Speaking of trophies, look at that sunset!
How’s that for something to hang on your heart? A trophy image from an unforgettable Black Hills elk hunt.
By KW
Twenty six days, and he never got the big one.
Twice, Dick Brown saw the monster bull he was after. Twice, the shot of a lifetime wasn’t quite there.
So the former state legislator and GF&P Commissioner ended up taking a smaller bull for the freezer, and a trophy collection of thoughts and images and lung-testing hikes that will live forever in the warm world of recollection.
“Most of my hunting was alone,” Brown says. “Up at 4:30 and back at 8 that night. Seemed a little like the movie ‘Groundhog Day.”
Except that each day was bull elk day. And Brown hunted through the bizarre variety of weather that hammered the hills through the elk season. He made the most of his long-awaited - nine years of drawings - any-elk permit for Black Hills Unit 2.
“In the end, I did not shoot the big one, but had that special experience of being in the woods and mountains of South Dakota on a quest so many seek,” Brown says.
And the monster bull?
“He is still out there for somone else to chase in their dreams and, hopefully, for another sportsman to have the chance to pursue,” Brown says.
Sounds like a trophy hunt to me. And a trophy hunter.
A trophy of a flat, four miles up a Forest Service road.
A trophy of a snowfall.
And to top if off, Lincoln Ellsworth Brown checks out grandpa’s bull.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Now that’s a nice fis…..er…elk!
Yeah, I’ve often wonder how many others just look around them and wonder like me, what the poor folk are doing who don’t get to see the beauty of this country like I do. If any one cars to see some of the breaks while we were gathering yearling’s the other day, check out my blog at http://www.dennisranch.wordpress.com.
Pretty country but we sure got some sweaty horses while doing our work.
rdennis: Beautiful country. But you didn’t tell us that Wilford Brimley was along on the ride…K.W.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Huh, guess I didn’t know he was! Dang it, I always miss out on all the celebrities!
I guess it was that mustache that fooled me….K.W.
November 8th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Grandpa’s bull looks braggin’ size to me and seems worthy of grandson’s admiration. Lots of work now to care for such a big critter. With proper care & preparation, elk steaks, chops, backstrap, etc. are legendary for flavor! Ground elk is great for a lot more than just elk burgers. Many versions of stir fry, roasts, meat loaf, spaghetti, stew, sausage, etc. are topnotch! Lip smackin’ good. No cold track soup or mystery meat stew this year!
November 10th, 2009 at 10:07 am
It seems like that nice bull might have a shot at the record books. I don’t ever recall ever seeing one growing a shovel handle before.
I like your site rdennis. Envious of you too!
November 10th, 2009 at 11:24 am
This is a pretty good story and I’m plumb tickled for Dick! Sounds like he got out there, persistently, tramped, walked, climbed, and trotted the timber in earnest, sweated up a storm, worried elk movements to death and generally conducted a fair chase pursuit of the critters that any of our conservation ancestors would be proud of. Like Jeff O, former Commissioner Brown seems to have more than a fundamental appreciation and respect for the Black Hills and it’s wildlife. He earned and is much deserving of the trophy. And Bear Paw is spot on too for that matter. I’m just waiting for an invitation for grilled elk steaks.
But……………I have to wonder just how the whole elk wound up in the back of Dicks truck? Tradition would seem to suggest that an animal of that size be quartered or even boned out and packed out on horse or ones back. OK OK………. I’ll admit that if Dick had a mind to do that, he’d probably do it………………. Particularly after supporting significant improvements in “travel management” and road closures in the Black Hills that would benefit wildlife and the economy!
November 10th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Well shoot Norm, thank you and come visit. We are pretty easy to find.
Of course, do realize I don’t live down in those breaks. I just get to go ride around in them several times a year.
Where I live it is just boring ol’ rolling hills and lots and lots of grass.
And I got to agree with John. Looks like a trophy anyone would be proud of and a hunt the same!