I was a day late getting to elk camp this year because of tickets I had to the Elton John concert. Rifle elk hunting started on September 15th and it was now the 16th. After driving 2 1/2 hours to my hunting area and spending another 3 hours getting to the camp and setting up my wall tent, I was ready for the afternoon hunt. I took my quad up a logging trail about 3 kms and from there walked into an area I hunted before. I walked in some prime elk habitat and noted some rubs that hadn't been there weeks earlier in archery season. Encouraged I carried on to a location I had shot an elk 2 years earlier. Of course I kept thinking I would see an elk as I had in 2006 but no such luck. I thought I would make a large circle around and come out on the logging trail but then I had second thoughts and decided to back track the route I travelled earlier as I had been calling along the way. At approx. 6:30 pm I got back to the area where I noticed the rubs and decided to cow call. With in moments I heard foots steps and saw a cow elk coming walking out of the heavy bush. I immediately knelt down to break my outline and began playing with the cow who was about 60 yards away. After cow calling for a couple of minutes I got the cow to come with in 20 yards, although she aware something was not right she kept staring in my direction.
I then thought I would see her reaction to a bugle, to I gave out a short high pitched bugle. Although there was no reaction from the cow, I got an immediate and agressive response from a bull located some distance behind the cow. I now had a real problem because I had to get by the cow without having her run back towards the bull and scaring him off. I decided to slowly stand up and hope she would spook without barking and continue on her way. Much to my surprize it worked and she got nervous and trotted off. Back to the bull, I bugled and got an immediate response followed by lots of chuckles. I knew he was hot and it was likely I got close to one of his cows. I closed the distance quickly and called again, which again resulted in a reply. I moved forward again and stood on top of a old stump and waited. Although I could hear him I was yet to see him in the thick re-growth. I then caught a glimpse of his antlers and then he appeared. He was quartering towards me but I knew this was my chance. I took aim with my 338 win mag and sent a 225 grain barnes his way. Immediately at the shot he spun and took off but I was confident of the shot. I stood and waited and could hear him in the bush and it sounded he was moving slowly. After about 25 minutes I followed up and in the advancing darkness I located blood. I followed the blood for approx. 50 yards and located the bull. I now had the job of field dressing the animal before it was completely dark. I then had to walk out to the quad, went back to get my trailer and with help of my hunting partners we retrieved the elk.
Another great elk season.
I then thought I would see her reaction to a bugle, to I gave out a short high pitched bugle. Although there was no reaction from the cow, I got an immediate and agressive response from a bull located some distance behind the cow. I now had a real problem because I had to get by the cow without having her run back towards the bull and scaring him off. I decided to slowly stand up and hope she would spook without barking and continue on her way. Much to my surprize it worked and she got nervous and trotted off. Back to the bull, I bugled and got an immediate response followed by lots of chuckles. I knew he was hot and it was likely I got close to one of his cows. I closed the distance quickly and called again, which again resulted in a reply. I moved forward again and stood on top of a old stump and waited. Although I could hear him I was yet to see him in the thick re-growth. I then caught a glimpse of his antlers and then he appeared. He was quartering towards me but I knew this was my chance. I took aim with my 338 win mag and sent a 225 grain barnes his way. Immediately at the shot he spun and took off but I was confident of the shot. I stood and waited and could hear him in the bush and it sounded he was moving slowly. After about 25 minutes I followed up and in the advancing darkness I located blood. I followed the blood for approx. 50 yards and located the bull. I now had the job of field dressing the animal before it was completely dark. I then had to walk out to the quad, went back to get my trailer and with help of my hunting partners we retrieved the elk.
Another great elk season.
You were late to go hunting because of Elton John?
