So I’ve been patiently waiting for an elk draw tag for 8 years now. It finally happened. I’ve been practicing with my Sako S20. I’ve been smoking steel at 400 yards with the 178 ELD-X. Last week I got a little concerned that if an elk came in to close I may have a bullet problem so I pulled some Norma Bondstrike and loaded them up to same speed. They were dead ringer with my 178 ELD-X loads out to 400 yards.
So opening day today. I walk a mile into my elk location, get set up with my back against a tree facing a standing barely field with bush and lake behind me. Wind is blowing into my face so it’s not ideal I’ve a bull comes from behind. I’m out early today after finishing my hospital rounds early. It’s only about 2 pm and I give a bugle. Nothing after about 10 minutes. I bugle again and a couple quick cow calls and I heard one short but distant bugle back straight behind me. Not good with the wind but I’m committed. I give him about 10 minutes and bugle again. He calls back but much closer. I give a couple cow calls and nothing.
I get up from sitting and turn back to the brush as I’m thinking he just may come out behind me. Sure enough, in less than 5 minutes this beautiful 6x6 comes out in front of me at 40 yards. He has no idea I’m there. I take stock of the antlers with the ivory tips and decide he’s a shooter. Pop, he goes straight down. In under a minute he lets out a death moan and it’s over. I hadn’t even hunted for an hour. Biggest elk I’ve ever taken.
I was by myself so the processing in the field was a chore. However, he was quartered and loaded in game bags on my truck in under 3 hours.
Next round, my SW Saskatchewan pronghorn. I’ve never been drawn… it’s been 18 years! I’m hoping I’ll have similar success.
Good hiring to everyone. Be safe and love nature!
Michael
So opening day today. I walk a mile into my elk location, get set up with my back against a tree facing a standing barely field with bush and lake behind me. Wind is blowing into my face so it’s not ideal I’ve a bull comes from behind. I’m out early today after finishing my hospital rounds early. It’s only about 2 pm and I give a bugle. Nothing after about 10 minutes. I bugle again and a couple quick cow calls and I heard one short but distant bugle back straight behind me. Not good with the wind but I’m committed. I give him about 10 minutes and bugle again. He calls back but much closer. I give a couple cow calls and nothing.
I get up from sitting and turn back to the brush as I’m thinking he just may come out behind me. Sure enough, in less than 5 minutes this beautiful 6x6 comes out in front of me at 40 yards. He has no idea I’m there. I take stock of the antlers with the ivory tips and decide he’s a shooter. Pop, he goes straight down. In under a minute he lets out a death moan and it’s over. I hadn’t even hunted for an hour. Biggest elk I’ve ever taken.
I was by myself so the processing in the field was a chore. However, he was quartered and loaded in game bags on my truck in under 3 hours.
Next round, my SW Saskatchewan pronghorn. I’ve never been drawn… it’s been 18 years! I’m hoping I’ll have similar success.
Good hiring to everyone. Be safe and love nature!
Michael
