 2001 Hunters
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It's only our second year on the Buffalo Creek Ranch, and once again, all of our hunters shot a 5x5 or better. As we came into our second year, we refused to guarantee our hunts. Although we'd been told by previous outfitters (and biologists, hunters. . and just plain common sense. . the elk are everywhere) that this ranch can easily accomodate fifty hunters, we are sticking to our guns, and keeping the guest numbers to a maximum of four hunters per season. You see, it is our goal to be the premiere hunt in Colorado, and so far, we're doing a pretty good job.
The elk bugled through the entire rifle season (ask our hunters if you don't believe me). This is extremely rare in the state of Colorado. Seems the elk know when the hunters start streaming into the forests and learn to keep their mouths closed. Hush, hush, so to speak, to save their hides. At the Buffalo Creek Ranch, they see so few people, and there are so many elk per square mile (we have 25 of them, you know, square miles, that is), that they just keep right on ranting at the ladies about their spectacular talents right through the season.
As this return hunter said: "I know it shouldn't surprise me, since this is my second year hunting here, but I just can't get over these elk. They respond to the bugle like a dream come true. There's elk talk everywhere you walk. Put me down for a hunt until I can't walk anymore." Off the record he said, "Don't tell anyone about that trophy deer. My name is going to be next to his in the record book." (Sorry about that, sir).(same combo hunter pictured on big game hunting page. Just a new year.)
We thank you for taking the time to enjoy our photos from our 2001 season, and hope to see you for 2002. We plan on doing our first advertising this winter, so book early. Once word gets out about this hunt, and with repeat business, I suspect it will be tough to get in on these hunts. We're still new, so spots are open at this time. Also, we're only allowing one or two mule deer hunts in 2002, so reserve your spot now if it's a trophy mulie you're after.
Here's Richard, our Ohio hunter, with his beautiful six by six. A note to his guide, Mike: "just a short note to thank you once again for your outstanding efforts that made my 'Hunt of a Lifetime' such a success. You need to know that you're the one who made it all possible. I can't adequately express my sincere appreciation for your effort but do hope that you understand that even though we only spent two days together, I consider you a friend indeed.
Please also thank Elizabeth for her special cooking. Hope your family continues to have a great year. . . "
Spending time with people is part of our job at the Buffalo Creek Ranch. It's people like this who make it our life.
This is Roger. He's the son of Richard, pictured above. He came on strict orders to get his elk and get home as quickly as possible. A baby would be on the way soon. We're guessing Roger is a man of his word, because this fine husband and upcoming father, spotted this dandy 5 by 5 his first day hunting. It was coming out of the timber about a mile away. He set up in the perfect spot, waited about five or ten minutes for the elk to reappear, took aim, and was on his way home the following day. Pretty nice hunt. We're hoping baby and Mom are well, too.
This is the guide Richard bragged about, Mike. We like him too. Mike's been guiding from Colorado through Montana for the past fifteen years. When Mike's not guiding our hunters, he's the ranch mechanic (and cowboy, and trail guide, and. . .). He can fix anything. His wife, Elizabeth, is the lodge cook. She can fix anything too.
Andrea is pictured here with her six by six elk. Okay, I admit it. As a woman, I am just as impressed by that perfect manicure as I am by that huge six by six rack. Now the rest of you hunters have no excuse for poor hygiene while hunting. . .not to mention, that's one big elk, folks. I'm not even sure the old, 'oh, I don't shave during the hunt because it's bad luck' excuse is allowable anymore.
Andrea gave us a beautiful quote to use on our web page, but I misplaced it for the time being. For now, I will paraphrase, and let me know if I'm way off the mark here, Andrea: it's a fun hunt, the food is great, the lodge is beautiful, John's a great guide, and I'm coming back. I definitely need to give Andrea credit for being more eloquent. Hey everyone, she was more eloquent.
This is Chris. He's married to Andrea, pictured above. This couple was just a pleasure to be around. Especially after Chris got his own elk. Couples that get 6x6 elk together, stay together. Isn't that the saying?
Chris' quote was on the same page as Andrea's. I remember him saying it was a great hunt and he'd be back. We hope he does.
This fellow is our custom saddle maker out of Arizona. Ray is a craftsman of incredible talent. Good hunter too. He passed on some doozie elk throughout the week. You see, he knew some monsters lived here, because he himself cowboyed this same ranch twenty-five years ago. And a kind web writer would not mention that he missed one of those monsters on his first day. No, a generous spirit would definitely not do that! Especially one who loves his custom saddles and thinks the fellow is one of the sweetest gentlemen to ever step foot in the Buffalo Creek Lodge. So, I absolutely abstain from even hinting about that giant elk he missed the first day he hunted with us. Yep, my lips are sealed.
Fortunately for us, Ray found us on the web and we got to meet him and his saddlework this year, and what a pleasure it has been. He ended up settling on this nice five-by on the last day of his hunt. We highly recommend his leatherwork if you're looking for a saddle to make the most discriminating cowboy proud.
This is John, our ranch manager. He's been so busy guiding the last fifteen years, he hasn't had time to hunt, other than providing his beautiful and talented wife with a cow elk for her freezer annually. (Hmmmm, wonder who's writing this). This year he allotted himself one full day to hunt a bull, and gave himself and anyone who would listen, the following excuses to do it:a) he needed a typical ranch mount to bring to sport shows, and
b) he needed the practice to keep him guiding at his best.
I mean, c'mon, if you're going to advise a guy that it's necessary to stand absolutely still in subzero weather for hours at a time, you have to demonstrate your ability to accomplish such a feat yourself. I know what you're all thinking. The guy just wanted to hunt. Well, I'm his wife, and I'm telling you, okay, he just wanted to hunt.
Well, fifteen minutes into his hunt, he grew weary. The temperatures had dropped to a staggering fifty nine degrees. At those temperatures, fifteen minutes is a VERY LONG time to stand still. He leaned his rifle against a tree, and just at that moment, a beautiful six by six chose to run into his view. John whipped up his rifle like the pro he is, then, uh. . .pulled it back down and peeled his scope caps off, but then he quickly recovered. No time to admonish oneself. Nerves of steel were required. So he quietly squeezed the trigger, just the slightest, easiest squeeze, so as not to impede his perfect aim, then, mmmmm, with his mental acuity, finally remembered to fumble, no deftly, switch his safety off. You get the picture. We're talking about a professional here. I'm laying out a visual memory of a hunt that is usually only captured in textbooks, that is taught by our guides, and attainable by only a few. This gives you, the guest hunter, something to strive toward.
Well, I can't drag this one memorable hunt on forever, well I could, but I won't. To make a long story short, he has a nice 6X6 for his efforts. I fear that with only fifteen minutes of hunting, I don't think he got much practice. Maybe that will be his excuse to hunt next year. I guess I'm supposed to mention that the animal was running when he made the shot, it was a perfect double lung shot at a 100 yards, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, whatever. I just tell it like I see it.
If you've made it this far through the page, thanks. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me. I enjoyed the trip. Hope you can say the same.
Mical
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Buffalo Creek Ranch |
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John Ziegman, General Manager
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