GUIDE FOR NOVICE ELK HUNTERS

I've listened to stories of legendary hunts in remote locations for years with a passing interest. I've been fishing since I could walk and hunting birds for almost as long, but for some reason big-game hunting just didn't offer the same draw to me. Once I tried elk meat, however, I began paying closer attention.

I've never been a big fan of venison, but I can't get enough elk — from steaks to burgers to chili — I love it all. After a few years of debate, I decided that in early 2011, I would go on an elk hunt and see what it's all about.

In a casual conversation with Tim Baker from Fred Hall and Associates, he mentioned that one of his good friends worked as a guide in New Mexico and offered a beginner elk hunt that would suit me perfectly. Tim assured me that this operation offered a solid program with good people, a nice lodge and great food. I took his advice and called Kirk Kennedy at Kennedy's Hunting Service.

Kennedy's Hunting Service is known for putting hunters on trophy bull elk, but that's not what I was after. I wanted to cut my teeth on a lower stakes (and lower cost) hunt. After explaining my situation to Kirk, we agreed that a January cow elk hunt would make an ideal starting point.

Kirk explained the details of the hunt and the gear I would need. Everything sounded pretty straightforward. I had a Winchester Model 70 chambered in .30-06 in the safe that had never been fired. I called on a few buddies and borrowed an optic up to the task and mounted a 3-9x40 scope atop my rifle. "I hit the range about once a week during the months leading up the to the hunt to get proficient with the rifle."

After months of waiting, the day finally arrived and my good friend Todd Brown and I loaded up the pickup and set off on a 15-hour drive from San Diego to Des Moines, New Mexico, located a few hours east of Albuquerque in the Four Corners region.

When we rolled up to Kennedy's ranch we were instantly impressed. The company's main business is cattle ranching but these folks love to hunt — and it shows. The lodge and staff were welcoming and attentive. The 10 rooms were spotless, with each one sleeping two hunters comfortably.