Contributors to this thread:
I'm sure some seasons opened on Friday, so let's get it started!! Picture and short story only! Good luck all and I hope everyone gets a chance to post!!
Cory, can't wait to see yours, good luck.
It's with great honor that I get to post the first elk this year on the Bowsite Elk Meatpole. I was also honored to watch the whole sequence of this bull being taken by a good friend of mine--Jeff Dumas aka Apprentice. I sat by him with my camera taking photos as it all happened and will tell the story tomorrow with a short photo essay entitled "The Last Moments". Best wishes to everyone on their 2008 elk hunt. I hope you all have a great bowhunt. BB
Here's one more of Jeff's bull.
Nice work Jeff!! Looks like you took him from a treestand!
ElkNut1
Congrats Jeff (and a bump to the top for those successful this weekend).
Congrats Bill and Apprentice! I am sure you guy's had quite a night!
Congrats Jeff & BB! First to hang on the "Meat Pole". That will be some very fine eating this year.Great pics! Will be leaving on the 5th for 10 days. Hope to post a pic myself in a couple weeks.
I'm pumped!
Congratulations Jeff!!!!
Killed this 4x5 at a little after 7 am Saturday, Colorado's first day. This is my first elk. Been trying for several years now and just never could seem to close the deal. I hunted three years as a NR then moved here in 2006. I've been extremely close the last two years and I was beginnning to believe an IL whitetail hunter couldn't get it done. Bull was with two cows and a calf and came in behind one cow and calf as they ran in to cow calls. The shot was 27 yards slightly quartered away. Arrow centered him behind the shoulder crease and punched through the edge of the shoulder blade on the far side leaving the broadhead between the skin and shoulder blade.
Best part was we got it on video.
Nice job to both of you guys on great bulls.
Nice bulls both of you. Hobbes, if you have it on video post it up. Im sure Im not the only one who wants to see it.
Nice ..... hobbes...can you post up the video ? I myself would know how..but thought I would ask
Nice bull. Congrats!
Nick
It is in MiniDV, but I do not have the firewire. I think that is what I need. If someone can tell me what I need to hook to my pc and upload I'll be glad to post it after I get my hands on what I need.
this is a good friends first elk. he worked hard all summer to make sure he was shooting right and it walked up for a chip shot. he is pretty happy :)
just for fun guess the green score.
Congrats to you all! BB Those are great pics. My Guess Mr. Wapiti just over P&Y approx 283 thats given a 36 in spread. Good Job. DanTBM
Congradulations to both of you, great start to the season. RUTS ON
Lookin good guys! Wapiti, either your buddies a runt or that is one tall set of horns. Verry nice. I say 290ish.
Here is my first bull elk.
What a great start for the first timers right on, your all hooked for ever
Thought I was posting multiple pictures above..That pic was after the bull slide 60 or 70 yards down a steep chute.He tore that log that is on him out of the ground.
My wife was with me and help gut,skin and quarter the bull then helped hual it out...I am soooo lucky
This is my 14th bull with a bow, not my biggest but probably my best with my best friend by my side.
okay I am done posting picks now LOL
Nice job everyone. Congratulations to all of you!
Here my 2008 elk. Taken the 16th of Aug from a treestand at 13yds. Good luck everyone I hope you all fiill you tag!
BHuntnElk, You are one fortunate fellow! Nice bull too.
I guess somebody's got to shoot some cows. I'll never make it as a trophy hunter!
CONGRATULATIONS everyone. leaving tomorrow. cant wait.
Nice work DirtyD. I'm not against shooting cows. Only those with a bull behind them. LOL
Good job DirtyD. I am going to get a cow tag this yr also. Hope to be packing her out soon.--Allen--
Ahhhh! you guys are killing me! Good Job! and congrats!
You guys are doing great!!!! Congrats!
ElkNut1
Got this bull Sunday afternoon had to pack him out several miles in the rain got soaked! Already ready for next season still have a deer tag to help me get through the next 362 days.
This is my first elk with a bow. I shot her opening night at 12 yards and only a 40 yard recovery. I almost couldn't control my self. I was hunting by myself and after she fell I wanted to jump up and down and yell! I wish I'd had someone to high five, but still amazing. I'm still sore from packing her out!
Clint
ran 40 yards and then lights out
First elk with a bow. Called him in the middle of the day, 38 yard heart shot.
STOP SHOOTING ALL THE DUMB ONES THAT ARE COMING INTO CALL CALLS BEFORE THE RUT STARTS!!!!!
;)
0700 opening morning. 27 yd shot.
First Archery Elk, Taken @ 11am on opening morning. Wilderness area OTC tags
nice bulls! Gil I really like those dark horns. that will be a great looking mount!
BTW green scored that bull at 326 2/8
Great job! I'm a bit jelous, coudn't fit an elk hunt in this year, miss it more than I thought I would. Won't make that mistake next year!!!
A lot of great stuff here, congrats to everyone, and good luck to everyone else.
All are nice but the one shot with the stick rules in my book.Congrats to all.
Congrats to all of the elk hunters. Even if you did not kill one, but was able to go, you did good. Bob
Colorado, public land DIY.
Another view. Bulls were quiet, just feeding up for what's coming up.
DIY Utah bull two nights ago.
What the hell did you kill that thing with...a harpoon?
Beautiful bulls! I still have 2 weeks to go!!! Losing sleep already.
sorry, didn't see this thread before I started mine.
Wyoming, 9-4-2008. NF OTC unit, came to Chuckles and cow callin, Screamin his fool head off.
Congrats to all.....looks like some great animals taken so far.
I'm off to CO tomorrow.
Best of continued hunting to all.
I harvested this bull as he came down to a wallow where I was waiting. It was 6:25 PM on August 30. My son Luke, his friend Tim, and my longtime friend Randy Dunn who were hunting with me, also filled their tags within the first five days of the season opening.
This bull was taken while guiding on the Acoma reservation. In New Mexico. 7:01 am. Bugled for an hr before we stalked within 120 yds then Coe called and he came running in shot at 13 yds he went 70 and fell all within sight. Later DanTBM
Congrats to all of the successful hunters. Those are all some fine trophys. Bob
Congrats, you all are getting it done. Thanks for sharing the photos.
I just got back home from my first elk hunt. Colorado DIY....he ain't much, but I sure was happy to have the opportunity, then came the hard part......21 hrs of de-boning and hauling off the mountain.
Congratulations, Dan. Nothing like the first one. Congrats, too, to the rest of you successful hunters.
Opening morning in BC, 25 yard shot. First hunt of the season, sometimes things just go your way!
Nice elk everyone. I shot this guy yesterday. Spotted him and three other bulls leaving a wallow at 2:30. Snuck into the canyon they headed for. Shot him at 4:15. I love hunting when other guys are at camp napping! 12 yard shot, 45 yard recovery.
nice job everyone. cows, bulls etc!
You guys are just killing me !! Awesome pics
Nice pictures I am heading out tomorrow for unit 27 AZ . Hope to have some pictures of my own. I will be doing some calling for my buddies.
Congratulations to all of you who were sucessful!
Tag soup for me this year...
Tracy, Beautiful bull bad. Plaid is the way to go! Love that pic. Congrats. And to everyone else. Dan
Tracy classic pic , way to get after them while everyone else was back at camp!
Had a 4 point at 21yds couldn't shoot at but had this cow at 12yds 5yd recover shotot though the heart. Layed down after my shot and started cow calling the herd stay there and after 40 min. of cow calling my buddy got a two point bull at 35yds almost sitting on my cow when he shot he's..
This was I one great hunt with the Elk talking and going on.
Tracy, I specifically got on this thread to see if you had a pic posted. Way to go!Nice bull! I'll call you sometime. Jeff
Congrats guys...great start!
Colorado - 09.09.08.
Hoyt 38 Ultra - 70# - FMJ 340 pushing Snuffer SS 100.
Good job to all you bow hunters who have had sucess. And good luck to those still to get out here.
Here is another bull taken on the Acoma. Have Fun DanTBM
Shot this guy in New Mexico on 9/6/08. Got a pass through tight on the shoulder. He only went 20 yards.
Here is another picture. As you can see he had been using a wallow.
I finally got my first bull elk on the 8th after 13 years of trying. Thank goodness that hunting isn't just all about the kill and more about being in the outdoors with friends and family. He came in to just 5 yards and I slipped a 100gr Montec through him with my Drenalin LD. What an awsome experience. Congrats to everyone who has tagged a bull and to everyone else who is privilaged enough to chase after them.
DC
I wouldn't have done this without my hunting partner who is also in the photo with me, I'm on the right.
my 5 pt with my fiance...
08 wyoming diy public land otc tag
Colorado. Public Land DIY
Nice bulls all around. Justin, how many herd bulls is that for you now?
Nice!
I'll be in CO in a week!
First elk with the Trad. gear.. 10yd Shot and 30yd recovery...
Dave, This might sound crazy but this wasnt even the herd bull. There was a different bull that had all the cows. This guy in the end ended up being all by himself. Originally I thought he had cows but it turned out the bull with cows was down the valley behind me. He started bugling after I was close to this guy.
Holy cow, Ermine! What a great CO bull! Congrats! Got anymore pics of the side view?
Thanks to all for posting your pics. Big or small, I love them all!
I shot her friday the 12th in COL
Got this one in AZ on a limeted opportunity hunt, not much action but this guy was rutting hard.
Ryan
08 Northern New Mexico--Long track with rain. Sow and cubs found him before we did. Lost my first animal last year and did not want it to happen again.
Alright here's my NM 6 X 7 bull. Got him @ 68 yds. He only went about 100 yds and expired. Heart shot. I didn't get a pass through but a great blood trail even in the pouring rain. I attibute that to the Slick Trick broad heads. Got him on 9/11/08. I'm shooting a Bow Tech Tribute.
BTW got a nice big bear on 9/6/08. I've included a pic of the bear too. Used the same gear as above.
Oregon coastal Roosevelt shot him at 38 yards only ran 40 before going down. Sorry about the back yard pic but I han no camera at the time of the kill.
Elkhunter14
My brother took this guy this weekend. Dad (60 years), brother and myself were bivy hunting and shot the bull about 6-7 miles from base camp. Took 15 miles and about 6,000 vertical feet yesterday to get him to the nearest ATV trail, my calves still hurt! But it was well worth it.
Nice work everybody!
Vichris, nice bull and black bear. That bull's rack is unique, it has alot of character.
The Bowtech and Slicktrick are a deadly combo. Congrats.
First Montana Elk hunt, I was at the right place at the right time.
Congrats Slap! What range were you in?
BX3 I was 50 mile north of missoula.
AZ bull, I am one lucky man,
GREAT JOB everyone else!
Public land OTC Colorado unit. Click link for story.
My Baby BULL!!! Had burgers tonight Very tasty. Last minute opp.
Rifle kill....Washington Gov Tag...next?
Some awesome DIY bulls so far! Ermine, great CO OTC bull!
Four years of work finally paid off in this nice ambush. This was five days after getting a nice mulie. Shot at 30 yds ran and expired 60 yds further. Sorry not a great photo but I was by myself and no spot to set the camera. Both animals were shot within a five mile radius of my house.
Congrats Brendan! Everything finally came together I see. Hope my bro got to pack some of that meat for you.
Colorado "Wilderness Area" OTC DIY 6x5. 15 yard shot, Undertaker broadhead 45 yard recovery. Charged right in to cow calls and bugleing, September 12th.
Those bulls couldn't have come from a Colorado OTC area. I have read on the internet that the OTC areas are full of people and little bitty bulls.
Seriously though, those are some great animals and I congratulate you all.
Rob
I pulled mine from CO OTC unit.
Matt your brother was out of town when I packed it out. Big loads one trip. I might give him some meat. Maybe it will break the curse.
Brendan
Here is mine from Idaho, OTC, DIY, all that good stuff.
I agree totally with notags,Get on the right side..... The hunters side
Taken this weekend in Colorado. I couldn't be happier!!
A few more photos. I was butt tired,lol.
ps 08 Sorry there fella, but you need to get off the trails a bit further. There are alot of calves running around by themselves, with cows, and with bulls.
I have tagged 2 calves myself. One was a mercy kill I came upon one morning. The calf had a hind leg caught in the top wire of a drift fence from earlier that morning. I put my ML behind the ear and pulled the trigger. Happy to punch the tag. The other was a calf that I called in during archery that came in with a big 6x7. I did not get the bull, but the calf sure tasted good.
I would have loved to shoot the bull I was after for 5 days. I knew it was a long shot so I took a calf on the way out. I does taste good!!! Some of the best eating I have had. BTW, I have been called alot worse paunsagunt08!! HAHA.. I will not fight anymore as this is not the place for it. Great kills guys!!
Details in "Last weekend in CO" thread.
Well I finally get to post... been a long season and I passed on bulls bigger than this one early but I couldn't be happier! Yesterday was the last day I could bowhunt this year so it was kind of a "if it's brown, it's down" kind of day... this guy came in to about 15 yards and I couldn't pass him up.... 14" and 15" browtines... not bad for a raghorn...
Here's my bull from Friday night. I shot him 40 minutes after I left the truck.
9/17 7:30 AM unit 42 Colorado Bowtech Blew up on second hunt, Parker backup was the tool of the day. (always take your backup) AL
9/04/08. My first elk. New Mexico. Can't wait to go again!
I called this bull in for my dad (pictured) on the 12th of September. He came running into cow calls (very light mews) and he stopped at 24 yards (slighlty quartering too him). My dad sent a gold tip XT Hunter and a magnus stinger broadhead his way and he couldn't hold it. The arrow went through the edge of the scapula, through a rib (completely fractured), and then through lungs before angling back into the chest cavity. He managed to sprint 400 yards on pure will power and died mid stride.
This was a DIY hunt in Washington; most units are spike or cow only unless you draw a branch antlered tag. This was one of those units. I had to pass up 2 "gimme" shots on bulls since I didn't have a tag again (5 years in a row).
We saw bigger ones but given the tough hunting conditions he was big enough. We packed out 290 pounds of boned out meat; he was eating well!
My 2008 Idaho bull. My biggest to date.
Mi 1st Elk shot Sep 11 in Alberta public land. 39yrd shot. The wife was with me at the time. Im very happy. Good job and congrad's to all
Geesh, I don't know if this one is worthy after looking at every one else's bulls, but here goes.
I shot this bull on a DIY hunt in CO on September 8th. I was cow calling to a herd bull when this one sneaked in behind me. The shot was 30 yards, complete pass through (never found my arrow) he went about 70yds and crashed. I was excited to say the least. My first elk.
By the way.....Thanks to Nva, Forager, jordanatwork and all the other guys who keep the conditioning threads going throughout the year. I don't post alot but read it everyday prior to the hunt. Being in the best condition of my life at 38 years old is not only good for elk hunting it's good for the soul.
Mike
Our NM hunt 3 Bulls Down. The first was mine.
Here is the 3rd Bull (Last Day)
Here is my first elk. DIY on an AZ tag. Saw several 6X6s but I am more than pleased with this 5X6. 20 yard shot with a 60lbs PSE bow and 100 gr Thunderheads. Double lung pass thru.
Our 1st and 2nd Bull Together
I just wanted to say i am sorry to browtine and anybody else that i offended on this site. I am sorry i mentioned anything and it is not my place to say anything about what anybody harvests as long as the person that takes the animal is happy with the animal that is all that matters. I have to remember we are all here on this site talking about what we all have a passion for and it is the same thing so there is no need to argue about anything. Congratulations to everyone that has taken a animal this year and also everyone else that at least got out in the outdoors and tried to harvest a animal. The only thing that matters is that you went and enjoyed it harvesting an animal is not all that matters. Again i apologize for the things i have said.
My Arizona bull that I took yesterday.
Great job Kyle.
Sharpstick
WAY to go Kyle!
Is that how he died after you ran him to death?
I think your bow was just in there for looks!
My OTC, DIY 20 minute elk hunt in Oregon
Another view Horns alone weigh 30 pounds.
This is my nephews first Elk. I set my son and nephew out in front of me and start callin a bit. After about 20 minutes of calling, a spike came in that he let walk and then a few minutes later this bull came in bugling and screamin, stopped just under twenty yards, and then my nephew took the air out of him for good.When I heard the Bull crashing through the timber I knew what happend, so I started working my way back to the boys and to see the looks on their faces after all that....I wish i could of took a picture, PRICELESS.........The bull went about 80 yrds.
One more with all three of us
Kyle congrats on your bull! Are you going to post your story?
Thanks for the apology paunsaugunt. No hard feelings from me. Good hunting to you.
Bowboy,
Yeah, I'll try to get the story up tomorrow.
No hard feelings browtine congrats on your kill. Good Luck on future hunts.
Colorado Public land DIY First elk
I called this cow to 15 yards broadside to my partner (the big guy holding the head).
Good job to everyone who have had sucess. Here is another one from the Acoma New Mexico. Good luck DanTBM
Colorado OTC. The best thing was I had a non-hunter friend along for the ride. We shot some 3d shoots with one bow this summer and he likes the concept of archery. I called in two bulls at the same time to 18 yds, and arrowed this one. He was blown away by it. I had to grab him by the collar after the shot he was so excited.
That...is a huge bull bows, congrats
AZ DIY. 8x6 bull but with a 5th point broken on the right beam 12 pbonus oints well spent. What a great hunt. Spent Sept 8-25 in the woods including a few scouting days on the front end.
Some great bulls and cow's, outstanding!
diy 6x5, habu recurve, sitka spruce footed shaft, 10 yard shot.
Here is the bull I shot in Arizona this year. I had seen a few bigger ones but could not close the deal on them. It was hot and pretty tough hunting for a guy used to the "high mountain alpine" hunting. I had a great trip though. I had basically given up on the evening and was headed back to the quad when I heard a small grunt. This guy never let out a bugle but just made a small grunt. I was not even sure if I had heard it or not. I decided to quietly sneak in just in case. I caught a glimpse of him and got in front to head him off. He went a bit faster than I anticipated and I ended up at about 20 yards to him with a juniper between us. I had to back up and kneel down all at the same time drawing back my bow to get a shot. It seemed like a perfect shot but there was hardly a blood trail. He went about 200 yards and piled up.
My 1st bull, CO public land
just a note on perspective, I'm 6'8" tall
I spent nine days bowhunting with my dad. We had about 50 elk come in on our waterhole, and I had a small 5X5 at about 38 yards with only a quartering to shot, he was not very big, so I pounded this big cow at about 18 yards. She crashed down and the elk were all still standing around wondering what was going on.
So, I'm still bull-less for archery although this is my 14th cow.
Sure are some nice bulls on this thread. Maybe someday I'll finally kill a bull with my bow.
Scottie
Hey Kirby congrats on that funky moonster! What about the story? Was your bro there to share in the excitement? I was looking for you over on MM then decided to check here. Here is my email:
[email protected] I want the story! I cant seem to get ahold of Craig.
Jeff
Here is the bull that my buddy shot the first night we got into camp. He came in after he couldn't refuse the cow calling and buglin I threw at him. We were in Unit 65 and this is the 4th bull we harvested in 3 years. I had an opportunity at a smaller 4x4, but opted to pass on him. My refrig is hating me for it.
I missed a monster the day before...... Isn't that always the way it goes?! Great year. Great weather. Great friends.
This 6x6 gave me a good shot, and I took it. He's 270ish...... and a full chest freezer.
I know exactly where I'll be opening day next year!
This is the best thread of the year! Bowsiters are doing a great job! Congrats to all!
its great to see all the happy smiles on the faces great going guys
Colorado OTC, DIY, public land.
Shot while packing out 'rambows' nice bull halfway up this thread. He was bugling at 2:00 in the afternoon. We tied up the llamas, unloaded them, and went after this one. Split the distance on him and bugled him right in.
WY public land DIY
Not the biggest bull on the mountain but looked pretty good after 13 days alone in tent and 4 days left in the season.
Congrads to everyone who was successful!
p.s. If gil_wy sees this, would like to visit with you, live just down the road.
My 2008 bull shot in AZ unit 6A south on 9/23 over a water hole- gross score 337 B&C
This Colorado 4pt was not the largest I encountered but will be the tastest for sure. I was trying to call in a larger bull for my nephew Greg who was 50 yards in front of me when thisull slipped in from the side at 25 yards. Since I had missed a simular size bull the first week and remembered what my wife had told me, ie, "Do not come home withour an elk", I drew down on the elk.
The bull walked forward after the arrow passed completely through but just clipped the posterior part of the lungs. He stood in one spot, 40 yards away, coughing a few time and then walked off in the dark. We returned the next morning with the game cart and tools to recover the bull.
No sign of the elk and no sign that one had been hit. I searched for an hour for blood and could not find any in the tall grass and pine needles. Finally, 60 yards to the west, there was a dry creek bed with tan stones in the bed. I walked down for 150 yards and found three drops of blood there the bull crossed the small gully. After that, nothing. One hundred yards farther was a tall grass meadow of 25 acres. I heard a raven at the far side of the meadow cawing. I told Greg, I bet the bull is down and is laying dead near that tree two hundred yards away. I guess right---there he was. Man, was I releaved and thanks Mr. Raven.
Yes, dear, I am on my way home and the freezer will be full.
Congrats to all that had a great hunt. Paul
Great pictures from everyone. Hell of a bull there B&H! Again, all great pictures. I will try and post our Oregon DIY Public Land bull shortly.
WillPower
Way to go everyone!! Here is a good friend and his first archery bull!
And another buddy with his 1st archery bull! They were killed from the same setup about 5 minutes apart!! Then ANOTHER one came in! Fun stuff...
I just wanted to point out the Bulls&Hoses nice bull is was one of those little Washington state bulls. The Governors tag bull taken this year was a 450+ green score bull. The bull was taken with a rifle, but there are a few really nice bulls in the woods. Congratulations to everybody. Great animals, I wish that all would share their stories to give us something else to chew on. Great Job.
Shot this guy Sept 24th. Packed him out 2 miles by myself, then went out the next morning with a buddy and he shot a big 6x6 (295 inches). Of course I was there to help him drag it out.
This is my first elk, killed on 9-23-08 on my third DIY trip to an OTC Colorado wilderness area. Took 3 guys 18 hours of packing to get it out.
Another fun year is in the books. I managed to pass on numerous bulls in search of another big boy. After a twig-deflected miss on the bull I was after, I settled on this small 5x5. My two hunting partners also connected with bulls who fell victim to calling.
All 3 bulls are typical representatives of Colorado OTC, public land.
I am really not ready for the 11 month time-out...
Heloman
First bull, OTC Colorado.
My brothers first elk. DIY in Colorado last week of the season. What a rush!!
Here is my first elk. DIY in Colorado the second to last day of the season. Wow, is the meat tasty! I can't wait till next season. Congrats to everyone! JB
montana solo hunt. called in to ten yards after about five hours of chasing.
Oregon Coast Bull, My son called it in.
Montana 2008 public land, general tag
First elk South Dakota, Black Hills
Here is my sons first bull. AZ 20 minutes into the first day.
Here's mine 10 days later. 20yd shot FMJ's and mini- max heads.
2008 NM bull...my 3rd bull so far. Cow called him in at a waterhole to 15 yds and shot at 20 yds. He went about 50 yds and expired. Cools stuff!
Great bulls and cows so far everyone. Congrats to all!
bowhuntress
Montana, 27 yard shot, <100 yard dash, crashed in an open field.
GRBowman,
Awesome Rosie, that's a big deal there!
called this bull over two ridges to my dad.Shot at 7 yards 125 yard recovery.HUNT
Beachbowhunter, that is one freaky elk.
9/25/08, First Elk in 4 years of trying. Wilderness area Co. I'm still so wound up I can barley type! Congrats to everyone else. COME 0N SEPT. 09
Holy Mackerel Batman!!!!!
Sundevil, a big huge congrats!!!!!
Some UNBELIEVABLE animals killed this year! Congrats to everyone that was sucessful in 2008!
Some good stuff!!
Rick
Redneck Sundedvil,
Holy Cow! What's the green score? State?
Fire
Believe it or not this is my first elk. 7X7 Shot him at 22 yds fell within sight 30 yds later. Public Land DIY. Don't know close I got the score but I have him at around 355 gross.
Wow. Some HUGE bulls there folks! Congrats to all! Looks like the Bowsite had a good year.
For a change of pace, here's officially the ugliest bull in ID. (Along with maybe the ugliest bowhunter in ID)
Got him the last evening of my last real hunting day. My camera died halfway through the hunt. My buddy met me here after dark (good ol walkie talkies) I was in the middle of disassembling him so he only took this pic with his head. At least I have some pics of him.
He just may be the worlds smallest 6 point too. You can't see it but the main beam on his right side palmates about 3-4 inches from the top and has a point you can just hang a ring on. Nearly every point on him is twisted and gnarled. (Non-typical spike?) Main beam broken off on the left side about 4-6" up with a couple points so I guess he's a 6x3 LOL! He's out of the gene pool now.
Anyway, my first branch antlered bull. Barely! And the hunt was a blast, into elk every day. Hunting with a great partner, breathtaking (sometimes literally) country. This lil guy was just frosting. Gosh I love elk huntin.....
Here is the bull I shot this year 10 minutes after texting my work that I was "in the elk and wouldn't be in!" I had just watched him get beat up by a bigger bull!
Well, it has taken me five years and a lot of lessons and learning but I finally harvested my first bull elk with a bow. This was also the best hunt I have ever been on with my father. He is 69 now and I was very proud of him getting around walking as much as he did. My goal was to try and get him an elk as he will only be able to do this for so long. He has come with me every year but one while living here in WA but he only started archery hunting with me the last two years (before he would just go along).
We have been hunting the Lewis River unit every year and have had at least one opportunity each year but it just never worked out. This year, I really took time to listen to Elknut’s teachings and it made the difference.
We arrived in camp on the 12th and started hunting Saturday morning. The heat was awful and we didn’t hear or see a thing all weekend. Both Monday and Tuesday were 90 degree days also so we stayed in camp after our morning hunts until evening. On Monday morning I decided we would walk a trail that was about 3 miles long and ended at a small lake. We called but nothing was happening. When we arrived at the lake, we stopped for a rest and I let out a few cow calls, I immediately heard something coming through the trees and told my father to set up. I ran back into the trees behind him and started cow calling and making noise. A small bull came to within 15 yds of my father, he is still new to this so he made a rookie mistake and didn’t have his bow in an upright position so he could just draw and shoot. He had his bow sideways and had to turn it before drawing, when he did the bull caught the motion and bolted (lesson #1 learned). It was here at the lake that we learned another important lesson, elk are not deer and don’t care about how much noise you make as long as you sound like an elk. While I was trying to call the bull my father saw back to him I was making all kinds of noise and cow sounds when I heard another bull give me a lazy reply from the hill behind me. I kept up the calling hoping my father would move into position for this bull. The next thing I knew the bull was at the bottom of the hill and was starting to get upset at me not coming to his bugles and chuckles. I was hoping at this point that my father would start calling so I could now make a sneak on the bull but he stayed quiet (old deer hunting habit). So I decided to try and sneak up on him after making a couple more cow calls. He must have seen or smelled something and moved off quietly. We discussed the situation and how we would handle it the next time (lesson #2 learned).
Monday evening I decided to hunt and area I found the last time I was there. But as we turned a corner on the road we were walking we saw that it had been logged over the last year…..arg! Well, we decided to move towards the bottom of the clear cut and see if we could get any response from the creek bottom or other side of the canyon which was not accessible other then by a not so fun hike. We began calling and using different sounds to see if a bull would respond to something. It took about half an hour before I got a response from a bull about a quarter mile away up the other side of the canyon. He started to move down the other side and would respond to my calling so I knew he was a lone bull. When he finally reached the bottom, all of a sudden I heard another hunter coming up the creek bottom trying to call our bull towards him. I could tell the bull was getting confused by the way he was responding. The hunter was trying to do the same calls I was doing but he did not have one thing I did which I new the bull liked, my single reed hyper call. I started in with that and immediately the bull responded and I could hear branches snapping as he came up our side of the creek. We were probably set up about a 100 yrds up in the clear cut and I had a decoy set up a little ways behind me. My father was back behind that. When I saw the bull for the first time I could see he was at least a nice 5x5. He came up just into the clear cut and let out a nice bugle and chuckle. He then looked around for the cow that was so hot for him… That’s when I realized I should have run down closer to the tree line! The bull moved back and forth a few times and I tried some soft calls to get him to look my way in hopes he would see the decoy and come a runnin. I could tell he was getting nervous, then he just turned and disappeared back to the safety of the timber (lesson #3 learned).
Tuesday evening was our night to remember. I took my father to a clear cut that no one seems to go to very often and I set him up on one side and I set up on the other. Both sides have creeks so elk could come up from either side. After about 45 minutes of calling I got a response from the timber over on my fathers side of the clear cut. The bull worked his way to the bottom of the creek and I tried to move to call him towards my father but he just stood his ground down in the creek bottom. I motioned to my father to start moving towards the bull. As I called to stay in contact with the bull and give my father time to get there through the clear cut I realized the bull was starting to move up the creek and away from my father. Decision time, I could see that my father was having a hard time moving through the clear cut due to all the crap they leave laying in them. I decided I could cut the distance quickly by running along the logging road over to the clear cut area above the bull. I was there in a few minutes and found a good spot to let the bull know his honey was now closer and waiting for him to arrive (see lesson #3 above). As soon as I called to him I could hear him making his way up from the creek bottom. Then it got real quiet for a minute and I couldn’t figure out what happened. I moved up on my knees to see a little better and noticed the bull standing looking my direction off to my right. He did not see me and started moving along the tree line in my direction. When he got to some downed logs that I had previously ranged at 28 yards I was ready. I came to full draw and placed my 30 yrd pin on his chest. Well, I didn’t take into consideration that he was down hill enough to effect my aiming point. The arrow went directly over his back (lesson #4 quickly learned). My father had seen me move so he started to move a little behind me and to my left (see lesson #2 above). He called at just the right time to take the bulls attention from trying to see where that funny sound came from and I was able to knock another arrow. The bull then moved about 10 more yards to his left and slightly down hill. I called to him when he reached the next opening and this time I compensated correctly as my arrow struck home. He jumped and moved about 15 yrds before turning to go back down into the creek, I called to him and he stopped. I could tell he was hit hard as he just stood there looking forward. I could not see where my arrow had hit because he was now facing the other way. I did not want this to turn into an ugly hunt where I wait for him to fall and lose him because I didn’t take another shot. I knocked another arrow and hit him solid again. This time he jumped about 10 yrds just to the timbers edge. I called again and I heard that wonderful sound of an elk hitting the ground!!! I found both arrows had gone through the heart so the second shot was not necessary (but still glad I took it). Just then I stood up and my father was coming over the hill behind me. I asked if he heard the bull crash, he did not know exactly where I was so he didn’t see or hear anything but was still ecstatic that we had taken our first elk while archery hunting. We got back to camp at 3am with all the meat and had a glass of wine and slice of French bread to celebrate then crashed…
We spent the rest of the week trying to get him an elk but just couldn’t make it happen. We got responses from a bull on just about every hunt and had a couple that we called back and forth with but we could tell they had cows and were not going to come our way. The terrain was to much for my father to go down into and go get them but we still had a blast trying to call them in. My father is even more hooked now and with god’s blessing will return with me next year.
Sorry for the long story but it was the best hunt of my 48 years I have had with my father and I had to share it.
Thanks for reading,
Fulla
Fred, thanks for sharing the story and picture. This is one hunt to be proud of and having your dad along made it extra special. Paul
wow some great bulls, and some reall monsters, likely I will not see as many huge bulls as are pictured here in my lifetime, but I am going to try!
Congrat's to all!!!!
First year missing elk hunting since I started. hurts. bad.
WY Sept 22 DIY Public Land
I shot this bull at 43 yards twice. Great hunt!
My buddy's '08 Archeruy bull he shot in Oregon. A nice 5x6 Rosevelt Bull Elk. Congrats Matt !!!
got 'r done opening day on a cow hunt in AZ
Form the looks of things, I think we're all going to look back on 2008 with a smile. ...I know for our efforts, and that of my friends, this past year - here in Colorado at least - was a pretty good year.
I finally was able to connect after three previous blown attempts/shots at good 6x6s. ...frustrated doesn't even come close to describing how I felt before I was able to head back up for one last try. Found this one 6 miles back in (after some new hunters moved into the valley and set their tent up right smack dab in the middle of where all the elk HAD been feeding) and willing to work at 3pm. ...I love my horses!
Good job everybody, and like one person said, I am REALLY not looking forward to the 11-month wait!
Chris
Good job Chris. I love when other hunters set up there tent right in the middle of an area where elk are using. It has happened to me before. Really tickles me! I also really enjoy when hunters go marching around in the bedding areas and ruin it for the rest of us who are smart enough to not mess with the elk in their beds.
Called in this bull on September 12th. No tripod so I propped the camera up on my backpack for the photo.
TD, boy you're not kidding on that Idaho elk, that's one rasty, goofy, looking old bull, and the elk is kind of funny looking too! Just kidding!! Congrats, any bull while bowhunting is a true trophy no matter how big. the trophy quality really only lies in the heart of the hunter. Again, congrats...
AZ Youth hunt. My 12 yr old son's first elk. Sorry not a bowkill, but there is always next year.
My Colorado bull I shot on 9/8/08. Public land it was my first Colorado hunt.
Shot this one on 9/18/08 public land Idaho. This was my 10th bull with my bow.
My 6x6 on CO public land
-6x6
Here's a photo of my CO 6X6 taken 10/20. Great hunt. Don't know if the photo will come over (doing it from work,lots of blocking software etc.) but I'll give it a try.
Correction...the date was 9/20! Sorry
better late than never.HUNT
He would answer cow calls, but wasn't real interested in coming over to check out the "new girl". Hit a small bull squeal and his attitude instantly changed. He came in looking to teach the young upstart a lesson. After some tense minutes head-on at 9 yds, he finally busted. Hit some mews and, unbelievably, he stopped at 35 yds. Luckily, his head was screened by a tree and I was able to SLOWLY take two steps to get the shot.
