2009 Meatpole! Let's see 'em!
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Since I won't make it out west this season I'm going to live it through you guys. I'm sure some connected on opening day so I'll give you all a place to post them up.
Thank God someone started this thread. Its been killing me as well. I'm not making the trip to Colorado this season.
Utah bull. Shot him coming from a brand new wallow he was digging in. 20 yard shot. 60 yard recovery.. Called in bulls everyday starting Aug 22. Special thanks to my bud aspencer, wouldn't have done it without him!
Brandon: Congratulations Brandon, nice bull again, you make it look so easy ! HH in Pa
Boy that last one's a Jimmy Houston photo, congrats all!
Look at the head on that thing! And the elk's isn't very small either. LOL
Congrats fellas, good to see folks doing well early on!!!
matthewsshooter---could you give us a story on the recovery of your animal? very interested in wait times, what the blood trail was like etc....
not judging the hit, just looked far back. was it a challenging trail?
appreciate your sharing! Nice bull!
43 yrd shot hit him be hind the right shoulder exited left side be hind the ribs pass thru he lived 10 sec ran 100 yrds fell over straying blood
Congrats gents! I'm envious....no elk for me this year:^)
Nice bulls you guys!
My ek this year is just a little guy but I'm happy with him just the same. Hit him on the right side highish at 40 yards as he was partially behind a hill. My new 82nd airborne barked out my 355 grain stinger tipped flatline at 342 fps. The arrow went thru the right side shoulder blade, double lunged him, and ended up sticking out 14". He only went 37 yards.
Keep em comin...
Utah general any bull unit. About a 30 yard shot and I watched him tip over after he ran about 20 yards.
Great guys. Congratulations!!!
Cazadore: Congratulations Chad, gives us some details on your hunt. Was this pack out as tiring as the last one ? How did your newbie friend do on this hunt ? HH in Pa
Very nice, congrats...Some nice shot placements also!
cazador's Link
Here is one of a new hunter. See link for a bit of history on this one.
Caz, was that last bull killed this year by your non-hunter friend?? Or was that the bull from last year's story?
Caz.. That bull looks like it is still awake. Awesome picture!
TX, this is the non-hunter's first kill. His bull from a couple days ago.
Way to spoil him with a 6x6 ;) Good job getting someone else involved in the sport!
Public land. Shot at 62 yards in the heavy timber after jumping him from his morning bed.
Wallow 62 yrds in heavy timber? must of had a good long clear shooting lane! congrats on a long putt!
Wallow, that background looks like heavy deadfall, not heavy timber. Congratulations on the long shot.
Lot of meat. Good job to all. Two weeks till first day of my elk hunt. Hope there still there.
Looks like a body breaking pack out in that stuff.
Congrats to all you early hunters!
Utah Sept 3rd. Use the G5 striker Mag 1 1/2 wide three blade what a hole.
Here is a picture of my friends bull. Made a good heart shot on opening morning of CO season....magnus stinger 4 blade.
Rappstar, very nice bull. Interested in what Big Dan has to say about this pose. LOL
DAN you are the MAN!!! Congrats!!
He will learn that its a no no to set on your elk only took me 40 years to find that out. I was going to take one of me setting on mine and post it.But know I know better.
I personally like that pose, but I guess there are lots of folks who dont. Coundn't help but bring it up because I remembered that it caused a stir last year. Great job all you guys. Heading out Wed. First time with a guide. Looking foreward to learning all I can from some guys who know how its done.
I warned my friend before I took the picture of him with his bull. He chose to do it anyways!
I guarantee That I will get that pic with every bull i kill. Nice bull again.
Congrats Brandon. Very nice bull!
Great looking buls everyone. Caz..we got to get together next year...:)
BigDan, you never disappoint. Great bulls everyone. Headed to NM on Sat.
12bHunting,
"whats wrong with the pose? never hunted anything besides deer just curious."
A lot of people believe that sitting on the carcass shows disrepect for the animal.
those were great pictures. I hope to get a chance to hunt elk someday.
Oregon public land, DIY. My first bull!
Awesome 1st bull Tyler congratulations. He's going to look great on your wall. FYI: I'm still expecting a phone call;)
Great bulls everyone.
Tredd 60. Right on man! DIY, Public in a state with a lot of competition. Very serious accomplishment.
Holy cow Tyler...That thing is huge....kind of like my first moose..which was 64 inches.
Hope you still experience joy out of shooting lesser bulls in the future. I'm just as excited about a spike/fork moose as my 64 incher. Just love having meat in the freezer!
I killed a four point bull in Colorado on the first of September. 30 yard shot. Bull went down around 70 yards.My first elk! We had a blast. I'm already waiting for 2010 season. No picture I don't have a digital camera. Congrats to all above!
This was a Solo hunt. Shot this bull on Sept. 6 at 9:20am Colorado over the counter unit. I cow called about 4 times and looked to my left and there he was about 60 yards out coming right at me. He came in quietly, never bugled. I ended up shooting him at 15 yards. He went about 60 yards and piled up. No tracking needed, I watched him fall. Great hunt. The only sad part is that I am done hunting. I am very pleased with this bull.
called this bull into 25 yards 2:30 in the after noon one arrow through the heart watched him tip over in 25 yards.
Cascade Golden Hawk Mag, Lodge pole arrows and an MA-3 Broadhead. Public land OTC.
OH yeah I forgot, Starbucks "Venti" coffe cup on the end of grunt tube. I think he was looking for a quick caffine rush!
I can't wait for him to post this so I am doing it. My brothers bull.
ELKJNKY,
Is that bull's right antler tipped forward?
Nice bulls everyone.
My season is still almost two months away. :0(
The Old Sarge
Congratulations on your bulls everyone. We head out this Thursday - finally!
Craig,
Your brother's bull has fantastic fronts! Congratulations to him.
Man, there'are a lot of darned fine bulls going down this year. Way to go, guys!
I can't wait to get out there. Nice going guys.
Shot this bull on the 5th. I had 4 days to hunt this year. I leave for Alaska for a archery Mt Goat hunt the 20th.
Limited Draw unit in NW Colorado. ...will post the story over on the Colorado page in a day or so.
Great job to everyone else as well!
Chris
man i wish this economy would change so work would pick up so I could go chase elk - the wife said maybe next year and if you get to go you can go for two weeks.
Congrats to everybody that has posted pics
Nice grin Roe!!!! Congrats on the monarch
Congrats Chris. Wow. That's a beauty!!!
Great bull Chris. Excellent shot as well!
sarge yes it is looks as if he broke that pedistal last year maybe and it grew out weird i think its kinda cool
All I can say is wow...sure are some nice bulls. Congrats again to all!
Great bull Chris!
I forgot to say my brothers bull is an otc public land Co. elk. Really an amazing animal! Seems like there is some better than normal bulls around. I hope so as I am start next week.
Labor Day weekend - Idaho
Oregon DIY Solo, loooong day after the shot.
As for video on mine, no unfortunately; I was by myself and it happened fairly fast and up close. As far as the shot, I did the best I could at 6 or 7 feet. :-) One of my best bulls to date - roughly 356 5/8 gross. It was a GREAT hunt!
Can't wait to see how the next couple of weeks pan out for folks!
Here is my Colorado bull, I called him in on the 3rd, he followed a cow and calf and two spikes in. It will be shown on Primetimes bulls 8 they are rockin now. Im Utah for a week, NM for a week and back to Utah Yeehawww.
Big Al---man that bull has a beautiful cape...us taxidermists look at the capes too . lololol...nice bulls
Man, talked about getting excited..I'm planning my first elk hunt in Idaho in Sept 2010...seeing these pictures makes the wait tooooo damn long!!! LOL
Congrats to everyone on fantastic animals.
Serge
Plenty of hitchhikers where I killed him thats for sure....good luck, al.
The bulls are falling now for sure. These last couple days are killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Awesome bulls.....I am going crazy here!
Shooter.. Nice bull what area Idaho? I am heading out in 28 days. Rut hitting yet? Heard it has been warm this early fall.
All,
I just got back from my WY elk hunt. I took this bull yesterday at 8:11am. I called him in solo and the shot was 15yds with a 35yd recovery. This is my 36th elk I've taken. My 2009 season is now 100% filled tags between Utah and Wyoming. Everyone good luck!
Bowboy,
You've had quite a season! Great bull!
Bow boy good deal weres is your utah bull?
Congrats to all. Craig, what a season! I'll give you a call when I get back from getting my elk fix. Even though I'm not hunting them this year, I gotta go play with the elk.
36th elk----Wow man that is something...congrats...
This is my son Bailey McClellan. He is 14years old with his first bull elk. He made a great 19 yard shot, the bull ran about 50 yards dropped dead.
This is my son Bailey McClellan. He is 14years old with his first bull elk. He made a great 19 yard shot, the bull ran about 50 yards dropped dead.
Sweeet!!!!!!!! Congrats Bailey
Nice job fellas! Living through my brother-in-law this week as he is heading to CO. Good luck Jason, bring one home.......next time I am with you.
I am on my last couple hours of work....
Third year hunting, first elk. OTC in Colorado. Cow Called him in on Sept 5. Was crazy. My first shot double lunged him about 4 inches behind the front shoulder. He ran a little and stopped... So I put another one in quartering away. Hit about 6 inches behind the front shoulder. He went down within 20 yards. When I walked up to him, he jumped up and ran a short distance, and I put another one through both lungs. I was using Rocky Mountain 3-blade Titanium broadheads. I'll post a couple photos. The first one above shows my first shot.
If anyone wants to trade a quality elk hunt for a SE Iowa Private land Whitetail hunt let me know. I own land and have access to hundreds/thousands of acres. I would need to also include my buddy on the elk hunt since he owns/farm rents most of the land. Our whitetail land has extremely low pressure and is only hunted by the two of us and occasionally my dad (when my dad who lives in Illinois draws a tag he hunts approximately 10 days a year). We can gaurntee a shot opportunity on a 140+ class whitetail, however; we only shoot 5.5 year old or older bucks but easily fill our tags every year. You guys are killing me, I love shooting giant whitetails, but I have to try some elk hunting.
PM me if interested
This is the Tule elk I shot on 9-07-09 at 7:05 pm the huntg ended at 7:25pm. My first bull and I passed up several larger thruout the 5 days hunting
Yeah the time stamp is wrong I for got to fix it.
Bambklr, that is great. Don't get to see or hear about many tule hunts. How would you compare to a more traditional hunt?
Really awesome guys!!! Just hope there's some left for next year when I get back out there.
Colorado public land DIY. Called to 10 yards, 50 yard recovery.
Utah, September 8th. Shot him on a great waterhole/wallow we had found.
Got him last night from the same tree I killed my bull from last year. He snuck in very quietly responding to cow calls, I didn't see or hear him until he was 45 yards! 22 yard shot, he made it 50 yards.
Here's a couple more pics from my DIY Utah trip
Great Bulls guys thanks for sharing!
I had super day today bowhunting elk near my home. I got up at 5 am and was hiking by 6 am, called my wife at 8 am and cow called and bull answered right away. Then I bugled to him and cow called again and he came real fast. I ran down ...and met him half way and shot him at 9 yards, he went 20 yards and crashed, shot him at 8:30 am. My wife and a friend came up with the horses. I recruited about dozen boys ( city kids, they were all over whelemed by the expirence and they all thanked me) and their team leader from the school my wife and I work at and the meat all packed out by 5:00 pm.
I called this bull into 9 yards, he came in broadside and turned and faced me. There was a thread not to long ago on here about a frontal shot, I shot him through his brisket and into his heart (buried the arrow 3/4 into him) , he went 20 yards and piled up. I would take that shot again, if one were that close. I used 300 gran easton epics and 100 gran thunderheads and my jennings buckmaster G2.
Terry L. Zink
Awesome stories! This thread is picking me up and just adding to the FUEL. I'm going back out Monday and Wednesday night and all day on Tuesday and Thursday. I hope to contribute soon.
great post houndy. nice bull
I'm heading out friday in Montana. I hope I can get as lucky as you guys...Good goin.
My First Elk and First Bull! Shot on 9/9/09 @ 12:21 PM. Colorado, DIY, OTC.
First elk with a bow. Shot 9/10/09 in Wyoming.
Oregon public land and my first bull!
Sept. 13 @ 9:15. Colorado wilderness area.
Ziek- Damn , I wish I was in CO right now.My last trip there was in 2004.Real nice bull-congrats to you.What wilderness area were you in?
I'm not saying! For the first time in years, we had very little pressure from other hunters, and I want to keep it that way. lol
My biggest bull yet,, great DIY general Wyoming tag with my brother.
Ziek, we were close. Sept. 13, 8:55 AM. Young Idaho bull. Notice that if you can get them to drop by a log, you don't have to sit on the elk for pictures.
Was wearing the new shirt I got in Namibia from our PH two weeks ago.
Ziek- I don't blame you on holding back on the location. Good luck to you in the future!
Got him the morning of Sept 10th. 15 yard broadside shot. Complete pass through. He went just over 100 yards before he expired. Colorado public land DIY hunt.....incredible! My first archery kill!!!
Thanks to my partner Chris, and Justing and Mack for helping pack him out!!!!!
Congrats to all the above
leavin tomorrow for CO 201! my friend's dad finally drew
My back would also like to thank Justin and Mack. With out those guys we would still be packing.
9/14....2:30pm....Idaho bull
9-15-09 MT 5 yards.My Dads best to date.HUNT
9-11 my first elk hunt ever Public Land SW MT
Hunt Man, my God is that a 5x5!? What a beast!
My friends first bull with a bow, he sure was happy. I called him in for 25yd shot.
spot and stalk killed on day 10 back country hunt
5x5 taken at 40yds in southern NM, shot in the magic "triangle". He fell within sight. Called in by my bud HoosierDaddy on Sept. 7.
Hoyt Vulcan 63lbs 100grn SlickTrick Mags Easton Axis 400's
JO (SAVILO on another computer)
2009 model.
I've let a bunch of bulls walk by this season, but this guy was too tempting this morning at 22 yards after a perfect setup. Watched him crash. N. CO, OTC unit.
Trying this again. Not sure what happened with the photo but sending this from the wall tent in elk camp.
9/17 Wyoming General Elk 40yd shot, 40 recovery
Duffy, September 17th has been pretty good to you. Congrats!!
elkiller something seems wrong with your photo. i can't figure it out but it looks funny
wg, Was this a frontal shot? Is that the fletching sticking out of the front? Just curious, if so how far did he go?
Sept. 13th
40 yard shot, 50 yard recovery, Snuffer SS.
BIG NINE your elks body looks huge. Congrats to everyone and good job to all the guys on there firsts.
Wanab...took the photo with a 3mp cell phone cam....was 7 miles in trying to cut down on bivy weight....wish now i would have taken a better cam... now that i look at the upload it does looks a little chuck adamsish...but was only angle i had with the lighting...holding up the head with my left knee...
nmer2,
What's up with the Chester Cheeta grin? Nice bull.
1ST BULL CALL IT IN BY COW CALLING THRU ELNUTS LITTLE CHUCKLER ON SEPT 7TH NATIONAL FOREST LAND DIY
Great pictures guys - nice animals - all of you. There is a single flaw in each and every picture as I see it - - The shooters is every picture is of you and not me. Congrads guys!!!!!!!
Here is my bull I shot on the 17th, Idaho, Public land, OTC tag, DIY, solo.
A lot of first timers. That's GREAT!!! Congratulations!!!
montana bull lador day My first elk called into 20y at a water hole
Elkiller...you kinda have things backwards, literally.
Your pic makes the butt look huge and the rack look tiny...now how it's done by the pros.
Not sure what the minimum score is for elk-ass...but you gotta be way up there. Man, those round steaks outta be as big around as semi tires!
Called this bull in on 2 different days. The first encounter ended with no shot opporyunity at 25 yds. Snapped this photo as he was coming in on the 18th of Sept here in Colo.
I think this is a much better shot of him tho...18 yd broadside shot & watched him go down after a short 60 yd sprint. Thanks ELKNUT (Paul) for the calls. they are terrific!Also thanks to Dus, Shawn, & extra help with the packin chores from whered the elk go & Odie1( Darren & Travis)You guys are great!
Writer, I found a better pic....HA Big arse...little rack....reminds me of some dates from....NEVERMIND...
I got lucky and got another good bull here in Idaho after taking my bull in Utah. What a year! Cow called him in and took him at 23 yards. 100 yard recovery.
Nothing on top of her head, but some dang good eating!
Here are a couple of pictures of an AZ bull I killed on the 18th with Timberland Outfitters.
My brothers first bull from Idaho
AZ buul. Congrats to all. and good luck to those still trying.
Ryan
My Public Land Colorado Bull
Way to go Matt and Ryan. Nice to see some Arizona bulls finally. Tough year.
FarBeyondDriven's Link
Idaho bull (northern), no calls.
Way to go Matt!!! Does that mean we have elk meat at MHH? :)
How long did it take to wipe that silly grin off your face, Matt? ;) That second pic shows the character of the rack nicely. Again, well done. Did Kevin finished with a punched tag?
took this bull on 9/17/09 in montana this is the 22 bull that I seen in 10 days of hunting,we seen a total of 27 bulls in 14 days and I called in 10 of them within bow range, wow what a fun hunt. RICK
Sept 15, 8:00 am, NW MT, Public Land, Guided. 1st Elk ever. Many days afield and no more tag soup.....Yeehah ! 11 yrd shot and 50 yd recovery. What a hunt !
Congrats to all you tagged out bowhunters ! Nice work.
Last Cast.
Congrats to all of you. I struck out myself. Maybe next year!
Congats to everyone on some great elk. This is my Colorado DIY back pack hunt killed on Sep 16th.
Matt - way to go brother! Want to see lots of pics this spring.
Phil - Frank should be a proud man. Sure looks like it from the pic!
Great bulls guys. Congratulations are in order.
Colo. back pack hunt as well. Nice bulls guys.
Nice bull Thrasher.. Died in the rocks didn't he..
Here is mine from Sept. 2..
Cedar
Unit 1 AZ bull taken Sept. 17. 37 yard shot 120 yard recovery. Unbelievable hunt with tons of big bulls. AZ is truely an elk hunters paradise!!!
Here is a small 5x6 taken in idaho on 9/4/09 Came to cow call
Nice bulls guys. There's nothing like the smile on a guys face when he tags on of these incredible animals! Congratulations all!
Congrats to all! Some great bulls have hit the ground. Here is my OTC WA elk; no branch antlered tag so forced to hunt to fill the freezer. I called her into 21.5 yards and she only went 75 yards before tipping over (downhill).
Idaho 5X5 dink taken on the 17th. 24 yards on the shot and about 100 yard recovery. Got another tag though and we'll see now that their is meat in the freezer....... Have a couple nice bulls located and called in for my buddies last week, but no clear shot or angle.
Matt, that is a cool looking bull!!!!!!
Man- some really nice bulls guys! Way to go you first timers! Chris Roe- really nice. Lou- you just keep getting it done. Well this is my second leg of my three state hunt. Got a nice velvet 6x6 in Utah and this bull from New Mexico. Khunter called him in for me splashing and raking at his water hole. A nice easy 14 yard shot from my Mathews SB with a FMJ Axis arrow tipped with a Montec G-5 got it done. I am going to hunt this last weekend in my home state of Colorado and try to get the dream season closed with a third 6 point. Good luck all who are still at it. Don
My Montana Bull. First bull.
Dreaming Big, there is no shame in a cow with a bow. Sometimes I think those cows are a bit smarter than the bulls during the rut.
I'm jeleous of you all. I hunted hard for 9 days in NM during some serious rutting behavior. Saw some incredible bulls! I called in a monster to 66.5 yards the first morning, and that set my standards. I saw the bull twice after that, but never could get him within my effective range. I passed on a dozen cows and about a half dozen bulls, one a decent 5X5. In the end the only tag I filled was my fall turkey tag.
I had an unbelieveable time, but sure wish I had a picture of ANY elk to post this year. Congratulations and great job to all you guys!!!
some awesome bulls guys, simply awesome.
Saaaweet, great bull Matt...Congrats guys!
Unit 34 New mexico, my first with a bow. Last day last hour or so of shooting time......Lot's of meat in the freezer :)
Way to go Don! You are a stud - if you pull off the hat-trick I will definitely have to shake your hand!!!! Good luck!
9/18/09 Idaho Bull "Unlucky 13" Put him down with a 20 yard shot, 15 yard recovery
Way to go, guys!!! Thanks for sharing!
Ok, so on Sept 3rd, the third day of my hunt we had already had a lot of elk coming in, the bulls were hanging up at 60 yds and letting the cows come in and check out the calls and in the past I have passed up a lot of shots waiting for bulls but this year I told myself I would not pass up a good shot on a lead cow if I had one. We hunted the morning and bumped about 15 elk, my buddy Keven suggested we split up and sit, but I was not about to go sit, I heard a bull where I have encountered many before and I went down into a deep hell hole where I have seen a bunch of elk, I sat on a log and cow called a few times. I heard a bugle about 300 yds away so I started moving that way 50 yds at a time cow calling to see how committed this bull was, it sounded like a smaller bull so I figured he was alone, I could not see any elk and I checked the wind and circled down wind until I got to about 30 yds, could not see any elk at this point, the bull was going crazy bugling every 3 seconds I was pumped I got on my knees and cow called into the trees to try and not pinpoint my position, I was on a steep incline looking up at a 45 degree angle. The bull started to move in my direction, he bugled like crazy and was getting closer, moving faster, then at 15 yds a cow came over the hill and was walking/looking right at me, she froze and the bull was coming, I was at full draw on my bow and I made the decision that if this cow gave me a shot I would take it or she was going to bolt and take the herd with her, she flinched and jumped sideways and walked 5 yards and stopped at 10 yds from me, I put my pin on her and released an arrow that disappeared right in the pocket behind her shoulder. I knew I made a good shot, she bolted and I immeditely cow called to her to try and stop her, I watched her run for 2 seconds stop look and take two steps and disapear into the woods. I took a deep breath and saw my arrow right behind where I shot, I snuck up and took a look at the arrow, it was covered in blood with no damage, I marked everything on my GPS and with trail tape, I waited 20 minutes, I was very confident in my shot and what the arrow was telling me. I started looking for blood but there was no blood at all, I started to get nervous and think that I wounded another animal, but I played everything over in my head and I started looking at where I last saw her and she was 3 steps away piled up, I lost sight of her because she fell dead. After butchering her in the woods right in the spot of the picture I made a perfect heart shot! To Jeremy and Ryan, I hope my streak of wounding is over! That is what happened and it took about 9 hours to butcher and pack her out with 3 people 2 1/2 miles from the truck downhill. I have to give a big thanks to BB, and some others that stressed shot placement in that pocket, I looked at those threads so many times that when the shot came, It was instant and no hesitation! BB your the man and I thank you for your neverending information. This is my first elk in 7 seasons of elk hunting 2 shoulder blade hits in previous seasons,so I did not want to do that again. I am going to post some pictures BB so you can see that people really listen and you do help us.
Not to good with picture thing, her she is!!
One more for BB's shot placement!!!!!
MD, GREAT testimonial for shot placement. I would say you center-punched the heart! There was no blood because the pump station was shut down. Nice work and congrats. JB
"Sometimes I think those cows are a bit smarter than the bulls during the rut."
I too appreciate seeing the cow pics posted here, guys.
I called this bull in for my dad who was at full draw on him at 15 yards but didn't have a clear shot.
He then ran right to me and stopped broadside at 20 yards and I couldn't resist!
Don, great job!! Waiting to see your CO bull from this coming weekend, for a perfect 6x6 trifecta! Bulls are rocking so you should have a great weekend.
My partner (Tom Kelley) killed a nice bull last night which I will post when I get a chance to download from my camera.
Forgot to congratulate everyone on here - some really great bulls being taken this year! Good to see so many regular Bowsite contributors getting the job done with nice bulls. Just goes to show how many of you guys who talk the talk, also walk the walk!
As I tell people who are always calling about advice, some of the very best archery elk hunters in the world are on this site. Great job, guys!
My first archery success and first elk. 15 yard frontal shot (I know its controversial) only ran 45 yards. Tough year in Arizona, got lucky on a day when they were screaming. I was all alone, cow called and he came in quick.
NM, sept 13th, had three bulls coming into cow call and he was first. guess it doesn't always pay to be first! He ran by me at 5 feet!, glunking away, soon as he was past, i drew, mouth called and he stopped 1/4ring away, i let the arrow go at 20 yards and it went in perfect. he went 110 yards and tipped over. Great hunt and congrats to all that put meat in the freezer. nice pics to look thru!
MT 9-22-09 8 yards 25 yard recovery.HUNT
Great job fellas!
I went on my first elk hunt this year and had a good time - got into elk just couldn't close the deal. Already looking forward to next time!
9-21 Colorado public land DIY
first bull NM public land
first bull NM public land
First bull 25yd shot, 75yd recovery. UT public land.
Congrats to all! I didn't buy an elk tag this year so I could concentrate on my moose hunt, but am already looking forward to next year. Only 11 months and a week till elk season!!!
WOW is it just me or are there some great elk being taken ths year. Congrats to all.
wyobullshooter, good luck on your moose hunt. I'm with you I can't wait till next season. Thankfully I still have a couple tags to get me through.
2009 meat pole. 3 hunters, 3 tags filled.
holly crap travlinman, that is an awesome bull. No CO tag for me this year, the background in your picture remeinds me of our spot in CO so I am envious.
congrats again
holly crap travlinman, that is an awesome bull. No CO tag for me this year, the background in your picture remeinds me of our spot in CO so I am envious.
congrats again
First elk hunt. Colorado OTC public land. DIY
2009 Meatpole Update.......In the freezer and ready for the table :)
Sept. 24 about 6:00 pm, CO DIY OTC. First longbow bull.
My Son's Elk.
Thats the exit wound, he made an excellent shot right behind the front leg.
Well done, Bake! Nice to see MO representin'!
Colorado DIY - The hunt was awesome and the elk was a bonus.
Tony
NM unit 52, 9/19/09, 30 yard shot, 50 yard recovery, Stinger head,
my hunting buddy just sent me this pic of a big cow he said he killed, and told me it was a hundred yard shot running away and she dropped in her tracks.
but i dont even see the entrance wound!
Here's mn_archer's bull from our Idaho hunt. (We just got back last night.) I had some great photos of his bull that I took when I was helping him quarter it up but accidentally deleted them the next day.
No worries, though, as I took many of the same photos with his camera. I'm sure he'll be here later today to post them.
He took this 8 X 7 bull two HOURS into our drop camp hunt! Which meant that jrarey and I had a campjack for the rest of the hunt. lol
My 2009 Colorado OTC Bull
Very nice guys...Kyle, great job!
My bull. Colorado, limited draw-public land, DIY. We had a great year.
Great bulls everybody!
Here's my SW Co. OTC bull.
Here is my first archery branch bull OR. D.I.Y. :)
DirtyD - Great job and Congrats to all of you!!!!
Travlinman, Chuck Adams is envious of that pose! Great bull and great scenery also, congrats!!
Great job guys!!! Good to see all the succesful hunts!
WOW What a YEAR!!!!! Congrats to all!
Got lucky on the first day of a hunt with nvaGvUp and Steve_jo.
Here he is...
michael
recieved a great invite to hunt a new area with great bulls
270 gross is score
OTC, PL, DIY
My son and I DIY public land Wyoming
DIY solo public land Wyoming.
Public land NM, Sept. 14, Hoyt Alphamax 35, Easton Axis 400's with FOB's and slick trick 100's.
I am impressed with the success of all you DIY hunters, that is the only way to do it. Congratulations to all of you guys, some great looking bulls.
The true Glory of DIY hunters!!!
Congrats All.
Good luck, Robb
Here's the Tule elk I killed on 9/26. My first bull.
My oregon bull. I had quite a hunt this year. I got a 3x3 buck, a coyote, and I stood up and urinated on a bear. I did not want to shoot the bear, but rather to get him to leave without disturbing the area. Mission accomplished.
Nice bulls everyone. I'm still hoping I can close the deal in the late season.
Here's my first elk, taken in Colorado Unit 12 on 9/24 on a guided hunt with Bar H Outfitters. We hunted hard all week, and I got my opportunity at 5pm on the last day of my hunt - down to the wire!
Wow. Those are some great bulls folks! Congrats all!
OTC public land DIY. This is a buddy we took with us this year, Sandy Parker, a young man (fireman) we got into bowhunting about 2 years ago and it was a duck to water. This was his first elk hunt ever. As for the pic he wouldn't let me take one without me in it. Sorry, not my fault. =D
This was a blast. Bugled him in like he had read the script, screaming all the way. I had Sandy set up 40 or 50 yards in front. He screamed 3 times in the last 100 yards, the last one right in Sandy's face. "Com'on Sandy... keep it together man..." He made the shot and as the bull turned started to run I screamed and stopped him. No chance for a follow up shot but every time he started to take a step I stopped him again. He was there for maybe 10 min wobbling and swaying. Finally moved off a little ways and tipped over.
I think I had more fun dong that than shooting it myself, calling and watching from the front row seat. Seeing and hearing the shot. Pretty cool.
I've got to get better at pics. With the camera on the ground and the head tilted back this is a better 5x5 than the pic shows. Also it always amaizes me how pictures make the country look flatter than it is. I'm 5'7" on my good days and Sandy is about 6'3".
Congrats Sandy. Sorry about starting that little elk addiction you have now.
09/16/09 CO DIY 5 yard broadside shot 50 yard recovery in the bottom of a nasty stream bottom! Mathews Drenalin, Easton FMJ with ABC Liberty 100 gr bradhead. Awesome experience! 2nd ever elk harvest.
This is a bull my buddy killed on a DIY hunt in Colorado on the 15th (I think). 4x3
I was suppose to go on this hunt, but due to financial constraints, I had to back out. Hopefully next year!!
Another ID OTC public land DIY bull with kind of a twist.
Saw the 4x5 in the morning bedded at about 150 yards. Slipped into 31 yards and hit him perfect. He stumbled getting up and ran maybe 20 yards plowing into a tree like hitting a wall and down. Cool! Got one!
When I got up and looked at him I noticed mine weren't the only holes in him. Someone else had shot him. My buddy Sandy was only up the mountain about 200 yards and was finishing up disassembling his bull with my other buddy David. David had been looking for a bull he hit the morning before. The bloodtrail was a tough one but he had followed it a long way up to near where Sandy's went down. He took a break from it to help Sandy.
Called them on the walkie talkies and said "you guys aren't going to believe this..." David came down and confirmed his bull. It had gone maybe a mile and a half from where he shot it. He probably would have come on it later himself to be honest, David is relentless and doesn't give up.
So, long story short, I shot and killed a bull. Just wasn't my bull. LOL! It was some fun and excitement for the morning anyway.
David and his bull. Happiness and relief. Only another 2 miles to camp and 2 bulls on the ground.
It was hot this year and between the weather and a bit more hunter pressure than I remembered they were on the quiet side. A storm blew in for one night and the temps finally dropped to 27, a frost on the ground and they cranked up a bit, we shot 2 bulls that day. Then it warmed up the rest of the time and they slowed down again.
In all I bugled in 4 bulls, killed one, I had another 5x5 a little bigger than Sandy's broadside at 26 yards, hung up behind a tree for several minutes. Ranged him from his butt. I had his head and neck and his butt but no shot at vitals. I knew he was on the edge of my windline and finally the swirl I was dreading came. I saw his eyes get as big as saucers, his body tensed up and he turned slowly and tippy toed away for 30 or 40 yards and then blasted out of the gates like a racehorse. Rats. 26 yards and 1 or 2 steps. Solo calling is tough. (I'm the only one in the group that bugles) The team thing works much better. We didn't do too bad, went 2 for 4.
Gawd I love this stuff. Congrats to all again!
Can't wait for next year already.
9/21 had a herd of 70 plus with 3 young bulls. 4x4 and 4 x5 . Decided with 5 days left to take the best cow ( and largest elk in the herd)
52 yards shot and she sent 30 yards. did nto get a 6 x6, but called and watched my friend take a 5 x 5 on the last sat by me. lots of young elk and over 600 bugles heard. the last 8 days were very good, but bulls were always in the oak brush and nto visible, even at 30 to 100 yards. had 3 other bulls within 30 yards but toooo thick for shots. Sw Col by my ranch on private and public lands
Colorado OTC, public land, Solo DIY
Not the big bull I was hunting, but a bull either way. 20 yard shot, 50 yard recovery.
Great job everyone.
Helo
My first bull. It was a 5X6 from OTC public land. This was the funnest hunt I've been on. I belive I'm hooked for life on Elk hunting!
Congrats to all you guys. There are some awesome bulls on this thread.
New Mexico public land DIY hunt, didn't know there was any other kind of elk hunt!Another Thunderhead 125 complete pass thru!Congradulations to everyone who scored!
Great job and congratulations to everyone that went to the mountains and scored! Just some unbelievable bulls this year!
btw, I hate that I missed it.
CO public land diy. 1st archery bull 6x6. 9-12-09. 23 yd shot 45 yd. recovery.
First trip elk hunting. Struggled to make the right play for what bulls that would talk. Messed up on the setup on a couple that came in silent. Blew on e stalk. Found the mother load of sign on Day 5 and stupidly layed off that area on Day 6. Day 7 of the hunt lasted less than an hour when a small herd dropped right in my lap. I shot this cow on the move at 12 yards. She went 20 and piled up, though she rolled about 400 yards down the mountain afterward. Adding up the miles - 82 in seven days. Wish I could go back tomorrow.
Mossy Oak and Parker Bows pro-staff member Kami McGann, ID-DIY public land. Her 3rd elk in 3 years of bowhunting.
AZ 6x6 on 9-21-09. 1PM warm and breezy. Put herd to bed at 930AM and got a shot at satellite. Herd bull walked by at 60 yards one minute after the shot. Day 7 of 7 day hunt. Saw some awersome (350+) bulls during the week-drew on some-no shot.
I shot him on Sept 28th. Called him in with Hot Lips and a Hoochie Mama, he came in lickn his lips but silent. Took him at less than 20 yards. He had one thing on his mind. Ladies!!! He was a 4x4 when I shot him and a 1x3 when he died. He crashed so hard against a windfall, he broke off both eye gaurds and 3 points off the main beam. It filled the freezer though. I do have to give a shout out to Chet Mervin,I was 8 miles back, made my first pack out to my jeep, when he drove up and told me I could use his horse, saddle and packs to get out the other 3 quarters and my camp. No charge, no nothin but a good old boy that saved me two more days of packin. If you see him tip your hat to him, that's a genuine good fella.
I just love these pictures. Kills me that I could not get back into the mountains this year. Thank you all for sharing your pics with all of us. Makes me want to re-prioritize things in my life....
Looks like the Bowsiters have done well! Good Job everyone. You guys kept me motivated.
Arizona 9/15/09 42nd elk with a bow
Idaho, OTC, public land, DIY. 9/13/09 30 yard shot, 65 yard recovery.
I drew a Utah spike/cow tag. It was torture watching 350-375 score bulls walk by and have to wait for a Spike! But I did and shot this one with 20 minutes of shooting light on the last night.
Wow, some nice bulls,congrats to all, it's going to be a long year.
NE Oregon, Shot Sept 20th.
Colorado Bull. got him the next to last day of the season (26th). Cow calls lured him in. First year to get a bull bow hunting (4th year trying) and I got a spike here in eastern Wa and this nice 5 point in Co. You guys sure give a guy something to shoot for next year! what a bunch of awesome bulls!
Sick bulls boys. I like Uncletick spence and all the AZ bulls. I'd like to see some California Bulls where are ya?
aspencer, Unreal palmation! Freakin' moose!
Central Montana during an arctic blast. Low temps, high wind, and a foot of snow. The rut was winding down, but we managed to capture this bull on video. Larry D. Jones is the man!
my elk from WY i pushed all the bad luck aside and made it happen
LC's Link
Congrats again on your bull Matt! Gotta love that trash! Very odd rut this year for sure! Here are a couple more from our Arizona 09 hunts!
LC's Link
You guys killed some HUGE bulls this year. I hope to get to go next year!!!!
Here is my 2009 Idaho elk. He is a 5x6 from a OTC unit and public land. This the first animal I have ever killed of any species. Shot him at 20 yards and he went about 100 yards. I called him in with some cow calls and it worked perfectly. Thanks to everyone on bowsite for all the advice that is posted here.
Sept 17th WY DIY. 15 yard shot with my Black Widow longbow. First bull elk after a lot of years trying.
first ever elk . rifle 230 yards guided 2nd day of rifle season. green scored 308 colorado private ground
yes i killed it with a rifle but i was lucky i was even able to go elk hunting this year i was diagnosed with cancer and my feet were swollen very bad. luckily me and the guides caught a herd of around 100 elk feeding down the mountains into this hay field. where we snuck around in front of them to get a shot.the only cover we could find was an old run down barn near the edge of the hay field. if we could sneak to it i could get a shot.there were 6 or 7 other branch antlered bulls in the herd.i picked out the biggest one and dropped him.yes this was all fair chase also.it was my first ever time elk hunting.colorado unit 64
where are all the pictures hopeing to see some more
DIY OTC Montana bull.
5 yard shot, pass thru, 35 yard recovery--fell on an old skidder trail...got him out whole.
63# Centaur Longbow, cedar shaft, 145 Grain Zwickey.
Garo
This is my bull I got opening weekend.
This is my son's first bull. Sorry for the blurry cell phone picture, but its a 5x4.
"The law don't go round here lawdog."
Nice bull.
This is my 2009 bull. Shot in British Columbia on October 12 with a rifle. My second bull, and damn happy with him. Has to be a 6-point or better bull on one antler here in rifle season, so finding legal bulls can be an issue. Figure he's about 270-275 class 5x6, great mass.
nice bull zeke what part of bc did you kill your elk?
What a season!!!! Hunter73 I think they done killed 'em all.
yup cant wait till next year
The southeastern corner, East Kootenays.
Great pictures guys! Both my New Mexico and Colorado elk tags went unfilled but had a great time and learned a bunch! Hope to join you next year!Charlie
Shot last day, last hour of Idaho season. Dang, I love being lucky!