Ray Moore of Thermopolis has been hunting since he was fifteen years old, when he used to go with his dad every year. These days, Ray usually heads out to Area 63 for his elk each fall. Last year, tradition was broken when he decided to try his luck in Area 64. The weather wasn’t cooperating with his efforts, however. “It rained for three days,” Ray recalls. Most hunters can relate to the frustration of enduring horrible weather. To top the bad luck off, “there wasn’t much elk sign.”

Tired of slopping through the rain for nothing, Ray returned to his old reliable area. Day four found Ray and his wife in Area 63 with one of his buddies. His lucky area paid off like it usually does for Ray. Forty-five minutes from the truck, a huge elk crossed Ray’s path. “I really have to give credit to my wife,” he admits, “she’s the one who saw the elk.”  While Ray was admiring some deer, his wife realized there was a 371 6/8 elk standing not far off. “And that was it,” Ray says matter-of-factly, “one shot, he went down, and we were done.” Isn’t it nice when luck is on your side?

Ray won’t make the same mistake two years in a row. You will find him up in Area 63 this year, just as in years past. We wish him luck in bringing home another big buck.

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