Elk Hunt Atlanta 2002

[Skeeter]

I arrived in Atlanta, Mi on Dec 4 to start pre hunting. I stayed in my camper for four days until my son showed up on the
7th then we stayed at the Timbers Motel on 33. Rooms there were very nice and so were the owners. Gary Matson
showed up on Sunday. Billy Jack and his son Billy showed up on the 10th. I put several, several hundred miles on truck
driving around on snowmobile trails and two tracks just looking for fresh tracks and animals. Drove around from
daylight to dark for 5 days. Didn't take me long to realize you don't just go up there, walk in woods and shoot an elk. It
isn't easy like some may think. Exception to this is when someone hires a guide which could cost from 5 to 15 hundred
dollars. We did the hunt on our own. I did get some help from a guy from Dice Hardware, Josh Hopkins from Michigan Sportsman, Carl
Courser (a friend of mine that does guide) and also Stan Seymore a local guy who also let me park my camper on his
land. The Elk seemed to be located in only one spot in any numbers. We had 3 trucks running the roads staying in
contact either by cell or talkies. My spot I picked was a two track located just east of 33 in C area. I was at my spot at
4 am to just sit in the truck and hopefully stop anyone from driving down the two track and spooking the elk I put to
bed the night before. I knew there were there and knew if anyone drove back they would spook. Everything was fine until
7 am when a guy came to truck and told me to pull over so he could drive back. I told him where they were and what
would happen if he drove back. He told me fine we will walk back. Well, I couldn't stop him of course but figured if he did
I might walk back as well to where I would stand and wait for the elk to come through. I knew when these guys got back
to the end of trail which was only 1/4 mile back the elk would scatter and spook. At 7:30 they came out and fast at
least 30 -35 of them. At least 10 bulls, some huge racks some smaller ones, several calves and cows. I had them in my
sights from 7:30 to 7:55 then at that point they all in fast order crossed M- 33 one guy got a shot off but did not
connect. With only 5 LONG min. to wait everything went to pot. Was very exciting and nerve racking to say the least. One
cow would get in the brush so I would pick another. Always having one to put scope on. Well, with 5 min to go I ran out
of elk. Short time later the guy that walked by me and his partner which happened to be Jimmy Gretzinger from MUCC.
I introduced myself to him and give the other guy the evil eye as I wasn't happy with him. They didn't get a shot either as
all they saw was tracks and heard noise. There weren't many elk in C area unless of course you knew of some private
land someplace and a few were know to be there. Most private land people won't let ya in as they like watching elk or
unless you pay them a large fee to get on their land. After driving around the rest of the day it was time to find an
evening spot. You can only shoot from 8 am to 5 Pm so I picked M-33 to park my truck and watch for elk crossing to the
east into my area. I got a call from Billy Jack and Gary for me to come to the DNR Check station and fast. I arrived and
jumped in with Billy Jack. He drove to the area just over the hill from the DNR check station where he and Gary had just
seen a bull, calf and cow. Billy and I got on the tracks and followed them over several hills finally locating them. They
spooked a bit and ran to the hill we had just been on. It was at least 150 yards to the cow so the shot was made. We
waited for awhile then heard a crack and it was the cow dropping. Bill, Billy, and Nels Jr went to top of hill and brought
the elk down. Billy gutted it, and the guys loaded it to the truck. We took it to the check station to check it in etc. and
then to the pole in the center of Atlanta to hang for the night. What an experience. When I left on Tues. night for home
only one other Elk was taken in C area. They are pretty tough to find, hardly any fresh tracks very few Elk in that area.
The elk tag would not have been filled if it wasn't for everyone of my support team. To do a hunt by ones self is out of
the question. The area is way to big and one person is not going to cover it very well himself. I tell ya it was a hunt of a
life time. Half the fun was being with each of the support team. It was great. A special thanks to first my wife Linda (the
boss), Gary Matson, Bill and Billy Putman, my son Nels Jr for all there help and effort. I really enjoyed spending this hunt
with my son Nels, been awhile since we spent any time special time together. I will always remember this hunt and the
fun we had in Atlanta Michigan. Nels

[Big Game]

Congrats Nels on your elk. I got your PM last monday and sent you one but you never got back with me. I had some private land lined up for you. Oh well at least you got one and I remember the feeling of bringing one down. Even though mine was in 2000 it is very fresh in my mind. I was alone when I shot mine just me and the elk and the great wide open woods. Man sometimes I go back to that spot where I shot mine and I can still feel it in my bones. I shake just the same way I did when got mine. I can still see the whole herd passing by single file and the one I shot strecthing out her neck and checking the air. Man what a feeling. Enjoy it buddy and enjoy the great tasting meat that comes along with it. Guard it like it's gold for it will soon be gone. What are you doing with the hide? I would have it tanned and have your hunting team sign the skin side. It makes an awesome way to remeber your hunt for years to come. Maybe even become special between your boy and you. Just a thought as that is what I did with mine. I have someone that may be able to tan it for you down by where you live. Let me know and I could set it up for you.

[Skeeter]

Yes I sure do want to get it tanned. Have any idea how much?? And where to have it done?? I still didn't get your pm for some reason. Thanks for the help. Great idea on hide, am going to do that! Nels

[Jimbos]

They are some awesome animals....As I was telling Big Game, I seen one standing 10 feet off of 75 a mile south of the Wolverine exit one night this August.. It got my attention fast....with a lot of W.T.F.'s thrown in.:)

Congratulations on your harvest.:) :)

[dieseldude]

sounds like a great hunting trip, can you post some pictures?
a good friend of mine has 400 acres in wolverine, i never get sick of looking at elk, what a beautiful animal.
congrats on your hunt

[Skeeter]

My friend took several pics but when he sends them to me they are huge and I can't figure out yet how to downsize them. When I do I will post them. Thanks Nels

[Elk Guide]

Skeeter..........I sure am glad you got your cow and had a great hunt with your son ,i wish i could have been part of it but i had my other hunter that i needed to guide in A......I am so sorry that your hunt was all most ruined by Jimmy G. and the michigan outdoors staff....I had my hunters hunt screwed up twice by inconsiderate hunters .......so when are we going ice fishing oh yeah and when is the elk bar b que .....send me a e-mail ok.....oh yeah our other member slammer got his bull i think it was a nice 4x5......bye Carl

[Skeeter]

So you finally got home Carl. What a hunt. Just unreal. C area was a tough area. Wasn't many Elk, most on private land if they were there. No ice yet but will contact you when we get any. Sure hope we do, as last year zippo on the bay. Later Nels

[goose hunter]

Skeeter, Glad I could have been of some help. I knew you would do it if you stuck too it. It really is a hunt of a lifetime. I shared both of my hunts with my father and my only brother. I gave the ivory teeth to my best friend and kept the cow hide. I had it tanned with the hair on. It makes a nice blanket. The bull I just kept the teeth and antlers. I gave the cape to a taxidermist. You wont soon forget that hunt. I would quess your posse will also. Congrats, now wait for the next permit. Lightning does strike in the same place once and again. I would be willing to help anyone in any way I could if they draw a permit. I hope you offer the same Skeeter. Nothing better than experience. I quess Jimmy G. and the gang found the same elk you did. That happens. So many hunters and only a few Elk. If you need anyone to take those dreaded "mud vanes", that run along the side of the back bone, off your hands. I will come and cut them out for you. Some like to call them "back strap's". heheheheheh:D :D :D

[stevebrandle]

Here's the Pictures!!

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/stevebran/Elk-Hunt-2002%20053nn2.jpg

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/stevebran/Elk-Hunt-2002%20039.jpg

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/members/stevebran/Elk-Hunt-2002%20018nn.jpg

[gunrod]

Congrats. That's a dream hunt. Glad to see you scored.

Were you limited to a cow or did you have the option? Either way it's still a trophy and seems like a special hunt but was just curious. If given the option I think I would try for horns since I may never be have the chance to shoot a Michigan elk but by your reports of limited sitings I can see why someone would shoot a cow.

[Skeeter]

I had a cow only tag, I had bulls in my sights several times. From what I experienced the cows seemed to be the real smart ones. Bulls always followed the cows.

[gunrod]

Don't we all. Can't eat the horns but they would make a nice conversation piece. I'd be a happy hunter either way. Congrats....

[Skeeter]

Just talked to the DNR in Atlanta. They told me that 16 animals have been shot altogether in C area. Most in section 23 -24 but a also one or two in 16 and 17. So they must on a regular basis come back in forth across 33 even when they are shot at. I suppose it hunters over there chase them over to C and vicea versa. Also seemed to me that they came over to eat on the higer hills getting acorns.

[grandslam]

Skeeter-
Congratulations on the elk! I was fortunate last year to draw a cow tag for area D.

I enjoyed reading the details of your hunt, it brought back some great memories. I look at my pictures atleast once a month to keep the memories fresh. I have to agree with Big Game, it is truly a hunt of a lifetime. I too have since gone back to my area this past summer and saw two nice bulls.

You asked about tanning. I had my hide tanned by Moyles Tannery out in Idaho. It cost about $150.00 and it only took a couple of months. Make sure you have got much of the excess off the hide and salted it well.

Again, thanks for the great story.

[Skeeter]

Just thought I would pass this on, its a cut and past from the Atlanta area newspaper.

The 2002 elk season had 150 licenses issued, and as of Monday morning 113 hunters had filled their tags. The hunt got off to a big start last Tuesday, when Rex Webb of Brown City was first in with a huge 685 lb. 6x6 bull. It was not a record, since Michigan bulls in the 700 lb. range, dressed weight, have been taken. Another big one was a 650 lb. 6x7 shot by Jeff Kassuba of East Tawas. Elaine Shepherd of Hillman was eighth in at the check station, and Don Hagemeister of Atlanta was ninth in. The hunt ended Tuesday evening. R wildlife managers will assess the hunt and decide if another hunt in January would help meet their goals.

[Big Frank 25]

Skeeter, I might be a little late, but concrats on being a winner in the draw! A big ATTA BOY on the hunt!:D