ELK, mule deer, and pronghorn are three iconic species among the big-game animals hunters pursue throughout the western United States. Each fall, hunters from all over the country, and around the world, set their sights on the mountains, valleys, and wide-open spaces of the West in search of adventure, camaraderie, a world-class trophy, and the opportunity to fill the freezer with lean protein.
For many hunters, even those who don’t live in the region, western big-game hunting is a passion that consumes them year-round. From applying for tags early in the year, to buying, preparing, and organizing new gear through the summer, to the trip, long or short, to the hunting grounds, to the excitement that makes it almost impossible to sleep the night before opening day, the anticipation of…