Well we had a great hunt but no meat. Had about 10 encounters, about half of the "thundering herd" variety. Where I hunt it's tough to pattern these critters, although we got them figured out on day 4. I was with my 13 year old son, who's not quite good enough to carry his bow yet. The ONLY time we separated was when he sat tight for 15 minutes while I was trying to move downwind of a herd. That's when a calf decided to move right to him and just stand there quartering away at 10 yards. Yes, If I had been there, he would have taken an arrow. We were backpack hunting in wilderness, and those little calf quarters shure do pack easier! If not for some neck surgery I would have gone back by myself now that he is in school. Still looking for my first archery elk.