This season started a little slow. I had heard a couple of bugles on opening day and that was it. I was able to find them everytime I went out, but they were not always on the same mounatin as I was. Just before the Labor day weekend I decided to look into one of my old honey holes. What I saw about gave me a heart attack!
(http://i.imgur.com/gC8DG.jpg)
He was awesome! NOt he kind of bull that you find in this heavily hunted unit. So for the next few day my wife and I hunted him. I had him at 20 yards the first day, but never had any kind of a clear shot. As always though it was a blessing being so close to such big old bull. The next day he didn't show up and I was worried that he had gotten a little nervous after our encounter.
wow what an impressive animal.
You done killed him... I know it ! :pray:
The next day he was back! We had some storm systems moving though and the wind was a little "iffy". I knew I should back out and leave him for a better day. I think if he was in just about ANY other area, I might have. Convinced that if I didn't get on every chance I had someone else would find him. So I pushed my luck. I worked into 40 yards and was in position to close the last 20 while he raked a tree! I just knew this was going to happen! Then just as I was moving to clear the little pine tree for a shot.....The wind switched HARD! He was gone in an instant. I was really bummed. I was pretty sure that was it. My last chance at the old harem master.
(http://i.imgur.com/tv9YZ.jpg)
That's a good bull! Tons of fun chasing one like that.
Well, It turns out I was right. He and his lady friends had left the area.I hunted hard for the next few days and found no sign of him. He more than likely headed for the big private ranch over the hill. Well I knew it had been a dream that he was even there for me to chase around at all.
So this a.m.. I headed for another spot. On the way there I was force to try a different area because the amount of hunters heading into the place I had intended to hunt was ridiculous! Well I knew another little place that gets passed by alot. I drove to a spot that gives me a good spot to bugle into the area. I bugled...nothing. I bugled again.......BINGO! I got a reply! I knew exaclty where he was and the best way to get there! I didn't call any more after that. As I was working my way to him, he bugled several more times. That helped me get into what I figured was 100 yards or so and I was pretty sure he was alone.......
:coffee:
I worked downwind and cow called....He screamed at me! I cow called again.....Brush started breaking and I knew we were gonna meet! I could tell he was working to get downhill and down wind of me, so I made a quick move of another 20 yards downhill. Then I could see him, moving towards me. He would still end up downhill of me but I could see lots of shot options, depending on what he did. Well he musta read the script and moved into 15 yrads and turned broadside! The aroow took him a little high, but solid. He went 150-200 yards and fell over dead. A perfect hunt. I love mornings like that!
(http://i.imgur.com/rwaSC.jpg)
I gave my thanks to the creator for the morning the Elk and so many other things.
That is too awesome! I'll be chasing them there in Colorado in 8 days!
CONGRATS THAT IS AWESOME HOPE SOMEDAY TO HAVE A MORNING LIKE THAT. :thumbsup:
Nice Elk thans for taking us along. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great hunt Jason. Nothing like success in the Elk woods!!
That's a beaut. Congratulations. :clapper:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Super job! Great hunt and great bull!
I also found out today that my 19 year daugther is an animal! She helped me pack him out. I was very impressed at how much and how well she carried it!
(http://i.imgur.com/jWh6L.jpg)
She made two trips, carried a front shoulder one trip and the head the next. ALL uphill!
Great hunt and Elk congrats :wavey:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Awesome, congratulations!!!
My goodness Jason, that was very exciting to read my friend! Congrats on an awesome experience :clapper:
Can you tell us a little about your equipment?
Fantastic....great to the young lady helping out, just outstanding :thumbsup:
Congrats...Great Hunt :thumbsup:
Thanks everyone! Curt -I was shooting a Kanati, Best bows I have ever shot, and I have shot MANY! It is 71 @ my draw. Arrows were Cedar tipped with some old MA-3's.
Thats great Jason! Just Incredible!
Thats Awesome Man, Congrats ahh wish i was there
Congrats on a beautiful animal!
Congrats, Nice Bull.!!
Wow! That is awesome. Elk with my longbow is way near the top of my bucket list.
Congrats!
Bisch
Congrats great story and pics. Something I would love to do one day.
Congrats Jason! A great bull :thumbsup:
great job!!! I can not wait until my dad and I have the opportunity to spend time hunting what I think is the most beautiful animal in the world. once again good job!!!! :clapper: :clapper:
WOW! Gotta love it when a plan comes together!
Way to keep up with him! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
What a great story. I really enjoyed it. Congratulations on a great animal. :clapper:
:archer:
Fantastic story and a beautiful animal! Got me all pumped up leave in 6 days for Elk and moose ,this doesn't make the wait easy!LOL
Wow! That is so great! What a story and family time packing out too! :archer2: :archer2:
QuoteOriginally posted by Elksong:
I also found out today that my 19 year daugther is an animal! She helped me pack him out. I was very impressed at how much and how well she carried it!
(http://i.imgur.com/jWh6L.jpg)
She made two trips, carried a front shoulder one trip and the head the next. ALL uphill!
Ya gotta love having the daughters's help! If she ain't spoken for yet, I got a son, LOL! She would have to wait a few years though, as he is only 4 years old.
Awesome!
Way to go, that is great!
This is an awesome story. Congrats on a great bull. It is more than awesome that your daughter was helping as well. If she wants to make a few more trips I can always use a friend to help
Thanks for sharing the story and pics.
Congrats!!
Awesome bull! Gotta love it when the best laid plans fall apart at it leads you to fall into an opportunity like that. Good adjustment in your plans!
I need to send this link to my daughter and show her what she's been missing!
Jason
Great hunt buddy, well done. Good to see you with a stick bow this season....wouldn't want to have to razz you anymore about your choice of weapon..HA!
Nice shooting.
Great to hear the build up to a successful hunt.
Well done and TFS
I was pretty sure this story was going to end with a nice bull. Nice shooting! Congrats!
Jason congrats for another successful hunt,you know your places and your games!
Congrats for your tough cowgirl too.
What a great hunt with a beautiful bull on the ground. Any of us would love that! Nice of your daughter to work so hard helping you pack out.
Allan
Great Pics and thanks for sharing . :)
Simply Awesome , , congrats on an amazing Bull :clapper: :clapper:
QuoteOriginally posted by Elksong:
I worked downwind and cow called....He screamed at me! I cow called again.....Brush started breaking and I knew we were gonna meet! I could tell he was working to get downhill and down wind of me, so I made a quick move of another 20 yards downhill. Then I could see him, moving towards me. He would still end up downhill of me but I could see lots of shot options, depending on what he did. Well he musta read the script and moved into 15 yrads and turned broadside! The aroow took him a little high, but solid. He went 150-200 yards and fell over dead. A perfect hunt. I love mornings like that!
(http://i.imgur.com/rwaSC.jpg)
I gave my thanks to the creator for the morning the Elk and so many other things.
Way to go... That is a fantastic story with some great photos.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
The funny thing is my daughter thought it was pretty easy stuff. She thought her mom and I were making a big deal out of nothing, but we both had packs full of meat on our backs also, so we know exaclty how tough it was!
(http://i.imgur.com/9ZsqQ.jpg)
Heading to my sons first football game today. Then hoping I can find a Deer, Bear and Turkey in the next couple of weeks.
Jason you dog! Way to go, Love to hear the story in person but never see you anymore. You must be an office person now :D That looks like your spouse to me.......well she could pass for 19 :) :clapper: :clapper:
Nice Hunt indeed. The highs...the lows. The perseverence and then success. Beautiful animal Jason. Congrats man. Nice work Daughter. Thats impressive.
fantastic post, great pics too!! Congrats on such a fine hunt, and even bigger hats off for raising a daughter that will not only hunt with you but "pack" when needed!!
Rick no way will I return to an OFFICE job! Hope your season is going well.
Here are just a couple more random photo's of last week.....
(http://i.imgur.com/tWMX3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/tnJeb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0rU8o.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/N3DV6.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/MWUoR.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gDNGX.jpg)
Nice pics and congrats again on a great hunt with your family, it doesnt get any better than that!
Thanks Jason! Thanks for making such killer bows. Missing is never something I worry about!
Awesome hunt and pics.... can't agree with you more Jason on them Kanati's. By the way, my 14 yyr old son wants to meet your daughter... say's she is hot !! :cool: . I said lemme check with Jason and see when I can come out and go on a hunt with him, and I just might bring you along .. :campfire:
Lanier
Elksong, Congrats on the Bull!
I really like the picture: "She made two trips"
But the best part is sharing time with the Family!
No-BS
Well done! In more ways than one, especially getting the family involved.
Congrats on a great elk.And thanks for taking us along. :thumbsup:
wow!!!
congratulations :)
Well done sir.
Yeehaw, great hunt. Congratulations!
Very Nice !! Well Done.
My Dream Hunt..
I know that truly will remin in your mind forever.You were really blessed indeed.Congrats.
Absolutely awesome! Congratulations! Great story and pictures! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrates on the awesome bull. Very nice pics and story. :clapper:
Impressive, and congratulations!
got me fired up for sure, THANK YOU.
I got to wait 2 more weeks befor i leave..
That's great.
Have to ask though, what is in the last picture? almost looks like an egg?
Charlie - It is a type mushroom. It's called a giant western puffball. They are actually edible, but this time of year they are past being "ripe" and are full of seed spores. There were 8-10 in the spot I took the photo. Looked like someone dropped a bag of volleyballs in the woods!LOL!
Congrats Jason!
Congrats on a great animal and hunt! Love the pic of you and the elk, great pic! Having your daughter along must have been really cool. :clapper: :clapper:
:clapper: Congrats.
QuoteOriginally posted by Elksong:
(http://i.imgur.com/rwaSC.jpg)
I gave my thanks to the creator for the morning the Elk and so many other things.
Perfect. can't tell you how much I love this photo. Trophy photos are a dime a dozen, but this one stands out.
Thanks. I wanted to try and show what I truely feel when I take an animals life.
:thumbsup: Well done!
x2 Elk Ninja's statement. You pulled it all together on the hunt and the retelling. Thanks
Awesome story and photos! Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic family,bull, and story you are truely a blessed man.Very well done, congradulations! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
Cool story and good job, I didn't you could kill anything with MA-3 heads,the steel is so soft?
Thanks guys! longrifle -I have yet to have anything I've shot with the MA-3's die out of sight.
Congrats on a great bull. As a flatlander, I'm always a little envious of you guys who have several honey holes and go to spots. Thats just plain good livin!
I finally got to read this thread. Awesome. Congrats Elksong. That is a beautiful Elk you took.
Jason you are a blessed man to have a wife and daughter to help you pack out that awesome bull in such beautiful surroundings.........Bobby
NIce hunt, thanks for sharing. I didn't get ot go out west this year and need to live through other people...
That first bull :eek: , the one you killed :eek: , your family that helps pack :eek: , that mule deer :eek: , wow! :thumbsup: Good luck with the rest of your season! :clapper:
NICE!! Great bull, pics and story. Nice having the family along isn't it
beautiful bull man! that was an awesome hunt.
Elksong, I am so happy for you. And a salute for the great photo of you giving thanks for the harvest." A greater man does not exist when one is humbled to give thanks to his creator for the bounty that he has brought".
Man, this flatlander just swore off elk after getting back from my first trip (the hunt was doable, but lord help us if we would have killed, lol)and now this story!!!!!
You have me thinking again sir. Must be alot like childbirth, the wife quickly forgets the pain. hehehehehehehe
Here's another one :)
Wow that was great-beautiful bull!! :clapper: :clapper:
Getting me pumped for next month!