November 5th through the 15th of 1998 we spent in Eastern Oregon seeking what some call Wapiti (A large North American deer.) or Rocky Mountain Elk. For additional information you might enjoy-- http://www.jacksonholenet.com/jh/wildlife/elk.htm.

This year we parked the trailer in the Heppner RV Park as it had electrical, water, sewer and cable hookups. Heppner is a small ranch town filled with lots of early pioneer history and wonderful people with a current population of about 1400 residents. In the past we've roughed it setting up camp at Penland Lake, located centrally between Heppner and Ukia, but one of our party has had heart difficulties and we thought it best to stay in town close to medical attention should something happen. We gave up our evening fireside tall tale telling times for dinner at the Elks.

 Each day we'd begin our adventures at 4:30 a.m. and arrive at our hunting destination by 7:30 a.m. We'd hunt until noon and then begin our trek back to the landcruiser eagerly looking forward to the 40 mile return trip back in Heppner. On several days we arrived home in time to do some pheasant hunting along Willow Creek and around the Willow Creek dam.

At this time of the year it's dark by 4:30 p.m. and the likelihood of seeing elk with flashlights is highly unlikely. Throughout our excursion Ray and I were fortunate in that we saw cow elk although neither of us were able to fill our tags, as the elusive spike was nowhere to be seen. Actually, Ray did see a spike elk but was unable to take a shot in the dense forest. These beautiful animals have a keen sense of smell and pin drop hearing. Their eyesight may be off a little and some might think we have the advantage. Not true. As we clumsy humans tramp around in snow up to your knees these elk have already moved out of eyesight. Harvesting an elk might be summed up in a single word--luck. One needs to be in the right place at the right time.

If you're interested in learning more about elk click on http://www.rmef.org

Memory is what it's going to take now. This hunting experience happened last year, which seems like only yesterday. Where did we go? Aha yes--Ochoco Mountain area--the mid eastern part of Oregon.

We met old friends in Prineville, Oregon and then left for someone's horse camp on the other side of Les Schwabs ranch in the Ochoco's meeting some new friends--Dean, Jacob, James, Dean's dad, and his grandmother. Nan and Verle along with Ray and Virginia made up our team. Dean and James succeeded and the rest of us came back with memories.

I did experience getting lost, for the first time, in this new hunting area. Dean and Ray found me in the early evening wandering about. Actually, I found a logging road in a clear cut and saw them coming for me. Another successful man hunt bringing the lost and weary hunter home.

Went to Heppner again. Saw a spike the first morning, second morning saw the same spike and the rifle was so cold the firing pin didn't hit the cartridge hard enough to do anything. Saw quite a few cow elk the rest of the season but nothing to shoot at. Verle and Nancy had two opportunities, both times Verle's ammunition turned out to be duds. Ray didn't see anything.

Second season, saw nothing. Stayed at Penland Lake. Saw one cow coming down Coalmine Road. Nan, Verle.

Cow tag. Verle, Ray and myself. Successful

To Penland Lake with Larry, Linda, Verle, Fay, Michael, wife, and nerd. No elk