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History

19 years ago when I was 49 (yes I’m 68 now), I learned about the idea of building points for the possibility of future hunts. Not really understanding it, I went ahead jumped into the “points” game. Being from Ohio, Utah was just one of several states that I targeted for my future hunting hopes and dreams. After all, I was still “young” and had the time and health, right? Had I known then what I do now, I would have drawn out on a sure unit much earlier rather than waiting because point creep just kept pushing the years out further and further. Even with the same points as me (18), there were others that still got the dreaded “unsuccessful” email. But this year it would finally be my turn to get the one and only non-resident archery Mature Bull tag awarded to the highest point holders in the Book Cliffs. Although I was elated to finally get the chance, so much had changed in my life that complicated an otherwise ecstatic moment in time.

I realize that most humans have physical issues of some sort and I am no different. Just a few years after I began playing the point game, I started with some symptoms that gradually worsened. Tests revealed that I had an auto-immune disease called Sarcoidosis which is basically that your body over-reacts to inflammation and forms “granulomas” (basically like gritty sand-like lesions) that generally attack and reside in the lungs among other places. For some it’s an inconvenience, for others it’s deadly. Mine is somewhere in between. I’ve found that even with doing my best to stay in shape, breathing under stresses can sometimes be a challenge. It comes and goes, but can make a flatlander have significant issues at elevation and under hard work. I’ve even had surgery to clean up the tumor-like lesions. But I digress.

During the point waiting game I also found out that I had thyroid cancer, which also required removal.

In the hospital for a diverticulitis attack, it was discovered that my glucose readings were high and needed further attention. Even though I was not the normal profile, it was determined a few weeks later that I was indeed a significant Type 2 diabetic. This presented me plenty of challenges over the next 13 years as they tried many different things to control it, without success. In fact, a year ago I had lost so much weight that I was back to my junior high school weight in the 140s instead of my usual 180s. I felt so sick, and further testing revealed that I had in fact been misdiagnosed and was indeed a Type 1 insulin dependent diabetic. This would be a new journey and trying to balance out my blood sugar and insulin needs was (and still is) very challenging. Requiring insulin to live, even a bit too much when being active can have deadly results. Add that to the mix on this remote, likely once in a lifetime hunt.

19 years. Things had changed a LOT during those years in every way. I wasn’t the same healthy man, and the Book Cliffs weren’t quite the same either. Basically unfettered spike tags had taken a toll on over-all quality in the unit and the average scores had slipped. Still, my goal of a 320+ archery shot opportunity should at least have a chance. Tag in hand and being one that doesn’t mind research, my due diligence uncovered the “right” guy to give this aging flatlander the best odds. It was Clay McKeachnie from Book Cliffs Hunting, whose family has owned a ranch deep in the Book Cliffs since 1977. A real “value” by today’s standards, I was all booked and set to arrive on Sept 12 and hunt through the end of the archery season. His young, energetic son-in-law Jake would be my guide.

The plane landed in Grand Junction at 1:00pm, and after stopping for a few supplies I was in my rental and finally on my way. After a long, grueling travel day and rough ride into camp, as I got out of the SUV about 6:00pm and Clay met me asking if I was up to going straight out to see if I could get on a good bull they had been seeing lately a few draws over. Even though I was battling high glucose readings nearing 300 and wasn’t feeling well, I said “that’s why I’m here so let’s just do it”. A quick change of clothes and a few shots to check the bow, we were off.

We quickly found blood after 15 yards or so, about 4 drops each the size of a nickel. Then for the next 20-30 yds no more blood on the ground, but only 4-5” smears were on the weeds. After that we could not find another drop or smear anywhere. Elk sign everywhere so tracking was going to be difficult. About then Clay arrived to help look with us and we decided to spread out and pattern to locate more sign as daylight shed a bit more light on things. I have to admit that right about then my heart was sinking, and my worst fears of a bad hit seemed to be more of a possibility. Quite a sick feeling actually.

My emotions were high, and I was filled with gratitude for the gift from above, and in disbelief that it happened so quickly. My hunt wasn’t even scheduled to begin yet when I made the shot! My only regret was that it didn’t take a bit longer….I love the hunt itself and missed out on enough of that. Maybe God knew that the hunt would have been a bit too much for me in my present health circumstances and had mercy on me. Anyway….I’m not gonna complain!

Not so strangely, I was feeling a bit better by now too. Amazing what a bit of joy can do.

19 hours from when it all began, it was all over. Seems odd considering that it took 19 years to draw the tag. A paradox…..19 years in 19 hours. I was one happy guy.

Nicely done Steve, Book Cliffs were very good to you :^D

A story presented from the heart and written from the soul.

Not a cookie cutter hunting story. Very well presented. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on an Awesome trophy !!

Great write up and story!!!

The Books are an amazing place for sure...especially during the elk rut! Drew my bull elk tag there back in 2010...and even though my best bull did not come from Utah, the Books BY FAR has been the BEST elk hunt of my lifetime to date. Really glad you got to experience the adventure...and tag an impressive bull with your bow!

PS, Move from Ohio to Colorado in 1991 and never looked back.

Ya done good----->

Robb