2017 Elk Hunt a Snowy Bust

[IdahoNancy]

Every elk hunter likes a little snow. But 2 feet on the 1st day September 15th was a little much. It was 87 degrees on Wednesday and by Friday we were have a hard time moving in the snow. While driving to our elk spot in thick forest fire smoke there was a winter snow warning. The warning was for elevations 5,500 feet and above. We drove hard to get our wall tent set up before the snow came and we barely made it. Oddly there was a stage 1 fire restriction in effect with a strict expensive fine if you were caught with a chain saw or an open fire. We brought a wood stove and a propane heater for the wall tent. Needless to say most all the elk migrated down out of the mountains with in a short time of the deep snow falling. They were all down on the valley floors of private ranches where public hunting is not allowed. It was beautiful area but we did not get an elk. 
Logistics of archery hunting in 10 days of snow, sleet and rain was difficult but a good time was had by all. It was a lot of stress on the goats. I had a bag of orchard grass alfalfa mixed pellets,Show Goat feed, beet pulp, and BOSS with me. Usually I don't bring food for the goats but this was open range cattle land and with 2 feet of snow I was worried. We were going for 17 days. It turned out not to be a problem. The snow brought down many trees like aspen and alder that were in full leaf. The snow would almost melt between storms exposing good forage. About the time a 3rd snow storm was to come we left fearing if we didn't leave early we may not get out.
The Alpine Dodge is age 5, Blazer the young Oberhasli is 2, and Cruzer, the large Ober is 9.