I had a great hunt with some great guys. We had some opportunities. We just didn't punch our tags in the time that I was out there. I am sure that they will score in the next week.
Things were tough trying to get out the door again this year. Even more difficult than last year. Problems with work and my wife's job piled up immediately prior to departure.
We had drawn LE permits, but my buddies discovered that the area we were intending to hunt and had invested time and energy into was packed with hunters. The kicker was when my buddy "Chuck" was at the grocery store and the affable cashier talked about another group of six guys that were just in the store. They were heading out for an elk hunt too...and she proceeded to detail exactly where we were heading. We opted for "Plan B".
We found lower hunter density, but the guys that were in the area had a habit of appearing in our midst time and again.
I passed on a 40yd shot opportunity on a cow early in the hunt. "UpChuck" passed on a 27yd shot opportunity on a 5pt.
I had injured my right heel which made for some regular acetaminophen and ibuprofen snacks.
"Little Chuck" had to pull out of the hunt part way through to deal with echoing repercussions of a death in his family.
The last full day we hunted, "UpChuck" and I napped in the sun in a small grove of Aspens, Jack Pines and Junipers before the afternoon hunt. After nine days of pushing hard, we were tired. The end of this hunt was looming. We ended up talking about some of the serious family issues he was wrestling with, some of the challenges that I'm wrestling with.
I screwed the pooch. I let some of the demons back into my head at a counterproductive and ineffective time.
That evening, I made a bad choice and moved from my position in a set up to intercept a bull we had been chasing that wasn't responding to calls well. Had I just remained in that spot, I probably would've had a shot of less than 20yds.
Do I wish that I'd stayed put? Yep. I would be proud to have my hands on that bull.
Am I dejected? Nope. I had a great hunt, even if it was a bit of a "character builder". Right now, I wish that I was still gritting my teeth as my heel came down on a rock.
My wife often describes me as "a stubborn jackass". I prefer tenacious. It rolls off the tongue nicely.
My 2016 Elk Season started yesterday on the sledding hill.
I hope that you are all having great, safe and exciting seasons.
Short bloodtrails.
Sounds like you had a great time even if you didn't stab a bull. I enjoy reading your posts. Better luck in the deer woods, Rick.
Oh, and you have a cool name.
Some magical mornings and evenings though.
Deer season opens in seven days, EmbryO. Shifting gears and getting at it soon. Thanks. I like your name too. Looking forward to hearing about your season.
Thanks for sharing your hunt.
Tony
There's a ton of truth in hunting, not everyone finds it.
You had a great time and good hunt. Onto 2016!
Thanks for the update. Sounds like a good hunt, tag soup or not. Tenacious, I like that, but kinda sounds like a rapper name.... sure beats being called stupid.... I get that a lot....
Here's to the rest of the season.... and those in the future.... CLINK!
I'll have you know that while honing my broadheads, I checked their hair popping status on my left forearm. I cleared off a good two inch by four inch patch. It's kinda stubbly now, but two weeks ago at least part of me looked like you could call me Sprocket and that I'd be into Euro-Techno Trash Music.
But I'm going to stick with "stubborn jackass."
I hope you put a monster on the ground. I'll be following your thread. Good luck brother.
I too enjoy your threads.
Thanks for sharing
Good luck, Robb
There are things you can do to have less but to rid yourself of other hunters - not likely.
The other thing is less than 10% of bowhunters are successful. While some tag out regularly most don't so know going in that your odds are against you.
Enjoy the hunt, the time off and recharge yourself.
We ALL want to tag out. Otherwise we wouldn't carry a bow to the woods but if you enjoy all aspects of the hunt (which it looks like you did) you will be happier - especially when you do punch that tag.
The worst person to hunt with IMHO is someone who is grouchy until they tag out.
Thanks for sharing - always like to hear others reports.
"Right now, I wish that I was still gritting my teeth as my heel came down on a rock."
Haha...coming back from Wyo, I had to take my shoes off because my feet were swollen up like balloons. My big toenails will turn black, fall off in several months and almost heal up just in time for next years hunt.
I'm with you Sage. Not interested in spending quality time with anyone who needs an attitude adjustment.
And my buddies are top quality guys. Even when "Chuck" had a magnificent bull coming in until a couple of guys appeared blowing cow calls like kazoos, we just grimaced, shook our heads and moved on. No temper tantrums and drama.
They'll fill their tags and beat the odds. It might just take a little more time and effort.
I fully understand and appreciate the gift of spending time hunting with guys of that caliber and temperament. I am very fortunate.
Good luck with the toenails. Regular people won't ever understand. A neighbor's wife was incredulous that I'd really enjoyed myself on a trip with an unfilled tag. I told her that it was as though I'd done a bunch of adrenaline filled hikes in beautiful country with great guys.
Couldn't agree more about having good hunting partners. Attitude is everything, plus any day hunting sure beats working.
I recently finished a hunt with a Bowhunter, literally, and he didn't fill his tag. He didn't impress me as being particularly happy about it either. What's up with that?
But I'm not broken up or sulking. I had a great hunt. Just no kill.
My buddy and his daughter worked that bull this weekend. Close, but no cigar. They're going back after him later this week. I'm hoping and predicting that they'll get it done.
If there's anything that I'd like to whine about, it's that I'm not independently wealthy and better looking so that I could still be chasing them.
Instead, I'm starting to work towards freeing up more time for next season.
So some in the house are sharing in the sting of my error.
Last night as I sat in camp under the stars, season over, watching the total eclipse of the Hunter's Moon, having a nip, my smile was ear-to ear. When the eclipse was full, I howled like a pack of coyotes.
I've killed more elk with a bow than I probably deserve. Now, with friends keeling over around me and others unable to hunt like I do, I cherish every day in the woods, bloodied or not. Still lots of hunting left this season. Tags will be punched. Just not this one. I'm fine with that.
>>>>-------->
Hunted 13 days solo. 12 of those days I had no human contact, just me vs elk. I came home when I ran out of food.
Morning of Day 2, I missed a slam dunk 35 yd broadside shot on a bull I decoyed in...I totally lost my composure and jerked my release. After the miss, I chirped with my mouth call, and almost got a second (frontal) shot at 15 yards with the decoy behind me...if he would have taken one more half step!
Some days you'd think I didn't have 40+ years of bowhunting under my belt!
Day 2 evening, I had hauled a treestand 2 miles down to a creek crossing...had my choice of two trails 80 yds apart. Watched one of the biggest bulls I've ever seen run a smaller bull out...on the OTHER trail!!!
Moved the stand the next day...and four days later...the same bull came out where I had the stand before!
Bad weather, silent bulls, whatever...just couldn't seal the deal. But, I wouldn't trade that solo time in the elk woods for anything. I would (and I will) do it again and again, as long as my body holds up. When you have views like this in the morning, who could ask for more?
Best of Luck, Jeff
