Another Memorable Elk Hunt – Operation Big Hole 2011

By Jerry Berry

Sal’s Pad

It was a hot dry afternoon in Chino, California when Salvador Eduardo Dagoverto Sedro Jacinto Morales (3/D Co. 68/69)—better known to us, Currahees, as Sal—open the door of his 1966 GTO and headed for his air condition hacienda at 4224 Van Buren Street. The day was October 17, 2011 and Sal was in deep thought…in fact, he had left the engine running in his GTO. “What the heck,” thought Sal, “the tank is about empty and will shut itself off in an hour or so! I ‘ain’t’ got no stinking time to worry about that!” Sal’s thoughts at the moment were of Montana in pursuit of the elusive Cervus elaphus nelsoni, aka Wapti, a name every Currahee knew by heart...well maybe not. Okay, elk!

This year's elk hunt had been in the making since last year’s hunt--October 2010--down in the Big Hole. In 2010, Sal and his 'homie', Ron Cortez (Veteran) put in for and drew Montana’s Big Game Combination Licenses to hunt elk and deer. That adventure’s special operation’s AAR, which we’ll share with all our members, has been uploaded and its link will be identified shortly. The 2010 hunt will give more specific details about the Big Hole Valley. Sal’s friend Ron decided to hunt another area in SW Montana this hunting season--the Anaconda Area, north of the Big Hole Valley with his two sons.

Ron Cortez and Sal at Sal’s Big Bear Cabin in CA

During the summer, Sal convinces our good friend and former Delta Co. Currahee, Burl Summers, who lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho to join us in this year’s elk hunt in the Big Hole at Wisdom. The three of us had discussed a hunt at our 2011 Tunica Reunion.

Burl Summers (left) & Pete Delonga (3/D 68/69)

Final Preparations

Some 900 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Rancher Burl Clyde Elmer “Bubba” Summers (3/D Co. 68/69..and alleged to be colored blind) was putting the final coat of pink pant on his back patio (thinking the color was brown) when he received a phone call from Sal, informing him that he, Sal, would be arriving at Idaho Falls sometimes on Thursday, October 20. The driving time from Chino to Idaho Falls was (13 hours plus pit stops. The general big game season opened on Saturday, October 22. “Bubba” Summers would receive another call from Sal later letting him know exactly when he was a few miles out. Burl had decided not to apply for an elk permit, but buy a deer tag over the counter, so he could at least carry his rifle in the field while accompanying the two of us. Burl’s health was such that he was unable to do any strenuous hiking or packing.

Sal’s route from Chino, CA to Burl’s in Idaho Falls, ID

Why Wisdom, Montana and Big Hole Valley you might ask? My young family and I had moved to Wisdom back in the early summer of 1984 during my career with the U.S. Forest Service. I had accepted the first district wildlife biologist position which the Beaverhead National Forest had established there on the Wisdom Ranger District.

Lord, how we change so quickly! L-R: Chris, Heidi, Donna (Jerry in back), Jennifer and Stephanie – Libby, MT Christmas 2010.

Our Home in the Big Hole Valley 1984/85

Big Hole Valley of SW Montana

A Little History of the Area

The Big Hole Valley is located in SW Montana up against the Continental Divide separating Montana and Idaho. The elevation in the Valley bottom is around 6,050 feet and from there goes up to some 12,000 elevation along the Divide. It is a beautiful, but cold location in the winter time. During my approx. two years at Wisdom, I experience 56 below zero. Summers are cool. My wife, Donna hated it; I loved it—lots of blue ribbon stream fishing and abundant wildlife, especially elk! We live on the home ranch belonging to Fred Rutledge family, who had purchased and moved to the Spokane Ranch just outside of Wisdom. We had a large two-story home with all the out buildings to ourselves. When you arrive in the Big Hole Valley, it is like stepping back in time. How the town got its name originated with the Lewis and Clark expedition back in 1805. Wisdom was named for the river (now the Big Hole River) that flows through the valley. In 1805 Lewis and Clark, at the confluence of the tributaries of the Jefferson River near the present site of Twin Bridges, decided to name the three streams for the three "cardinal virtues" of the President and benefactor, Thomas Jefferson. But their names--Philosophy, Philanthropy, and Wisdom--proved to be too much for later settlers, who changed the names to the Beaverhead, Ruby and Big Hole. But the town that sprung up kept the name Wisdom. Since the early 20th century, the Big Hole Valley is often called the "Valley of 10,000 Haystacks." It's quite a sight to watch the ranchers put up hay during late July and early August. They still use the beaver slide, an early-day haying invention originating in the Big Hole Valley. The population of Wisdom (town) in 2010 was 98. Watch the below video about the Big Hole and Hirschy’s Family—their ranch where Sal and I hunt each season:

Wisdom is located a few miles east of the Big Hole Battlefield. In 1877 the U.S. troops under John Gibbon fought the Nez Percé Indians along the Big Hole River, during the Nez Perce War in the Battle of the Big Hole. The site of the battle along the North fork of the Big Hole is preserved as the Big Hole National Battlefield. The Battle of the Big Hole on August 9 and 10, 1877, was a turning point of the Nez Perce War, a five-month war in which U.S. Army forces tried to place one third of the Nez Perce tribe on a reservation. The fighting began in White Bird Canyon in Idaho and had a dramatic ending in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana. Guided and Self-guiding tours are conducted during summer; introductory presentations and exhibits are available year-round. Trappers from the Hudson's Bay Company, the North West Company and the American Fur Company exploited the region from about 1810 to the 1840s. Miners and homesteaders settled the area between 1864 and the early 1900s. The Hirschy’s family, whose ranchland we hunt, homesteaded in the Big Hole Valley at Wisdom in 1893.

It is worth noting that the Big Hole Valley is inhabited by large cattle ranches and I do mean “large”. A typical ranch in the valley, i.e. Rutledge, Hirschy, Huntley, Peterson, etc. graze up to 80,000 – 100,000 cattle and horses. They are very wealthy families and the real “cowboys” of the west. They are some of the friendless individuals you will ever meet too. As I mentioned, their grandparents were the pioneers who settled there. I believe one of the ranchers told Sal and Burl that they had recently shipped 30,000 yearlings to market. Again, the valley is known as the Valley of the 10,000 haystacks.

Our ranch home and out buildings during my tour of duty on the Beaverhead N.F. at Wisdom (1984-1985).

“The Way It Happened”

Our itineraries went as follows. Sal packed up and departed Chino, CA early morning on October 18 with plans to stop in at a couple casinos enroute. Rumors has it that he was losing his shorts at Keno and about to turn back for California when he hit the big numbers. I will let him tell his tale at the next reunion. “Sal, did you decide yet if it will be a 32 or 36 foot cabin cruiser?” From Chino, CA to Idaho Falls, ID was 877 miles (1411 km) and would take the Delta Trooper 13 hours and 42 minutes not counting his casino stops. I have to include metrics in this chronology; otherwise Dan Linn (C Co. 69/70) would put me on shit-burning detail!

For me to travel from Libby, MT down to Wisdom was 311 Miles /500 Km and would take about 6 hours not counting stops for breakfast in Thompson Falls and refueling in Missoula.

Sal and Burl’s trip from Idaho Falls, ID up to Wisdom, MT Sal reached Burl’s home on October 20, where he spent the night and the two packed up the next morning and headed north 199 miles to Wisdom, which took them approximately three hours travel time. Burl (and a neighbor) had already taken his 5th Wheel Camper up to Wisdom a week earlier to get it all set up and ready by the time Sal and him got there for the hunt. Burl had set up at Carl Miles’ Big Hole River RV Park in Wisdom. Carl is a displaced “good ole Southern gentleman”, whom we would get to know well. Once again, we would be hunting primarily the Hirschy’s ranchlands (Father, Jack’s ranch and sons Dick and Fred’s ranchlands. The Hirschy family —one of the largest landowners in the Big Hole Valley were early pioneers, arriving in the area back in 1893. Some years back, a video was made about the Hirschy family and ranchland. Clink on the link below to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORQq97d3a8A. I became acquainted with the Hirschy family, during my tour of duty as the district wildlife biologist on the Wisdom Ranger District.

Fred and Lynn Hirschy’s Ranch where we hunted elk.

Elk seen from road out to Hirsch’s Ranch before open day.

After arriving in the Big Hole the afternoon before opening day (Oct. 21), I decided to detour a couple miles before reaching town, set up my spotting scope to try and find some elk. At my first stop, I spotted a large herd where I expected to find them. I soon spotted several large bulls in the group and after watching for a 15-20 minutes, I headed into town to the motel to drop off my hunting gear and other items, before driving over to the RV Park where Burl and Sal were already setup and waiting for me.

I took this picture the afternoon before opening day on a recent elk hunt down in the Big Hole Valley. After greeting one another and some small talk, the three of us headed to the Antlers bar & grill to take advantage of the free hunters feast that locals put on each year for hunters coming to the Big Hole to hunt; and what good food and lots of it! After eating all we could hold, we set around to visit with some of the hunters and locals. It was a good evening. We then headed back to Burl’s trailer to plot out the next day and hunt.

Day 1 (Saturday, October 22, 2011) We gathered at Burl’s trailer early opening morning for a hearty breakfast and for them to pack their lunch, I had already packed mine before leaving the motel. After breakfast, we headed out of town well before daylight. Our hunting area was within eyesight of town. We took two vehicles, so I could drop off first and the two of them could drive on up the drainage a mile or so to start their hunt (same general area).

The primary areas I like to hunt are the willow bottoms of the numerous drainages in the Big Hole Valley. Elk migrate into the Big Hole in early spring from Idaho side, spend the spring, summer and fall, where they have their calves, breed in the fall and when winter arrives, they bunch up and migrate back over the divide into Idaho to winter. While I was sitting in my truck waiting for first light and to do a quick glassing before heading out on foot, I spotted elk way off moving down the drainage in my direction. I grabbed my day pack and rifle and headed across the willow stringers below me to set up and wait in hopes the elk came close enough for a shot. As a Montana resident, I could take two elk in this area—a bull or cows since I had drawn a cow tag along with my regular tag; and it didn’t matter to me if it was to be a bull or cow. Sal could only take a bull. The sun was just above the horizon when a group of 8-10 cows and yearlings came off the opposite ridge in front of me headed my way. I had left one stringer of willows and set up a small rise, giving me a good view point overlooking the route of the elk coming my way. I waited until they got within approx. 200 yards and clear of a few scattered willows and chose a mature cow and shot. At that very moment, the sun clearing the horizon and directly in front of me, make it almost impossible to see clearly if I had hit the cow! All I could determine immediately after firing were the elk running back the way they had come. I sat there for several minutes, scanning the general area below me for any signs of a down elk. Seeing no down elk, I left my position on the mound and headed over to the area where I shot at the elk to see if I could find a blood trail. After only a minute or so searching for a blood trail, I noticed some movement off to my left--my down elk! About that time, Sal and Burl had driven back down the road to my truck’s position, saw with their binoculars that I had an elk down, at which time Sal headed out to my position.

Jerry with his cow elk on opening morning. Rather than waste time helping me dress out my elk, I encouraged Sal to continue to hunt and come back in the afternoon when I would need his help to pack the cow out to the road, which he did.

Sal posing with my cow elk.

Later that afternoon, Burl and Sal returned bringing my game cart along, where we finished cutting up the elk and hauling it out to vehicle. Burl’s pickup can be seen on the ranch road immediately below the ridge where the main county road is (on the horizon). Let me assure you, even with a game cart, it is a tiring job to transport a 700 pound (live weight) mature cow a half mile or so through small streams, deep ruts and over debris, even on a game cart! The entire route wasn’t as flat and nice looking as shown in the below picture. Sal and I was two tired, sore individuals by the time we had the elk loaded. Burl was unable to contribute, due to his heart and health condition. It was great to have him there with us, however.

Sal with game cart in tow and Burl bringing up the rear. Burl had taken a short hike up the drainage not to far from where Sal and I worked on my elk and in doing so, walked up on a small herd of elk, which just stood inside the willows close by and watched him watch them!

The evening of the first day found successful hunter hauling around their elk in the back of their pickups.

Day 2 (Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011)

Opening day was a successful day for me, but unsuccessful for Sal—no bulls spotted. We saw lots of elk; however, with Sal having to help me get my elk out, most of the day was shot for him to concentrate on getting him a bull. Burl had not intended to hunt, only accompany the two of us. We put in a long second day without finding a bull for Sal. We checked out a number of areas, including the timbered Forest Service lands just out of the valley, spotted elk, usually on ranch land that we had not gotten permission to hunt. Actually, it was more sight-seeing for Burl and Sal than hard hunting. We did spot a bull, but the wrong species.

Bull Moose among the willows.

Day 3 (Monday, Oct. 24, 2011)

By day 3, our weather was quickly changing for the worst—colder and with snow in the forecast; and in the Big Hole—at 6,000 feet elevation in the valley—you prepare. Burl was concerned about getting his large 5th wheel camper out and over the divide before the roads become snow-bound and icy. We made a decision to pack up and leave the Big Hole. I needed to get my elk taken care of, so I packed up, said my goodbyes and headed north. Although disappointed that he had not gotten a chance at a bull, Sal decided to cut his hunt short, help Burl pack up and they too would head back to Idaho Falls, where Sal would spend a couple days with Burl.

Burl, Sal and I took a couple hours out of our second day hunt to drive up to Twin Lakes at the top of the Continental Divide. The weather that day had turned off cold and windy, especially high up near Twin Lakes (approx. 7,500 feet elevation).

Burl Summers (left) and Pete DeLonga (both 3/D Co. 68/69) at 2012 Reno Reunion. Sadly, we would loose Burl the following fall, soon after our 2012 elk hunt in the Big Hole. The three of us were to meet up again in Wisdom opening week of big game season. I came down with the flu a few days before my trip down to join them. Burl and Sal arrived a couple days early to check things out, but I had to cancel my trip. The second day into their hunt, Burl’s condition continued to worsen and the two had to pack up and go back to Idaho Falls, where Burl was immediately admitted to the hospital and died a couple weeks later. Burl’s death was hard on Sal. In fact, Sal decided to skip this year’s hunt 2013) to allow himself some time to regain his hunting enthusiasm that we share. We have already started planning for 2014! Jerry in Montana