6 PM- I set up in small Aspen “brush” on the downwind side at the edge of a long meadow running parallel with a thick, overgrown ridge that loomed overhead. It was a small finger brushy Aspen finger extending from bigger trees and stuck out 15 yards into the meadow- allowed me to see across both the left and right sides of the meadow without losing the periphery and having something sneak in from 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock. The wind blew steady downwind toward me as I cow called- a few calf and assembly mews. I heard a cow call back above and then another. Then a pop and crunching branches. More crunching. Then a large cow stepped into view and a another smaller cow. Munchjng away and no stress. Both cows called back gently, the older cow assembly mewed back to me. It’s her beach apparently so I give ground. No bull. I switch to a lost calf because it seems like a mom and adolescent pair. Then two more cows drifted into the fringe of the meadow which is 125 yards from me. No bull. Then I heard a light huff and he popped into view- huge for our area. Big mature 6. I assembly mewed at him with a little urgency and added a whine. He turned, watched the meadow and then ambled on, gently guiding his group to the left. This goes on for 10-15 minutes and I realize I am missing him. I was standing behind a 6 foot Aspen with a 3 foot wide span and other smaller scrubby aspens around me. I saw a hefty dead Aspen branch 10 feet behind me in a small copse of brush and stepped into it, grabbed and raked like hell. I ripped a small squeal. That bull turned on a rope and started toward me. Frontal the whole way, maybe a partial turn to look back at his cows but gently huffing and slobbery and watchful. 80, 60,40,30,20,12 yards. Great. He had me perfectly eclipsed the whole time with that Aspen tree. He stopped at 12 yards and I had no shot except a perfect frontal through a small Aspen bush. I tried and eased to my right as he was watching intently for a quick shot- it was 12 yards after all, but before I could set my front foot, he saw the movement and spun and trotted back to his cows. I got him back to the edge of the meadow with more pleading and stomping and calling but he rounded them up and ambled away. I snuck out and hope he is happily awaiting my next encounter. My question to the group is what mistakes did I make, how can I address them in the future and are there tricks from the solo hunters out there to maximize shot opportunities when you are solo calling and shooting. I was thrilled with the whole thing, incredible to see him cross that meadow- they are so damn big. And glad I didn’t do anything stupid and wound him and lose him. Thanks. Hope everyone is getting after it and feeling good out there.
Nothing is standing in line to step up and take that perfect broadside shot. You gotta take the first killing shot you got. Making it happen is easier when you come to grips with that reality.
Not much you could do, if there was nothing in between you but open space.
Each situation is going to be different. And, sometimes the outcome is just what it is. Nothing would have changed it. They just don’t line up to take it voluntarily.
Setting up in front of cover is good if you can hide the movement.
Sticksender is definitely right. I try to remind myself "smooth is fast". Meticulous movement. No movement if their eyes are sided toward me, or looking at me.
