When I drove on down to the cluster of white canvas wall tents where the school is actually conducted, I figured I'd hit the jackpot. It looked just like the backcountry hunting camps I'd seen in the magazines. Base camp lies along a great-looking trout stream with timbered foothills as a backdrop. Horses and mules graze loose in the mountain meadow that surrounds camp. Just add the echoes of bull elk bugling come September and this camp must be like heaven on earth.

The Hensens only take eight students at a time, with at least two instructors at all times. That way every student gets plenty of teaching and experience.

The students all arrived this morning, and we started at noon with orientation - introductions, overview, and some basic rules to keep things running smoothly.

Then we jumped right into horse/mule identification by coloration and distinctive markings. Buckskins, bays, sorrels and blacks, duns, roans, etc., all with different stars, snips, blazes and brands. It's a lot to remember at first, but we'll have to know the stock we work with here at school and out in the real world and be able to identify it without sounding like greenhorns. After that we took a hike up onto the ridge behind camp and I saw my first elk herd - all cows and calves, but what a way to start off!

Topped it all off with a big supper. If LeRee's cooking is always that good I'll be in trouble by the end of four weeks.

Better cash in for tonight and get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll start off early. Fortunately, I didn't draw camp jack duties, but my turn will come soon enough.