Episodes
Wednesday Dec 04, 2019
#30 "Now What?!?"
Wednesday Dec 04, 2019
Wednesday Dec 04, 2019
#30 "Now What?!?" A process for after big game is down
My hope for the SkyLines Podcast series is to empower people to feel confident and capable in their outings- whatever they may be. For those who ponder if hunting alone is a possibility, (especially in the backcountry) this is my process. It may serve as a guide for what to expect and a list of things to remember and prepare for.
From the first glance of a critter on the ground all the way to the freezer, I explain every step along the way and what works for me.
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
#29 2017 Archery Elk Complete Season
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
Wednesday Nov 20, 2019
2017 Archery Elk Complete Season
This includes episodes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 that make up the 2017 archery elk complete season.
Friday Nov 15, 2019
#28 2019 Archery Elk Complete Season
Friday Nov 15, 2019
Friday Nov 15, 2019
Chapters 1-5 of the 2019 Archery Elk Season.
Listen to 'em all in one click.
Friday Nov 15, 2019
#27 2019 Elk Ch 5 "Luck of the Draw"
Friday Nov 15, 2019
Friday Nov 15, 2019
2019 Elk Ch 5 "Luck of the Draw"
There is a saying I've always repeated in my head during encounters with big game: "Don't look at the antlers!" It's a reference to keeping your composure and staying focused on executing the shot- without the distraction of what the rack looks like. It totally makes sense, and in many situations I've been left yearning to know more about the rack following the encounter- or in some cases.. the shot. Like any hunter, I want to let my eyes admire the critter, including it's rack. I want to let my eyes scale each inch of antler. I want to imagine what it would feel like to grip the antlers in my hand. And so eager as I may to see it up close and on the ground in front of me, my rule is to avoid admiring antlers for the sake of focus, but also in hopes to find the critter like a Christmas morning surprise- with barely a peek at inside the wrapper.
Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
#26 Leaning on the Swing
Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
Stand alone short essay
I like fishing downstream. Swinging flies for Steelhead is a welcome seasonal transition following months of facing and casting upstream for trout. It’s an entirely different tempo, two-stepping your way down a run. The casting and presentation is different, not to mention that some days even the fly rod is different. Two hands holding cork now. Cool!
I recently took a day just for myself, the river, and two handed casting. It seems like it’s been years since I’ve had a full day for just myself and the river. No photos or video to worry about, nobody else along to divvy up runs with and no drift boat in the river to dictate the downstream order of things throughout the day. With no pressure to land fish, it was just a day to cast, swing, strip, step, and repeat. Very cool.
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
#25 2019 Elk Ch 4 "Reckless Precision"
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
Tuesday Nov 05, 2019
2019 Archery Season Ch 4 "Reckless Precision"
It was September 24th now, the final full day of my final trip of the season. I was well aware of the circumstance- that this would be my last opportunity for archery success in 2019. Looking back I realize I'd been in this same position two years prior, just before taking my best bull (which is described in SKYLINES Episodes 2017 Rut Reports) Although in the moment, that specific recollection did not occur to me at time. My dear friend Ian had joined me for this trip, and the two of us has split up earlier in the morning. From a ridge top, we had each pointed in different directions at the sounds of bugling elk, and agreed we would investigate our respective leads individually. I dropped into a panel of timber I referred to as the Storm Front, where a great sounding bugle had earlier boomed out of. A few minutes into my descent I had a good bearing on where I thought the bull was located, and a powerful bugle followed by a sequence of chuckles confirmed that I was getting close. I slowed my pace to 90% creep and set my eyes to 100% scan as I carefully stepped my way through the thick timber and downfall. Minutes later I'd advanced a hundred or so yards and like an airliner coming in for landing, lowering it's flaps and landing gear, I reduced my speed even more and knocked an arrow. And bumped my eyes to 200% scan. My movement now resembled the pace of honey pouring from the freezer, and I paused at the slightest clues to analyze where I could expect to land my eyes on elk.
Saturday Nov 02, 2019
#24 2019 Elk Ch 3 "High in the Mountains"
Saturday Nov 02, 2019
Saturday Nov 02, 2019
2019 Archery Elk Chapter 3 "High in the Mountains"
Hi there folks this is chapter 3 of my 2019 essay. I'm jumping back in time a little bit with this chapter, reflecting on the circumstances that led me to the mountains where chapters 1 and 2 took place. So it's a bit of skipping around in timeline but it all ties back in with where we left off in chapter 2.
Dry hole cost. It’s a phrase that a wonderful and influential old timer in my life named Jack introduced me to: "How much I’m willing to invest in an any given venture before pulling the plug.“ as Jack described it, a term often used by oil drilling outfits considering how long to drill before pulling out and trying someplace else. I contemplated various angles of this question when last December's elk hunting day dreams pressed me: "Just where are my new day dreams going to take place??? Should I stick with the zone I'd hunted the last two seasons?" The area had more than enough elk, but hunting pressure was clearly trending in the wrong direction. I mean, how long was I willing to gamble each time I rounded that final corner, to reveal quiet, unoccupied parking area or a dozen rigs? Man I can feel the tension of that moment in my guts just writing about it!
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
#23 2019 Elk Ch 2 "Crown Point"
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
2019 Archery Elk Ch 2 "Crown Point"
The bull gave a small jump and kicked up his tempo, although with no idea of what/if anything had happened. My arrow had just zinged beneath him and I think he had a sense of some sort of close shave. He and the cows around him continued their frantic scurry off the exposed ridge. I didn't have time to consider what had happened to foil what should have been a slam dunk shot. The elk were still unaware of my presence and I was right in their midst with the violent storm providing multiple layers of "cover" for me to take advantage of. Yes, I could have knocked another arrow and almost certainly selected a shot from any of the many elk yet to pass through the window. But this bull was incredible, and without hesitation I swiveled to my feet and started running parallel to the herd. The break of ridge line and mixed timber & downfall gave me just enough cover to pursue this herd as they continued their way downhill. I was pretty much able to run as fast as I wanted (which was not that fast wearing a heavy pack and carrying a bow with an arrow knocked). I could make out glimpses of the herd as I rallied down the ridge trying to get ahead of the big bull once again.