Some years ago my brother approached me about hunting with him and our brother-in-law. Besides
being a family affair I was the one of the group whom had the most experience in the realm of deer
and elk hunting. And of coarse they wanted me along to "guide" them as it were for a successful hunt.
They new that I always came home with game. Not lucky "just good"! Now that I have patted myself on
the back, I will continue with this adventure. In conversation with Mike (my brother) I learned that our
brother-in-law, Bob’s folks had a house in Montrose, Colorado and a super cabin in Gunnison. I’d never
hunted Colorado, but had known others that did and these areas were known for great hunting and
game abound. Mike was in charge of this trip, and said he would pay for my flight and everything! Now
who could turn this down? I was to fly into Grand Junction, and meet them there. The plan was to
spend one night at his house, to rest and than off to the woods. After a dinner at the top steak
house/bar in town, lets just say I’m glad the bill wasn't mine. The next morning we were on the road to
Gunnison. As anyone would do, I admired the scenery of a new area and the type of hunting we might
encounter. Trying to build some kind of plan in my mind before we arrived at his cabin. A beautiful
custom built cabin, about 12 miles from Gunnison and next to a wildlife area. Get this, the cabin was
75' long and 40' wide, constructed of whole logs and stainless steel sinks but there was no running
water or bathroom. The outhouse faces the East without a door was really nice when it snowed. One
really got his job done quickly! Nice fireplace with wood already cut. After we unloaded our gear we
decided to trip back to town for food, then take a round about trip on the way back to the cabin to
check things out. Just for trivia sake, Mike’s friend whom joined us had a GPS and told us that the
cabin was at 11,220 foot. I knew it was up there but didn't think it was that high as the mountains above
the cabin dwarfed the sky. But I knew we were up in the clouds because my smoking habit helped me
feel it! To town we went, we dropped Bob off so he could fill up the small propane bottles, since the
cabin had its own big propane tank next to it. Mike was dropped off at the store to get the groceries.
After dropping off Mike I’d turn around and go get Bob and return to the store. Arriving at the store, I
figured knowing my brother that Bob should go in the store and get him before he bought everything
there. As I was waiting in the van I thought I would arrange the stuff in the back and wait for them. I got
the stuff rearranged and was sitting in the back seat, as Mike always wanted to drive, which was OK by
me. As I waited I lit up a cigarette and was enjoying just being there! As I saw them walking across the
parking lot I put out my cigarette in the ashtray, as Bob didn't like smoking and I want to accommodate
him. Just as I had put out the cigarette, the top safety relief valve blew off the propane bottle and I was
literally covered in propane and was engulfed in fumes. Propane bottles are filled differently at high
altitude levels. Bob did not fill the propane bottle correctly. Now fellas if I hadn’t put out that cigarette I
wouldn't be here to tell you about it! This is something that can really shake one up and believe me it
did! So, this is a lesson I pass on to all you fellas about the simple things, like altitude and propane
bottles. Back to camp to change my pants, waiting and talking about what had happened was the
conversation and venting done around the fireplace. Oh, yes I did have more than one cocktail! You
bet! The next morning we were off in the snow and about 15 minutes into the season a small herd of
elk came running by me and my stand. Other hunters had driven them down my way. Seven cows
passed all within 40 yards and than I saw a bull coming and he was really caring the mail. I didn't even
bother to look at his rack for I knew he was legal and I set my cross hairs of my 7mm WBY on him and
that’s all it wrote! From one kind of experience to another in 2 days. It’s surprising how many different
types of emotion us humans experience. I had been through a few in those two days. The rest of the
hunt was uneventful for all. I gathered that the old man upstairs rewarded me with an Elk to let me
know that it is "good" to be alive and not to take anything for granted!
being a family affair I was the one of the group whom had the most experience in the realm of deer
and elk hunting. And of coarse they wanted me along to "guide" them as it were for a successful hunt.
They new that I always came home with game. Not lucky "just good"! Now that I have patted myself on
the back, I will continue with this adventure. In conversation with Mike (my brother) I learned that our
brother-in-law, Bob’s folks had a house in Montrose, Colorado and a super cabin in Gunnison. I’d never
hunted Colorado, but had known others that did and these areas were known for great hunting and
game abound. Mike was in charge of this trip, and said he would pay for my flight and everything! Now
who could turn this down? I was to fly into Grand Junction, and meet them there. The plan was to
spend one night at his house, to rest and than off to the woods. After a dinner at the top steak
house/bar in town, lets just say I’m glad the bill wasn't mine. The next morning we were on the road to
Gunnison. As anyone would do, I admired the scenery of a new area and the type of hunting we might
encounter. Trying to build some kind of plan in my mind before we arrived at his cabin. A beautiful
custom built cabin, about 12 miles from Gunnison and next to a wildlife area. Get this, the cabin was
75' long and 40' wide, constructed of whole logs and stainless steel sinks but there was no running
water or bathroom. The outhouse faces the East without a door was really nice when it snowed. One
really got his job done quickly! Nice fireplace with wood already cut. After we unloaded our gear we
decided to trip back to town for food, then take a round about trip on the way back to the cabin to
check things out. Just for trivia sake, Mike’s friend whom joined us had a GPS and told us that the
cabin was at 11,220 foot. I knew it was up there but didn't think it was that high as the mountains above
the cabin dwarfed the sky. But I knew we were up in the clouds because my smoking habit helped me
feel it! To town we went, we dropped Bob off so he could fill up the small propane bottles, since the
cabin had its own big propane tank next to it. Mike was dropped off at the store to get the groceries.
After dropping off Mike I’d turn around and go get Bob and return to the store. Arriving at the store, I
figured knowing my brother that Bob should go in the store and get him before he bought everything
there. As I was waiting in the van I thought I would arrange the stuff in the back and wait for them. I got
the stuff rearranged and was sitting in the back seat, as Mike always wanted to drive, which was OK by
me. As I waited I lit up a cigarette and was enjoying just being there! As I saw them walking across the
parking lot I put out my cigarette in the ashtray, as Bob didn't like smoking and I want to accommodate
him. Just as I had put out the cigarette, the top safety relief valve blew off the propane bottle and I was
literally covered in propane and was engulfed in fumes. Propane bottles are filled differently at high
altitude levels. Bob did not fill the propane bottle correctly. Now fellas if I hadn’t put out that cigarette I
wouldn't be here to tell you about it! This is something that can really shake one up and believe me it
did! So, this is a lesson I pass on to all you fellas about the simple things, like altitude and propane
bottles. Back to camp to change my pants, waiting and talking about what had happened was the
conversation and venting done around the fireplace. Oh, yes I did have more than one cocktail! You
bet! The next morning we were off in the snow and about 15 minutes into the season a small herd of
elk came running by me and my stand. Other hunters had driven them down my way. Seven cows
passed all within 40 yards and than I saw a bull coming and he was really caring the mail. I didn't even
bother to look at his rack for I knew he was legal and I set my cross hairs of my 7mm WBY on him and
that’s all it wrote! From one kind of experience to another in 2 days. It’s surprising how many different
types of emotion us humans experience. I had been through a few in those two days. The rest of the
hunt was uneventful for all. I gathered that the old man upstairs rewarded me with an Elk to let me
know that it is "good" to be alive and not to take anything for granted!
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| Could Have Been My Last Hunting Trip |
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