Because we are an aging population, I’ll assume that many column readers are getting on in years. If this assumption is correct, today’s column should be relevant to a fair number of readers.

I have accumulated 17 preference points for a Black Hills “any elk” license. Even with these points, the odds of my drawing an “any elk” tag are slim. I am not as strong or nimble as I once was, and I find myself wondering about handling the rigors of an elk hunt at my age. I sent an email to our SD Game, Fish, & Parks Department (wildinfo@state.sd.us) and asked them for some advice. My question was, Should I continue to apply for the “any elk” tag at my age, or should I apply for a cow elk tag that I should be able to draw right now with 17 preference points.

I received a reply from LouAnn Miller of Game, Fish, & Parks. Her advice? Apply for the cow elk tag. At least for the moment, I believe that I’ll probably follow LouAnn’s advice and go for the cow tag. I need to remember to apply between April 24th and May 22nd. I say probably because I have another consideration. I have been applying in past years with my partner, Doug Koupal, who also has the 17 preference points. If Doug says to try it for one more year, I’ll go along with him on this. Today’s column amounts to this: As we grow older, we need to know when to say when.

There’s a lot to consider with the hunt itself. My first “Hills” elk hunt was a 1987 affair in Custer State Park. We were cautioned in a mandatory pre-hunt meeting that with the warm temperatures, we had about three hours to get the elk in a cooler before spoilage began. When I was on top of the mountain that first day, it occurred to me that it would take me at least two hours to get back to my pickup after field-dressing my elk. I moved down the mountain right now! In those days, SDGF&P assisted in getting your elk out, but you first had to find them.

My second “Hills” adventure was once again a Custer State Park hunt in 2007. By then SDGF&P no longer assisted with elk removal. Before going on that hunt, I lined up a business that specialized in loading up the elk and getting it skinned, quartered, and cooled. Even with that help, I had to hustle in field-dressing my elk and going after help. Unfortunately, there’s not much hustle left in my aging body today, so some planning ahead will again be absolutely necessary.

I was justifiably proud of both Betsy, who accompanied me, and myself on that 2007 hunt. At the mandatory pre-hunt meeting, it looked like I was the oldest hunter there. Success on that hunt ran around one in three, and our success amounted to dogged determination in spite of age.

On both of the CSP hunts, as well as an unguided hunt in New Mexico, I carried nylon rope so I could “spread eagle” my elk with trees and rocks in order to field-dress it. I also carried a roll of plastic hunter orange tape so I could leave a trail to my downed elk. At the pre-hunt meeting, we were warned that a dead elk can be harder to find than a live elk.

With any elk hunt, temperature is a key consideration. If the temp is forty degrees or below, there’s far less tension as far as meat spoilage is concerned. With our early September 2018 Wyoming elk hunt, I was worried about temperature above all else. As it turned out, our guide had it well under control.

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I am looking forward to the Mitchell Gun Show this coming Saturday and Sunday. My tables will include outstanding Winchester rifles and a vintage Colt pistol. My complete half dollar collection (1916-1970) will also be offered as well as a 1927 American Flyer train. I have the Masai lion spear and bow and arrows brought back to Mitchell in 1955 by Dr. Bill Delaney. It’s time for me to pass them on to a new steward. They’d look great in someone’s Africa room. I’ll also be trying to sell some of my books. If nothing else, stop by for some conversation.

See you next week.