This past year (2011), for the first time in 16 years, I did not have an archery tag in my home state of Wyoming. With time limited due to my profession as a teacher, and numerous portrait engagements from my second career as a photographer, I only made a half-hearted attempt to hunt a local general unit with an archery stamp. After one weekend of terrible weather, I decided to spend the weekend of September 25-27 in the mountains where I knew I could find elk. I took two personal days (I only get one free) to extend the weekend to 4 days, loaded up the truck and trailer and set out to find elk and photograph the rut in ways I had never had the opportunity before.
This hunt was identical to any other hunt I've been on, with early mornings and late evenings providing the most interaction with animals. The biggest difference involved packing my 20# camera/lens/tripod setup over one shoulder for miles rather then my 3.5# bow. It was quite uncomfortable after 4 days of it, but the images were well worth it.
Obviously, there will be no kill photo here, just a celebration of elk, elk country and the rut. I won't narrate much. I'll let the photos do most of the talking. Enjoy!
I found this first bull in a sweeping river valley with which I am very familiar. He bugled constantly and really wasn't very big, but no other bulls made an appearance or even a sound.
Well that should fire some of you up! I'll be back after a couple meetings and my last class!
elkmtngear's Link
Best of Luck, Jeff
A couple of times I swear the bull looked right at me. It was as if we locked eyes through the lens, but he never let on that he recognized my presence. Before I knew it, he was less than 50 yards away.
The thought of skipping a year of elk hunting with a bow in favor of "hunting" with a camera has definitely crossed my mind. You don't have to worry about drawing a tag and could go into any of the country's premier elk areas. Sounds fun....
And of course, this is what he was busy chasing:)
As the elk finally moved almost parallel to my location, the wind betrayed me and I watched them move away into the distance.
This last image I'm going to post tonight is of an absolute monster I saw far in the distance. I saw him about 400 yards away in the deep dusk and this image was captured at ISO 12800, which makes for a soft and grainy photo. That said, it's still pretty obvious what a toad he was. I only saw him this one time despite spending the next two days in the same vicinity.
thanks for sharing
Good luck, Robb
Unfortunately, I came in too high and he picked me off before I really had time to set up. He did not stick around to ask questions, so I turned to head back towards the willows from the previous night only to find this surprised bull. I love his bulging eyes!
The sun finally lit up the aspens, making a glorious morning in elk country.
what part of the country? i have always thought it to be interesting to chase elk in that landscape.
that second to last bull in the aspens was really my favorite (if not for the bigun). i just love how dark his main beams are and with perfectly ivory tips. absolutely gorgeous. i also love how the main beam has so many bends in it. very very cool looking. i would be tickled pink to see a bull of his character in my sights. thank you sir
Evening found me back in the willows. I really wanted to get in closer to all of the activity I could hear in the heart of the willows. I could actually see the tops of willows thrashing about as bulls raked antlers and bugled constantly. I had a terrible time, though, trying to get images. The close quarters and 12-15' willows obstructed my views in every direction. I did get a couple of cool photos and one video I'll share here.
Frustrated by the tall willows and desiring not to blow the elk out of the area, I eased out of the willows towards dusk to begin the long trek back to camp. As I emerged from the willows, I had the pleasure of watching an amazing display. A large bull was furiously chasing another to and fro around a large meadow at the edge of the willows. There were no cows to be seen in any direction, but the bigger bull chased the other bull relentlessly. I have no idea why the larger bull was so intent on harassing the other. It made me wonder if it had something to do with his freakish antlers. Check out this awesome non-typical bull, which was the object of the other bull's wrath.
The Freak
The Bigger Bull:
A tiny clip of the chase:
The next morning, I headed back in, weaving through the aspens and lodgepole pine. I could again hear bugling long before dawn, but I only found elk along the edge of the willows. This bull stood and just watched for a while before I headed in the direction of the most bugling.
I love elk country. The simple beauty in even a stand of timber is remarkable.
What was also remarkable were the number of bugling bulls. I have been in this area many times before, and this was by far the most incredible bugling I'd encountered. The problem arose, though, that I could hardly move. Every turn I made in the timber found me bumping elk. At one point I was completely surrounded and then they blew out in a huge rush. I did catch up with the stragglers, but only caught glimpses through the trees.
Can you find the bull in the following image?
A familiar scene regardless of weapon:)
As I backed out, I blew out a crazy group of ruffed grouse. One stayed behind.
On my way back out towards the willows, I did encounter this cow and calf moose.
I had one more afternoon left and I had a plan to be deep in the willows well before the previous two evenings, hoping to catch up with some of the elk I had been hearing so much the previous days.
Some day I'll do another calendar with you, but it didn't work out financially last time. Let's face it, I'm a school teacher. My exposure is very limited and I ended up donating 125 of the previous order to a group for a fundraiser. They went quickly that way, but you'll never find me going door-to-door peddling my wares:) Good for them, not so good for me:)
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That evening found me much deeper in the willows then I had ventured before. I actually found a fair sized opening I didn't know existed and set up along the edge with cow call pinched between my teeth. I could hear nearby bugling but they didn't sound as though they were headed my way. I began softly cow calling and could immediately hear a bull begin approaching. Soon I saw him!
Despite a few bulls and cows, my foray into the willows was more auditorily stimulating then photogenic. Bugles resonated from all sides, but the tall willows blocked my views. I finally got busted right at dusk, although I'm amazed this cow picked me off. The wind was in my face. I'm guessing she picked up on my big black lens.
This last bull caught me moving and blew out quite quickly. I didn't even know he was there as he didn't make a sound.
Finally, as the sun climbed higher and time ticked past, with Canada Geese as my company, I packed up and headed for home, blessed beyond measure at interactions with elk that have assuaged some of the disappointment of not having a worthwhile tag for the first time in 16 years. I'm truly hoping a tag is in my future for 2012, but should I find myself empty-handed once again, I know how I'll spend some of my time!
I hope you've enjoyed the images and a taste of elk country/rut during February. Thanks for coming along!
Thanks for bringing this to the top again.
Gee Tim, I thought I had a good grasp of outdoor photography but you mate have both hands firmly around it! Tell you what, next time things get a little heavy to carry into the woods, shoot me a PM as us Aussies are world renowned as all round good guys!...lol
ak.
