In 2016 after 8 years of hunting elk I was able to harvest my first. It was a nice 5x5 and a symbol of lots of miles and learnings. Since that time I have harvested 3 other elk and can’t get enough of Elk hunting. This year I set out with the goal and dream of shooting a big bull.. I was fortunate early on to shoot my dream bull moose with a bow while elk hunting (look at my other posts) however continued looking for my Elk which had lots of encounters and missed opportunities.
On Oct 2 my bday a good friend gave me permission to a prime spot. That morning I had buggles and lots of elk sign however the bull went quiet and I was unsuccessful.
October 3 I tried my luck again, as soon as I left my truck 45min before legal could hear bulls buggiling. I suspect there were two buggiling however by legal light there was only one that was still calling. It was on the other side of this crazy river valley. With out calling back I just kept working my way towards the buggles. It’s crazy how far a buggle carry’s in a valley as I walked shy of 1km zig zagging to find trail I could walk up.
Eventually I cleared the bush and this bull was with cows in the field. I had to creep up to a range I was comfortable shooting. I wasn’t as stealthy as wanted and cows were clearing the field and the bull quartering away was show walk 200 yards away. First shot was a loud smack and he kept walking so another shot later he was laying in the field.
After years of early mornings dreaming of a mature bull. There was my dream bull laying in the field.
Really grateful for small core group of hunting friends always offering advice and there to help when you need it the most.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SZnDTTCBm8t7vXie7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/phKHamBM7gRu7z8V8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wcTkTcbGgDTmVcHu5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kQP1WRyFaD8KneYK7
On Oct 2 my bday a good friend gave me permission to a prime spot. That morning I had buggles and lots of elk sign however the bull went quiet and I was unsuccessful.
October 3 I tried my luck again, as soon as I left my truck 45min before legal could hear bulls buggiling. I suspect there were two buggiling however by legal light there was only one that was still calling. It was on the other side of this crazy river valley. With out calling back I just kept working my way towards the buggles. It’s crazy how far a buggle carry’s in a valley as I walked shy of 1km zig zagging to find trail I could walk up.
Eventually I cleared the bush and this bull was with cows in the field. I had to creep up to a range I was comfortable shooting. I wasn’t as stealthy as wanted and cows were clearing the field and the bull quartering away was show walk 200 yards away. First shot was a loud smack and he kept walking so another shot later he was laying in the field.
After years of early mornings dreaming of a mature bull. There was my dream bull laying in the field.
Really grateful for small core group of hunting friends always offering advice and there to help when you need it the most.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SZnDTTCBm8t7vXie7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/phKHamBM7gRu7z8V8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wcTkTcbGgDTmVcHu5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/kQP1WRyFaD8KneYK7
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