DAN SIMMONS Sportsman's Quest MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

Last week, you read about Mallory Genet's archery Elk hunt with her dad, Mark. This week it's Mark's turn to test his bow hunting skills.

It all started when he, like many of us, checked his credit card bill to see if it had any charges to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. There was, which indicated he had drawn a tag, and by the amount charged he was sure it was a coveted big horn sheep tag.

This was cause for a lot of excitement and phone calls to hunting pals. A few days later he received notice from the department; it was an even greater prize, a once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat tag. Mark had not even imagined that possibility.

He'd been applying for this tag since his teens and it was the one he wanted most. More excitement and phone calls followed.

One of those first calls was to Henry Krenka of Hidden Lake Outfitters. Henry's family was one of the original families in the Ruby Mountain area and they even have a tributary creek named in their honor. Henry still lives in their original log home and is "just an ol' cowboy," but he is also known as the man of the mountain when it comes to guiding in this area.

The next thing Mark did was join a gym, started seriously working out, and included hiking mountains on weekends in preparation for what is known to be one of the toughest hunts in the world. Mountain goats tend to live in and among the cliffs and crags of the hardest-to-get-to wilderness areas. The Ruby's are no exception; Mark's hunting area would be at the 10,000-foot level.

Day 1: He met Henry in the morning as he was rounding up the horses and putting the pack string together. Mike, a second guide/cook would be accompanying them and making sure they were well fed and comfortable in their wall-tent camp, heated with a wood-burning shepard's stove. They'd feel right at home after a hard days climb.

They ended the day high in the mountains, with a filet mignon steak, a campfire, a sportsman's toast to good luck, good hunting and good weather.

Day Two: It was up early and a hearty breakfast while Henry saddled the horses and they were off. A two-hour ride put them to the top of tree line; the horses were tied and it was hiking through sliding shale, cliffs and rock the rest of the way.

On top they glassed as they walked the ridges, always hunting from above as mountain goats expect danger from the bottom, unlike desert sheep. As the sun approached the distant mountain tops they found the goats, a group of billies, but too far for a good stalk that late in the afternoon, and one certainly doesn't want to be climbing down the mountain in the dark.

Day Three: Back to the same area, they began glassing early and found a nice billy bedded where they had seen him the evening before, 350 yards below the hunters. It was time to get within bow hunting distance, so Mark bailed off the cliff.

Three hours later he was on him, 67 yards, still too far to feel comfortable with the bow, so Mark waited for him to move. There was a grassy area above the billy, 40 yards from the hunter, he waited.

Another three hours passed and Mark felt that sickening feel of, "wind on my neck." The goat was on his feet and looking directly at Mark, but not seeing him. It was enough, though. It backed up and was gone, "like a white ghost," over the cliff.

For a disappointed Mark it was back up the mountain, but not the way he had come down. To get back up it meant trekking two ravines over and then up -- end of day three.

Day Four: The hunters moved to a new area in the early light and glassed. There, on a cliff below, a nice billy, but a mile away. They started hiking, staying always above the goat, and this time Mark decided to use his 30:06 Remington 700 BDL with 165 gr. Nosler Boat Tails.

This he carried as a back-up in his Eberlsetock pack which has a built in rifle scabbard. With only one day left of his five-day hunt, he wasn't going to take any more chances with this once-in-a-lifetime tag. He would just have to explain it to his bow hunting purist daughter, Mallory, when he got home.

During the climb down the mountain, Mark slipped on the shale and fell, landing on his rifle and scope. He continued on scratched, but nothing broken. He was above the goat, but couldn't see it because of the out-croppings.

He sat for 20 minutes and then the wind changed, as it had the day before, and he felt it on the back of his neck once again.

This time, however, the goat came out at 50 yards, caught Mark's wind and took off across the mountain at a steady pace.

Mark waited for 100 yards and shot -- nothing. Shot again -- nothing. Buck fever? The third shot was also high. Guide Henry yells, "aim low, at the belly." The goat was now at 180 yards at a full run. Mark concentrated, aimed low, and squeezed the trigger, gently -- a hit. Then another hit, and the billy goes out of sight behind rocks. The rifle scope had been knocked out of alignment with the fall.

Mark then calls to Henry, "Is he down?" and is answered with, "He's hit good, but he's not in the skillet yet. These are tough animals." As they go down the mountain, Henry calls again, "He's down."

Mark is now 41 years old; he's been applying since he was 16, and finally -- success.

At home Mallory's first question, "What did you shoot him with, Dad?" Mark told of his adventure and her response, "It's okay, Dad." She only wished she could have been with her dad and her hunting partner.

For more information on Hidden Lake Outfitters call 1-775-779-2268.

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If you have an adventure, a story or a comment give me a call at 727-9777 or e-mail me at dansimmons@usa.net.

What's new

Mark used an Eberlestock pack on this hunt to good effect. We have all been there trying to keep a gun slung over our shoulder while wearing a pack and getting tired from lugging a gun around all day. This pack solves that problem and is one of the most versatile backpacks made. Due to its expandability it is appropriate for anything from a day trip to a mountain expedition, as it changes from a 2,000 cubic inch day pack to a 4,100 cubic inch freight hauler.

The shoulder straps are the most comfortable I have ever used and its internal aluminum frame gives it the strength for heavy loads. Its most unique feature however is the internal rifle scabbard which allows you to hike or climb to your hunting area with your hands free. They have really put some thought into this pack design

For more information go to www.eberlestock.com.

Events

* The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is holding its annual banquet Nov. 22^, at Mountain Falls. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. For more information, call Tracie Dreyer at 775-209-6750.

* Safari Club International Desert-Las Vegas Chapter's banquet will be Jan. 17 at the Rio Convention Pavilion. For more information call Dave Small at 702-383-0321.

* The fifth annual Grand Slam Club/Ovis Hunter and Outfitter Convention is Feb. 18-21 at Bally's Las Vegas. There will be exhibits, auctions, seminars and hunts. For more information go to www.wildsheep.org.

Recipe of week

Here is a favorite from my youth, I first had these in the former Yugoslavian city of Dubrovnik. I have had it with beef, lamb and goat, but goat is my favorite.

Hungarian

One and 1/2 pounds of ground mountain goat; 1 1/2 pounds ground pork; 2 Tbsp chopped parsley; 1 onion, grated; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 Tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika; 2 tsp cayenne; 2 tsp salt; 1 tsp ground black pepper; olive oil

Mix together all ingredients except olive oil; let sit in refrigerator for 4 hours; shape mixture into cigars about three inches long and 1 inch diameter; brush with olive oil and grill, or broil, until cooked through, about six minutes; serve with a rice pilaf and cucumber yogurt sauce.