It’s not the answer that enlightens, but the question – Eugene Lonesco
Staring into darkness I heard the first bugle. My watch read 2:30 am. “Would I hear another?” Moments later the bull elk let out another banshee like scream letting the world know that it was his meadow. He was getting closer, probably only a couple hundred yards from camp. I lay silently in my sleeping bag smiling. Hearing elk is a highlight of any trip to the mountains, however on this trip my prey was mule deer. One more bugle broke the silence as I drifted back to sleep thinking “Would opening day bring success?”
Questions are a powerful tool. We live in a society where the majority of the population is eager to tell you what they think, push their agenda, and prove that they know something about nothing. I have found that asking questions can be a better way of communicating than spewing every thought that crosses my mind. A good question is the start to solving any problem, starting an intriguing conversation, or trying to figure out where you stack up in Mother Nature’s hierarchy. Six days of hunting mule deer in the majestic mountains of Colorado were in front of me. More time would be spent pondering questions than providing answers.
Arriving the day before the season opened gave Tyler and me enough time to setup camp and catch three trout for dinner. Action was hot as Tyler caught two right off the bat. “What are you using?” I inquired. On the surface this seems like a simple question, however it is one you should ask often (only slightly modified). Study successful people in your area of interest whether it is business, hunting, fishing, or family. Ask yourself “what are they doing to be successful?” Then do those things better.
Eventually, Tyler let me use his Zebco to catch a trout. It was a simple setup, but the same lure caught fish every time we went out. “Were all the lures I bought back in town necessary?” Probably not. I’m like a lot of other people that occasionally get caught up in having “stuff.” Ask the simple question “what is meaningful in life?” That question should be your focus instead of falling victim to consumerism and chasing down immaterial items that will not bring you true happiness.
Opening morning proved unsuccessful. Pulling into camp, we noticed a new neighbor setting up next to us. My initial reaction was a sarcastic…great another hunter. The feeling was based on the assumption they were hunting mule deer and would cause additional pressure in the area.
Eventually, the new strangers wandered over and inquired “Whatcha hunting?” It turns out Mike (who we nicknamed Meathunter Mike) and his wife Debbie were looking for moose. Debbie had a cow moose tag and exactly 10 years ago Mike had shot a moose in the very meadow next to our campsite. They were meat hunters and Mike had shot deer during archery season and aged it 20+ days in a refrigerator. Allegedly, some of the best meat he ever had. Turns out Mike and Debbie were great camp neighbors and allies (they gave us a hot tip on some bucks they saw). Point is: Don’t make assumptions, ask questions before jumping to conclusions.
We continued to hunt and see deer, even several bucks. However, nothing we wanted to shoot. Arriving in camp late one night we noticed that Meathunter Mike and Debbie were not back. “Did they get one?” I pondered. Tyler would find the answer to that question the next morning when he was presented with a tougher question from Meathunter Mike: “will you help me pack this moose out?” Less than half a mile bridged the gap between the fallen game and the road. However, packing several 100 pounds of meat is a daunting task, especially if you are in your 60’s like Mike and Debbie. Tyler agreed to help with one quarter. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when faced with a difficult situation.
Later that day Tyler and I helped Meathunter Mike hang the moose quarters from a meat pole. After which he offered us a beer. We stood around discussing the various bucks we had seen, but had decided to pass on. In true mountain wit, Mike commented, “Never pass up an animal that you’d be happy with on the last day.” The eloquent prose would stick in the back of my mind for the remainder of the hunt.
When Chuck and Larry rolled up Tyler looked at me and rhetorically asked “What do these guys want?” The beat up Ford had seen many mountain road miles and the occupants were a couple of Colorado locals. We were just putting on our packs to go check out a new hunting area and weren’t in the mood for casual conversation. “How’s it going?” would be the only three words Tyler and I could get in during the next 5 minutes of conversation. The dynamic duo was eager to tell us everything they had bouncing around in their head including:
• They had seen 52 does that day
• A few years ago Chuck had the state record archery buck within 30 yards but couldn’t get his bow drawn
• Some guy in the maroon truck had shot a 23 pointer in the area we were hunting a couple years back
• Larry isn’t picky on bucks because he has a 6 by 6 hanging on his chicken coop at home
The one sided conversation cracked me up and we bid farewell to these colorful characters. We left them with the location of a 4x3 muley we had seen earlier in the day. They were appreciative of the lead as they pulled away. Sometimes a simple question will result in more information than you bargained for.
Wednesday was the midpoint of our six-day hunt. We saw deer every day, but only young bucks. Antler sightings were slowing down due to the increased pressure and the question lingered: “Should I continue to hold out for a joker mule deer, or harvest a smaller buck if the opportunity was presented?”
I hiked up to a new spot I found on a map. The small clear cut was surrounded by timber. My theory was a mule deer might come out to feed during the last hour of shooting light. If a buck did show up I would have a shot under 300 yards. My perch also created a vantage point for two other clear cuts. I might have an opportunity to move in for a kill, if I glassed up muley up in one of these areas. Time passed as the cool mountain breeze hit my face. Movement in the far off trees caught my attention. Staring through the binoculars revealed a buck working my way. I knew he wasn’t huge, but I could tell he was a 4x4. The words of Meathunter Mike “Never pass on a deer you’d be happy with on the last day” raced through my mind. In 30 minutes, my six day hunt would be half over. I raised my rifle, steadied it on my shooting stick and asked myself “would I be happy with this buck?” The roar from my .300 Winmag answered that question as I watched the buck fold in his tracks.
I walked up to the buck and felt my phone vibrate, which was odd because we had spotty cell service. Tyler’s text simply read “Did you shoot?” To which I replied “Yah, dumped a small 4x4.” Which was followed by the customary “fuck yah.” When facing difficult decision (whether it is shooting a smaller buck or other life problems) get outside. Whether it is hunting on a mountain, walking around the block, or sitting in the park…go outside. As the outdoors calms you ask yourself about your tough decision “If I do (fill in the blank) will I be happy.” If the answer is yes, then do it.
With the last bit of light quickly turning into darkness I got to work quartering my deer. Tyler showed up after dark as I wrapped up the butchering process. With our packs loaded we headed to the truck. Camp morale was high as we feasted on fresh venison into the night.
Tyler decided to hunt his way back to camp the next morning. I brewed coffee over the camp fire for the first time in five days. There was no cell service, internet, Instagram, ect where we camped. I did get text messages when I was up on the mountain, but I used those opportunities to text Stephanie that I loved her. As I waited for the brew to boil I thought about being disconnected from the world. I asked myself “Would the world go on if I was gone?” The answer to that questions is yes. This is a humbling fact, but the truth for all of us. The quicker you acknowledge this, detach from the bad, and focus on the good, The better off you will be.
After the morning hunt proved unsuccessful, we decided to try a new spot in the afternoon. We glassed for hours without a deer in sight. Two days remained for Tyler to fill his tag.
Feeling confident in the spot we hunted that evening we decided to go back in the morning. Glass at first light, and then work the edge of the clear cut slowly. After 45 minutes, we started to move slowly in the shadows. Tyler stopped abruptly, rubber necked, and braced his rifle on a tree. I didn’t move a muscle. The shot rang out and I heard a thwaap. Buck down.
That night we celebrated around the fire. “Was our hunt a success?” That is one question I know the answer to. Yes. Watch the Video Here.
How Does This Apply to Business
Questions are a valuable tool. They can help you solve problems, clarify your thinking, reveal new information, and challenge the status quo. The next time you don’t know what to do…ask a question. I am confident you will be happy with the results.
Until next time remember…you are going to have to earn it.