This coming Sunday, September 19th, we head out to New Mexico to take on the mountains, not far from Pinon, NM to close in on a monster Bull Elk! This will be a hearty adventure for me to spot and stalk a mature Elk in this rugged, arid landscape. The last time I pursued Elk was back in 2013, when I was in northern British Columbia, while hunting for my Stone Sheep Ram. We got in close a few times, but it was too early in the season (1st week of September) and we couldn't get any Bulls to respond to our calls. Other than the Elk, there may only be two other species that are as exciting to be up close to when stalking ... the Turkey going nuts with their gobbling and the Red Stag roaring as load as it gets! I am focused heavily on this hunt not only to achieve a successful, ethical harvest of a mature Elk, but also with the plans of this hunt being Episode 8 this season on The Summit! The pressure is on and it will be action packed, for sure. I will be hunting with True Grit Outfitters. I booked with this outfitter through WTA in early July, when my plans to go to Russia this fall for a Western Tur fell through (due to restrictions at the time within Russia, not giving out any tourist visas due to COVID). This will be a very different hunt then pursuing a Tur in the western Caucasus Mountains, but all the while - a great adventure and I cannot wait. Stay tuned to what happens next week as this next hunt unfolds!

New gear for this trip:

Kenetrek Boots - Corrie Hikers (www.kenetrek.com)

G5 Broadheads - Striker X 4 blade Broadheads (www.g5outdoors.com)

Mathews Archery - V3 31" compound bow, 65lbs draw weight, 85% let-off (www.mathewsinc.com)

SITKA Gear - Mountain Optics Harness in Optifade Subalpine (www.sitkagear.com)

Easton Archery - FMJ 5mm 340 match grade arrows (www.eastonarchery.com)