We have not really had a stellar elk season yet, but I did manage to kill a smallish 5X5 (more later). I thought I'd make a post about the season so far since we are approaching the half way mark.
My brother, Danny, and I both drew different units this year, which stinks because we are a good tag team. We know each other real well and I can always count on him making the right move at the right time. I hold him back a little bit because he is such a mountain goat, but otherwise we have the same thoughts, same strategies, and we work well together. Oh well.
Danny found a real nice bull a week before the opening weekend. He went back to this area and was in the middle of some serious elk action. Danny has killed a handful of good but not great bulls and he is holding out for something a little nicer this year. Hopefully that will pay off for him. He was calling for my cousin and his friend, who both missed small bulls.
A few small bulls playing around.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Odm8DQPbfXk/TmZBkPtFhvI/AAAAAAAAVQ8/Iq3tia14ikE/s640/006.JPG)
The big boy that Danny saw a week before the opener. A large 6X7, wide with long tines and longer beams.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dfgCj_yqrIk/TlfO3W5WvHI/AAAAAAAAUoo/4Zk_6U2Jb_I/s640/P1020105-1.JPG)
I went in with my brother-in-law, Kelly, to a place we talked about all summer. We were packed for a three day trip.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8IgAcL0bmHM/TmZDO0lj9NI/AAAAAAAAVWw/xOlPXgwp-oE/s640/DSC02547.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zCjsNQVXY2k/TmZDRkIdszI/AAAAAAAAVW8/lqt8f1g2ERw/s640/DSC02550.JPG)
There should have been elk all over in here! But there wasn't. And even though we invested a lot of time and effort getting in to this place we pulled out to find the elk. No use wasting time in an area that only has a few elk, IMO.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FRp54036qZM/TlwDT_KHk6I/AAAAAAAAU2I/7eOtWphiY4o/s640/P1120038.JPG)
I hunted this unit a long time ago, but not very much of it. The vast majority of the hunting I've done this year is in places where I have never been, or have not been for many, many years. It is kind of a fluke that we ended up hunting in the drainage that has produced the most action this year. My Mom spotted a lone bull above timberline at around 9am on opening day, quite late in the morning to be out in the sun feeding. That was enough to make her and my Dad to go check it out. They should have shot a bull in that drainage opening day, at 2pm my Dad called him to 20 yards but just couldn't get a shot.
Saturday I hunted with my parents back in that same drainage. We saw probably 30 elk above timberline, including a few real nice bulls. I'm sure there were many more that we did not see. Not bad for this small area! They were feeding above timberline and going either to the left, right, or straight over the top of the hill, none came down. We slipped in on several elk that morning and did a little bit of calling. A gangly spike came running full tilt down the hill towards us. If he was a person he would be a perfect Napoleon Dynamite - all clumsy and goofy looking when he ran. At about 30 yards he threw on the brakes, looked around, and then cut in to the trees. There was something he did not like, ah well. Since all the elk were in huntable locations we slipped out knowing that they would be back the following morning. We would have done some more calling but the wind started swirling.
That evening I went out by myself and made a five mile hike in a different place, but it was all for naught. So I ran over to a spot where I could glass our drainage the last 20 minutes before dark. I only saw a few cows but I knew the elk were still all there. I ran in to another elk hunter who was camped back there with his wife and son. He was camped on one side of the drainage so we never went near him and hunted the very far side. We left the majority of the elk we saw for him to hunt.
We made some common sense observations about the drainage before we had ever seen what the elk do up there. There is a big saddle that runs right over to a very steep and nasty north facing ridge. We figured that they probably crossed through that saddle and bedded on that nasty hill. When we finally observed elk we saw them doing exactly what we had suspected.
The following morning, since we had seen a good number of elk moving towards that saddle, we planned on still hunting our way there, and then doing some blind calling once we got there. My brother-in-law Kelly was with us, so there were four total hunters. We usually split up when there is that many of us but we wanted to cover as much of that saddle as possible, so we all went in together.
We still hunted for the first hour or so of the morning until we reached our saddle. Once we got there we hung out for 30 minutes or so hoping to catch something coming through. We split up, about 40 yards apart, in line with the wind which was coming down the hill (that was fine because we did not expect elk to come from below us). I was the furthest up the hill, my Dad was the furthest down the hill. The two of us did the most calling with Kelly and my Mom chirping in as well. We started soft. About five minutes after we started calling I noticed an elk coming down fast. He was still 100 yds out so I made a few more very soft calls and waited. I knew my Dad would keep calling 100 or so yards down the hill.
Everything worked out just perfectly. The elk kept coming fast, looking downhill for the "elk" that he was hearing. His approach kept me concealed the entire time. There were shooting openings in all directions, but I was hidden enough so that he would never see me until he was in a shootable position. I kept looking ahead of his path, picking out places where I could shoot if he held course.
When he got to 25 yards he went behind some thick trees, I drew. He stepped out in to my opening, moving, but not fast. As soon as his front leg appeared I let go of the string. My arrow flew perfect, hitting him about an inch higher than my aim. He crashed out of there, he was mortally hit. I called to try and stop him, more out of habit than necessity, but he never stopped. I knew it would be a short track.
This is a screen shot of Google Earth so you can kind of see the terrain. I marked on my GPS where I was when I shot, and where we found him. I plug my GPS in to my computer and it shows me exactly where I've been. I never used my GPS until I figured out I could do this.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L61SKfVk9e4/Tma5lTa0_ZI/AAAAAAAAVcg/RuncfRy0onk/s800/Fullscreen%252520capture%252520962011%25252095727%252520AM.jpg)
A view from my shooting location.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hzELzr1SYYE/TmZBrrh6kxI/AAAAAAAAVRY/jVeEskrRmFA/s640/P1120067.JPG)
We all got together and talked about the shot placement, the elk's reaction, how much arrow penetrated him, etc. We were all very confident that we would find the elk in a short amount of time.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZQlDrFCWU2s/TmZDZxeboII/AAAAAAAAVXg/QryQlMkkuz8/s640/DSC02559.JPG)
About 30 yards from where the elk was standing at the shot we started seeing trees and stumps like this. Looking good!
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ILwbN_Lk-HI/TmZBwrOwVGI/AAAAAAAAVRo/tAb5mN5z_OE/s640/P1120071.JPG)
To all of our surprise the heavy blood trail did not last very long. After a bit we were tracking his hoof prints and finding very little blood. It did not have me worried, but it was not what I expected.
About 100 yards or so down the trail my Mom said, "holy cow I sure can smell elk". I knew we were close. I took my eyes off of the ground and started scanning the woods ahead of us. There he is!
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZG-UN7bmF-c/TmZB5OV7AEI/AAAAAAAAVSI/L8ORIA_qJcA/s640/P1120079.JPG)
In all the years of elk hunting with my Dad this was the first time we were actually together when either of us killed an elk. Hugs went around.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZczGcgST6uY/TmZB0fTEpCI/AAAAAAAAVR0/-qz3BFSEN_Q/s640/P1120075.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-spiLR4EoQg8/TmZEWfVuC8I/AAAAAAAAVbI/TLPPDVDBL7g/s640/DSC02615.JPG)
I used my 56" Hawk recurve, 59@28, and a VPA Terminator broadhead. It was the first time I carried three blades hunting elk. Penetration was okay, there was a hole on the far side in the ribs but the broadhead did not poke through the skin. It went through the whole body cavity but I sure like to see an exit hole. The blood trail was less than average even though it started strong. I think the hit was a little higher than a good blood trail producing hit would be, but obviously still low enough to produce a very quick kill. I will be adding this broadhead to my arsenal, for sure.
The first human hand to touch this magnificent creature.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P0b4IFZz8N8/TmZEGqX8uEI/AAAAAAAAVaQ/9AB-snvMrJw/s640/DSC02601.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M7KY6XddHZ4/TmZEfHSq7WI/AAAAAAAAVbo/W0Tu4kLPfBc/s640/DSC02622.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Iu_QGmZ0He4/TmZCYY2Ea3I/AAAAAAAAVTw/jFzUghnGoTU/s640/P1120104.JPG)
I'd call that frothy pink blood, wouldn't you?
Wow! Nice country. Neat to have experiences shared with your parents... hard to imagine but very, very cool!!!
:thumbsup: Nice bull...!
My mom had a knee replacement last year and this is the first time she has been able to walk the elk woods in quite a few years. Having her there made this hunt all the better!
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-F9MSVwPSDBM/TmZCk-CP5ZI/AAAAAAAAVUc/bQjAYP-taes/s640/P1120114.JPG)
I shot the elk at 7:35am. We had all day to take care of him, and with four of us doing the work we got the cleanest elk meat we've ever done. There was hardly a hair or speck of dust on any of it. Gonna eat good!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LtZ7t8OU27E/TmZEh9X98kI/AAAAAAAAVbw/B-M34HUSABo/s640/DSC02625.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zJoD3UuTDOU/TmZCu8YpGYI/AAAAAAAAVU8/DfEkm1IULpA/s640/P1120122.JPG)
Kelly is a freak of a human being. He is carrying a front and a hind quarter, and he never even commented on the pack being heavy, light, uncomfortable, anything. Just smiles the whole way out, though I pretty much only saw his back the whole time.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yd6_wsurJgg/TmZC52lMxGI/AAAAAAAAVVg/A6zLcNnKkyQ/s640/P1120130.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-76LPriU_znc/TmZDL_7yyZI/AAAAAAAAVWc/LvaZJdxusNI/s640/P1120145.JPG)
Looks like I'm just calling for the rest of the year!
I have more pictures on the blog on my website, rmsgear.com. I just didn't upload them all to post on here. Too many!
How cool is this?.... Way!!...I'm saying...
Thank you for sharing your hunt.
God bless,Mudd
Congrats thanks for the pics and story.
Congrats on the special hunt. Beautiful hunting location too.
Very special having your parents their to share the hunt,thanks for posting.
:thumbsup: Congrats! A great hunt all the way!
Now, thats doin it the Hard Way !! Congrats !! Awesome ...
Nice lookin bull
Fantastic story, and even better that you were able to get the elk with your family in the vicinity..Special times and memories to last a lifetime..way to go! :thumbsup:
Congrats on a great hunt, even better with family , particularly someone who can pack that much meat. You need to take him along on all your hunts; looks like a great pack mule!
I like the idea that the whole family is together on the hunt.
Congrats,
Darren
Well done. Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow....great read!
And thanks for sharing with special pics. Much appreciated!!! :campfire:
Congratulations!! It's great you had some good help with the meat packing!
Way to go.!!.. :thumbsup:
Way to go..Congrats!
:clapper: WOW that i fantastic on every level!!
Isn't it great and at the same time a little sad (sad that I cant be that strong I mean ;) )to have a freak of nature friend like that? Caterpillar aint got nothing on one of my buddies. His moose and deer dragging exploits are legendary and continue to grow every year! Guess the next best thing to being that strong is being friends with someone that strong!
Again congratulations, thanks for taking us along!
Nathan
Thanks for sharing great story and pics
Great hunt,great pic's and a super family,Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice! :thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing your hunt. Congrats on a nice bull!!
Great Story, Great Pics, Great shot, a trifecta. Congrats!! Joe
Awesome hunt, very nice bull and great shooting. Great you could share with your family.
Nice going Tommy and I like your Dad's hat.
great pics and congrats :clapper:
Very nice! I wish I could get my wife in the field like your mother does! Great job by all!
Congrats, nice pictures and what an elk :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great you can share that trip with your family.
Congrats on the fine animal.
Way to go Tommy!! That is a nice looking bull, beautiful shot, and to share the whole thing with your family - Wow!! doesn't get any better than that!
Congratulations!
Congrats Tommy! :thumbsup: Mabey we will see you guys next year at the high country shoot.
Reading your story is better than the quick one I got over the phone. Congrats bro!
Great pics, congratulations on your success.
Awesome stuff you shared with us sir! Congratulations!
SWEEEEEEEET!! congrats buddy.
Great story and that elk WOW :notworthy:
Congrats on the bull!
Very nice,thanks for sharing :)
Nice job Tommy.
Excellent! Congrats to you and your family!
Well made hunt Tommy,congrats to you and all the family!
Great Job! :clapper:
Great story, hunt, family, and finally bull. You are a fortunate man, congratulations on all :thumbsup: .
Great hunt and story! Just checked out your website too and you have lots of bow inventory....we may be doing business soon!
Congrats!
Very nice...great stuff....
Wow Congrats. Great Bull
Great times, great memories, great times great memories. Congrats X10 :thumbsup:
So Cool! :clapper:
Great Bull Tommmy, and glad you were able to share it with friends!
very cool!
your a lucky guy to have your whole family involved with the outdoors like that.
L.R.
so cool ! bravo !
Great Bull. Thanks for sharing the story.
Great story and pics!
yess the smell of elk , in the timber
That cinches it! I AM going Elk hunting as soon as possible! Awesome hunt! Great pics! Thanks for sharing.
Good Stuff Tommy...Congrats!
Man what a great hunt, I think I will be out in CO next fall God willing. I mean heck I am only about 6 hours east of Denver and have family in Grand Junction. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
Congrats Tommy. Nice bull. And even better to have a willing pack horse as a brother-in-law. Two quarters at once...I am impressed!
Congrats to you and your family Tommy :clapper:
What a great story and pics!
Cool story and congratulations on a nice bull. Hunting and family-two great things that go great together. TRW
oh yeah that was a great story and super pics. I cant imagine how special that would be to have your dad and mom on this hunt with you. Nice bull too.!
Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Great read and congrats on a fine bull. What a way to have a family outing!! Don't ya just love those pink tiny bubbles?!?
What a great story-and a family hunt to boot! :archer2:
Thank you guys for all the kind words. I have some more pictures of the follow up that I'll be posting in a bit!
NICE!! Great bull, story, and pics. Hunting with the family is really cool.
Please excuse all of my pictures.
I really have to thank you all for the kind words, I shared this with my Mom, who is NOT a social computer person, and it made her feel good. My mom was the one that I actually elk hunted with for the majority of my first two seasons. My Dad was on other hunts out of state or packed in to wilderness areas. She went through a lot to take me and my brother hunting. Boy...if I had the experience I have now we could have done well. I remember staring at a squirrel with a blunt nocked and looking up to see a few spikes ten yards away. DOH! Another morning I fell asleep on her lap only to have a bull walk up and almost step on us. Very fond memories.
She was a good hunter before kid activities took over and her knees gave out.
(note, this is a compound kill and I understand if the mods take it off, her last season before switching to all trad)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kTCq-fz8Wwo/TmlMYyQBrQI/AAAAAAAAVdE/oAgC1NVXq8Y/s640/old%252520pics-4.jpg)
We cut up my bull the other night and I told my Dad how the smell of the meat really takes me back.
This is me looking on as everybody cuts up a bull that my Mom shot.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dJh5Riry2-8/TmlMTUDCLLI/AAAAAAAAVc4/ZRf-Zx6dejc/s640/old%252520pics-1.jpg)
Doing the same thing over twenty years later.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gA2UluDoIeo/TmlMz06bJNI/AAAAAAAAVeU/yt5YnHk-rDk/s640/P1030621.JPG)
And I hope to do the same thing with my boy when he's older. My Dad, myself, and my son.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m_eSuPubZDU/TmlMj4vPz-I/AAAAAAAAVdQ/s-9dK_klwr8/s640/DSC07911.JPG)
The talk of doing this as a family got us talking last night and my Mom dug out these old pictures. Hunting, specifically traditional archery since that is all I have ever known, is a big part of the reason I am so close with my parents. I feel strongly that it is one of the best tools a parent can use to spend time with their children. And I will certainly raise my kids in the same manner.
Hunting with the whole family like that is very rare in these days. Your fortunate and wise to capture it in photos and writing. Congratulations to the family.
You are truely blessed. I have a friend who has been bit by the traditional bug. She is a experienced compound shooter, but, not much traditional experience. What is your mother's bow setup? She is looking for advice from other female hunters. Thanks, and once again ,thanks for a great story and pictures.
Nice bull, Congrats.
Very nice :thumbsup: