The Longbow crew headed west to the beautiful mountains of Angel Fire, New Mexico, for six days of hunting mule deer, elk, and mountain lion alongside a soon to be retired Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Special Forces. We quickly learned that this veteran had a passion for the outdoors and a dream of becoming a hunting guide in his next chapter of life, making this trip an especially meaningful experience. We were fortunate to stay at a private mountain lodge, complete with home-cooked meals and an incredibly talented local guide. Our first day was spent settling in, sighting in rifles, getting to know one another, and preparing for the early mornings ahead. Day two began well before sunrise as we climbed into the mountains to glass for an elk herd our guide had spotted days earlier. Although the elk were nowhere to be found, we came across some promising mule deer. The next day brought more sightings and a couple of impressive bucks that caught our attention, but daylight ran out before we could get a clean shot. On the morning of day four, persistence finally paid off when we successfully harvested a mule deer at daybreak. With some success under our belts, we turned our attention back to elk that afternoon and spotted a massive herd with two incredible blonde bulls. The excitement was high, and we had a plan to find them the following morning.
As anyone who has spent time hunting knows, the mountains rarely cooperate with your plans. Day five started with high hopes but no sign of the herd. Just as the sun began to set, we finally spotted them again, leaving us scrambling down the mountain and planning our approach for the final morning. On day six, we headed out on foot into the timber, hoping to intercept the herd for what would have been an unforgettable close-range encounter. By midday, however, the elk had once again outsmarted us. With one afternoon remaining, we changed our strategy and gained access to another property for one last opportunity. As the sun disappeared behind the mountains, we spotted elk in the distance beneath a spectacular rising supermoon. Unfortunately, they never came within shooting distance and it was too dark to make a move. Our elk hunt ended without a shot. Despite the elusive elk, the trip was filled with incredible scenery, plenty of laughs, good food, and conversations that stretched well beyond hunting. Between long hours glassing mountainsides, sharing stories around the dinner table, and learning more about our veteran’s aspirations to become a guide, we developed a genuine friendship and a deeper understanding of what he wanted his next chapter to look like. We left New Mexico with two mule deer, some unforgettable memories, and a relationship that would last long after the hunt. The elk may have won this round, but that’s hunting—and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
