The previous entry shows seven photos of great bulls and happy hunters, but doesn't come near to telling the story of how so many important factors came together to result in a great elk hunt.  With over twenty years as a professional Outfitters, i have spent lots of time on the mountainside and around elk camps.  This experience has taught me a lot about all the things that go into making a successful hunt.  In my book success is not simply measured by a bull being harvested-don't get me wrong, i think that taking a free ranging elk of any type is a great accomplishment-it has got to be one of the most prestigious trophies on our continent.  I believe i experienced success on a much greater level this past week, it occurred when i shared a camp with 8 hunters, four guides, a couple of on-lookers,and a camp chef.  In the world of guided elk hunts there are several factors that play in to the overall experience and result of the hunt, i saw first hand how a bunch of guys pulling the rope in the same direction made it all happen last week at sunny side.  Every camp has a certain amount of enthusiasm and optimism the night before the hunt-this group carried that great attitude throughout the hunt.  Each time a bull was brought into the camp every person in camp was quick to the meat pole to congratulate the hunter, hear the story and admire the bull.  Hunters were completely unselfish in where that hunted-who guided them and who would take the first shot.  Hunts that didn't produce elk were not followed by discouragement, instead anticipation to where the next hunt would take them.  Guides shared with each other what they were seeing, where and offered peers advice on how to get the hunters in front of game.  The chef continued to produce one great meal after another, helping where ever he could and kept everyone fat and happy.  The group dealt with hot days, snowy days, sore legs, and thin air.  Times between the hunts during the day and around the camp fire at night provided us all a chance to learn more about each other, our families, lives and pursuits.  Everyone took some sort of friendly ribbing-whether it be about their sports team, hometown or camo pattern.  Those who filled tags early in the hunt took joined up with those that hadn't in an effort to experience more elk hunting.  It was cool to see the staff of guides and hunters all work together to make the hunt a success, each appreciating what the other was all about.  One of the hunters had to leave early to deal with the loss of a family member, he would be the only one to not fill a tag.  I think we all realized that hunting is surely a little different to each of us in our own personal way, but no doubt involves much more than taking an animal.  I hope that when the hunters look at their elk racks on the wall several years from now, they will remember this hunt, the effort, the luck the friends and the special experience that only an elk camp can create.  My hat is off to all the guides and hunters that worked so well together, it was a great team effort-thanks to all for such a special week.