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I want to take a few minutes to tell you about our 2012 hunting experience at Broadmouth's Idaho Ranch Spike Camp.

I booked an Elk hunt with Rulon Jones as a High School Graduation present for my son (Jay). I was very nervous about a high fence hunt and not sure if it would pose the actual challenge that makes an Elk hunt so special.

When we arrived, I was contacted by a guide that would pick us up from the hotel named “Tracker”. From the moment he picked us up until we arrived at camp, he was gathering information about us and telling us about our up coming experience. When we arrived at the spike camp, we were greeted and introduced to the staff. That evening Tom sat all the hunters down and explained the rules of camp and what the hunters could expect from the guides and the hunt. It was at this moment that all my expectations had been exceeded. As a football player and now a coach, I know that a good pre-game speech can be a game changer. There was no doubt in my mind that this was going to be a hunt of a life time for Jay.

As fate would have it, Jay and I got paired up with Tracker and we struck out the first morning on horse back gazing at the sun rise over the Tetons and seen about 14 bulls by noon. Tracker was one of the best guides that I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. He took time to make sure he knew exactly what type of bull Jay wanted and made him look at probably 30 different bulls to make sure he was the one. By doing this, it really made a difference in his ability to stay calm when the moment came.

People may have different opinions about a high fence hunt but, I can personally tell you that I’ve been on several back country pack in Elk hunts and this hunt had every feel of that same hunt. As just a film/camera taker on this trip, I personally had the trip of a life time. I couldn’t have imagined a hunt being so challenging and rewarding at the same time. Due to the hunting passion of Tracker and Jay, we where the last one’s in camp everyday. And boy did we put some miles on, when it came to crunch time Tracker can be pretty stealthy.

There’s no way I can ever tell you how much this hunting experience means to us. I know that Jay will never forget the experience of this hunt and especially Tracker. When you can meet someone for a few days and have a relationship that will last a life time, there are no words to describe that.

There’s no way a hunt like this can be complete without a great staff, Allen our camp cook was not only the best dutch oven cook in the World but, great entertainment. All the guides under the direction of Tom where outstanding. When there was a bull down everyone stepped up to help. Tom made sure that everyone in camp felt comfortable and was well taken care of every day. Tom was also a great coach, at the end of every quarter he reassured us that hard work and persistence would pay off. Jay and Tracker stalked up and harvested a great 5x5 in the heavy timber that was big enough to score as a Trophy Bull. When the moment came, Tracker made sure Jay had a steady rest and there was no movement from the gun barrel as he told him to squeeze of the single round from the 7mm STW that dropped the bull in his tracks.

I cannot say enough about Broadmouth Canyon Ranch and this hunt but, what I can say is “Thanks for the Hunt of a Life Time”!

Sincerely,

Jay & Eddie Buckle