---
title: "Colorado Slam Day 3"
description: "BULL DOWN! Outdoor Life's Grand Slam Sweepstakes winner John Stanley scores on an awesome bull elk on this 3-part journey to Kessler Ranch in DeBeque, Colorado."
date: "2009-11-13"
modified: "2009-11-13"
authors:
  - name: "Todd W. Smith"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/todd-w-smith/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2009/11/colorado-slam-day-3/"
categories:
  - "Hunting"
---

# Colorado Slam Day 3

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo76-John_and_Todd.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/44PYCF7NZF6J47UHJJIJOKCSJE.JPG>)
*John and Todd take a moment to celebrate. John took this bull with a Mossberg 4X4 topped with a Zeiss Victory scope Remington 180-grain Bonded Core-Lokt bullets. His elk took 10 steps and toppled over.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo71-muffins.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/LMUEGTYBQO4LZXATRMEMT63MSA.JPG>)
*Breakfast, like all of the other meals at Kessler, is just incredible. Even at 4:30 in the morning you can count on fresh baked muffins a crackling fire and more. **Read DAY 2 HERE!** **Read DAY 1 HERE!***

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010Surefire.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/5FG3MXDMIXZ5MXOUJUPJQZD7BY.jpg>)
*Mornings were made brighter thanks to Surefire's Saint Minimus headlamp and Aviator handheld flashlight.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo72-boys_talking.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/N2JWYDNZGNP3VAOSSYE73Z52IU.JPG>)
*Morning starts at 5:00 with the boys gathering to discuss tactics.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo73-.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/ZLMWFWV7ZDINDCEWARPP7DVK2E.JPG>)
*Bull down! John walks up on his bull, which passed within 35 yards before he was able to make a shot through a small opening in the brush.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo74LanceJohn.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/SIJ4QG6TZGAUKUWHGJWXO5KKUU.jpg>)
*Guide Lance Bade and Grand Slam winner, John Stanley have a chance to celebrate after wait this bull out. He finally passed within 35 yards.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo75-Body_size.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/6H7OFRKQGBUTYHDGVKBN3XA5VI.JPG>)
*Look at the body size of this bull. Guide Lance Bade estimated him to weigh 900 pounds, perhaps the heaviest bull to come off of Kessler Canyon Ranch this year.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo77-Polaris.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/QWTKMWSKFZDI5YJRBHQZBUDKS4.JPG>)
*John's elk was down in the bottom of a steep canyon. Fortunately we were able to get a Ranger in to pick up his bull once it was field dressed, then it was a long slog out then down the mountain to the cooler.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo78-Lenny.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/PUVJJIP5NVQYBY7YBF6DHOVFV4.JPG>)
*Chef Lenny was a gourmet chuck wagon cook before coming to Kessler Canyon Ranch. What this guy does with fresh ingredients is simply incredible. He also plays a mean guitar as well as being an expert in reciting cowboy poetry.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo79Lennyfire.jpg](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/DUGICKIXNR22DTT7SDB2EAQGRU.jpg>)
*Lenny give the grilled veggies a quick burst of fire. Every meal was first-class and Lenny's after-dinner serenades were a hoot.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo710-Shooting_lesson.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/JXLUCKP5ZOJCQNO5VSUE7TUBNE.JPG>)
*John gets a shooting lesson from his guide, Olympic trap shooter, Lance Bade.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo711-elk_bronze.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/TN5SHOAMLJ4GF6WXWDNQRG7YX4.JPG>)
*One of the many art pieces her at Kessler Canyon Ranch.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo712-Lodge.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/4V26ZHXY2TE7IAZ62ND6BWK5Z4.JPG>)
*The lodge at Kessler Canyon is big enough to hold large corporate retreats but quiet and cozy. Accommodations and meals are truly 5-star.*

![httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2009photo713-_John_at_bar.JPG](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/23/QJKOOIWESB3DRUKTA5K3R4AB6Q.JPG>)
*Grand Slam winner, John Stanley (right) tells the story of his elk hunt to Kessler hunt manager Tim Curry (left) and ranch manager Gregg Harper. Truly a day to remember and there is still bird hunting, clays shooting and trout fishing yet to come. **Read DAY 2 HERE!** **Read DAY 1 HERE!***

BULL DOWN! Outdoor Life's Grand Slam Sweepstakes winner John Stanley scores on an awesome bull elk on this 3-part journey to Kessler Ranch in DeBeque, Colorado.