For many years a group of 4 guys have been meeting in the Gallatin valley for elk camp. We’ve been joined at times by other friends who wanted to have the experience, but the core 4 were always there. A great group that meshed well and enjoyed each other’s company. Elk camp is always a lot of work, so when you have a group of guys that each pitch in and contribute it makes life easy. Someone always helping with horse chores, cooking, cleaning, building fires, keeping tired hunters motivated with evening stories of elk spotted and the many memories of past hunts.

Last year and this year I was very fortunate to have my two sons get to join us at elk camp. What a joy it is to share the knowledge of country and terrain that has taken many years to learn. Unfortunately two of our regulars were unable to attend this year. There was a noticeable void, but the boys were great at picking up the slack. We hunted hard and located elk every day, but we failed to find a shooter bull in the 8 day window we had this year. Still the experience of elk camp was a thrill. When we reported our lack of success to our missing partners in hopes of softening their sorrows of absence. Their response was heartfelt. They were missing roaming the Montana mountains on horseback, the great meals served up early each morning and late each night. They were missing sitting around each evening with a beverage discussing what was seen during the day and planning what to do tomorrow. They were missing the commradery and friendship that we shared during elk camp. Harvesting a bull elk is the icing on the cake, the real joy is just the experience. 

My two boys Cody and Steve

These two are sure great in elk camp

This is some beautiful country we get to see.

Tanner and I were up on top of Cinnamon mtn one day. It was cold and windy, but we managed a selfie

We are usually on the trail well before daylight and our rides back to the trailhead are always in the dark, so mid day breaks are relished.Build a fire, warm up yourself and your lunch, and maybe shut your eyes for a little while. All part of the experience!

Elk hunting requires a tremendous amount of patience and glassing. The boys were great at spotting elk.

Yep, I think the guys are right. The real thrill is the whole experience. Jeff and John – hope to see you in camp next year!

2019 will be remembered as one of the worst harvest years for a long time to come. Following a few nice days in the beginning of August the weather turned cold and wet and prevented harvest from taking place all over North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.  On our farm in ND we were lucky to get our barley acres off early in August, but struggled with wheat, edible beans, and soybeans. 

With all the air bins full of barley and no cooperation from the weather, we had to invest in and set up a new dryer system in order to make any progress with wheat harvest. We have been fortunate that since the major flooding of 2011, we have not needed the 8000 bushel bin dryer located on my uncles farm. When Devils Lake flood waters peaked in 2011, this dryer site was rendered unusable. Then with the water receding the past few years allowing access, vandals came in and stole the control panels and the fan for the dryer. 

Bagging grain at harvest is a relatively new concept.  We started bagging a few years ago out of necessity because we couldn’t transport grain loads in harvest and had to wait till the ground was frozen. This year we bagged a substantial amount of wet wheat. Theoretically the grain in these bags is in a anaerobic condition and will keep for a period of time until it can be dried to suitable moisture. 

We finally finished bean harvest in November, after many rainfall events and a major snowstorm. With just corn left and Steve and Kenton getting prepared for this, I took off for Montana to start working horses and getting them ready for a planned elk hunting trip.  Normally these guys would be in pretty good shape, but with this abnormally long difficult harvest it’s been 3 months since they have been worked significantly.

Connie joined me to help on one of the trips up Mcginnes creek. We only have 10 days to get these boys ready. Fortunately we live on a mountain so our horses are acclimated to all the wild smells and terrain, we just have to try to improve their legs. Obviously 10 days is not sufficient time for conditioning, but hopefully we will get them back into workable shape.

Red and I found a game trail heading up on a mountain ridge allowing us to ride up for a great vantage point.

Tanner and I took a route traversing a few mountain ridges and meeting up with the trail to standard peak. We covered a lot of beautiful country without seeing much game. Elk and deer hunting in this area seems very difficult. 

On the ridge below standard peak we heard voices coming down the trail, Tanner was on high alert.

Next week we head for the Gallatin!