I WAS SITTING AT my desk, editing a story, when my phone rang. It was my friend, former Major League Baseball pitcher Turk Wendell.

"Hey, Brian. What are you doing in September?" Turk asked.

"I've got nothing scheduled. Why?" I said.

"I'm going to be guiding elk hunters for a buddy of mine in Craig, Colorado. How'd you like to come out and tape a hunt for your TV show? I'll guide you," Turk replied.

"You're kidding! That would be great," I said.

This would be my first elk hunt, which was exciting enough, but I was equally thrilled with getting a chance to spend time in the woods with Turk. Our friendship had begun two years earlier when I had invited Turk, who was then with the Philadelphia Phillies, and some of his teammates to bowhunt with me in south-central Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, the baseball season schedule prevented us from getting together that year. A change of teams the following year again kept us from hunting together. I kept my fingers crossed that things would work out this year.

Turk was guiding for his friend Clay Owens, operations manager of the 70,000-acre Cross Mountain Ranch, a property, according to Turk, loaded with elk. The ranch is divided into two sections -- Upper and Lower. The Upper Ranch, where I would be hunting, is part of Colorado's Ranching For Wildlife program, where hunters are guaranteed tags with no drawing and can use their weapon of choice.

My hunt would take place the week of September 21. I was happy to hear that Steve Jones would be my cameraman for Bowhunter Magazine TV, as he is a seasoned elk hunter. His experience, along with that of Clay and his guides, would be helpful for this first-timer.

Living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, I qualify as a flatlander, and because of this, I would have to work hard to get in shape to survive the steep terrain and high altitudes of the Colorado mountains. So, for the next four months, I biked, hiked, and ran every day. By the time my hunt arrived, I had lost 15 pounds and was in the best shape I'd been in since my days of playing high school sports.

It was August when Turk called me with some bad news. His dad was very sick, and he wouldn't be able to guide me. That was disappointing, but I understood his situation and the importance of putting family above all else. Turk wished me good luck and said he would check in to see how my hunt was going.

ON SEPTEMBER 21, I flew from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Denver, where Steve and I met and boarded a plane to Hayden, Colorado. The view of the Rockies from the airplane was incredible; however, the near nonstop turbulence was something I could have done without.

When we arrived in Hayden, Clay and his guide Bret McMillen met us, loaded our gear into Clay's truck, and drove us to the ranch. On the way, Clay told us the bulls were really getting cranked up and he was confident we had arrived at the perfect time. Twenty minutes into the drive, it became clear that Clay and I share the same oddball sense of humor. This is going to be a good week, I thought.

Chef Joey Bowman and his assistant, Derrick, prepared outrageous meals. Would you believe prime rib and fresh crab? Rough!

Now, I'm not opposed to being spoiled a little bit, but when we pulled up to the Fish Creek Lodge and walked through the door to the smell of fresh-caught crab being prepared by the ranch owner's personal chef, Joey Bowman, even I thought that was a little over the top. "This is gonna be a rough hunt," I told Steve, as we unpacked our gear.

Joining us in camp were ASAT Camouflage owner Rob Smollack and his friends/coworkers Jeff Nicholls and Ryan Callaghan. I had met Rob before at the Archery Trade Association's annual trade show, and it was nice to see a familiar face in camp. Having hunted with Clay before, Rob assured me I was about to experience the mecca of elk hunting.

That night, after a feast of crab and various other dishes I can't pronounce -- or spell -- Clay gave everyone the lowdown on what to expect out of the hunt. With my belly full, and my excitement level at full throttle, I tried to get some sleep.

Continued -- click on page link below.

The Fish Creek Lodge at Cross Mountain Ranch is not your typical elk camp.