Dank Bulls winter adventure

by Jeremy Criddle

Well folks, I’ve got a story that’ll make your antlers curl. Yesterday, our Dank Bulls crew had what you might call an “educational experience” in the Colorado backcountry. Before I dive in, let me tell you a bit about who we are – we’re not your seasoned mountain veterans with decades of trophy racks on the wall. Nope, we’re just a bunch of enthusiastic new hunters in Colorado Springs, none of us with more than three years of experience under our belts. We’re the kinds of folks who still get excited when we see elk droppings and sometimes mistake branches for antlers. But hey, we’re learning, and boy did we learn a lot yesterday!

The Setup: When Plans Go South (or Should I Say Snow-th?)

You know how they say experience is the best teacher? Well, sometimes that teacher comes in the form of a snow-covered forest road with a “Not Maintained for Winter Travel” sign that we probably should have taken a bit more seriously. But I’ll give our crew some credit – we did make one decision that saved our hides: we parked one of our trucks in a safe spot before venturing into what I’ll call “the formidable zone.”

Let me paint you a picture: There we were, four relatively new hunters in our trusty truck, feeling pretty confident about our winter driving skills. The snow didn’t look too bad at first – just enough to make everything look like a winter wonderland. But let me tell you something about Colorado snow – it’s like that friend who shows up to your house with an overnight bag and ends up staying for a week. It starts innocently enough, but before you know it, you’re in way deeper than you expected.

The Moment When It All Went South

Here’s where things got interesting (and by interesting, I mean slightly terrifying). We were making our way down this forest road, and I kid you not, within less than 50 yards, we went from “This is fine” to “Holy elk droppings, we’re in trouble!” The snow went from manageable to what I can only describe as nature’s version of quicksand. No place to turn around, no cell service (of course), and the sun was starting to think about calling it a day.

Our Saving Grace: The Gear We Actually Remembered to Bring

Now, this is where I’d love to tell you we were prepared because we’re brilliant outdoorsmen, but the truth is, we had this gear because we’d either been told horror stories by more experienced hunters or learned from previous close calls. Here’s what saved our bacon (or should I say venison?):

Remember those come-alongs I mentioned? We had two of them, and let me tell you, they became our new best friends. We also had this massive 80-foot rope rated for 10,000 pounds. At the time we bought it, it seemed like overkill – kind of like bringing a rifle to a squirrel fight. But standing there in the growing darkness, that rope looked better than a trophy bull on opening day.

The Great Escape

Here’s where things got interesting. Picture this: four grown men, bundled up like Randy from A Christmas Story, taking turns with shovels while trying not to sweat (because remember folks, sweating in cold weather is about as smart as using your hunting rifle as a walking stick). We had our flashlights, which turned out to be crucial as darkness fell faster than a spooked deer.

The real MVP of the evening was our pre-trip preparation. Not because we’re naturally prepared people (trust me, we’re not), but because we’ve learned the hard way that Colorado weather has about as much predictability as a caffeinated squirrel. We had warm clothes, food, water, and first aid supplies. Most importantly, we had left a detailed plan with someone about where we were going and when we should be back.

Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)

Let me share some wisdom we gained from this adventure, not as experts, but as the guys who are probably making the mistakes you want to avoid:

First off, weather forecasts in Colorado should be treated like a suggestion rather than a promise. Mother Nature here has a sense of humor that would make a stand-up comedian jealous. Always check multiple forecasts, and then assume they’re all wrong and prepare for worse.

Second, when you’re new to hunting like we are, there’s no shame in turning around. I know, it’s hard on the ego. Your truck might be capable of handling tough terrain, but remember – just because you can doesn’t mean you should. It’s like that time I thought I could carry all the groceries in one trip – just because it’s possible doesn’t make it smart.

We’ve also learned that practice makes perfect, especially with recovery gear. Try using your come-along for the first time in your driveway, not on a dark mountain road where the only witnesses to your fumbling are a few judgy-looking ravens.

The Dank Bulls Philosophy

Look, we’re not afraid to admit that we’re learning. Every time we head out, whether it’s for scouting or hunting, we come back with new knowledge. Sometimes that knowledge comes from success, but more often, it comes from what my grandfather would politely call “learning opportunities.”

Being part of Dank Bulls isn’t about being the best hunter in Colorado Springs. It’s about being part of a community of newcomers who are figuring this out together. We share our successes, our failures, and most importantly, our “what the heck were we thinking?” moments.

Some Real Talk About Winter Hunting

Here’s something they don’t tell you in hunting magazines: being stuck in the snow is lonely, cold, and can be scary. But it’s also an opportunity to learn about yourself and your preparation level. We discovered that having the right gear isn’t enough – you need to know how to use it, when to use it, and most importantly, when to avoid needing it in the first place.

We learned that a good attitude and a sense of humor are just as important as any piece of gear. When you’re stuck in the snow, watching your breath freeze in the beam of your flashlight, being able to laugh about it keeps you warm (well, mentally at least).

The Future of Our Adventures

Are we going to stop exploring remote areas in winter? Heck no! But we are going to be smarter about it. We’re going to practice more with our recovery gear, study weather patterns more carefully, and maybe invest in some better snacks (because gas station beef jerky gets old real fast when you’re stuck in the snow).

Join Our Herd

If you’re new to big game hunting in the Colorado Springs area and think, “Hey, these guys sound just dumb enough to be fun,” then you might be Dank Bulls material. We’re always looking to connect with other newcomers who are willing to learn, share, and occasionally get stuck in the snow with us.

Shoot us an email at [email protected] if you want to join a group of beginners who are figuring out this hunting thing one mistake at a time. Just remember – we’re not experts, we’re not guides, and we’re definitely not always right. But we are always learning, always sharing, and always up for an adventure (even if that adventure sometimes involves unplanned overnight stays in the wilderness).

Final Thoughts

Yesterday’s stuck-truck situation wasn’t our finest moment, but it’s now part of our growing collection of “well, that happened” stories. As new hunters, every day is a school day, and sometimes the tuition is paid in frozen fingers and wounded pride.

Remember, there’s no shame in being new, there’s no shame in making mistakes, and there’s definitely no shame in asking for help. We’re all just trying to figure this out, one snow bank at a time.

Stay safe out there, friends, and remember – if you’re going to get stuck, at least make it a good story!

Written by a proud member of Dank Bulls, where we’re turning our rookie mistakes into valuable lessons, one adventure at a time. For actual expert advice, please consult real professionals, not us!