2002 HUNT PHOTO GALLERY Guest Quote. . . "My brother and I had a great time hunting at Buffalo Creek. You and the guides were great also, easygoing and knowledgeable. The accommodations and food were first rate. This was my brother and I's fourth elk hunt since retirement. But this is the first hunt we were totally satisfied with. I saw more elk in one day at Buffalo Creek than the previous three hunts combined, plus each of us harvested a fine bull. The habitat and elk management programs you have initiated at the ranch can only ensure great hunting for years to come. Our sport needs more people like you and Dick. Thanks for the memories. -Tom"

If you are a returning guests to our website or our ranch, you know that coming into the 2002 hunt season, we were under a lot of pressure to perform. Last year, one of Colorado's worst hunting seasons in recent history, we maintained a 100% record with all kills being a 5 by 5 elk or better. This meant that since the inception of Buffalo Creek Outfitters, we not only were batting a 100% average, but we were doing a fabulous job of it. John, our ranch manager, had a few sleepless nights coming into the 2002 season, in spite of the fact that the elk were thick throughout the ranch. In a wild game hunt (meaning, no elk are fenced in), there is no guarantee that the elk are going to stay in the boundaries of the property. All of us on the ranch follow very strict orders to keep our ranch elk friendly. Guides follow a plethora of hunting practices too numerous to count, visitors are limited to areas they can roam, and even the cows and cowboys are given lectures on where they were supposed to giddyup and gallop. Have you ever tried talking to 500 head of cattle? Even harder, try telling a cowboy used to roaming 16,000 acres that he has borders and fences to follow. You know the old Desperado song isn't far from the truth up here at the foot of the Continental Divide. But, I guess they quit chewing their cuds long enough to listen, because 2002 had a 100% success rate once again. The hunting guides are catching up on their rest now. The cowboys and cows are back to their old games. And the elk never knew what was up.

So, take a few moments to browse the 2002 hunt photos if you'd like. A few smaller elk were taken, but every hunter got to see more than a few elk every single day they were here. Those are pretty good odds. And once again, we enjoyed every single guest who came to the ranch, making the world seem like a pretty nice place to live and giving the sport of hunting a good shine.

Our first hunter of the year: Tom Janiki with his. . . SEVEN BY EIGHT elk. I'll write that again, because it's not often I get a chance to. . his SEVEN by EIGHT elk. The writer of this web page is not an elk hunter. I let my husband fill my freezer, but this is one elk I just had to see, so I slipped the dust cover on my computer and hopped in the truck to take the long, bumpy road back into the mountains. The view from the mountaintop final resting place of this big boy left me breathless, but even more encouraging, was the respect Tom had in his voice when he spoke of the hunt and the animal. The image he painted for me of the wind blowing the animal's hair and the golden sunlight glinting off those antlers as he stepped out of the forest will remain with me a lifetime.

And I will always remember his words, "barring the day I got married, this is the best day of my life." A gentleman who respects the animals he's hunting and the wife he's been married to all his adult life, is a gentleman who's welcome in my home any day. Congratulations, Tom and see you next year. I look forward to posting the photo of the mulie you have reserved for 2003.

Our second elk of the 2002 season was taken by John Janicki. Tom, pictured above, apparantly has a brother. Okay, WE'VE known it for quite some time, as these two fellows have been hunting with John Ziegman off and on over the past few years when he owned Whistling Elk Outfitters. At the Whistling Elk, John just never had a bull present a good shot opportunity. The Janickis also hunted with other outfitters over the years, but this is John's very first elk, and we are incredibly happy for him. I know I was rooting for him when he pulled in that first morning, just based on the fact that he and his brother are great guys.

Paul Schleppy guided this hunt. They spotted a herd of eleven bulls and about 15 cows at 600 yards. They stalked this herd for about a half an hour, part of which included a belly crawl to a narrow gap in order to get a shot. If there are stains on John's shirt in the photo, you can't blame him. John made a beautiful 240 yard shot.

Well, here is Andrea Menard. AGAIN. You gotta love this hunter. Just take a look at the 2001 photos and you'll see her standing over another gorgeous 6X6 she took. Same beautiful smile on her face too. I guess she was on stand when this nice bull slipped out of the timber. Made a nice shot. She or her husband has a combo hunt booked for next year (they might be drawing straws. . we only book two combo hunts per year, so only one of them gets the one). There just might be two more photos of her, same smile, same quality of hunt. She's just that good.

And here is Chris Menard. He's pictured with his wife, Andrea. The same woman pictured above with her own elk. You'll find Chris with last years' elk on the 2001 page also. One married couple, two years, four elk. Not bad. It was lightening reactions which produced this bull. He had no time to spare in choosing between two bulls as they ran straight toward him and his guide, John. . . in dark timber. Around here, dark timber means steep mountains. This was a tough haul out, but our trusty mules lessened the burden. (I guess if I'm going to give the mules credit, I should give some of it to our guides, Mike, Paul and Ron also). Chris is coming back next year with his wife, and one of them is going to combo hunt (mule deer and elk-we only sell two per year). Look at the 2003 page next December to check their record. Is there any gambling going on out there? I'm betting on these two.

This is Dwayne Combs from Michigan. A good friend and long time hunter on the Buffalo Creek (and previously with us as Whistling Elk Outfitters). He got this elk at the Illinois River Ranch (our sister ranch just down the road. . .we own two ranches). The Illinois River Ranch is a grasslands ranch with plateaus and yep, a river bottom (aka the Illinois River). Dwayne had to do a lot of stalking through willows with 200 head of elk keeping close watch. The web writer was particularly proud that Dwayne did not have to hire Handicapped-R-Us to pack out his elk this year. Normally, Dwayne prefers to get his animals as far from trails, roads and anything with less than a 45% grade as possible. (Dwayne, I'm sorry. I'm usually the only one who sticks up for you when your buddies get rowdy, but fame and publication has gone to my head.) By the way, nice elk, Dwayne. Say hi to the family and tell that darling little girl of yours that Murphy would like some more carrots, please.

I personally didn't get to meet Douglas Egenolf from Indianapolis, but if you go by what he wrote in the lodge journal, I'm fairly sure I'd really like him. Tell me he doesn't have the heart of a poet. In response to the journal question to what he did, he wrote: "Saw the sunrise and sunset in country that is just breathtaking. Saw animals in the mountains. Heard the definition of quiet. Stood alone on a mountaintop. Took one elk, so others can live. Watched a fish jump as it pulled on my line. I lived a dream!"

When I saw that in the journal, I had to ask John what it was like to hunt with this guy. "Unbelieveable!" "What," I asked? I'm not used to John being overly enthusiastic with his verbage. . .he can be kinda dry. "Unbelievable," he reiterated. "That's what is was like, and that is what he said repeatedly, unbelievable. This guy just loved the hunt and the beauty of the area. It helped me see it through fresh eyes."

According to my notes from John, Doug was sitting in an aspen patch on Buffalo Ridge as the whole herd worked their way toward him when he got his bull. But I like how Doug put it in the journal when asked to write about his favorite moments: "It's quiet, I'm alone. . . .I think to myself, 'Look at all those elk coming over the hill. Thank you Buffalo Creek Ranch!"

"I heard the definition of quiet." Okay, I'm a word junkie. I love to read. I love poetry, and that line will stick with me for a long time. He caught the essence of why I love calling the Buffalo Creek Ranch home.

The following day Dennis went elk hunting at the Illinois River Ranch with our Illinois cattle manager and part-time guide, Jeff Phillips. Jeff guided Dennis through a large herd feeding on the river bottom. The herd was bugling. Again, as with the mule deer, there were several large bulls in the herd, and again, Dennis aimed for the biggest one and got him. It's a nice 6X6, I'd say. Dennis had as good of a hunt as you can expect. Dennis has reserved a hunt for next year. Either he or his cousin is going to do the one remaining combo hunt.

"It is the bull of a lifetime. Thanks to all of the guides for all of their help, to Elizabeth for great meals, to John for managing this ranch in a way that we saw tons of game, and to Dick for opening up a little bit of heaven for all of us!" Thanks,

Dennis

Mike Myers first elk hunt produced this beautiful 5X5 bull. From our home state of Colorado, he practiced shooting all summer and it paid off as guide Mike Schleppy heard a small group of elk bugling in the timber. They sneaked in and shot this nice bull with one shot. Mike will be back next year. Yeah!

"This will be a memory I will never forget. The expectations were met and more. The service, information, needs, etc. . were awesome. I truly found it awesome that the owner of this beautiful ranch becomes one of the group. The whole group is truly excited for him to succeed. I had so much fun. I'm coming back next year! Thank you Buffalo Creek Crew."

God Bless - Mike Myers

Thanks for the kind words, Mike. Everyone looks forward to hunting with you next year.

I'm thinking maybe the guides didn't worry so much about the health consequences of guiding in this remote country as they had this group of three doctors from New York for back up. Dad is Dr. Carl Szot, Sr (and that is his elk) and his two boys, both MD's. Carl Sr. waited until the last morning of his hunt to get this bull as it crossed a valley. He had seen many bulls prior to this but this bull gave a good shot opportunity and the doctor performed well. Good job, Doctor Szott. I wouldn't expect anything less for this family of over-achievers. Let's check on the photos of his boys.

I guess it was dark when Dr. Joseph Szott got his elk, and our guide didn't have the right camera with him, so Joseph Szott's elk isn't pictured. . . yet. Joseph, if you're reading this, please send me one. Dr. Joseph Szott had a long stalk as a group of elk fed on a hillside at dusk. He had a nice one-shot kill at 200 yards. Paul Schleppy guided. Joseph is pictured on the left in back with his brother and Dad in front.

This is son, Dr. Carl Szot, Jr. This was his first elk hunt. Looks like he didn't have any trouble learning the sport. Mike Schleppy guided. They snuck in on a group of elk on Buffalo Ridge in the morning. From the looks of him in this photo, I'd say he likes the sport. That's a nice smile.

Bill Daskiewich accompanied the doctors from New York and took home this nice bull. Bill and guide John spotted a group of five bulls feeding their way down a hill heading for timber. Quick reaction from years of hunting experience dropped this fine bull right before it entered the cover of timber.

Anthony Pinizzotto, Sr. from New Jersey came to the Buffalo Creek to hunt with his son (below). He made a nice stalk on a large herd crossing a meadow at first light. This was his first successful elk hunt, but he is no newcomer to big game hunting. He has bagged a lot of moose in Newfoundland. Patience was key in getting this elk, as he had to wait for a bull to open up amidst the mingling cows.

I'm not sure if Tony wrote this quote or if it was Tony Jr. or one of the Roger's he hunted with (the father son duo/hunted with another father/son duo), but this is one of my favorite quotes:

This is a trip of a lifetime for us -- Tony Sr, Tony Jr, Roger Sr. & Roger Jr. We are lifetime friends from New Jersey by way of Sicilia (and other places).