01 October 2010
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Published on October 1st, 2010 @ 09:49:05 pm, using 51 words, 1109 views
We’ve created a new blog here at Dome Mountain Ranch. Here is the link. You can also signup to have the new Elk Hunting Journal delivered right to your inbox.
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This will be the last post on this blog.
Thanks everyone!
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25 September 2010
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Published on September 25th, 2010 @ 09:57:09 pm, using 604 words, 2182 views
A Week Hunting North America’s Wildest Elk-Guaranteed!
Montana Bow Hunters heading into the high country of Dome Mountain.
The image of “the hunter” by some is unfortunately tainted through misrepresentation of the few. It’s the classic “one bad apple” label. Therefore, I can’t say enough how honored I was this past week to share our camp with the best of the apples…or better said-"Fair Chase Elk Hunters".
While many who view our world through the computer screen look for photos of the end results, we don’t have many to share this week, only the memories of the hunt itself. No one asked to change the rules, to make it easier. I believe all in camp soon realized that there’s just more to it that no photo will do justice. It’s about getting out there and stopping the noise, clearing the mechanisms. It’s you and the mountain. That’s it.
Were there opportunities? Hearing and seeing many elk each and every day of your hunt, that’s got to count for something, especially when none of the sightings were from the comforts of our modern world. Not taking a questionable shot and placing too much faith in luck-that’s what it’s about. Ever wonder what it feels like to be at full draw with a 1,000 pound wild animal spitting distance away…call me, I’ll pass on some fresh references. So, what does that make our “success rate". I’d say almost perfect, but there’s always something to learn.
“Like a page pulled from the centerfold of Elk Country Magazine”
Fact is, elk hunting isn’t easy. It has no “pause, re-set, refund, rewind, or slow settings, and it shouldn’t. Guys like me won’t let it happen. Days are long, 4 a.m. comes early, dinner was around 10 pm on early nights and in between that was a whole lot of wild country, steep mountains, North America’s Wildest elk, and yes, pain. There’s no “muligans". It hurts. If it doesn’t, then you’re not hunting-end of story.
After a week like this I can’t help but feel really good. Based on client comments, when an Outfitter hears, “I’ll be back", that tells me they get it and that we did our job. Are there ways to make it “easier"…maybe, but you’ll need to spend a lot of time arguing that one with me. What I’ve learned is, once we start making it easy, we might think it’s okay to change the rules a bit. Not the laws, but the rules, the things you won’t see in the fine print in most hunting regs. These are things called “Ethics". These are the rules that I personally try to live by, try to pass on. The ones that make a man feel good for climbing those hills.
I’ve always tried to surround myself with positive people. Five minutes in the same room with any real fair chase elk hunter is just about all I need compared to what I see on tv. Times are tough. I’ve been hearing that a lot. The world needs a hero. After this week, I’ve already got several to pick from. It was a pleasure being around men who’ve earned it, who know it shouldn’t come easy. There weren’t any whiners. I like it that way. The hero? I’d say I met 4 of em, they just have too much class, integrity and character to realize that they all fit the mold. I say look in the mirror fellas.
Until next time, thanks for reading. As always, your comments are welcome and appreciated. There’s still some good spots for 2011. See You on the Mountain!
Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843
11 September 2010
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Published on September 11th, 2010 @ 11:50:38 am, using 425 words, 983 views
We hunt the “wildest Elk in North America” here at Dome Mountain Ranch. The Northern Yellowstone Herd has now survived through a few generations of Wolf reintroductions. Although you can’t eat the horns, according to Boone and Crocket Club, the top 7 bulls came from Park County. I’m a strong supporter of Boone and Crocket and appreciate their promotion of fair chase hunting, hunter ethics and educational programs.
FAIR CHASE STATEMENT
FAIR CHASE, as defined by the Boone and Crockett Club, is the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild, native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.
HUNTER ETHICS
Fundamental to all hunting is the concept of conservation of natural resources. Hunting in today’s world involves the regulated harvest of individual animals in a manner that conserves, protects, and perpetuates the hunted population. The hunter engages in a one-to-one relationship with the quarry and his or her hunting should be guided by a hierarchy of ethics related to hunting, which includes the following tenets:
1. Obey all applicable laws and regulations.
2. Respect the customs of the locale where the hunting occurs.
3. Exercise a personal code of behavior that reflects favorably on your abilities and sensibilities as a hunter.
4. Attain and maintain the skills necessary to make the kill as certain and quick as possible.
5. Behave in a way that will bring no dishonor to either the hunter, the hunted, or the environment.
6. Recognize that these tenets are intended to enhance the hunter’s experience of the relationship between predator and prey, which is one of the most fundamental relationships of humans and their environment.
Since the year 2000, Park County Montana holds the most record elk.
It’s archery season now, yet the summer of incredible fishing is still hanging on. Some snow blankets the hills at around 7,000 feet. Most of the crowds from Yellowstone have dispersed, things are slowing down. It’s a great time to be here. I’m looking forward to getting into the hills. That sweet music is starting to turn my attention from the river to the ridges.
The high country habitat is lush. Springs that might have been dried up in the draught years are now flowing strong. Elk habits will be unpredictable. Hunting them will be a challenging learning experience as always. The mountains will be steep, the valleys dark. Things will be wild, just like they should be. It’s going to be a great season.
See You on the Mountain
Jim “JB” Klyap, Outfitter #7843
800-313-4868
25 July 2010
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Published on July 25th, 2010 @ 08:47:51 pm, using 601 words, 1046 views
Greetings All! Thanks for all the calls fellas…and ladies, I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know everyone better and I can sense the excitement in all your voices. As always, it’s great to hear from all our past clients as well! Our time on the mountain will come sooner than you think! While it’s “only summer” and hunting season seems a ways off, hopefully everyone has been preparing both mentally and physically. I’m going to do my best to begin devoting some time here to help answer some of your questions and better enhance our hunter-preparation programs.
There’s been a lot of good questions thrown my way from gear, boots, broadheads and more. I’m glad to hear everyone has been out shooting and putting themselves in realistic hunting situations. This is probably the one area of preparation most of us don’t spend enough time in. While I know we all don’t live out in the country and it’s a task to head out to the range, you’d be surprized what you can accomplish in tuning your instincts to get your mind where it needs to be long before you step foot here in our wild country.
If you’ve already gone through your gear 5 times, chances are you’ve got what you need. Now is the time to start making sure everything you have works and will be an asset to your hunt and not a hinderance. If you plan to use a range finder, practice with it on every shot. Just like a basketball player has a routine at the foul line, a hunter has to develop the same smooth actions. I’d like to caution everyone, there’s become a whole lot of gimmicks and junk out there that will serve more as a distraction to the hunt and the hunter. Don’t buy into any of them, put your time and money where it counts-into yourself.
I’ve not watched many outdoor shows lately. That’s not to say that something can’t be learned from them, but while your watching the show, you might want to be doing up downs, jogging in place or heck, set up a little target range in your living room with a little air gun. Anything you can do to take a few steps closer to getting in the groove will help.
As we age, it takes a great deal longer to get in shape. Your lungs and your legs will either hurt you or help you. Elk hunting is one of those things that is nothing typical, no day is typical, no situation, no moment. Resourcefulness in the field, see it before you do it. Visualize your actions just as you see the well rehearsed scenes on the Outdoor Channel. Remember, there’s no “b-roll", there’s no “pause” in elk country.
Keep the calls coming and keep preparing. I saw 53 cows and 33 calves yesterday. If our elk have learned to survive new predators, you can bet that us two-leggers have our work cut out for us. As I say every week in elk camp-"This is going to hurt a bit".
Check back here often and please share your comments. We work as a team at Dome Mountain with well-thought out plans. This has been one of the many keys to our success. Your comments and past experiences will serve as incredible wisdom for those who are new to this adventure! I’ll be looking forward to it. Take a minute and add this blog to your “Favorites"…yup, up there in the top left…just click on it…you can do it…
See You On the Mountain!
JB Klyap, Outfitter #7843
09 May 2010
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Published on May 9th, 2010 @ 08:53:14 am, using 214 words, 1290 views
A state senator who also happens to be a cattle rancher recently suggested the bright idea that the Department of Livestock should begin managing elk as a way to curb the spread of Brucellosis. A disease which has become the poster child for rich cattle ranchers to continue taking over Montana’s wild country.
Most people take their pets to get shot for rabbies since we were smart enough to realize that vaccinating wild animals was a pretty silly idea. Most folks would agree that there’s a better way, especially since the DOL has written the book on mismanagement of Bison, wasted millions of tax dollars and continues to rob Montana of an indigenous species. I guess our tourists and backcountry users must like seeing cattle tromping through the high country, ravaging riparian areas and having more rights than most public users.
I just can’t seem to find any common sense in continuing with a program that doesn’t work then deciding that it’s better to beat two dead horses. Please visit this link at the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, vote NO to this stupid idea and let those in charge know how you feel.
http://bozemandailychronicle.com/news/article_f9a35932-57da-11df-a9f1-001cc4c002e0.html
Thanks for Reading!
Jim Klyap, Outfitter #7843
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