IT WAS OPENING WEEKEND of archery elk season in Idaho, and we had just dropped our packs on top of the ridge after a lengthy cross-country hike. A year ago, I had discovered this drainage and was anxious to get back.
It was late-evening, and as we sat glassing, we counted seven bulls. Then, at last light, a big herd of elk filtered through a saddle 300 yards below us. We counted over 50 head, including a pretty good six-point bull, as they trotted down an open sagebrush ridge to feed for the night. We were pumped! But while sitting on the ridge, I didn’t feel quite right…like something was just “off.”
Come morning, I felt better, and we hunted the drainage all day. But the bulls were mostly silent.…