Early this year, there was a post on this site regarding private lands elk hunting. Several suggested Cotton Mesa in SE Colorado. I just wanted to say thanks to each of you. My dad (age 80 at the time) told my mom 18 months ago that he wished he had killed an elk. I got the ball rolling and we booked a trip last year that was a good trip but the hunting did not work out with a harvested elk. This year we went to Cotton Mesa in SE Colorado based on suggestions on this board. It was a trip of the lifetime. We left from Fort Worth on my dad's 82nd birthday and overnighted in Amarillo. It was a short trip the next day to Cotton Mesa. We had a great time hunting with a fantastic team at Cotton Mesa and dad connected with a nice 5X5 (43.25 inches wide) and knocked one off his bucket list at age 82. My mom and wife went with us and we had a great time at the ranch touring the ranch and relaxing for a few days.

My mom and dad are my heros and dad started taking me hunting in the 3rd grade. It is a privilege to take him hunting now.

THX again to those of you who suggested Cotton Mesa. This trip meant the world to me!

Aggiewes '87


<a href="https://imgur.com/BUB9286"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/arW15Dy"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/dKrUIP9"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/RQ2HRZL"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/YUGQ4zq"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/UqMJXCY"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
<a href="https://imgur.com/85Rmdbb"><img src="" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Great story! Glad to see your dad get out and cross that one of the list. An elk is a pretty big accomplishment at 82, and you will carry those memories with you forever.

Also, if any of you have been thinking about any hunting/ fishing/ golf/ or whatever trips with your parents, MAKE THE TIME AND DO IT. We are not guaranteed any more time with our loved ones, and once they are gone it's too late. A lot of us are busy and those type of things get pushed off for a later date when "things slow down". Here's the thing, things aren't going to "slow down". When is too late, you will find yourself looking back and asking yourself if you were really that busy to sneak off for a long weekend, or a day here or there?

Good bull x2!

EskimoJoe said:

---

Great story! Glad to see your dad get out and cross that one of the list. An elk is a pretty big accomplishment at 82, and you will carry those memories with you forever.

Also, if any of you have been thinking about any hunting/ fishing/ golf/ or whatever trips with your parents, MAKE THE TIME AND DO IT. We are not guaranteed any more time with our loved ones, and once they are gone it's too late. A lot of us are busy and those type of things get pushed off for a later date when "things slow down". Here's the thing, things aren't going to "slow down". When is too late, you will find yourself looking back and asking yourself if you were really that busy to sneak off for a long weekend, or a day here or there?

---

Amen to this. I wish I had missed a kid's baseball game this spring to take my Dad fishing at the coast one last time before he passed away. I will regret that for a while!

So glad OP got to take his Dad out for a wonderful elk trip!

I know I was one of the ones who recommended it along with others, extremely pleased to see it worked out so well and congratulations to your dad and your whole family for making a life long memory!

Very cool