I never will.

Say, did you hear the one about the turkey that walked into the bar?

Published in the R.M.E.F “Bugle”

SURE IS DARK

Ron Gayer

When you work as a guide or outfitter each week of the season brings changes. Last weeks hunters have packed up and gone home. A new batch of wide-eyed hunters has arrived. Having waited months or years for the chance to hunt big game, some are giddy with the excitement of being in camp. It shows with the non-stop stream of words, some in the form of questions others detail their past success as hunters.

The mix of personalities depends purely on the luck of the draw. Some camps are a dream where life long friendships can be made.

On the other hand, some camps can be tense as hunters use words and body language to spar for dominance and days seem to last for weeks. [The cave man in some has not wandered far from the cave]

The first night in camp is always educational. What quirks or odd habits did guys bring with them? Sometimes you get surprised. Some guys will show up at dinner in full camo looking tree stand ready. Some appear in pressed shirt and shined shoes. Others are adorned in gold chains and aftershave strong enough you could smell them in the next county

This story happened one year in New Mexico during the archery elk season. This particular group of elk hunters arrived a day early so I had more time to try and figure out how to work with them. Who had more hunting experience? Which guys could shoot and actually hit a target? You would be surprised to find out how many hunters can’t put an arrow into a paper plate at thirty yards.

All things considered this group looked real good. Most were from California two were from Tennessee. Although the experience levels varied they all wore smiles and were excited about tomorrows opening day. An added plus, they all were superior plate perforators at thirty yards!

Around the camp fire that night I learned the two boys from Tennessee were big time turkey hunters and had taken their share of whitetail with a bow. Although neither had been elk hunting before, they were confident in their skills and were hoping to fill their tags early. One from the California contingent was a big barrel chested guy. A full beard gave him the appearance of a seasoned mountain man.

Quick to smile and to conversation he soon became a friend to all. Sporting goods store owner and avid hunter he had talked several friends into this archery elk hunt. [Now he may have also sold them all their gear, bows, arrows, broad heads….] Short on experience, his friends had read all about elk hunting and had loaded up on gear. Everyone turned in early that night.

The bacon sizzled, its aroma engulfing the camp. The coffeepots song was increasing in tempo. Biscuits stood tall and a slight veil of steam rose above the pan.

Drawn by the smell of an opening day breakfast the cook tent soon filled with camo-clad archers.

During breakfast I went over our plan. We would hunt from tree stands for the first few days of the hunt. We had a much better chance of getting good shot opportunities from the stands than we would having hunters crisscrossing the ranch stepping on each others toes. We would drop off hunters near their stand and pick them up after the morning hunt and again for the evening hunt. We had some proven stand locations and felt sure they would pay off early.

After my third cup of coffee and with breakfast now a memory it was time to load up and head out.

In the moonless early morning, the light from the cook tent illuminated the smoke rising from the flameless campfire ring. The California mountain man was riding shotgun and I had three other hunters in the back seat. We left the lights of camp and started up the trail to our stands.

I had only driven about four hundred yards when the mountain man asked “ Do you mind if I just stay in camp this morning I’ll hunt this afternoon instead” I stopped the truck and asked if he was feeling o.k. After all this was opening morning and I had never, ever, had a hunter ask to stay in camp before. He assured me he felt great but would rather hunt in the afternoon. We were burning time and needed to get up the mountain to the stands. Curious as to his reasons, I would have to wait to solve this one. I dropped him off and headed up the road with the remaining hunters who were not about to give up their opening morning shot at a big bull.

Returning to camp for lunch each of the hunters had his story to tell. One had taken a shot at a nice bull but accidentally hit his release early and the arrow flew wildly by the bull. Another said he had been standing in his stand when the biggest bull he had ever seen came into the water hole. He said, “I stood there and tried to wait for him to get closer but my legs started to shake. I was shaking so much I thought I might fall out of the stand so I sat down. When I did the seat made a squeaking noise and the bull turned and ran.”

The mountain man listened eagerly to each of the tales. The unrestrained enthusiasm expressed by each hunter was contagious. “I’m ready to go”, he professed, still insisting he felt great. He was the first to load up after lunch.

Having dropped the other hunters off I parked and walked the bearded big man toward his stand.

I pointed over to the large tree by the water hole and told him how to approach the stand and what direction he might expect the elk to approach from. I said “if you have elk on or near the stand at dark wait till they move off before leaving the stand. Don’t want to spook them or alert them to the presence of our stand.”

I returned a little early to start picking up the hunters. I had a position high up on a ridge and with my spotting scope I could get a good view of area around the mountain mans stand. I settled down in hopes of seeing some good bulls come in to this water hole. Maybe I could see the mountain man take this seasons, first bull.

The sun was just setting. This was prime time for the elk to move to the water holes on the ranch. The shadows had now all merged to the gray of evening before the dark of night. Thirty minutes more and shooting time would be over. Down around the water I saw movement. I strained to see through my scope. It was a man, my hunter! He was leaving the stand during prime time. I knew he must be sick or something. Maybe his bow has a problem?

I waited for dark and drove to the pick up point for the mountain man. As I pulled up I saw a light waving. He hustled over to the truck and hopped in. In his hand was the biggest flashlight I had ever seen. Must have been an eight cell “super macho magnum laser beam” or something close to it! I said, “ No wonder your carrying a backpack that torch you’re packing would never fit in a fanny pack.”

Just as I was about to explain the pitfalls of leaving his tree stand so early the big guy spoke up. “ I know I should have stayed in the stand until dark but, ya see, the dark and I don’t get along very good.” “That’s why I carry this big light and why I wanted to stay in camp this morning. Might seem funny to you but I am deathly afraid of the dark. The idea of you dropping me off in the dark at some tree stand, no way that’s going to happen!”

I guess the look on my face must have been a little strange. After all here is this guy big enough to run a bear off with a switch telling me he is afraid of the dark. As I tried to come up with something meaningful to say he spoke up again. “ I sure don’t want any of the guys to find out.”

Don’t you think I could hunt during the day when its light?

“You know” I said “My sister has always said my brother in-law and I are crazy for getting up at the crack of dawn to go hunting.” She had analyzed our past successes and revealed that most of our game had been taken late morning or well before dark in the afternoon. Not to mention the times she would sleep in and when we would drag ourselves back to the ranch she would have a nice buck hanging. There she would be, grinning at us like some cat that swallowed a canary.

“Heck, if you want to sleep in and hunt the mid day that’s fine with me.” “ I’ll get back to camp after I drop off the other guys and we’ll get you to your stand after sun up.”

The big guy’s face just beamed. In the dark cab of the pick up I could see he had a big white smile in the middle of his rusty beard.

We drove on to the next pick up spot to wait for the next hunter. I turned off the motor and we sat in the dark waiting. After a few silent minutes I heard the mountain man say “SURE IS DARK” I nodded and looked his way. He flipped on his flashlight. I said, “ I hope no airplanes ‘home in’ on that thing!”

The rest of the hunt I took one guy out after the others. Ya know I only had so much room in that truck so someone would just have to wait till I could make it back. {Worked real good} By the end of the hunt everyone came to the conclusion our mountain man was no fan of the dark.

The best part of the story is the part where the mountain man filled his tag with a dandy bull, a 6X7 with a fifty-five inch spread. Oh ya, and it was two o’clock in the afternoon. He slept in every morning.

Darn, that means my sister was right again.

Ron Gayer

Guide & Outfitter

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Published in NRA’s “American Hunter”

A Survival Kit You Can Live With

By

Ron Gayer

 As a guide and outfitter, I have found lost hunters on several occasions. Most carried only their rifles. Some did not even have a knife. But all told the same story, “When I left my car I thought I would only be an hour or two, then I got lost”.

To be a survivor and not a statistic in a field emergency, you need a survival kit you can live with. As hunters are rightly concerned with the weight they carry afield, your first order of business must be to keep your survival kit light by limiting it to the essentials. Next, develop the habit of taking your survival pack with you every time you go into the field. Lastly, learn how to use your survival equipment properly. Remember, knowing how to use your equipment is as important as having it!

Selection of the exact contents of a survival kit must be based on personal needs, terrain and climate. Still, many survival kit items are universal. My personal survival kit contains the following items based on many years of experience as a hunter and guide.

Compass

Every survival kit should have a reliable compass! In my experience, a major reason hunters get lost is due to the loss of visual references often caused by darkness, rain, fog, snow or low clouds that move in. But don’t wait until you are already lost before digging out your compass. Always fix your compass position before you leave camp, otherwise you will have no clue how to get back. What about a GPS? I use mine all the time. But a compass works without batteries, provided of course you know how to use it!

Map

A large-scale map of the area you plan to be hunting or hiking in is indispensable. Preferably a waterproof map. In my experience, paper maps exposed to rain or snow quickly dissolve. If you are lost and your map self-destructs in your hands, your positive attitude melts with the map.

Search and Rescue experts emphasize that a positive mental attitude is critical to survival.

Matches

Matches and some fire starting tinder beats rubbing sticks together, especially in windy or wet situations. In cold weather, being able to get a fire started can be the difference between life and death. I prefer waterproof matches stored in a plastic or metal container that will float. As tinder to aid in starting a fire, I use solid fuel tablets like “Esbit”. Many hunters carry disposable lighters. While these are light and inexpensive, they do not work well at higher elevations. In my opinion, lighters are a good addition to any survival kit, but should not replace waterproof matches.

Headlamp

A good headlamp frees both my hands for work in darkness. I always carry spare batteries and an extra bulb. Be sure to replace the batteries at the start of each hunting season.

Multi-Tool

A strong, high quality, multiple function tool with a nylon sheath is an essential that will serve you well. While there are many excellent models to choose from, I prefer a full-size, stainless steel folding tool with a knife blade about 4-5” in length. In my experience, nylon sheaths have proven more durable than leather ones.

Space Blanket

One essential for any survival pack is a space blanket. These waterproof, windproof blankets can be folded into a small, lightweight package and have many survival uses including sleeping bag, ground cloth, shelter, heat reflector and signaling device. Or, they can serve as a rain or snow poncho, litter or raft.

Large Trash Bags

Experience has taught me to carry three or four large, plastic trash bags in my survival pack. I recommend the heavyweight, 3 mil thick lawn and leaf bags. Such bags are lightweight, waterproof and have hundreds of uses including rain covers, ground cloths and wind blocks.

Stainless Steel Cup

A large (12 oz. plus capacity) stainless steel cup is not only essential for drinking, it also enables you heat water and cook food. You can’t heat water in paper or plastic cups!

Water Purification Tablets Or Filter

A source of clean drinking water is essential for survival. And, don’t count on boiling water to make it safe to drink. At high altitudes, boiling will consume a lot of fuel and take too much time. Small water purification filter systems designed for individuals are OK, but somewhat bulky. For this reason I prefer water purification tablets and two, plastic water bottles. Drink from one while you treat water in the other.

Wire Saw

A compact, inexpensive and lightweight wire saw will make short work of building a shelter or cutting a supply of firewood. These saws will also cut metal, plastic, bone and most composite materials.

Parachute Cord

Parachute cord is indispensable for building a shelter, tying a splint or sling, improvising a litter or carrying equipment. About 50 feet should do it, but get the heavier, stronger types. And learn to tie several types of strong knots!

Food

Always pack some food. I have found high-energy bars and bouillon cubes are light and withstand long term storage. I also carry tea bags, instant soup and some hard candy. All are convenient and easy to prepare. When you are cold to the bone some hot tea or soup will give you a whole new outlook.

Whistle And Signal Mirror

Even if injured, you can still blow the whistle or flash the mirror to signal for help. A whistle can also be used to frighten away animals and the mirror can be used to assess facial cuts or eye injuries.

First Aid Kit

Most basic first aid kits include disinfectant wipes, bandages, adhesive tape, pain reliever, tweezers and sunscreen. Many types of professionally prepared, prepackaged commercial kits are available. The important point is to select a good one, include any necessary personal medications and keep it updated as the contents are used or become overage.

Toilet Paper

You would be surprised at how many survival kits forget this important item! Besides its obvious use, toilet paper can also be used to clean equipment, as tinder to start a fire or as a quick wound dressing.

Sunglasses

Don’t forget sunglasses. If you get caught in a midsummer heat wave or in a snowstorm with out them you will pay a dear price. Sun or snow blindness adds another layer of grief to a lost hunter.

Paper And Pencil

I pack a small, spiral bound notepad and a mechanical pencil in my survival kit. If necessary, I can leave messages to assist rescuers in finding me, make important notes or even use the paper to start a fire.

These are the basics of my personal survival kit. The entire contents of my kit can be packed into a nylon 12 inch x 15 inch bag and weighs just over three pounds. This kit is easy to carry and takes up very little space—both important aspects of a survival kit you can live with. However, it is important to note that the contents of your survival kit depends on your individual needs, the season, the location and the circumstances, so plan intelligently and accordingly.

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The Extras

Experienced outdoorsmen often pack additional items that are multi functional. Some of my favorite extras include:

Paper Coffee Filters.

You can filter drinking water prior to purification, use them as a fire starter, pot scrubbers, wound dressing, gun cleaning and so on.

Aluminum Foil

Heavy-duty aluminum foil is great for cooking or as a heat reflector. Very lightweight, it’s easy to pack four or five folded 18X24 inch sheets. In a pinch you can use the foil as a signal device.

Monofiliment Fishing Line

For survival purposes, this can be handy stuff indeed. Use it for thread to repair clothing, making a snare or drying strips of meat in addition to fishing.

A Final Word

Before leaving for the backcountry, always tell someone responsible where you are going and when to expect you back. It is always a good idea to check the weather before you set out as well. But, the most importantly, take a survival kit you can live with.

Ron Gayer

Our lungs were burning with each breath we took of the cold Colorado air. The Elk herd was still feeding on the steep side of the ridge. The pace of their drifting had quickened. They were making for the trees and the safety of the dark timber.

My hunting partner, Daman, was first to see the herd. Don’t ask me how. It was so dark I was having trouble seeing my horse’s ears.

The elk were about a mile away, most of the mile vertical. We were riding a creek side trail. I dismounted and broke out a spotting scope. As the light improved we could make out three bulls in the herd, two raghorn bulls and one nice 6X6.

I knew we were in for a flat out race if we held any hope of reaching the elk before they made the trees and the cover of the dark timber.

The horses labored as the exhausting air from their lungs created clouds of steam. We asked them to climb higher and higher toward the elk.

About 400 yards out we tied the horses and started the assent on foot.

A slide area about seventy five yards wide led directly up to the ridge. The slide chute offered no cover for our climb to the top.

Daman and I took a route on either side of the chute; this would keep us in the aspens.

I was climbing as fast as I could while remaining in the cover and under control. I could see I was losing the race. The elk were near the trees. I only needed to gain another sixty or seventy yards to be in range. I pressed on, pushing my legs and lungs to their maximum. The first of the cows was now disappearing into the shadows of the tree line. My heart was pounding as I looked across the chute and saw Daman below me. I knew from his position he had no chance of getting a shot off at the bull.

Looking up to the top of the ridge, I could see the bull had only minutes before he too would disappear into the shadows.

I looked for a good rest. With my heavy breathing I would need a rest. No rest to be found! I sat down and braced my legs on an aspen trunk. When I brought my scope to my eye the bull was only a few steps from the safety of the trees. I found the bull with my scope but the aspen leaves hanging from a branch also filled my field of view. Dropping the rifle I reached to remove the clutter of the leaves. I brought up my Winchester again. The bull had stopped and was looking my way. The cross hairs found the elk’s front shoulder. I tried to control my breathing. The elk started for the trees…I fired. I watched as the bull, now running, disappeared into the shadows.

My round had hit a leafless branch I had not seen or cleared. Dejected on having missed such a hard won opportunity I

sat for a while motionless saying to myself “Man you really blew it… you should have waited”.

I decided to make sure I had missed, and not wounded the bull.

The climb to the spot where the bull was standing was nearly vertical. When I reached the spot I scoured the grass and brush for any sign of a blood trail. No blood just the trail of his hasty retreat remained.

Daman had joined me on the side of the steep ridge. We marveled at how easily the elk had moved over this ground. We had difficulty just standing on the slope!

Assessing our situation, tired legs, missed elk, rising sun, I decided it was time for a tea break. We found a stand of aspen on the edge of the ridge and broke out our stoves.

Now I know that a watched pot is not supposed to boil, but have you tried making a cup of tea at nine thousand feet. I tried closing my eyes it still took forever. .

Just about the time my tea water started looking good I heard Daman whispering, “it’s an elk no, no, it’s a buck”. Looking past Daman down the ridge I saw two bucks coming up toward the top.

The lead buck was a very heavy horned buck with a tall rack. The second buck was a small 3X3. We both dropped our cups and grabbed our guns. Daman had a good position for his first shot. I heard Damans 7Mag erupt, echoing off the canyon below. The buck turned and started down the ridge. My heart sank, if the buck goes down hill he will be out of site in about three jumps. Amazingly the buck turned and started back up the hill. He was angling away from us now, but in full view at about two hundred yards.

Daman fired again. This time he found the mark scoring a hit on the bucks lower back. The buck was still heading for the top of the ridge, if he clears the top he will disappear into the dark timber on the other side and be gone. Now the distance to the buck is close to three hundred. Damon fired again. No reaction from the buck he’s still heading for the top. I fired and the buck slowed Daman fired. This time the buck rolled over and started tumbling down the ridge.

I have never seen anything like the trip this buck took to the bottom of the ridge. On the second roll the buck became airborne for about twenty yards then crashed to the ground only to go airborne again. This time I thought he might earn some frequent flier miles. Now at his maximum height I am going to say that buck was in need of some landing lights, He disappeared over the edge and was out of site. I looked over at Daman and said, “ I’ll bet he doesn’t have an antler point left on his head” Daman just grinned and shook his head.

We packed up our tea and gear and headed down to find the flying buck. Going down that ridge wasn’t any easier than coming up.

About twenty minutes of working down the ridge we found the buck piled up on a snow-covered ledge. To my amazement the buck had only lost the tip of one tine. The buck was huge and had a very heavy 4X4 rack not much wider than his ears but very tall.

We packed out the buck and of course took a few photos. That night all the conversation around the campfire revolved around the two of us trying to explain just how far and how high that teatime buck flew through the air.

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By Ron Gayer

Do you have what it takes?

When economic times get tough, hunters want to save a dollar or two on their already expensive habit. A top quality guided elk hunt can run $7000 give or take a few thousand. So the question is: do you have what it takes to plan and execute your own do-it-yourself elk hunt? Will you save thousands of dollars? Or is it folly to attempt an out-of-state elk hunt on your own?

After watching “Elk Chronicles” on TheOutdoor Channel, you and a few hunting buddies decide you want to tackle your on-your-own, first time Colorado elk hunt.

Your hunting background and the kinds of hunts you have participated in should give you a hint as to your chances of filling an elk tag. For example, have any of the hunters participating in this odyssey ever actually seen a live elk in the field? Do you know what good elk habitat looks like? Do any of your hunters know what the elk habits are in the area you plan to hunt? Where do the elk water and feed? What do you know about field dressing and packing out an animal the size on an elk?

You may have 20 years of white tail hunting experience, but elk camp can be just a little more demanding and daunting.

Since you are trying to save money, let’s assume you are going to set up a camp and not hunt out of a motel. But remember that a motel is a warm and dry place to sleep, and a hot shower at the end of the day can be rejuvenating.

Let’s also assume you’re not going to spend money on a gas hog motor home or tow a 5^th wheeler. Sure, you’ll have your own self-contained palace on wheels, with a microwave oven, color T.V. and all the comforts of home. Sounds good. Plus setting up camp in the mountains closer to the elk will mean less travel than staying in town at a motel.

But be aware, the second or third season can see mucho snow. In some areas, early snowstorms can dump enough snow to close exit roads. That motor home or trailer might be in the backcountry until spring. Explaining to the motor home rental agency that you think you can get the vehicle back sometime in April, is not a conversation you want to have. You could pay some rancher with a dozer to clear a road and pull you out. That should be cheap!

If your gang is the real do-it-yourself type, you might want to set up a tent camp.

Ah, the classic hunt camp. You will need a good sleeping tent. I would also recommend a cook tent, so you can eat your meals out of the rain and snow. Having as storage tent is also a plus. Keeping your sleeping tent uncluttered and you spare gear dry, makes for a better hunt camp experience.

With the exception of the early archery season, you should think about having a wood-burning stove to heat the tent. This will provide a sanctuary to warm your bones at night and help dry your socks and boots. Once you get cold and damp without a stove, you will stay cold and damp!

One of my favorite parts of the hunt camp experience is the food. That evening meal is when you suck down as much protein and carbohydrates as you can. You replenish all those thousands of calories you burned up pursuing elk in the high country. I recommend each of the hunters in camp agree to take an evening meal and work his or her culinary magic.

For your evening meal, you grill thick steaks and fry up some rosemary potatoes. You sauté some mushrooms with onions in a wine sauce. You cook some homemade biscuits. The camp is amazed and very satisfied.

The next night one of the camp’s less gifted culinary wizards provides his or her offering: beans and wieners, straight out of the can, heated just right. And let’s not forget the delightful fruit cup, also out of the can.

Some hunters just don’t watch the Food Channel.

Let’s assume you have four hunters in your camp. You have five days to hunt and you are very excited. After all you have waited all year, or maybe several years, for the chance to bag your bull elk.

On opening day, one of your buddies takes a nice 4×4. Like a good hunting partner, you team up and help him pack out the bull. That takes two trips in and out with full backpacks. What is it, two miles uphill in both directions? I’ll bet you thought it was by the time you were done.

The next day, after a very short night, another of your hunting buddies harvests a good bull. This one is in the bottom of a dark canyon. It’s the morning of the third day before you are finished retrieving the beast.

Now, after retrieving two elk, neither of them yours, your legs are fried! You couldn’t climb up to the ridge top now even if the new world record elk was standing posing for photos.

On the fourth and fifth day, you consider your sore feet and hunt close to camp. It’s flat, and the walking is easy. However, at that elevation there are no elk to be found. Maybe next year it will be your turn.

How does the do-it-yourself hunt sound so far?

Using an outfitter on an elk hunt will cost you some money. But I do have to admit, I am a big fan of the old adage: “You get what you pay for.”

Many of the services an outfitter provides for you can be duplicated on your own. You can, after all, buy a few wall tents. They run around $500 to $900 per tent. And don’t forget the heater stoves, ground cloths and frames. Those will cost you a “just a little” extra.

Don’t forget to outfit the kitchen. Pans, coffee pot, and food; you get the idea.

You will need to cut a supply of firewood and make sure you also have a water source near by.

One of the most important outfitter options, in my opinion, is the string of saddle and packhorses they provide. An elk hunt without a horse is “like a day without a sunrise.” Now it is true I have suffered through several elk hunts without the benefit of a good horse. Today I am older and wiser.

I have always said: “Elk hunting is an energy management problem. As a hunter, at the start of the hunt, you have a finite amount of walking energy in your body and legs. You can burn it up in two days or make it last longer, but when it’s gone your hunt is effectively over.” A horse can save your legs and your hunt.

As do-it-yourself hunters, you can even have horses delivered to your campsite, complete with all the gear and feed required for the hunt. The Forest Service can provide a list of permitted outfitters who can deliver horses for rent. Your cost should run around $40 to $50 per horse per day. The more horses you rent, the better deal you can make.

However, even with all of the outfitter services a do-it-yourself crew can duplicate “the tents and camp gear, food and drinks, and the livestock and tack”, they can never substitute for the outfitter’s knowledge and experience.

Knowing the lay of the land and its water sources, including the habits of the wildlife in the area, is what makes an outfitted hunt more successful than a do-it-yourself hunt. Guide skills and the intimate knowledge of the thousands of acres you may be hunting, is something you cannot duplicate. As coaches have told me for years: “There is no substitute for experience.”

So, how do you measure success? If you are new to the sport of elk hunting, gaining hunting knowledge each elk season may be more important than filling a tag. Time in the field with your crew, enjoying the outdoors, might be just what you want.

Participating in a guided hunt will:

• Teach you more about the ways to hunt this big game monarch than you might learn in five years of do-it-yourself hunts
• Improve your chances of filling your first elk tag
• Expose you to life in elk camp and tales around the campfire 
• If you are lucky, you will learn how to field dress and pack out your trophy, by watching an expert do the job

The bottom line is this. You can spend less on a do-it-yourself elk hunt. You can find a good outfitter and go on a fully guided hunt. You just need to define what you will call success. Then hope you will get what you paid for.

By: Ron Gayer

The sky to the East was now noticeably lighter. I could make out shapes but colors were still shy to the eye. I had been sitting 20 minutes in the chilled morning air, sequestered behind some silhouette-concealing brush, with the strong smell of sage filling my nostrils. I was experiencing a peaceful quiet of the predawn desert, something those who sleep in will never know.
 
Now, it was time to start calling. I turned on my electronic call and slowly increased the volume. The sound of a jackrabbit in unquestionable distress began to flow across the desert flats and drift into the nearby canyons. Then, after less than five minutes of some intermittent calling, the familiar canine shape of a large coyote came bouncing to the crest of the ridge across from my position. As Mr. Coyote cleared the crest, he immediately locked onto the movement of my decoy. His focus was deliberate. And his movements were calculated as he advanced toward the decoy’s jerking motion.

The animal was now about 85 yards away and closing fast. Close enough, in fact, that I could see that sharpness in his eyes through the lens of my riflescope. And those eyes belonged to North America’s most efficient predator, the coyote. Then suddenly he stopped. Something was not right. Seemingly, instinct told him to flee, but he was too late. The sound of the rifle report echoed across the sage and in an instant the predator became the prey.

Across the nation, predator hunting is gaining in popularity. Savvy hunters know they can hunt the wiley song dogs year-round, keeping their shooting skills sharp and enjoying more time in the field. Along with the coyote, the bobcat and fox are on or near the top of the list for most predator hunters. And when you successfully lure any predator to your call, the excitement level is off the charts. If you haven’t yet given predator hunting a go, here are some tips that will ease you into the pursuit with less pain and a faster learning curve.

Hunt them where they live: Finding a coyote really isn’t that challenging. They seem to live everywhere, including next to the metropolitan freeways and suburban housing developments. A good rule of thumb is: “Find the food source and you’ll find the predator.” However, the best approach is to find a remote area such as farming land near creek bottoms, mountain valleys or desert sage flats. The less traffic the better.

I always like to start at first light, but you can be successful hunting any time. Do not underestimate the intelligence of a predator. If they hear your truck door slam, or the sound of a shell being loaded in your firearm, or voices talking on the walk to a stand, then you’ve minimized your chances of success. Based on years of predator pursuit, my advice is to drive into the general hunting area. Once you’ve parked out-of-sight, then expect to walk 400 or 500 yards into the area where you want to set up. I like to use a ridge or hill to separate my vehicle from my prospective hunting area. The farther you get away from your vehicle, the better your chances will be to have success.

Your choice of set-up is very important. If possible, position yourself on a high spot, so that your field-of-view is as wide as possible. And make sure that the wind movement is directly in your face. Many times, coyotes will circle around to get the wind in their favor to check for danger. If they catch your scent, it’s game over! You can use a ridge or hill at your back to help minimize their efforts to smell you out. And sometimes setting up near a body of water will give you the edge. Coyotes won’t want to swim across and you may gain an advantage.

Concealment and movement: You have got to become one with your environment; at least the predator’s environment. Camouflage, including face and hand cover, is critical to your success. Remember you’re trying to fool the experts. Choose a camo pattern that will blend in with the landscape and the season.  You might fool the “young and dumb” with an “aspen” camo pattern in a “sage flat”, but the “old and wise” will not be fooled. That goes for your weapon as well; no shiny blued or stainless guns. Use a matte finish or camo tape to cover your weapon as well. Finally, minimize your ambient human odor with scent eliminators and scent-free gear. 

Once you pick a stand, get comfortable. Predators will key in on any movement, and I mean ANY movement. To enhance your level of comfort while on stand, use some type of cushioning between the ground and your posterior. And look for ants, snakes and sharp rocks before you assume a sitting position. If it’s still dark when moving into position, a quick once-over with a blue LED flashlight will insure that nothing interferes with your comfort. Finally, make sure you have some brush, rocks or a small tree behind you to break up your silhouette. It’s simply a matter of blending in and waiting.

Calls, Hand Held, Mouth and Electronic: In the quest for predators, most of the time your goal is to sound as though you’re an easy meal. Rabbits, small birds and rodents are all possible items on a predator’s menu. Where I do some of my predator hunting, wild piglets in distress can be a very effective call for coyotes. If bobcats are your goal, the sound of a quail in distress can be very enticing. Look at what your predator likes to eat and with your call work your way down the list. In the spring and early summer, a canine pup in distress can be effective to call in adult coyotes looking to defend their young in trouble.

Hand held calls are easy to use and when attached to a lanyard always at the ready. I usually keep a couple of my favorites around my neck for quick access.
Mouth calls, often called diaphragm calls, are some of the best calls to use. They offer hands-free operation and that equates to no movement. Better control of sound and volume are another reason they are a favorite. For some hunters, however, mouth calls are hard to master and can present a choking hazard.

Many call manufacturers now offer electronic calls. These battery-operated devices use previously recorded sounds of actual distressed prey. Some come with a wireless remote control, which also can be used to control not only the sound produced, but also the movement of an associated decoy. 

Regardless of your choice of calls, here are some basic guidelines that will enhance the effectiveness of your calling. Start at a low volume. Remember you want to ring the dinner bell lightly not BANG THE GONG! You will be surprised, if you have taken care and used some stealth in moving in your initial set up, how close a coyote or bobcat can be to you. If nothing shows itself after a few calls, then you can increase the volume.

Call for a few minutes then wait for a response. Remember you want to entice that predator in for an easy meal. Curiosity will work better than a long blast of a non-stop screaming rabbit. Bobcats can be slower to respond to calling, so remember to be patient and control your unnecessary movements.

If you are using an electronic call, mix it up. Don’t use the same call at every set up. Remember, you’re dealing with a predator that hunts every day for a living. Anything out of the ordinary, or that does not sound realistic, is going to spell danger for them. And predators are quick studies. Get a hold of how-to tapes or CDs that call makers sell.  And learn to become proficient with whatever call(s) you select before you go start hunting.
 
One final bit of advice, always check the regulations for your chosen hunting area prior to using an electronic call or pursuing predators during nighttime hours. And remember, any predator can respond to a predator call. A mountain lion, a bear or even wild hog could come in to your call. When hunting in lion country, set up with your back against a tree or large rock as protection from any attack from behind. And if you have a partner calling with you, set-up with a view to each other’s blindside.

The Shot: You’re all set, camouflaged from head to toe, the best calls money can buy, and the sweetest set-up ever. Here comes a large adult male coyote and he is within range. Now what? Well, that all depends on what you want to do with your prize after the shot. For example: Are you just trying to control the local predator population, or are you out to save a fine winter coyote, bobcat or fox pelt? Now we both know that a .300 Winchester Magnum will kill that coyote dead. I mean extremely dead! However the resulting bullet damage could only be described as complete and catastrophic and might not look too impressive in the form of a jacket. On the other hand a .17 HMR round at 50 yards will leave you with a deceased coyote and you will be hard pressed to locate the entrance wound. All of this means that choice of both caliber and bullet must be given their due consideration.

Regardless of the firearm choice, learn to be proficient with it. Shot opportunities  can be anywhere from in-your-face to 300-yards, or farther. Veteran varmint and predator hunters like a flat shooting round in a caliber like the .204 Ruger that I use. And the use of a bi-pod, or other rest, will help provide a solid platform for long-range shots. A shotgun for up close work can be effective, with #2 shot or larger the best choice. But that means no fur jacket. Archery shots can be made easier with the use of a blind to conceal your draw.
.

The final analysis: Challenging predators on their own turf is not easy. So, who wants easy? Just jump in and get started. You’ll be amazed at the excitement you feel the first time two, or maybe three coyotes come in to your call at the same time (by the way, shoot the long range one first). Predator hunting will help sharpen your senses and get you out in the field more often, and that is a good thing. If you bag a predator or two in your deer hunting area, you will help the fawn survival rate come spring and that’s another very good thing.
 

Side Bar

Predator calls come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Try several until you are happy with the sound produced and the results in the field. I use an electronic call occasionally, but always carry hand and mouth calls. All can be effective and you should mix up when calling and don’t fall into a calling pattern rut. Here are some of the most popular call makers and vendors:

Primos Hunting Calls, www.primnos.com, (800) 622-8076
Knight & Hale Game Calls, www.knightandhale.com, (800) 531-1201
E.L.K. INC., www.elkinc.com, (800) 272-4355
FOXPRO INC., www.gofoxpro.com, (717) 248-2507
Hunters Specialties, www.hunterspec.com, (319) 395-0321
Extreme Dimension Wild Life Calls, www.phantomcalls.com, (866) 862-2825
Burnham Brothers, www.burnhambrothers.com, (325) 396-4572
AllPredatorCalls.com, www.allpredatorcalls.com, (888) 826-9683

Side Bar

Guns & Bullets: Many firearms manufacturers have responded to the growth in predator hunting by introducing rifles configured for the sport. Remington offers several rifles designed with the varmint hunter in mind. This includes several Model 700 bolt-gun configurations, a compact Model Seven Camo Predator rifle, the economical Model 770 Stainless Camo rifle, the Model 7615 Camo Hunter and the new semi-auto Model R-15 VTR Predator and Predator Carbine built on the popular AR-15 platform. And Remington chambers these firearms in a host of outstanding predator calibers, including .17 Rem. Fireball, .223 Rem., .204 Ruger, .223 Rem., .220 Swift and .243 Winchester. Savage markets the Predator Hunter bolt-gun, chambered in .223 Rem., .22-250 Rem., .243 Win. and .204 Ruger, which features a synthetic stock, oversize bolt handle and is entirely covered in camouflage. And Legacy Sports international, has recently combined the proven Howa barreled action with the Knoxx Industries Axiom V/S synthetic rifle recoil suppression stock. Available in .223 Rem., .204 Ruger, .22-250 Rem. and .243 Winchester, this rifle is a great choice for the dedicated predator hunter.

When selecting a bullet type, consider how much damage you want to inflict or want to prevent. Rapid expansion equates to more damage whereas a solid or slower expanding bullet can kill with less damage to the pelt. Federal, Remington and Winchester all offer ammunition designed specifically for varmint hunting. And Barnes Bullets offers their new Varmint Grenade that offers explosive performance without pelt damage. If you use a shotgun for up close work, you can’t go wrong with #0 or #4 buck.  With the right choke, you’re good to well past 60 yards. Pinpoint accuracy with whatever caliber and bullet you shoot will increase your effectiveness in the field. So practice at the range until you can hit what you aim at!

What to do before the hunt
    Sight in your weapon. Practice!
    Make sure you have the right ammo for the gun. And zone
    {Condor range}
    Have the proper tag and license
     Pack weather appropriate clothing
    Hunting boots!
         Ice chest?

What about during the hunt
     Do you have any physical limitations?
     What kind of a hog do you want?
     Field dressing.  You or me?
     Listen to your guide!

After the hunt loose ends
    Collect all of your gear!
    Gratuities?
    Completed tag with carcass.
    Unhappy or all smiles, tell it like it is!

Ron Gayer 

www.theguidesguidetohunting.com

Ron Gayer

Outdoor Writer

Wildlife Photographer

Hunting Guide