Y’all wanna hear a elk story
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Just leaving the hotel heading back east. I’ll try to get this done on the drive back.
From: Scoot
20-Sep-24
Yep
From: Insheart
20-Sep-24
Hell yeah, just like it used to be 8 years ago, another elk hunting story. Bring it Dave.
From: KHNC
20-Sep-24
Seent elk, shot elk, skint elk, drovem back to WV! :)
From: jordanathome
20-Sep-24
Awesome!!!! WTG!
From: Norseman
20-Sep-24
I see a whale tail.
Congrats!
From: Bowfreak
20-Sep-24
I'm in!
From: Shug
20-Sep-24
Thumbs up
From: WV Mountaineer
20-Sep-24
Yeah boy.
From: bowhunter24
20-Sep-24
Looking good so far!
From: Lewis
20-Sep-24
Bring it on congrats safe travels Lewis
From: Paul@thefort
20-Sep-24
Wow, you had a tooth ache, and you had to go to the dentist and missed elk hunting completely!. What a story for sure. My best, Paul
From: Whocares
20-Sep-24
He's pimpin us but we're in!
From: Bou'bound
20-Sep-24
Those ivories will come in handy back in West Virginia
From: Hancock West
20-Sep-24
count me in!
From: molsonarcher
20-Sep-24
Quit jerkin around and get to it ;)
From: Supernaut
20-Sep-24
I’d enjoy hearing it as well.
From: JohnMC
20-Sep-24
He meet up with Zim ;)
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Here’s the three of us we stopped before the trail head for the usual going in pic
Here’s the three of us we stopped before the trail head for the usual going in pic
Sorry been driving. Just stopped for some lunch. Try to throw in some before the food comes out. We packed in on the 8th and back out on the 19th. This year it was my buddies Andrew and Dale along for the trip. Usually my cousin Shannon hunts with us but couldn’t make the trip this year. This was a drop camp hunt in a place I’ve been going since 2014.
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Nothing exciting packing in or getting camp set up. Shot our bows before dark and had a good dinner. Something happened on the way to camp with my bow. I suspect the peep moved but good thing we shot some. I was hitting 4” low at 20 and 8” low at 40. Few adjustments and I was hitting spot on again.
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Home for the next several days
Home for the next several days
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
First morning we get up early and excited! Andrew had a touch of altitude sickness so he opted to stay in camp and not push it. He made the right call. He was back to normal the next day. Dale and I head out going north of camp to a pinch point hoping to cut off the bugling bull we’ve been listening to all night. Not much of a hike and a small climb through blow down hell we hit the edge of the timber we want in. Food just showed up I’ll be back I promise some fast action off the rip.
From: VAMtns
20-Sep-24
Thanks for the recap , I am in
From: Ambush
20-Sep-24
"Food just showed up I’ll be back I promise some fast action off the rip."
Hang on now! You trying to tell us that a restaurant just happened to have three servings of possum belly on hand!??
From: JohnMC
20-Sep-24
I think someone else needs to drive.
From: Whocares
20-Sep-24
Do they or do they not look like they're from West Va?
From: molsonarcher
20-Sep-24
I mighta maybe heard about some of this trip……
He will be back shortly, and mighta maybe most definitely didnt run into Zim ;)
From: drycreek
20-Sep-24
I’m wondering which one of them hillwilliams is ourn ?
From: Jordan on Mobile
20-Sep-24
Be Nice! lololol
loving it aleeady!
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Ha! Thanks fellas I just got done with my turn driving I’ll get at it now. Ambush we picked the possum up on the way and had it heated up on the engine. We wanted fancy plates to eat on so we didn’t spook folks.
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Back to the first morning. We’d been hearing several bugles and two seemed to be working our way. Couple hundred yards and several more bugles I told dale I thought it was a person. Every five minutes it was sounding off. We work forward a little closer but haven’t made the first call yet. At this point we’re about 20 yards apart. I spot a couple grouse and can’t pass up shooting one on the ground at 20 yards. Dale didn’t know about them and turns around to see me at full draw and thought an elk had snuck in behind us. When I shot the arrow hit a log behind the grouse after knocking a handful of feathers out and it took off. Of course it was actually elk coming towards us and they were a lot closer than we thought. At the sound of the arrow impact several cows started chirping and Dale spotted them and a bull heading our way through heavy timber 100 yards out. We start calling back to them and they continue to close the distance. Eventually I see two cows 20 yards in front of Dale but it’s so thick in front of him he can’t see them plus he’s looking to his left for the one he can hear walking that way. The two crown turn and head back towards the bugling bull 60 yards out. I signal to dale to work left and I move forward slowly. Few minutes later whatever was to dales left busts out. I can hear it but can’t see dale or know if he shot. I’ve got a couple good lanes in front of me and catch a flash of antlers starting into the first one. He crossed fast but I could see he was a nice one. Long main beams and real wide. I’m expecting him to hit the second lane any second. I was ranging where I expected him to step out of when he showed back up in the first lane. 26 yards! Chip shot. I drop the range finder and draw. Everything is perfect. Except he’s quartering to me and the top of a dead pine is blocking his vitals. Instead of waiting I thought I could make it work out by taking a step forward to clear the dead limbs and shoot him in front of the near side shoulder. Halfway through my step he wheels around and trots off. Oh well we’re an hour into our first day and covered up in action! This is gonna be a blast.
From: drycreek
20-Sep-24
Bad luck !
From: Paul@thefort
20-Sep-24
Good luck, you get to hunt more now. :)
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Sorry I’m having a hard time trying to write this and read Paul and Jordan’s stories.
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
Now that we’d scared those elk away we regrouped and decided to drop off the edge behind us to explore. After falling/sliding down a couple hundred feet we found a well used trail the elk had been using for access up and down. Following it down and around everything was loaded with sign. Rubs, tracks, fresh crap. We worked around the hill and found some freshly used wallows. We decided to hang out at the wallows and see what happened for a few hours into midday.
From: Wv hillbilly
20-Sep-24
One of the four wallows in a 15 yard circle
One of the four wallows in a 15 yard circle
From: jordanathome
20-Sep-24
NICE!
From: midwest
21-Sep-24
Great weekend morning read. Please continue!
From: Wv hillbilly
21-Sep-24
Sorry fellas it’s been a long drive since 8 yesterday morning no sleep and just got home. Gonna crash for a bit and unpack some. Will continue asap.
From: DonVathome
21-Sep-24
Thanks for sharing! I use nail polish and mark my peep with a line on both sides going over peep and string so I can easily see if it moves and simply moveit back. It never does but it is reassuring.
From: Treeline
21-Sep-24
Reading this from a treestand over a wallow in AZ… Certainly helps the boredom!
From: Ambush
21-Sep-24
Well sleep off the miles and possum, then get typing. Sounds action packed!!
From: Wv hillbilly
21-Sep-24
Dale and I set up about 30 yards apart hidden with the wind in our faces to cover all the wallows. A little while after we had eaten lunch one of the daily rain/sleet storms came through. About 2:30 we decided to work back towards camp to check on Andrew since he hadn’t answered the message I sent on the Garmin. We climbed a nice open spine up that was loaded with beds and rubs. Near the top it looked like it was cut off by a steep ravine so we climbed up a steep slope back into the deadfall. We got back to camp around 4 and found Andrew asleep but feeling better once we woke him up. We were planning our evening hunt and heard horses directly south of camp. At the field edge we could see a couple teepee tents and houses tied up 300 yards south of our tent. This would complicate things but oh well it’s public land. Instead of going out that evening we shot our bows and had an early dinner.
From: Wv hillbilly
21-Sep-24
Dinners were frozen meals for the first five days and bag meals or elk meat for the rest of the time if we got lucky. First night was brauts and cheezits chased down with a couple cold beers.
From: Wv hillbilly
21-Sep-24
Second morning found us up early and eager to get going again. Andrew was rearing to go after missing the first day. We were kind of limited on what direction we felt we could go with our new neighbors and not knowing where they were going. We should have went and spoke with them when they were setting up camp but didn’t. We opted to go back to the same place as the morning before and see if we could scare some more elk on there way to bed. Exactly the same place as the grouse the morning before we run into a half dozen of them. Andrew and I both shoot but only get some feathers and missing arrows for the effort. We move up 150 yards from there and spread out to cover more area and do some light cow calls. Hoping some elk would filter through heading to bed. We spread out 30-40 yards apart to keep eye contact. As dale works to his location an elk busts out 50/60 yards to his left. We continue the plan and set up to wait until the wind starts to change. Mid morning we regroup and decide to split up. Dale is going to follow the edge of the top around slowly then move to a small field with a little timber around it at the edge of the blowdown. The night before a couple bulls were in it sounding off quite a bit. It was only 400 yards west of camp but across blowdown hell. We named the place the island. Andrew decided to drop off the edge with me to chase a bugle we’d been hearing.
From: Wv hillbilly
21-Sep-24
We part ways. Andrew and I hike to the trail we found going over the edge and stop at the top to get a good location on the bull. Doesn’t take long to figure out there’s three different bugles coming from below. Two seem to be bulls and the third definitely sounds like a person. It doesn’t take long for the hunter to get his wind right to blow out the closest bull. He got directly below him with the thermals coming up. We could hear the bull and several cows bust out and head west towards the island but several hundred feet below the top. The second bull sounds like he’s bedded already and just gives occasional half hearted bugles. He didn’t seem concerned with the first group of elk busting out. The hunter really picks up his efforts at this point and starts to sound off every five minutes working towards the bull. Rew and I decide to drop down the cliff trail and head towards the wallows to hopefully catch the bulls excape route if he gets busted out as well. We set up near the same places dale and I sat the day before and listen to the drama below. The bedded bull shut up for the day shortly after we sat down. We waited out the midday rain and ate lunch with no action. One of the wallows had been hit sometime after dale and I left the day before. After the rain stops we split up. Rew is going to work back up the spine and look for a trail out. I’m dropping off the edge a few hundred feet lower and plan on checking out a small meadow and large bowl below us. The afternoon is fairly uneventful. I find a lot of fresh sign and tracks and after climbing out to the ridge east of our camp guess it would take all three of us a couple days to pack one out of there.
From: drycreek
21-Sep-24
That’s better !
From: Wv hillbilly
21-Sep-24
We had spaghetti or chili that night. Can’t remember for sure
We had spaghetti or chili that night. Can’t remember for sure
I hunt back towards camp and get there a little before dark. As I’m crossing the field I can see one of our neighbors sitting outside the teepee and wave. When I get back to camp rew and dale are there. Rew found a good path out of the hole or back to the wallows. Dales plan when we split was to work to the island around 3 to set up incase the bulls were back at it that evening. He made it but had company when he arrived. Three of the four guys next door were already there. One of them walked over and talked for a while. Sounds like they had one tag and the others were there to help out with the hunt. Also found out there was another teepee set up about 300 yards south of them. The fella dale spoke with invited him to hunt through or set with them. He declined and worked back the way he came and back to camp. We fired up the wood stove and made dinner and plans for the next day. We’d been hearing plenty of bugles every night up till now. Still heard a few but not as many. No elk seen that day but still a blast to be on a mountain.
From: RJ Hunt
21-Sep-24
Man Dave… good stuff. Here waiting to read more
From: Paul@thefort
21-Sep-24
Tough hunt when you have unknown neighbors and not knowing where they might be. One can fool elk once but maybe not twice. Good luck. Paul
From: Insheart
21-Sep-24
Good luck guys, hopefully you'll put something on the ground in the next couple days. Something with hair not feathers. LOL
From: Bou'bound
22-Sep-24
Bowsite classic.
From: BULELK1
22-Sep-24
Fun reading
Thanks for sharing, man.
Robb
From: Supernaut
22-Sep-24
Great story so far, thanks for sharing it!
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Thanks fellas sorry it’s taking so long. It’s tough to make time to finish. I’ll try to get it done today. Grey ghost thanks for the tip on the ivories. Yes we were at a drop camp.
From: PopeYoung400
22-Sep-24
Think I’ll stick around for the rest of this one. I’m always down for a good elk hunting story.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Crockpot deer meat n gravy with mashed taters and Mac n cheese for dinner that night
Crockpot deer meat n gravy with mashed taters and Mac n cheese for dinner that night
Day three. Dale wants to sit the wallows all day. Andrew and I are heading east to drop into another canyon beside the one I explored the day before. We can hear some bugles when we leave camp in the dark in every direction but mostly south. Rew and I work down the trail I came out of the day before slowly waisting time mostly waiting on the wind to change. We pushed a little to far and can hear elk bust out below us near where I climbed out the day before. We hold up there until mid morning when the wind finally seems like it wants to stay somewhat steady. We work on out the ridge and find a path to drop down a couple of benches. Lot of sign but we weren’t hearing anything. We set up a couple of times and called but no action. Eventually we worked around to the other side of the ridge and back up heading back to camp. Made it back a little early but still a fun day in the mountains. Dale sat the wallows all day with no action.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Near the funnel we found a giant elk turd we named king turd and used it for a landmark the rest of the trip.
Near the funnel we found a giant elk turd we named king turd and used it for a landmark the rest of the trip.
Day four. We wouldn’t have hunted if we knew the high wind wasn’t gonna lay down or stay steady. But you never know and off we went. Andrew was gonna mess around north of camp around the wallows. Dale and I headed south west from camp. We got up early to get by our neighbors before they woke up. We headed towards a ridge we’ve hunted in the past. It has a rock face on one side and the other side is a great funnel. We made it to the bottom of the hill with no problem and headed in the timber once it got light enough to see. We found a beat down tore up trail the elk had been using and followed it to the top heading towards a bull that had sounded off a few times. We set up near the top and called for a bit with nothing showing up. We worked around to the funnel and set up for a while. The swirling winds has us frustrated and we decided to get out before we blew every elk out of the place.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
On the way back to camp we noticed our neighbors had moved out sometime while we were gone and the excitement level went through the roof. Hopefully we had a decent area to ourselves for a bit.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
We had some nice views while we were out that day beautiful country that god made for us to enjoy.
We had some nice views while we were out that day beautiful country that god made for us to enjoy.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Turkey n noodles on instant taters for dinner that night
Turkey n noodles on instant taters for dinner that night
From: drycreek
22-Sep-24
Good stuff hillwilliam !!!
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Day five was a bust. The wind really picked up overnight. When we got up to go it was swirling every direction. We decided it was best to hang at camp until it let up or picked a direction. Hate to miss a day of hunting but it didn’t make sense to walk around blowing elk out before we could see them.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
The wind didnt give us a chance that day but it worked out fine. Gave us a chance to stock up on water and firewood and rest. Plus it’s fun just to hang out in camp with some buddies.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Day six. The bugles were back overnight. The elk seemed to of filtered back in now that half a dozen people were gone and a couple days without as much pressure. Off before daylight again. Dale was heading where we had the encounter the first day. Andrew and I were heading to king turd. It wasn’t 15 yards into the timber still half dark with the wind in our face we busted an elk out. It was within 20 yards but couldn’t see it. Working up the elk trail we found a few days before. Andrew whispered elk in front of us. I was in front and stopped. We were on a decent slope and I could see movement up ahead. It was fairly thick but there were a couple small lanes I could shoot in. Suddenly I caught movement in the first lane and a nice looking bull crossed from left to right. I drew and was waiting at the second lane. He went through it to fast to take a shot and I let down. He ended up behind a group of small live pines 40 yards away and stood there for half hour. Andrew gave him a few cow calls hoping to pull him closer but he eventually backed out and walked away from us. Andrew took the lead from there and we moved further up the hill. Maybe 100 yards later we hear some branches breaking to our right. A cow and calf bust out and go over the hill slowly. About 90 yards out through some blow down I could see a different bull heading our way. We had cow called some and it looked like he was heading around the deadfall to Andrew. Once the cow and calf got out of sight over the hill the bull made a half hearted grunt/bugle. I hit him back with a half bugle and a few cow calls. I could see his antlers part of the time and eventually he backed out of the window and disappeared. We waited there for a bit but nothing more happened. We worked our way back to king turd and set up 60 yards apart to try to ambush one working through the funnel. At 11:30 rew came over to where I was sitting and we ate lunch. While we were out if we were hunting separate we all agreed to check in on the Garmins at 10,12&4 incase someone needed help etc. we got a message from dale that said shot fired not sure yet. We decided to wait for an update. Rew moved 15 yards to my left and set back up. I told him I’m taking a nap it’s all on you. So I’m stretched out in the sun, hat over my face napping and am woke up with an elk busting out 15 yards away right beside Andrew. I look up in time to see it going through the timber away from us. I worked over to Andrew for the story. He noticed it 60 yards out working towards us and set up for the shot. It was traveling not feeding through so was covering ground quick. At 30 it went behind some trees and he drew. It kept closing in to his right. At 15 its antlers and head came out behind a tree and it locked up,swung its head looking directly at him and busted out. Still not sure what happened. The wind was in his face and he hadn’t moved couple more steps it would of been dead. Was a small 5x but that didn’t matter. It was full of elk meat. We sat back down and waited for something more from Dale or another elk.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Sorry I gotta take care of some honey do’s and dig some taters before the wife shoots me. I’ll be back.
From: sitO
22-Sep-24
Enjoying this, take your time
From: Insheart
22-Sep-24
It's going to happen, keeping a positive outlook for "the rest of the story".
From: drycreek
22-Sep-24
Dig them taters, you can’t finish this iffen your wife is whoopin’ your butt !
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Thanks fellas got a couple minutes waiting on the wife to get ready to run into town for some errands. Try to add some on before we leave.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Here’s my view from the first morning bull. He was behind the dead top of the tree in the center of the pic.
Here’s my view from the first morning bull. He was behind the dead top of the tree in the center of the pic.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
We hadn’t heard any more from Dale two hours later and we’re starting to worry something had happened to him. The wind was starting to get a little swirly where we were at so we decided to backtrack out the way we came in and go check on dale. Halfway back to camp we got a message from him can’t find arrow or blood at the shot location. Looks like a bulldozer ran out the way he left. I told him we were heading back towards camp and would head his way if he wanted us to. No response. Rew and I got back to camp and waited. Half hour later Dale comes strolling in from the way he left that morning. He had a heck of a morning. First thing had a spike bull walk up to 6 yards from him. He got some video on his phone before it busted out. Little while later he was slipping through the timber and spotted a bedded elk 60 yards out. He snuck up to 20 and could tell it was a bull but couldn’t confirm it was legal. His next step flushed a grouse at his feet. The bull jumped up and looked around but didn’t tear out. He had a good window for a shot but made the right call not shooting since he still couldn’t confirm it was a legal bull. It slowly started walking away and he dogged behind it for 100 yards or so. As soon as it went out of sight he caught movement heading his way from the left. Another bull! This time he got a good look at the antlers 5x and still heading his way. It was thick in there and he found a couple small window its path by him. No shot at the first one but at full draw when it hit the second small opening as soon as its shoulder was in the opening he broke the shot. Said it sounded like a bomb went off and it tore through 20 yards of deadfall like it was nothing. Four hour of searching and he couldn’t find anything. No arrow or blood. On his way back to camp he stumbled on four small drops of blood on the trail he walked in on. This led to another two hour grid search around that area with nothing to show for it. It was heartbreaking but he had an exciting day for sure. I gotta go for now. Be back in a few. We still had some daylight and the action isn’t over for that day.
From: Treeline
22-Sep-24
Awesome hunt! Enjoying the story while waiting on a bull to make a mistake… Looks like a great bunch of guys on this hunt for sure!
From: jordanathome
22-Sep-24
Navigation by king turd......LOVE IT! LOL
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Back at it for a few. We decided we’d all walk out to the field south of camp and glass by the lake for the last hour of light that evening. Andrew decided not to take his bow. We’d only be 300 yards from camp. We get out to the edge and post up by a large rock and start glassing and bsing. Little while later we hear some splashing in the lake. I told the guys that ain’t ducks! Thems elk in the water. Sure thing rew picks up antlers to our left 200 yards out but away from the water. None of us had eyes on what was splashing and the view was blocked by a bunch of live pines. I told dale get your butt down there and get one kilt. He fumbled around for a minute and said you’re gonna have to do it. I left my release back at camp. Off I go heart beating out of my chest. Hunkered down and moving quick I made it to a large rock 50 yards away. So far so good. Next stop a cluster of small pines. Made it there without busting anything out. I can’t hear the splashing anymore and haven’t seen anything yet. I’m 40 yards from the lake edge and a thick line of pines around it for a bit. I slip over to the pines at the edge and knock an arrow. I start slipping down the edge of the pines watching the lake edge and in front of me for movement. Probably twenty yards into it I hear a noise to my left at the lake edge and see a cows head pop up. I come to full draw and try to settle a pin on her but she bolts. I walked forward 5 yards or so and see her come out of the end of the pines and join the bull standing in the open I’m guessing 80 yards away. I can shoot that at home but I’m not gonna try on a alert animal especially just guessing the range. I let the bow down and start ranging them as they walk to the edge of the timber. They stepped in the timber at 167 yards. He was a nice bull with a kicker on the right side like a drop tine.
I turn and start walking back to the fellas and notice they are signaling me to look to the right. I didn’t see it at first and kept walking for a bit. Once I was in the open I noticed an elk on the other side of the field watching me. I hit the deck and got the binos on it. Was a cow. She walked back and forth for a bit and barked a couple times. Eventually she faded back into the timber. I made my way back to the guys,listened to what they saw and told my side of it. Pretty exciting evening. Every year I hunt this place I get a couple opportunities. I’ve been at full draw three times so far and haven’t shot an arrow yet. It started to feel like I’d used up my luck for this trip. We head back to camp in the dark working on a plan for the next day. Andrew had suggested a few days earlier we hunt a big section of timber surrounded by fields south of camp and where our neighbors had set up. I told the guys it should have settled down by now let’s try that spot in the morning.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
We ate the last of our frozen/ thawed out food that night. We’re gonna have to kill one tomorrow or eat bag meals the rest of the time. If that don’t motivate you nothing will. Picture the block of timber were going into as a clock. It’s round with a small peninsula sticking out at 9 and a small meadow in the center.
From: Wv hillbilly
22-Sep-24
Day 7! Up early and to the block of timber as the suns trying to come up. Lights just starting to break and we’ve got at least two bulls bugling near the meadow in the center. Wind is coming from 12:00 in our face. We’re going in from 6:00 spread out 2-300 yards apart. Plan is to slow play towards the meadow. Stop in line with it around noon and end up on the other end around 5 then regroup for the last few hours of light. I’m taking the right side, Andrew up the middle and dale the left side. We split up and start the plan in action. The bulls are firing off pretty good at this point and seem to be going back and forth from 6 to 12 a few hundred yards with the small meadow as the center of their movement. I work forward slow and stop to watch and listen several times. The wind occasionally wants to push from my right to left towards Andrew so I slow up even more and hold back hoping he’s out further than I am. The bugles start to slacken up some. So I continue on slowly. Around 10:30 I find a decent spot to watch and eat a snack. Chill out for a bit and the rain starts. I put on my rain gear and drag my bow and pack under a live pine to help keep the rain off.
From: Fields
22-Sep-24
Great read so far.... shot has to be fired soon!!
From: BoggsBowhunts
22-Sep-24
Good stuff
From: hdaman
22-Sep-24
Good stuff, David! Keep it coming!
From: Insheart
22-Sep-24
I can see fresh T. loins coming up.
From: fastflight
22-Sep-24
Great write up so far. Thanks for sharing.
From: Treeline
23-Sep-24
Awesome hunt! Enjoying the story while waiting on a bull to make a mistake… Looks like a great bunch of guys on this hunt for sure!
From: RonP
23-Sep-24
great stuff, so far. look forward to the rest. my impression is the elk where you are hunting are very tolerant of hunting pressure or, there are just a lot of them that pass through the area.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
23-Sep-24
Today feels like the day! Great story so far!
From: bowhunter24
23-Sep-24
Great story, thanks for taking the time to write this up!
From: Hancock West
23-Sep-24
i got a feeling two are gonna get hammered soon...
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Thanks fellas sorry I had to go to work today. Try to finish it up now.
The rain quit and I stowed my rain gear. Standing there thinking about my next move I noticed a live pine about 80 yards out shaking severely. It struck me odd cause the wind had died off. I quickly realized it’s gotta be a bull tearing the tree up. I scrambled to grab the range finder and my bow. I eased up as far as the deadfall would allow without any noise. Looking through the range finder sure enough I see antlers. I checked left and right for lanes to be ready once it quit beating the tree down and ranged everything I thought I could shoot. It was a good five minutes, enough for my nerves to settle down before he moved. He was working to my left into the best lane I had seen. Slowly he stepped into the lane and I drew. Halfway to him was some small pines I knew the arrow would arch over. I settled the pin and was surprised when the shot broke. Arrow looked beautiful in flight and disappeared behind the small pines blocking his vitals. It didn’t sound like the thud of hitting the body cavity and he just jumped forward out of sight. No loud crash as he ran off or any sound at all. I was baffled. Shot looked and felt good. I started ranging where he was again and that seemed to add up. How could I of missed? Everything seemed perfect. I staggered around for a bit cussing and having a fit. I sent the guys a message. Just shot at one pretty sure I shot under him. I’ll let you know in a few. Made myself wait there for half an hour and memorized everything about where he was standing before I started sneaking that way.
About halfway to where he was standing the timber blew up! Cows mewing, limbs snapping and antlers clashing! Took me a second to figure it out but on the other side of a wall of short live pines two bulls were having it out. I tried to sneak closer to catch a lane in the pines but was too late. It was over quickly and I could see two cows and a bull running through a couple gaps to my left. I settled down and returned to my walk of shame to look for my arrow. A few yards away from where the arrow should of been and he was standing I hear more thrashing from behind a small wall of live pines about 12 yards away and am sure elk are about to bust though them and run me over. I couldn’t see anything except a small 2’ tall pine on my side of the pine shaking. It didn’t take long and the sounds disappeared. I waited a while and slipped up a few steps to look for my arrow. It wasn’t where I expected and I started expanding my search. I was positive I was standing where he was at the shot and found hoof marks where he jumped forward from. Looking all around. No blood no arrow. I took a couple steps the way he jumped and noticed an elk colored rock ten yards away with my arrows passed through it just hanging on by the fletchings. I was floored, and relieved and excited all at the same time. At the shot he just jumped forward and only covered ten yards and fell over dead. The last sounds I heard and the small pine moving were his last moments. I sent a message to the guys that I had hit him and found him with my rough location. Took a few pictures and thanked god for making the mountains and all of his creation.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Here’s the lane I shot through. He was standing behind the small pines in the center of the pic
Here’s the lane I shot through. He was standing behind the small pines in the center of the pic
From: Saphead
23-Sep-24
Congratulations!
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
The elk colored rock ten yards away
The elk colored rock ten yards away
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
All the while the bulls have fired back up for some midday madness and are within 150 yards of me. I walked a few steps past the bull to get a look around and noticed movement through the timber heading my way. A nice 5x6 walked up to 7 yards from me before I moved and spooked him. I got video on my phone of him and will share a couple pictures.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Right before he spooked
Right before he spooked
From: Lewis
23-Sep-24
Cool enjoyed the adventure thanks for sharing the hunt congrats well done Lewis
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
From: Paul@thefort
23-Sep-24
WOW double WOW!
From: WV Mountaineer
23-Sep-24
I love it!!!
From: jordanathome
23-Sep-24
Congrats! What a great story with the proper ending!!!!! no pressure on me now.....sigh LOL Just Awesome dude!!!!
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Thanks fellas but we’re not done yet! Before I go any further wanna give a little insight about Andrew. I’ve know him since he was 12 years old and we’ve hunted most everything together for years now. His dad and my best friend passed away a few years back and he’s been like a little brother to me since. This was his second archery elk hunt with me.
After the bull took off I checked the garmin and had a message from Andrew saying he was glad I found it and that he had just shot one as well! He said it hit back possibly guts. I told him hang out and give it plenty of time. Dale was going to work his way after a bit and help him look. I was disappointed because I wanted to be with him on his first elk recovery but I knew they could handle the task while I took care of my bull.
After a few more pics I got started skinning and deboning the meat while listening to bulls bugle in the background. I had one side done and was working on a solution to flip the bull to the other side when I heard the guys nearby walking my way. Rew walked up and said I wasn’t gonna miss this let’s get yours done and go find mine! It didn’t take long to finish up and load our packs. Lucky for us we were only about 200 yards from the field edge and minimal deadfall to cross. Plus Dale is an animal and could carry more than rew and I. We left the bows and everything at the kill site and packed him all out in one trip. Heavy rain was in the forecast for the next day so we hung the meat bags under a large blowdown for protection. At that point it was around 4 and we all knew every second of daylight was gonna be needed to find Andrew’s bull if the shot was back. We quickly worked our way back to our bows and gear. There was still a bull a couple hundred yards out that was talking a lot so we suggested that Dale should go get an arrow in our third one of the day. It didn’t take a second for him to disappear in the bulls direction.
Andrew and I quickly headed to his shot location. Once there he stood where he was at the shot and I where the bull was. No blood no arrow. He pointed me in the direction it went and joined me checking for blood or tracks. Nothing. We spread out and kept working the way it left. Probably 120 yards out I found a decent size pool of blood and called Andrew over. He started on the trail it was on in front of me nose to the ground. Few yards later were both starting at the ground and he jumps back saying oh crap. I thought we were being charged by a bear but luckily it was just his dead bull a couple feet in front of us.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Pic of my bull
Pic of my bull
From: Charlie Rehor
23-Sep-24
Well done.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Andrews first archery bull
Andrews first archery bull
Man were we excited! I was so happy for him and his first archery bull. I damn near teared up but didn’t want him to make fun of me. We sent dale a message that we found it and our location and got to work. Now we're racing the Sun to get cut up in the light. It didn’t take long with both of us to get the job done. Dale showed up as I was finishing getting the inner loins and heart out. He chased that bull for over a mile and couldn’t get it to cooperate so he came back to help us out. We decided to hang the meat nearby and pack it out to mine the next morning. Rew carried the head back to the meat pole mine was at and we started the long walk back to camp.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Dale took a cool pic in the moonlight on our walk back to camp
Dale took a cool pic in the moonlight on our walk back to camp
From: Insheart
23-Sep-24
HOLY CRAP David.
Now that right there is an elk killing story for sure.
How many years did it take to draw your tags?
From: bigswivle
23-Sep-24
Awesome
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
We were too tired to eat when we got back to camp and not looking forward to packing meat in the rain the next day. Couple celebration beers later we were all out. The weather man didn’t lie about day 8. We made it to Andrew’s bull just as the rain started. Dale was planning on helping us pack the meat down to my location then hunting the rest of the day. Didn’t work out to well. Rew and I put on our rain coats but dale didn’t want to since it would make him to hot. Off we went in the rain. I only had a back quarter. Rew had the other and the backstrap bag. Dale took both fronts and all the neck meat and trimmings. By the time we made it back to the field edge and the other meat we were all soaked. Dale headed back to camp to dry out and warm up rew and I waited on the horses to show up to finish hauling the meat off the mountain. We made it back to camp around three. After drying out and warming up started on a good dinner. Elk loin, heart, fried taters n onions with some Mac n cheese. Dale went to the island beside camp for the evening but didn’t have any action.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
One of the best meals I’ve ever had
One of the best meals I’ve ever had
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Day 9. The wind was bad again and swirling everywhere that morning. Dale headed towards king turd but backed out and came back to camp after he made it part way up the hillside and the wind hadn’t improved. We spent some time cutting firewood and getting water through the day. Dale went back to the island that evening and no action again. We had a repeat of the dinner from the day before that night. One last day for dale to make it happen.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
We cleaned the skulls up on day 9
We cleaned the skulls up on day 9
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Rew doing a little celebrating
Rew doing a little celebrating
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Last day! Dale was heading back to the island. Andrew and I were out for revenge on some grouse. Dale was up and out early. Rew and I were a little slower getting out that morning. Little bit after the sun had started coming up I hear boots outside and dale rips the tent flap open and yells. Get your boots on boys we got blood to track! Mad scramble later we decided we’d best wait until 9:30/10 to start looking. On his way to the timber Andrew and I killed in listening to a bull bugle. He ran into another bull circling the lake we had the previous encounter while glassing. He managed to get a shot off but the bull moved when the shot broke and it hit him way back. The bull ran half mile across a field and Dale had a good mark where it went in the timber.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
We searched for the arrow for a while with no luck. Took our time making our way to the last location he seen it at. We were able to find some blood on the tall grass and weeds and where it went into the timber. Slowly we started trailing with Dale right behind us with his head on a swivel incase we jumped it. The blood was mostly high on vegetation at first where it had rubbed walking past. Usually it was 10-15 yards apart from blood we found. Dark red mussel blood but we kept our hopes up. Eventually we were down to looking for fresh tracks and any blood around them after 400 yards we lost all blood and too many fresh tracks to keep his straight. We split up and grid searched the direction he was headed for quite a ways. Came back and grid searched the opposite direction for several hundred yards. Unfortunately no luck. From what Dale described it must of hit in the loin or the back ham. I’m positive that bull is still running around today. Hopefully we kill it next year and get his broadhead back. Dale killed a great bull last year with us and had several opportunities this year. Just didn’t work out. He, We all had a great time and can’t wait till next year.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
The following morning we packed up and cleaned out the tent. Our ride showed up midday and we packed out to the truck with no issues. After stopping by the butcher to pick up the meat we went to town to get a room and some dinner. The next morning started the long ride back home and the countdown to next year. We’re one day closer today to elk hunting next year. I’ll throw in some random pics. Thanks for following along and the kind words. Good luck to everyone this season.
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
From: Wv hillbilly
23-Sep-24
Dales favorite! Walking through wet blowdown
Dales favorite! Walking through wet blowdown
From: jdbbowhunter
23-Sep-24
Great story and pics! Congrats on the two bulls, thanks for sharing.
From: JohnMC
23-Sep-24
That was a hell of hunt! Congrats and thanks for sharing story
From: Therifleman
23-Sep-24
What an awesome hunt!!! Congratulations buddy and thanks for sharing the great details!
From: Scoot
23-Sep-24
Awesome! Many congrats and thanks for taking the time to share this.
From: PopeYoung400
23-Sep-24
Job well done! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us and best of luck in the future.????
From: PopeYoung400
23-Sep-24
Job well done! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us and best of luck in the future.????
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
23-Sep-24
What a hunt! Great job fellas and awesome write up!!
From: swp
23-Sep-24
Congrats!! Thanks for sharing with us.
From: Paul@thefort
23-Sep-24
Two for two and almost 3 for 3. Great job, great story. My best, Paul
From: Two dogs mobile
23-Sep-24
Thanks for sharing. It sounds like you guys had a great time. Two dead elk was icing on the cake.
From: sticksender
23-Sep-24
Great hunt.....appreciate your sharing the whole story. Congrats!
From: wisconsinteacher
23-Sep-24
Awesome story. I know Andrew's dad would be proud of you boys and was looking down with smiles!!!
From: drycreek
23-Sep-24
It took a long time to tell, but it was worth it ! Congrats on y’all’s success and thanks for sharing the adventure. It was almost like I was there, except for the blowdowns, no blowdowns for me………;-))
From: fastflight
23-Sep-24
What an amazing hunt. Great storytelling also. Thanks for sharing.
From: Fields
23-Sep-24
Congrats. Cant beat everyone getting a shot!
From: Grunt-N-Gobble
23-Sep-24
Great story and congrats! Thanks for sharing.
From: Insheart
23-Sep-24
Dang, a twofer, almost a threebee, well done guys.
From: hobbes
24-Sep-24
Sounds and looks like a great hunt. Congrats!
From: Bou'bound
24-Sep-24
Great elk and great story next time if you could provide a little more detail that would be even better
From: BOWNUT
24-Sep-24
Congratulations on a great hunt.
From: bowhunter24
24-Sep-24
Thanks for taking us along! Congrats on a great hunt!
From: elkmtngear
24-Sep-24
Good job, great story!
Congrats to you and the boys!
From: Ken
24-Sep-24
What a great hunt. Congratulations to all. Thanks for sharing.
From: GLP
24-Sep-24
Fantastic! And truly enjoyed the write up.
From: csalem
24-Sep-24
Great story thanks for sharing
From: TMac
24-Sep-24
Thanks for the re-cap it was worth the wait….congrats to you both.
From: BOWNBIRDHNTR
24-Sep-24
Fantastic all the way around. Enjoyed coming back each day for updates....just like reading a good book!
From: Andy B
24-Sep-24
Fantastic! You give this 45 yr old flatlander inspiration to go try it! Thanks for sharing!
From: Drop tine
24-Sep-24
That is great story telling, congrats
From: Treeline
24-Sep-24
Excellent! Going 2 out of 3 in an OTC hunt is really amazing! And y’all almost made 3/3! Incredible! Congratulations! Well done!
From: Old School
24-Sep-24
Quite the adventure - and many memories made with friends - that’s great. Then top it off with 2 dead bulls - successful hunt for sure!
From: Wv hillbilly
25-Sep-24
Thanks everyone! It was a fun hunt and great adventure with a couple good friends. I’m glad ya liked it.
From: six
25-Sep-24
Nicely done gentlemen. I didn't know places like this still existed.
From: Goelk
04-Oct-24
Congrats
