Contributors to this thread:
Saw a great Tule taken this weekend, someone needs to start this! ;-)
Keep your nose to the wind and a smile on your face. Hunt safe and good luck to everyone!
Big Al should be posting soon!
One of the best threads of the year! C'mon somebody get it rolling!!!
Hoping mine will be early Sept.
Headed to Rockin R Sept 10 hoepfully ya'll will see ine from me
Brought this one in to 10 yards yesterday, raking.
Very Nice! Is your season open? Or you just playing?
Wapiti - were you "just" raking or did you add some calling with it?
Should be some Utah elk posted soon.
8 Days and a wake up for me!
Ins, I had called a few times as I moved along my "route". I was right on top of him the last bugle I made and that's what triggered him to start raking. This was an area I have been going to since the 70's, a little 1-2 section spot. The thermals are very predictable and I have about a mile long, half circle route I follow when I go there. The area/micro climate has changed over the years to the point that these Elk move once the bulls get hard horned and start getting rutty. They now breed in another location and this area will be completely void of Elk in a day or two, if they haven't left already. Trail cams over the years have narrowed it down to a few days window and timing was such that I ran down thinking there might be a bull or two still there.
I guess I'll jump in here with my California Tule from Saturday. Incredible hunt.
I second that WOW! KTH thats one heck of nice bull!
Good job!
Great bull KTH! Congrats!
Lets hear the story Kyle!
Mark
Hell of a way to kick off the meatpole! Story please.
Cracking bull KTH...
The Meatpole has started
Really there isn't much to say about the Tule hunt except it was excellent. One of the best hunts I've done. It's a place most have never heard of. 10,000 acres and they take about 2 Bulls per year. There hunted it for 17 seasons. I contacted them 3&1/2 years ago about hunting and it has taken this long to work my way into an opening. Late flights got me to the ranch at 4am. We were eating breakfast at 4:30. First morning we were covered up in elk. We saw 12 Bulls. I passed a 250" at 15 yards. The bull that they had hoped I'd take , broke off his beam, including the big drop tine, the day before I got there. He would have been pretty easy to get. That after the landowner came by and said he had a big bull near the headquarters. We went there the first evening. He came in with a dozen cows. I got set up by a waterhole and the guide set up behind me. As soon as he hit the call the bull was coming, Although he stopped at the water. He turned to go and the guide called again. The bull gave me a hard quartering away shot at 40 yards. I made the shot I was given and he dumped over after going less than 100 yards. We took some great sunset pics and had him hanging in the cooler by 9pm.
Great Bull KTH!
I'm surprised none of the Utah boys have started posting bulls yet. Where ya at guys?
Nothing better than having it all come together the first day! Congrats again!
Great bull KTH!! Are you getting it mounted?
Probably a wall pedestal. Left the horns with Zackman to get scored.
Very nice indeed KTH!
Thanks for sharing
Good luck, Robb
Way to break the ice, KTH....congrats!
C-mon guys my bull is pretty lonely here on the meat pole. I'm going Roosevelt hunting in a week and hope there are a few more on here by the time I get back.
Ha Ha, great bull there! I'm sure they'll start pouring in here this coming week! My son & I are heading out Tuesday to get the ball rolling for us! Good luck all!
ElkNut1
Looks like we will have to wait until all the tourists leave the woods in my spot Labor day ??)...keeps getting worse every year. The most disturbing thing I found on opening day was a new air horn laying on the ground at the top of the ridge...no wonder there's not a track to be found. Hmmm....
Great tule bull, Kyle! I hope you add to this post in a couple weeks with a Roosie. Your antlers are getting lonely in my house and could use some company
No elk but finding this in the woods is a close 2nd......best shitter ever!
By the looks of it JordanMOFLCO, you might want to look inside be for you sit on it! Or else you might have something tickling your bare backside.
Got lucky opening morning. Good luck to everyone out hunting!
Congrats guys! Way to get things rolling!
Nicely done, Cody!
Best of Luck, Jeff
That's a great Tule, congrats.
Good man yourself Cody...heck, I'd rather be lucky any day!!
1. I had two hunters help me with out them knowing. They were excellent callers. 2. I had two hunters, brothers help me gut, cut and pack out. They never cut up an elk, they were hunting deer. 3. I forgot my gutting knife, real slick when i have it. Elk was a little bloated. 4. I had pressurized bile explode in my face and cover me from head to toe. Little slip of the havalon after being very careful. 5. I had two bulls walk within 10 yds of me. I was hiding. 6. I had a 25 yd shot. My first pin is at 35. 7. I heard 51 + elk sounds, none by elk, one by me all within 1 hr. 8. I had/ have remorse that Im done. Im great full for the bull and the meat. 9. I had the opportunity the night before, 9 pm to watch a cat, big cat with a belly for 30seconds. Only 200 yds from where I slept, in my truck. The cat was hunting too!! 10. I am grateful and sad. Grateful for the elk giving its life, Sad that I still want to chase elk. Lucky i still have a few tags left.
Hossfisher's Link
Shed: Congratulations!!!
Your story in the other CO state forum thread was fantastic!
I'm getting my llamas' vet certificates Friday and heading out Monday.
Good luck to all!!!!
Where do I find a MT state forum?
TIA
To go to specific state pages look at the very top of the page, select Forums, then State & Regional. All the states will display.
Shed Head...that's awesome! Nice bull...sounds like you learned a lot ;)
Best of Luck, Jeff
Nice, Shed....congrats! Next time.....gutless.
Shed head, that's pretty cool! congrats!
You made this very real for me Shed Head. The various emotions and the visual from the exploding gut bag were priceless!
I want the post gut bag explosion selfie!!!!! LMAO
There is a video of a guy getting plastered when he punctures the gut bag on the downhill side with all the pressure coming at him on you tube.....it is the BEST!
55 post and 3 bulls. Thank goodness it's September . Best of luck guys. Hunt
Congrats guys and this pole should heat up soon so everyone standby lol...
Finally finished packing this guy out of a deep hole. My second elk hunting solo!
Great bull, OR!
Solo's working for you !
Colorado in the first 20 minutes of opening day. 35 yard shot, watched him drop about 80 yards away.
Colorado 8-31 OTC Public. 25 yard shot, went 60 yards.
Congrats to all you guys !
Yellowjacket, only one thing wrong with a twenty minute hunt........it's over ! Hope you have another tag or can hunt something else.
Yellowjacket - looks like you had a decoy on the front of your bow and made an awesome "somewhat frontal" shot. Was he coming to your decoy? Would love to hear the story.
Congrats to all hunters - all beautiful elk!
Nice bulls so far guys. I love this thread every year! I hope my "comment" is welcome here :^)
After waiting 18 years for this tag, and dealing with Plantar Fasciitus, my two long time buddies and I hit the Wenaha Wilderness last Saturday.
After 10 hours and miles under our boots, we heard our first bugle!
The bull was very responsive and came in on a string. My buddies were 60 yards behind me as they watched the bull get within 4 steps. I could not draw without detection, but I tried anyway. He bolted at the movement, but friend stopped him with a bugle.
He finally stepped out at 20 yards, and I let her fly!
He is an 8x7 that rough scores 352".
Brad
What crowns!
And with a trad bow...
Great bull Brad! Grats!
Damn Brad !!!!
Dandy---Congrats
Good luck, Robb
ORArcheryboy, congratulations and I love your camo. Kind of shows how important it is.
Awesome bull Brad! Now you can let you foot heal, I missed the elk season 5 years ago because of planters
Looks like you got Big Louie or one of his close relatives:) Congrats!!!!
September 1st 645 am thirty eight yards diy otc
Some great bulls so far!
I won't be able to get into the woods until Wednesday the 7th and this thread isn't helping to make the time go by any faster :-)
Keep 'em coming!
Nice, way to get is started and congrats...
My wife Barb with her bull last Sunday morning.
Grats.
Guys, if you don't mind, post the state you killed the bull in when you post pictures please.
Love this thread. Brad, that's a wowser!!
Congrats to all! I leave tomorrow for a 14 day elk hunt. First extended hunt for elk.
Shot this guy yesterday after spending some grueling days at 10-11 thousand feet. My first elk and I'm tickled to death!
Southeast Montana.. My first bull.. Sep 3rd. Spot and stalk 38 yrd shot.
Congrats guys I don't start until the 17th very excited
lawman, your bull died in the perfect spot! Congrats!
APauls,
Yes I had the ultimate predator cow elk decoy on the front of my bow. The bull saw it from about 150 yards away across open tall grass and with a cow call he came to 90 yards and stopped and raked the grass. I waited for him to stop and called again and he came right on in to 35 yards. Awesome thing about that decoy is it seemed like it covered the movement to draw the bow as he just stood there looking at it. Slightly quartering to me but that hit put him down fast and was more lethal than you might guess looking at the picture angle.
Thanks.
So did u kill it or someone else, glad your in your work truck lawman!! Who's driving the gamewarden truck? Did he take the picks
Lol... This is after we dragged it out with the use of a horse. The game warden was there to greet us as we came out and he did help load him in my truck. Another hunter I met that morning took the pic..
Lol thought that , good job, BTW your spot is now on the net with that rd number
New Mexico, September 2nd. 25 yards. Had his nose in a cows butt at 90 yards. Gave one little mew on the cow call and he spun around and ran right to me. 125 Griz Trick was devastating. 85 yard recovery.
Thanks anyone for sharing ur pix as stories with us..
I leave this coming Saturday for Co u76. Very excited! Ed
CO bull killed on my last evening of my hunt. Mathews bow, Big Jim gold tip traditionals fletched with 3 four inch yellow barred feathers with a 1" spliced white cap, VPA three blade broadhead.
Alberta bull. First full day of hunting, 3 hours in and elk season is done! Smaller bull, but very happy with him. My camera had no battery, so got only 2 pics before it wouldn't cooperate anymore. First arrow passed through right behind the shoulder. But, when he also gave me an angle for a quartering away shot, I took that one too. The pack out took a couple of days and, despite packing all the meat 1/2 mile or more from the carcass the first day, lost some meat (but not much) to a bear that found it. At least it wasn't a Griz, which we have lots of up here. Saw a big one just a few weeks prior in the area.
Awesome! Headed West Friday for 2 weeks, cant wait...
Colorado Labor Day, could not resist he gave me a 17 yard quartering away shot.
Colorado Labor Day, could not resist he gave me a 17 yard quartering away shot.
Sorry for the double post. Arrow exited in front of the opposite shoulder
This bull came in silent to cow calls and stood broadside at 25 yards.
Can I hang a second elk on the meatpole? I lucked out and got my first Roosevelt yesterday morning.
Great bulls guys!
Brad, I assume that crowned monster is a Roosevelt? Fantastic Rosey!
Awesome KTH...your on a mission! You may as well go get you a rocky & play the powerball! Nice elk guys!!
Grew up hunting 36 and 34. Moved to Albuquerque last summer so I put in for the Gila for the first time. This was the second bull I put a stalk on. I'm certainly not official, but I green scored him 397.5 gross. Heading to Wyoming to chase 'em with Bowboy as soon as I get him cut up.
Stuck this guy from my tree stand on Monday the 29th in NE Oregon. 20 yds, walked right to me. 75 yd recovery. Forgot to put my bow in the picture...
NMWAPITI 397.5 WOW! Congrats.
Co ,Sept 1. Public land .solo hunt
Arizona in the house. Solo, DIY. Was bugling in his bed, 15yd shot 100 yd recovery.
That's a cool bull. Very unique. Grats on getting it done on your own.
If you wouldn't mind PMing me the unit you got him in, I'd appreciate it. It won't change where I apply, I'm just curious where the genetics were that put his left 3rd on his 4th.
Been watching this thread for years without the pleasure of posting on it. First elk in 14 season of chase. Northwest CO. Took him at 20 yards on a stalk. The arrow deflected from an open boiler room and entered his right leg, slicing the femoral. 4 hour blood trail ensued but we got em!
This is Cody's (my son's) 2016 bull. He took this 5x5 about 10;30 in the morning, on his 2nd attempt for elk this year. He took it on one of Utah's open units where you can shoot any bull.
He hunted the opening for mule deer at Fish Lake and took a very nice 4x4 on opening evening. Came home and shot this bull on Tuesday and his tags are now filled for this year. So he didn't get much practice in this year.
Have a great bow hunt. BB
Got ranch Monday morning and unpacked check bow went out that afternoon and took my first archery elk.Fast but sweet
Congrats on some great bulls!!!
KTH, you always seem to "get lucky!" somehow, I don't think luck has much to do with it...CongratsX2!
Mark
Got it done solo yesterday morning.
Hessticles, another fine bull!!! Great job. And nice to see you yesterday!
Thanks Dan! Glad I got to see ya!! Hopefully I'll see you again in December when we're chasing lions!
Destroyer that body of that bull looks HUGE
Congrats to everybody on their animals! Good luck to those still hunting or waiting to go!
Dan
Last night of hunt Wyoming
12 days hunting. Finally last morning I took some meat home. 16 yard shot. 55 yard recovery.
The fatal frontal. I almost prefer this shot inside 20 yards.
Congrats to everyone so far. Bulls or cows, its all good!
Great bulls guys!
My thirteen year old son was with me on this bull, making it priceless. He was with 4 cows, they milled around us for 10 minutes or so before the bull gave a shot. It was a great morning.
Shot entered just behind front leg, even nicking it, exiting in back lung, 40 yard recovery.
Wyoming
2016 LE Utah hunt. 2nd to last day. Frontal at 20 yards, recovered within 70 yards.
got it done labor day! what a rush!! solo!!
Went on my first elk hunt this year. Hunted Utah, spike bull, antlerless tag.
Hey Stretch man I think I shot that same bull. I took on the ground pictures of him then BAM he got up and ran off. I was sure the crossbow and the Rage hit the in cage had him down for good...NAH I am just kidding seen the other post. Great Bull
Finally saw elk on day 11 and this cow gave me a 12 yard shot.
Great elk everyone!!!! Congrats!!!
Stretch check pm!
My bull shot on Sept. 9th, in MT. 20 yard shot, 70 yard recovery. Slick Trick 100 gr. magnum.
My son's bull, Sept 15th, Mt. 25 yard shot, 60 yard recovery. 100 gr. Slick Trick Magnum.
My AZ freaky bull.Called it in with my son on day 2
Absolutely awesome guys. Congrats to all and God Bless everyone
Got one, 62yard shot, 10 yard recovery, bowtech rpm, fmj, Exodus swept blade
First archery kill for my son...CO, 2016
My first archery hunt/archery elk on a GEN WYO tag. I'll post up the story of the entire process in the off-season when things are slow/something to look forward to.
49 yard shot complete pass-through with 40 yard recovery, slick trick viper trick 125's. Grossed 275, netted just shy of 267, hopefully my conservative scoring holds up after 60 days so he's Pope and Young.
Sunday morning at 8:50am. Sure wish he'd been closer to the trail head. I guess that's why I never see anyone else where I hunt.
http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?forum=5&threadid=456567&MESSAGES=16&FF=5
So I know for sure that two fellow Bowsiters took both their bulls on my birthday, and I'm pretty sure that Gritty Bowman Aron Snyder took his bull on September 10th... Anyone else able to notch their tags and willing to share their ‘birthday’ bulls?
It nice to be able to contribute a photo to this thread. Congrats to all of you that have found success.
GR Heads Up Decoy
Congratulations everyone!
Colorado OTC 61 frontal rage up close
Hunting Dad....can you please share some details on the shot?
Not judging, just curious as per distance, head and hit.
Great elk on here.
Nevada bull. 60 and 61 1/2 main beams.
Intact when I first saw him and three days but couldn't get on him.
Awesome bulls AND cows guys! Congrats and keep them coming!
Writer, the shot was high and back. 35yds, vortex mini-max. I got lucky, just inside the chest right at diaphram. Went down in sight (about 75yds) chest was full of jello blood.At the shot, as I watched it run off, I thought it was going to be a long day. Then he stopped, wobbled, and fell over.
My buddies Colorado unit 61 bull. Was worth the 12 year wait?
Awesome Bulls and Cows everyone...
Thanks,Hunting Dad.
Just curious.
Congrats, again.
Northern NM, 9/20/16
Public Land, DIY
Best of Luck, Jeff
Steep country there, Jason. :-)
Great bull and accomplishment - sincere congratulations.
elkmtngear - Great photo and bull! Many great photos on this thread.
Montana DIY, my first elk.. 30 yard shot, 60 yard recovery, gold tip kinetic xt, 100 grain G5 striker. Elite energy 32. Best feeling in the world getting one of these guys on the ground, I'm beyond blessed!
Great first bull, Brian! Congrats, Man!
Best of Luck, Jeff
Oregon...September 8th. Treestand over a wallow, 8-9 yard shot. He went 30 yards and tipped over within sight.
Story coming soon to a computer near you!!!! Truly blessed season so far. Hunt
Wow, couple of studs there Hunter...looking forward to reading about your adventures!
Best of Luck, Jeff
Congrats everyone on their elk! Jeff way to go buddy! Hunt hunt hunt?!!! ;-)
Way to go Hunt. And you beat the rain!!
A lot of great bulls this year!
I was able to connect with this guy on the last day of my Colorado OTC Season at 40 yds. Is been an amazing season. I was solo and the pack out almost ended me, someday I'll start hunting closer to the road.
Here my Colorado elk called in to 11 yds. Frontal shot.
Here my Colorado elk called in to 11 yds. Frontal shot.
Got my first double on elk (see the Gila monster above). This one in Wyoming. Tough hunting without much bugling. This was the only bull I heard talking in the daylight during the first week of the hunt.
Two tag soup for me. You'd think I'd get used to the taste.........
Lot of great bulls and cows taken folks. Keep in coming.
my sons first kill and first tag.. This was an awesome experience.. Were on bulls for days.. finally got the kill... He wanted bigger but he was excited with what he got.. me more excited.. I was a blubbering idiot.. lol... I had him on 5x5s 4x4s spikes.. and finally arrowed this guy and we watched him drop...
So cool, elktrax !
Congrats...the hook is set!
Best of Luck, Jeff
That spike is the biggest bull of your life, Trax.
First elk, in New Mexico. 35 yard shot, he ran about 80 yards. Died 30 yards from the road! I am elated, very exciting hunt.
Day 11 Roosevelt, Vancouver Island.
@ Writer and Elkmtngear... thanks and yes He is hooked.. He told his mom it was great not to be the Co-Pilot on an elk hunt.. He was the shooter.. And yes it was my biggest bull ever when he shot it.. It was awesome watching him make every move till his kill.. he had a couple misses.. but don't we all.. I saw the frustration along with the learning and the excitement.. I have a 6 year old that already wants to hunt.. She has been building ground blinds since We got home from our hunt.. I asked what she was doing building a fort.. She said " No dad its a ground blind" I'm 52 years old.. I hope I get a few hunts in with her.. Has to be 10 to hunt big game in az.. Cant wait.. Awesome and congrats to all... Great pics guys and great site!!!!!!!!!
Congrats. Love to see trad kills. Next on my bucket list now that I have a few compound kills.
Last morning cow for me in NM. Had a great hunt with good friends and was blessed with a 30yard shot as this big storm headed in. Made for a really nice trophy pic. Congrats to everyone on their success! Pete
Man I'm glad Blake joined the party. Congrats!
JakeBrake - in the aspens and look at that blue sky !
gorgeous man, recurve and all
Thanks guys I can't see the photo, glad you can
Nice to be able to contribute the meat pole this year.
A couple bull from Wyoming.
Only found rags mostly the first 4 days of a 6 day hunt, then on last day had the most unreal action I have seen elk hunting. Shot this guys pretty far from camp, but found where the big bulls were hiding. This being one of the smaller bulls I saw. Will do a write up on this day soon.
Idaho cow day 12, 35 yard shot 50 yard recovery. VPA Broadhead!!
My buddies otc colorado bull. We bugled him in. Came in screaming to 5 yards and he took the frontal shot. Went maybe 50 yards. Crazy hunt! Just are second year elk hunting so we're super amped!
Thanks ohiohunter. Yeah we definitely discussed that shot alot before the hunt and decided 20 yards or less we would take it. Anyway crazy part of the story is another buddy that was hunting with us arrowed this bull the same day!
Co over the counter DIY - 4.5 miles in a wilderness area.
Congrats to all on their success!!!
My 15 year old. Southern Alberta bull. 8 yd shot from a tree stand. 150 yd recovery. Hoyt Spyder bow 54 lbs. Carbon X weaves. Mini Jak Hammers 1.25" cut. Proud and happy old man.
...as you should be Dino.
Biggest bull of your life!!!
One of the most frustrating years I've had. Full draw on 3 different herd bulls (2 less than 25yds), yet never droppped the string. Thank God I was able to fill my additional cow tag with a quartering away shot out of my treestand. Not much in the headgear department, but she's sure gonna taste great!!!
Our clients bull Alberta Canada 310"
Another clients bull Alberta Canada 358"
Some great looking Elk kills! joehunter....Awesome!
Nice work everyone. Some dandy first-time bulls. That's a great shot there Hunt! Congrats!
Had a great hunt with my son two of six killed nice bulls I shot this this one for some meat..
Congrats to all that killed great bulls on here!
As always Public land, DIY...
2 red deer, free range, from Bulgaria Saw lots , roaring was crasy First shoot when he was fighting with an other ( 50 yards) second from a tree stand on a muddy place at 30 yards Mathews z7, 70#, stricker G5 100gr
Cracking stags Vincent; would you be kind enough to send me a PM with details of how you got your hunt booked in Bulgaria?
Many thanks in advance
Last hour of the last day of our hunt in Montana. Truly blessed to have put one in the crease at 35 yards! Double lunged and got to watch him topple over within 50 yards! Hoyt bow and 100 grain montec did the job! Congrats to everyone's success....already looking forward to next year!
Congrats everyone. Sure wish I was able to contribute this year and I came close on the last afternoon, but I can't shoot through a tree.
Grunt,
You should have been using a Rage. They shoot right through trees!
Colorado OTC area elite impulse QAD exodus
Idaho DIY Family Hunt.
From left to Rt. my wife with her 1st branch bull (5X6), Me with my 2nd best (6x6), my brother with his 1st bow kill elk (6x6) and then my niece with her 1st archery harvest ever (5x5). Truly a blessed trip all around. 4 archery bulls in 7 days of hunting.
After 3 years I drew a Montana special Elk unit. 6x7, green score 367 60yds.
very nice steve,very nice!!
Beautiful Trophy bull, Steve...Congrats!
Best of Luck, Jeff
Montana - 10/12/2016 Spent 15 days in the back country. Finally came together on the last evening of the hunt.
Alberta Cow Elk, Nov 5 2016, 17 yard shot, broke off side leg, she went 40 yards after hit