For those that grew up in the Rocky Mountain States (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah & Colorado) Hunting is a tradition and for many a means of survival. Elk season, which usually opens in late fall, is an opportunity for many to harvest an animal to help feed their family in the coming year. In early November I was invited to accompany my friend Matt, plus his uncle and a few others, to pack in to the Gravelly mountains just South of Dillon, MT. Like many Montanans Matt's Family had been hunting in their secret spot for somewhere around twenty years without seeing another soul for weeks at a time and always having a plentiful harvest. After hearing about the adventures and stories of years past, I felt privileged and excited to be invited. Joining them the night before we packed in at Matt's home in Whitehall, MT we all ate a good dinner and hit the bed early, our goal was to leave by 5:30 am the next morning. Like an early morning mission it took lots of coffee to get things rollin'. Within an hour of being awake we had 12 horses loaded in trailers and were well on our way driving down the Jefferson Valley to Dillon. Stopping briefly to grab a greasy spoon hometown Man-tana breakfast we continued South out of Dillon on a dirt road for about 40 miles to the trailhead. Stepping out of the car and beginning to unload the horses and supplies I am reminded of how exciting it is to get away from the masses and embark on an adventure. To Be Continued.......
