2006 HUNT PHOTO GALLERY Guest Quote. . . "From the food (thanks Elizabeth) to the lodge; from the country to the incredible people, there is truly no better place to take a hunting trip/vacation. I always leave with great memories and plans to return as soon as possible."

Hello, John here, and welcome back to another hunt. In the past, I always jotted down various highlights of each person’s hunt and passed the information onto my wife, Mical (the real writer and webmaster) for editing. This year however, we're trying something new,  I had each individual hunter write their own version of their hunting experience (the ones I could catch to twist their arms anyway) to further personalize our e-photo album. I guess we’ll call this new format “In the Hunter’s Words.”

The First Season Rifle Hunt (October 14 -16)
Antlers pictured on left are the actual antlers harvested First Season 2005

The days prior to the hunt had been relatively warm and elk were quite plentiful on the ranch. All the guides were anxious for the hunt to begin and super excited to hunt with some old favorites. Well, not in the “decrepit” sense of the word old, but rather, returning guests that we’ve enjoyed before. All six of them, in fact. And all six of them enjoyed hunting as much as we did.

Two hunters brought along their wives, rounding out our normally male dominated conversations with their feminine input.

The weather certainly changed as the hunt progressed and the elk continued with their post-rut bugling which always adds excitement to the hunt. All six hunters bagged a bull elk and all six were branch-antlered bulls. Following are the pictures and stories, “in their own words.”

Chris Menard - First Season
pictured on right

“Opening morning, we saw several groups of elk. After we walked almost to the top of North Buffalo Ridge, a nice, heavy-horned 6X5 came out in front of Chris and he shot him.”

Editor’s Note:  Chris is a man of few words but great hunting savvy. He watched a group of elk feed into an open area and knew where to place himself for a quick, clean shot. This is his 5th hunt with us and the 5th bull he’s shot. I guess I can limit my words by simply saying, “he knows how to get the job done.”

Andrea Menard- First Season
pictured on left

Morning #4, Paul and Andrea are walking again. We went back to Wapiti and got into a huge herd of elk. I missed a nice bull. The snowstorm was building all day as we had a short lunch and were back out by 11:30 after shooting my gun to make sure it was accurate. We walked from just past the entrance and stalked slowly the rest of the day to end up on East Buffalo Ridge. We saw a huge bull on Buffalo Peak, but he was over 800 yards away across from the peak we were on. We continued to East Buffalo as the storm really picked up. We make it to the spot we saw elk the evening before and through the blizzard picked out elk bodies on the sage flat. Then we could barely see a nice bull skylined. We set up for a 240-yard shot and couldn’t finish the deal before he went over the hill. We then ran up the hill they had topped and they were on the top of the next hill – we ran through the sage and finally got a shot at 100 yards. It was snowing hard right in our faces and it was hard to see but after Paul showed me where he was, I got my 5X6 nice, wide bull in the last five minutes of the day in that blizzard! This is truly an elk hunt I will never, ever forget. We worked so hard to get him! Thank you, Paul, for your patience with me all week. I also got to hunt with Matt – we were on elk all day but it never came together for us. And I spent a morning with John where the elk just didn’t cooperate with us, but I got my nature lesson, which I always love! Thank you, Mike for gutting my elk for Paul whose fingers were too frozen!! We hope to be back again next year for another great elk adventure!

As always, Elizabeth’s cooking was fabulous and the hunting group: Sig, Barb, Mike, Jim, Larry and Jim’s wife, Jan, were wonderful people and fun to be around. Jim especially had many, many stories to tell us!

This was the hardest I’ve ever hunted in 4 days – the mountains got me sore and tired. Thanks to Paul for pushing me on and keeping me encouraged. I really had a blast!

Mical’s note:  Wow, Andrea! Thanks for the great tale! John is onto something here. You’re an awesome writer, and hearing it from your side is just fabulous! Sorry it’s taken me so long to post this. You deserved quicker attention. Drop me an e-mail when you log in and see it! I loved hearing your hunt in your words!

Jim Black - First Season
pictured on right

Jim joined us for his third hunt on the Buffalo Creek Ranch, and was once again joined by his non-hunting spouse, Jan. Last year, this wa our website: Jim has already booked again for next year and as he packs his rifle and orange gear, he's also packing his wife, Jan, and another son who hasn't had a chance to hunt on our ranch yet. He's planning on a bringing home a nice 6X6 in 2006.

Here's the story, in his own words on how he fulfilled that 6X6 goal!

Day 1:  AM:  Stalked several groups, but we were spotted and were able to get close to just a few. Passed on one bull as we couldn’t determine the rack size. PM:  hunted from the ground blind in snow and fog, but didn’t see any elk.

Day 2: We stalked down into an area I can’t quite recall the name of. John spotted a herd in front of us, slightly to the left with at least one bugling bull. John thought they would move to the right in front of us, so we circled to the right and down through a clear-cut. They started moving toward us and we set up to wait. We quickly determined that the opening for a clear shot was narrow, probably 15 yards, so we did another move about 50 yards to the right, which opened up the shooting lane to about 30 yards. Within five minutes, the elk started coming out, walking more or less in single file. I was looking through the scope with a limited view. We passed on a 5X5, then John spotted a 6-point. I traced him with the scope and John cow called. The bull stopped just short of a (I don’t know?) and I shot. He trumpeted and I shot again. He ran about 30 yards before he collapsed. He was a real nice 6X5. My shot was about 150 yards.

John’s knowledge of the ranch and the elk was the difference in my successful hunt. He had promised he would get me a chance at a six point and he did. I’m glad that I was able to hold up my end.

Thanks again, John!

Sig and Barb Johnson
pictured on left

Editor's note: I almost labeled this photo as Sig being the hunter and Barb as being the wife. But after reading their account, I can see that this is truly a team effort. Great job, you two!

We left the cabin early Saturday morning and drop up the saddle to North Buffalo Ridge. I was once again fortunate to have Mike as my trusty guide and was accompanied by my son, Mike and wife, Barb. We climbed to the west edge as the sky turned pink from the sun. Mike sent Barb and me to a pocket out in the sage where we could cover a large open area below.

About an hour passed without seeing anything. Suddenly, two shots range out in the timber to the northwest. We perked up and waited for something to appear in front of us. Barb glanced up behind us and into a group of 8 to 10 elk. The lead cow and a small bull spied us immediately. I shifted myself 180 degrees and managed to set my scope on a small bull. Barb whispered “the back one’s a nice one!” but because of my poor vision, I can only see a small area and had to move elk by elk down the line. There were only seconds to look them over, but when I came to the biggest bull, I fired a shot. The group ran around behind us as the bull dropped out of my vision. A small bull stopped and look back at the 6X6 before disappearing too.

We had an absolutely wonderful time . . . saw several more elk and deer, celebrated our 40th anniversary, made some great new friends, enjoyed being with the Buffalo Creek staff, plus Mike got his bull elk the third day. Once again, we hate to think of leaving, but I look forward to “next time.” Thanks so much to everyone.

Mike Johnson - First Season
pictured on right

This year I was able to hunt with Mike as my guide. It’s always great to hutn with others that enjoy being in the woods as much as I do. This was special as I was able to hunt with my parents. First morning found us (Mike, Mom, Dad and I) walking through “the saddle” just before daylight. We split up and Mike and I walked west along Buffalo Ridge and spotted a herd with a few god bulls. The wind was wrong for us, but Chris Menard was able to get a nice 6X6. Mike and I were in the timber when we heard Dad shoot. A 6 point had run in front of Mom and Dad – MISTAKE! We walked up and found them all smiles with a great bull.

That night it was raining. Mike and I played cat and mouse with some elk in the timber. We saw lot of elk and bulls but no shots. Next morning was cool and quiet and we walked the timber from Bruce’s Cabin to Don’s Pond. We saw some cows and heard bugling but didn’t see any bulls. Second night found us towards Lost Creek. We saw lots of elk in the distance and got busted by two bulls in the timber and didn’t get any shooting.

Third morning was cool and dry and we walked from Lost Creek towards Buffalo Creek and found several bulls up on top. After passing on everyone and glassing more elk on the Buffalo Creek side, we headed back towards Lost Creek. As we were cutting across a clear cut, we got busted in the open. After several minutes of holding my gun “still” on some cows, a bull walked out at 175 yards. After a short “conference,” we decided to shoot. My arms were shaking from holding the gun up and I gave the bull a warning by shooting low. As he took of, I shot twice more, both shots hitting well and my 6-point tipped over. After lots of smiles, handshakes & pictures, Mike and I had a great end to another amazing hunt.

From the food (thanks Elizabeth) to the lodge; from the country to the incredible people, there is truly no better place to take a hunting trip/vacation. I always leave with great memories and plans to return as soon as possible.

Larry Shermer - First Season
pictured on left

As a fan of writing and reading, I’m enjoying seeing how people tell their stories. Everyone has been very effective. I was pleasantly surprised by this gentleman’s engineer approach to his experience. It works!

• Guide: Matt Anderson
• Morning second day very foggy, some snow from previous afternoon
• Buffalo Ridge north of saddle very near where Sig killed his bull opening morning
• Sitting on ground backed into bushy pine tree watching several mule deer running back and forth across sage
• Approx 30 elk bolted from edge of timber approx 250 yards to the NE. there were 3 or 4 spikes, a raghorn, many cows & calves and a very nice 5X5!
• I called with a Hoochie Mamma to slow them down. It worked and there he stood almost broadside approx 170 yds out in the open
• Squeezed (or yanked) off a shot & hit him very solid. The herd bolted to the west with the bull following, stumbling. He peeled off to the East back toward the timber. As Mike says “shoot, shoot, shoot!” I hit him twice more but really didn’t have to.
• Matt, Drew and I celebrated and brought him to the skinning shed.
• Another wonderful experience at Buffalo Creek Ranch!!

The Second Season Rifle Hunt (October 27 - 29, 2006)

Antlers pictured on left are from second season 2005 on Buffalo Creek Ranch

Steve Reynolds- Second Season - 3 day Hunt
pictured on right

2006 would be my second hunt with the “elk boys” at the Buffalo Creek. An early season snowstorm created challenging conditions by dumping over a foot of snow that pushed many elk off the ranch onto the refuge. This expedition would require extreme focus, persistence and the ability to be mobile with the “best” guides in the business. (Hey guides, this web lady wants to know why he added quotes around “best” . . . any ideas? And don't give me that look, I'm just the recorder this year!)

As usual, a pre-hunt scouting expedition with Mike took place the night before that produced excellent viewing of elk along with several nice bulls. I would be hunting with Dave Mackie out of Omaha and Steve Lau from Granger, Indiana. These guys were the best! The first morning was brisk and the snow deep. We were walking the timber and the elk were skittish. The condition slowed the pace and made getting into position difficult.

The second day continued at the same pace with Dave and I. Steve broke the ice and scored with a phenomenal climb along with a great shot through the aspens, a very nice, big bodied 5X5 bull.  Later in the evening, Dave hunted with Mike and I went with Paul. We set up in sagebrush to wait for elk to move out and feed. After about an hour, a huge mountain lion slinked to within about 80 yards of us! I had the scope on, pushed off the safety and asked Paul if I should shoot. Needless to say, the question was futile. The mountain lion went back into the aspens and watched us from the cover, the hunters becoming the hunted. Dave and Mike saw a nice group of elk with cows moving up very close. A big bull spooked in the distance.

The final day of the hunt began with optimism and a new level of determination. Mike and I made an arduous hike up the mountain and through a sage meadow when we spotted tow bulls and cows feeding heading west along a grove of aspens. We set up anticipating the elk to move back east in front of us along a natural corridor. Before we knew it, the herd was cutting back southeast just below the hill. Mike kicked into high gear (ed note: does Mike ever come out of high gear?) and cut back into a big piece of timber running parallel to the east. While we were moving through slowly trying to spot the bulls, several elk broke out and reality set in; we had blown it!

We crossed back east ready to get relocate toa different area of the ranch. Suddenly, Mike made a great spot on two bulls and some cows lying in heavy evergreens. As it was later in the morning and the last day of the hunt, we agreed to set up all day if necessary. Our vantage point was high up on a steep hill looking across the valley where the elk were bedded. Mike took a reading with the rangefinder and the small herd was about 460 yards out. Both bulls were dozing and Mike built a nice prone position rest to attempt a “long” shot when the elk began heading south followed by one bull. Finally, the bull stepped out into an opening at about 500 yards. I squeezed off two rounds and felt very smooth. The bull ran off like it wasn’t hit at full speed to the south. Even though it was a long shot, I felt dejected after a challenging and roller coaster ride of a hunt! After several minutes, John radioed Mike to let him know a bull was down on the side of the hill. A perfect lung shot. Dejection turned to joy!

Steve Lau - Second Season - 3 day Hunt
pictured on left

I have to say that this was the toughest hunt that I have been on! The weather and snowwere definitely working against us. The snow (12” – 18”) had driven the elk out of the area and we had to cover a lot of miles. It seemed as if ¾ of these miles were uphill. I was so glad htat I have been working out because I wouldn’t have lasted very long if I hadn’t.

On the second morning, Paul and I started up Buffalo Ridge to try to interrupt some moving elk. We had seen a nice bull the morning before, but it made it to the dark timber before we could getto him. We stopped at a pine below the first ridge and started glassing. All o fhte sudden, a bull elk peeked over a ridge approximately 500 yards above us and then disappeared. Off we went! Paula nd I climbed approximately 2/3 up the peak. I was sweating profusely and my lungs were burning. Finally, we broke out into the open. Paul was looking out across a sagebrush flat and I looked down low. All of a sudden, I saw a nice bull down below us at approximately 150 yards. I asked Paul if he was legal. Paul took one look and said, “Shoot!” I set up my rifle on the shooting sticks and tried to pick out an opening to shoot the bull. He was standing behind some thick brush. He stepped ahead and stepped right into an opening. I had a clear shot at his front shoulder and neck. I placed the crosshairs right on the base of his neck and squeezed the trigger of my .30-.06. the bull collapsed at the shot and didn’t move. Paul was pounding me on the back and yelling “great shot! Great shot!” for once in my life, I was totally speechless. The bull turned out to be a beautiful 5X5. It was a day that I will remember the rest of my life.

I was really impressed with how hard everybody at the Buffalo Creek Ranch worked at making the hunt a success. John, Mike, Paul and Elizabeth were absolutely wonderful. This might have been my toughest hunt but it was my best hunt!

Dave Mackie - Second Season - 3 day Hunt
pictured on right

Waiting for info/photo

Tony Pinnizotto, Jr. - Second Season
pictured on right and below left

STORY COMING SOON
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If you are this hunter, please e-mail Wendy

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Tony Pinnizotto, sr. - Second Season
pictured on right

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STORY COMING SOON

If you are this hunter, please e-mail Wendy

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Roger Locandro - Second Season
pictured on right

STORY COMING SOON

If you are this hunter, please e-mail Wendy

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Brian Stensland - Second Season
pictured on left

STORY COMING SOON

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Waiting for Stensland's story, Waiting for Stensland's story,

Third Rifle Season:

hunting guide Paul (on left) and fishing guide/fly shop manager, Scott (on right) busy caping a guest's elk -- one of the many services we provide.

Mike Teal - Third Season
pictured on right

STORY COMING SOON

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Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story,

John Teal - Third Rifle Season
pictured on left

STORY COMING SOON

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Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story, Waiting for Teal's Story,

Donald Crowfoot -Third Season

Pictured on right

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STORY COMING SOON

Waiting for Crowfoot's Story, Waiting for Crowfoot's Story,

Jerry Hamsa - Third Rifle Season
pictured on left/Guide, Scott on left, Jerry on Right

STORY COMING SOON

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Waiting for Hamsa's Story, Waiting for Hamsa's Story,

4th Rifle Season:

pictured on left - David Schleppy, guide Mike's 16 y.o. son - Not a Buffalo Creek muley per say, but we like to show off our guide's personal hunting efforts in tougher hunting habitat - public lands! David's comments when asked about this fine muley: "I highly recommend my guide. I'm going to ask for him next year." (way to go, Dad. And quite frankly, Dad was proud of you too. You passed on a lot of fine muley's, especially for a youngster, and your patience was rewarded with this monster!)

Gerald Jopek
pictured on right

STORY COMING SOON

For wildlife/ranch management purposes, we only booked one hunter for 4th season.

If you are this hunter, please       e-mail wendy

Thank you all for dropping in to look at our 2006 Hunt Photo Gallery. I'm missing quite a few stories, so if you're one of the hunters who has a story to tell, drop me a line.

Also, if you are a hunter who wants to be featured in 2007 or 2008-- call us (970) 723-4045. Book a hunt!
e-mail: john@buffalocreek.com