A hunt to remember. Last night it started to rain then turned to snow. I didn't think the snow would last. On the morning of the 10th I got up and seen the snow. The cold I have had for the past 2 weeks seemed to have got worse. I didn't feel like even getting out of bed. But something told me that I needed to go out hunting today. After taking care of some things I got all my things ready and headed out.
Once out in the field I got my gear on and started the walk out. The walk can be hard as it is nearly a mile and doesn't help when one is sick. Normally the wind blows SW to NE, today is was due south. This had me concerned because the elk normally come out of the south heading north into the field.
I picked a different spot then normal because of the wind and I hoped for the best. I was in position by 1710 hours. After waiting 40 minutes I had not heard a single cow or bull call. There had been another bull shot about a week ago in the same field so i figured they might not be around.
I let out a couple lost cow calls. I kept looking around and listing but did not hear anything. A noise to the north then caught my attention. I looked and seen a small whitetail buck. It was nice to watch especially as it had a large white patch all down the side of it and several more white spots on it,(part albino). After watching it for a short time I took a look to my right. I was surprised to see an elk standing in the field right in the path of my scent.
I took out my laser and took a peek at it. Can it be???? One, two, three, four, five. Five points on one side. Make that both sides! He was not really tall or wide but he is legal. There was a reason that I came out today. Something told me today was the day. I could smell it in the air. As I watched him, he seemed nervous. I checked my distance three times. 301 yards. As he paced back and fourth he kept trying to see me. He put his head down, then back up again staring right into my soul. He must have done this 10 times. Each time I moved a little more to try and get into position.
After what seemed like hours passed I was finally in position. I checked my distance one more time. 301 yards. Ok, I'm ready. He then took and turned broad side to me. He was ready. I turned my safety off took up my sight and took the deepest breath I have ever taken. Slowly as I exhaled I squeezed the trigger. BANG! I kept my eye on him. I watched as his hind end fell to the ground.
I quickly got my next round into the chamber. I found him again. He started to walk slowly towards the woods. He made it into the wood and was still standing. I didn't want to loose him. As I watch he turned to the west and was open for a second shot. I took another deep breath. He was about 20 yards further now. I held higher by just a bit. As I put my finger on the trigger I watched him fall backwards. I held my shot. I waited for a few minutes looking through my scope. I couldn't see him for the trees but he never got back up.
I knew I got him. I waited for another five minutes to make sure he was expired. I then started the walk. As I got to where he was standing when I shot, I look and looked but couldn't find any blood. My heart dropped. I looked around and around and finally seen a small amount of blood. I though I made a bad shot. I made myself ready and followed the fresh tracks in the snow. As I walked in the bush I could again only seem very small drops of blood in the snow. Could what I though I seen of him falling backwards been him running deeper into the woods???
I walked in only a short distance. About 10 yards. The bush was thick. He made a right turn, just as I seen in the scope. As I looked to the right.....there he was. I was overwhelmed with joy. I cautiously approached him. I checked to make sure he was expired.
As I stood there looking at him, all was at peace. There wasn't a sound to be heard other than the slight cracking the trees made as they blew in the wind. This was my perfect movement. This was the reason I came here.
I called for help and my friend came. We both shared in the moments and the harvest. We worked for a couple hours to clean him and care for him. After he was in my truck I shared my story with my friend as he gave me a cigar to celebrate.
This was my hunt to remember!
The rifle is a savage 110 FCP in 338 Lapua mag. While he is by no means a record, and most might have passed him up. He was meant for me.
Happy hunting to all. My you find yours.
Once out in the field I got my gear on and started the walk out. The walk can be hard as it is nearly a mile and doesn't help when one is sick. Normally the wind blows SW to NE, today is was due south. This had me concerned because the elk normally come out of the south heading north into the field.
I picked a different spot then normal because of the wind and I hoped for the best. I was in position by 1710 hours. After waiting 40 minutes I had not heard a single cow or bull call. There had been another bull shot about a week ago in the same field so i figured they might not be around.
I let out a couple lost cow calls. I kept looking around and listing but did not hear anything. A noise to the north then caught my attention. I looked and seen a small whitetail buck. It was nice to watch especially as it had a large white patch all down the side of it and several more white spots on it,(part albino). After watching it for a short time I took a look to my right. I was surprised to see an elk standing in the field right in the path of my scent.
I took out my laser and took a peek at it. Can it be???? One, two, three, four, five. Five points on one side. Make that both sides! He was not really tall or wide but he is legal. There was a reason that I came out today. Something told me today was the day. I could smell it in the air. As I watched him, he seemed nervous. I checked my distance three times. 301 yards. As he paced back and fourth he kept trying to see me. He put his head down, then back up again staring right into my soul. He must have done this 10 times. Each time I moved a little more to try and get into position.
After what seemed like hours passed I was finally in position. I checked my distance one more time. 301 yards. Ok, I'm ready. He then took and turned broad side to me. He was ready. I turned my safety off took up my sight and took the deepest breath I have ever taken. Slowly as I exhaled I squeezed the trigger. BANG! I kept my eye on him. I watched as his hind end fell to the ground.
I quickly got my next round into the chamber. I found him again. He started to walk slowly towards the woods. He made it into the wood and was still standing. I didn't want to loose him. As I watch he turned to the west and was open for a second shot. I took another deep breath. He was about 20 yards further now. I held higher by just a bit. As I put my finger on the trigger I watched him fall backwards. I held my shot. I waited for a few minutes looking through my scope. I couldn't see him for the trees but he never got back up.
I knew I got him. I waited for another five minutes to make sure he was expired. I then started the walk. As I got to where he was standing when I shot, I look and looked but couldn't find any blood. My heart dropped. I looked around and around and finally seen a small amount of blood. I though I made a bad shot. I made myself ready and followed the fresh tracks in the snow. As I walked in the bush I could again only seem very small drops of blood in the snow. Could what I though I seen of him falling backwards been him running deeper into the woods???
I walked in only a short distance. About 10 yards. The bush was thick. He made a right turn, just as I seen in the scope. As I looked to the right.....there he was. I was overwhelmed with joy. I cautiously approached him. I checked to make sure he was expired.
As I stood there looking at him, all was at peace. There wasn't a sound to be heard other than the slight cracking the trees made as they blew in the wind. This was my perfect movement. This was the reason I came here.
I called for help and my friend came. We both shared in the moments and the harvest. We worked for a couple hours to clean him and care for him. After he was in my truck I shared my story with my friend as he gave me a cigar to celebrate.
This was my hunt to remember!
The rifle is a savage 110 FCP in 338 Lapua mag. While he is by no means a record, and most might have passed him up. He was meant for me.
Happy hunting to all. My you find yours.
