Hardware Ranch

[derekp1999]

Took the Boy Scouts up to Hardware Ranch this morning. There are approximately 500 head on the Ranch now, so there was lots to look at.

I figured it would be an interesting experience for them to get away from the PS3, Wii, or computer screen and see some wildlife. This was the first time that any of them had even seen an elk (what are kids doing these days??? ).

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We got up there about 30 minutes before they opened so we got out the scopes in the parking lot and let the boys look through them. Right or left? I'd take the one on the left, I love that forward curve of his 4th's and he had the best 3rd's on the Ranch.

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There are quite a few bulls, I've typically seen about 250 head up there with three or four mature bulls, but there are about 8 mature bulls there now. Quite a few bulls also had broken points or other "junk" in their antlers. This little guy tangled with an electric fence & had it wrapped around one side. It bothered him as he ate, the blue stake kept getting in the way so I'd figure that he can't wait for them to drop and be free of that mess.

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This was probably the biggest bull on the Ranch. He had this really cool curve on his main beam after the fourth point and a broken fifth on the same side.

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However, the opposite main beam had taken a bullet and broken off. I could see the bullet hole, but couldn't get a good clear picture of it. If he had a complete antler set he would have been impressive for sure.

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There were some decent bulls up there, but rumor as it that the real big boys of the Cache units don't come into the Ranch, they stay higher away from the people (and camera lenses).

[ABert]

That is great of you to take the kids up there! Hopefully, they appreciate what you did.

[BIG R]

+1

[sneekeepete]

Way to get the boys out doing boy things!!! Cool pics thanks for sharing.

[MuleyMadness]

I figured it would be an interesting experience for them to get away from the PS3, Wii, or computer screen and see some wildlife.

+ 1000 NICE WORK!