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Episode 49: It’s Only Gotta Work Once, Part 2
Episode 49 — It’s Only Gotta Work Once, Part 2
Show Summary
Storms, charcuterie, morale swings, and the relentless patience of a backcountry elk hunt. In Part 2, the crew recounts the second half of Caitlin’s season—highlighted by multiple bulls charging the wallow, tense full-draw standoffs, and finally, the encounter that brought it all together. From ethics and shot discipline to a gritty pack-out, this is a lesson in resilience, teamwork, and why elk hunting really is a community sport.
Highlights
Village support: again, gratitude to GT & Necie for holding down the fort.
Wallow chess match: bulls charging in at full tilt, Caitlin at full draw multiple times, waiting for the right angle.
Storm night: lightning directly overhead, tents nearly flooded, gear soaked—morale hits bottom.
Backcountry hacks:
The hose trick — short line pinned under a rock turns a trickle into a 3L/min fill station.
Freeze-dry + bagels — calorie-dense food that packs small and keeps morale high.
Battery strategy — headlamps and power banks rotated to stretch the week.
The shot: mature 6x6 bull, huge thirds (~19"), Caitlin holds between pins and delivers a clean 30-yard arrow.
Ethics on display: waiting for the right angle, ready for a follow-up, ensuring a quick, humane end.
The pack-out: six heavy loads (quarters, trim, rack, gear) shuttled down in stages. Breakfast burritos = morale medicine.
Score comparison: last year’s bull grossed 318; this one pushes the mark
Tactics & Lessons
Sit the extra 15 minutes — encounters often happen just as you’re ready to give up.
Water is king — reliable hydration makes or breaks a backcountry camp.
Shuttle system — shortening brutal sections by caching and returning makes the pack-out safer.
Community over individual — every successful elk hunt rests on teamwork.
People
Caitlin — Archer, patient under pressure, makes the shot.
Mike Ruhl — Caller, logistics, water-hack engineer.
Hunter — Rookie turned workhorse, zingers and morale resets.
Jeremy — Advisor, burrito hero, pack-out mule.
GT & Necie — Enablers of adventure through childcare support.
Quotables
“Hunting is a community sport.”
“Sit 15 more minutes.”
“It only has to work once.”
Links & Contact
Website: OutdoorRuhls.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @outdoorruhls
View all episodes
By Outdoor RuhlsEpisode 49 — It’s Only Gotta Work Once, Part 2
Show Summary
Storms, charcuterie, morale swings, and the relentless patience of a backcountry elk hunt. In Part 2, the crew recounts the second half of Caitlin’s season—highlighted by multiple bulls charging the wallow, tense full-draw standoffs, and finally, the encounter that brought it all together. From ethics and shot discipline to a gritty pack-out, this is a lesson in resilience, teamwork, and why elk hunting really is a community sport.
Highlights
Village support: again, gratitude to GT & Necie for holding down the fort.
Wallow chess match: bulls charging in at full tilt, Caitlin at full draw multiple times, waiting for the right angle.
Storm night: lightning directly overhead, tents nearly flooded, gear soaked—morale hits bottom.
Backcountry hacks:
The hose trick — short line pinned under a rock turns a trickle into a 3L/min fill station.
Freeze-dry + bagels — calorie-dense food that packs small and keeps morale high.
Battery strategy — headlamps and power banks rotated to stretch the week.
The shot: mature 6x6 bull, huge thirds (~19"), Caitlin holds between pins and delivers a clean 30-yard arrow.
Ethics on display: waiting for the right angle, ready for a follow-up, ensuring a quick, humane end.
The pack-out: six heavy loads (quarters, trim, rack, gear) shuttled down in stages. Breakfast burritos = morale medicine.
Score comparison: last year’s bull grossed 318; this one pushes the mark
Tactics & Lessons
Sit the extra 15 minutes — encounters often happen just as you’re ready to give up.
Water is king — reliable hydration makes or breaks a backcountry camp.
Shuttle system — shortening brutal sections by caching and returning makes the pack-out safer.
Community over individual — every successful elk hunt rests on teamwork.
People
Caitlin — Archer, patient under pressure, makes the shot.
Mike Ruhl — Caller, logistics, water-hack engineer.
Hunter — Rookie turned workhorse, zingers and morale resets.
Jeremy — Advisor, burrito hero, pack-out mule.
GT & Necie — Enablers of adventure through childcare support.
Quotables
“Hunting is a community sport.”
“Sit 15 more minutes.”
“It only has to work once.”
Links & Contact
Website: OutdoorRuhls.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @outdoorruhls