This year I really dedicated myself to finding a good bull. I alway see and photograph some great bulls on the winter ranges and was sure that they all could not stay on the private lands all year. So I found myself in the mounatins as early as I could start and scouted almost every weekend or day off. Of course the elk have an advantage as they can travel to the high country before we can get there, unless you like to trek marathon distances in heavy mud and snow. So I found myself Losing the bulls in the spring and really putting the thinker and boots to work.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/004edt-3.jpg)
ohhhhh i do perdict many many awesome photos to come :clapper: i can't wait!
This year was a bit of a test also. We had the driest spring/summer I can remember. So it was obviuos after a short while that ti find water was to find animals. About July I decided I should check a seep in the timber in a little hole I know of and see if it was dried up or not. I found it to be as wet and pretty a little spot as ever, so I hung a camera there just to see what was happening. Meanwhile I was still cover the hills looking for the big boys.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/004edt-5.jpg)
:campfire:
Well, I saw lots of Elk those first couple of months, mostly cows and calves and a few good looking young bulls. The old warriors stayed hidden though. My seep wasn't showing much action and I was considering a different area. Then one day I hiked into the seep and checked the camera.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/MDGC0134.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/MDGC0133.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/MDGC0076.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/MDGC0075.jpg)
Things were looking up!
:coffee:
:notworthy: This is going to be awesome!
These were good bulls, I wasn't sure what they would mature into though. The season was dry and by the time the rains started I wasn't sure what it would do for antler growth. I had a place to watch and some bulls to keep track of! It was very exciting! One of the things I do when I find Elk in an area is stay out! I will watch the area with the binos and keep activity in the area to as little as possible. I would check the camera once a week and go straight in and straight out, no wandering. It takes very little human presence to alter a mature animals activities. So to keep myself in the woods and doing what I love, I kept scouting other areas on foot. It was a great summer.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/011edt-1.jpg)
Ahh...Finally a drawn out story the Tradgang way...LOVE IT!
Very! Very! nice bull your hard work paid off. :thumbsup:
Here are few scouting pic's from this summer...
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/013edt-2.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/005edt-2.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/001edt-2.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/007edt-2.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/020edt-2.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/006edtcopy.jpg)
:campfire:
This is great! Keep it coming!
Martin
:campfire:
Very nice pictures like those get the heart rate up :) looks like youhave found a great place to hunt!
Three days before the season we had a cold front roll in and had rain everyday. I was able to get up to my area and was greeted by the sight of a large bull, herding, checking and chasing cows. He would herd them up and and scream for any and all to know he was king. To say this got me fired up would be and understatement! I shot a photo of him at least a half mile away.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/006.jpg)
So now I am all kinds of ready to hunt! The last few days at work were some of the longest I have ever undured!LOL! Opening day dawned hot and clear. The temps were back in the high 80s low 90s and everything had gone back to summer mode. No buglin and very little game movement. My wife and I sat in a blind on the seep, but it had become very unpreictable. Once the bulls rubbed the velvet of and started to feel some hormones they split up and started to wander. They were still there, but they were not talking and they were watering randomly.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/MDGC0153.jpg)
Very cool, thanks for sharing. Great pics
Instant classic unfolding .......
:clapper: Awaiting the next installment :coffee:
Can't wait to read the rest!!
It was decided after a few days sitting in a blind that I am not that kinda Elk hunter!LOL! I strapped on the boots and went looking for the bulls. Most of them I found already camping out on a peice of private that butts up to the public I was hunting. This was not good, there was a good chance they would stay put, if there was no pressure, and there is usually not. A few hot, sweaty days pass with a couple of encounters with young bulls. I was not ready to concede and shoot a little bull yet, there was alot of hunting left to do. I called a spike bull into 10' ft. one morning. These encounters only last a few minutes at best, but make the endless hours of hiking/hunting worth every second.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/022edt.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/006edt.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/018edt-1.jpg)
Oooh. This is good!
Awesome Jason!! This is what this sites about right here! Thanks for taking the time to do this :thumbsup:
Very cool Jason, thanks for sharing! Can't wait for the exciting conclusion!
Oh my, how great is this? Too great, so far.
Nice camera work too, btw.
:thumbsup: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Ok, I didn't have long to wait ... I just paged down a little further and saw the other thread. Great bull Jason!!!
LOL! Dan, I was excited and put the cart before the horse last night. I wanted to share but was just plain beat, so I posted the pic.
I'm not sure what's better the story behind the Bull or the photos.......both are great so far :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :notworthy:
The following couple of days were as slow as it gets. They elk had all but disappeared, there was starting to be more hunting pressure closing in and it was still way too warm. I was starting to think the elk had made a run for the lower elevations. I was contemplating going back to my other spot, much more remote, steeper and really a tough spot to hunt. I have to say that part of the reason I am able to take elk every year is that I NEVER give up. By that I mean in my mind, I never lose sight of the fact that this only happens once a year and that I truely love to be in the mountains. Killing an animal is the purpose, but such a small part of the journey. Staying positive gives you energy and focus, that added with a large portion of luck go a long way in the mountains!
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/009edt-1.jpg[/IMG]
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/005edt-1.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/007edt-1.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/001edt-1.jpg)
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/004edt-4.jpg)
I'm enjoying this one...
:campfire:
I smell pines . . . hear the wind push through the trees . . .don't you??
Thanks for taking us along. :)
Great pics, fun read. Thanks
Beautiful photos. Please keep them coming.
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: This is great!
Loved the photos. Some country.
Aww man... just when I was ok with waiting a week before going back into my elk hunting spot...
AWESOME to say the least!!
This is awesome but I have to go look for other pictures! :help: :clapper:
:notworthy:
This is a great story. Great job!! Can't wait till you tell the rest
Great job!! Can't wait till you tell the rest
Great job!! Can't wait till you tell the rest
Well the plan was to get up early and drive the extra miles to the wilderness area and hit the trail right at first light. What actually happened was I over slept! BY an hour! I almost just rolled over and called a rest day, but I have never called in or shot an elk laying bed. So I hussled and got ready and headed back to the same spot I had been hunting from day one. I wasn't very confident in the place and after hiking to the first ridge,letting out a series of calls I was sure that the elk were gone. I got dead silence to answer and that was it. I figered I would hike back to the seep and see if anything had been there and form a plan from there. I crested another ridge called and recieve a passive smallish bugle in return. AN ELK! From the sound I figured it to be one of the small 5x5's I had seen earlier in the week. When he bugled gain I thought what the heck lets work him and see what we have.
Well....did your keyboard run low on ink ?? :saywhat:
I feel like I am sitting on the edge of a bench, looking down waiting, straining, craning my neck for the sight of dark legs creeping my way through the lodgepoles...
ENCORE ELKSONG!
by the way, thanks, killing the time well, this is my only 6 days off this month, so I needed the boost!
BTW the pic of the narrow mulie looking back at you appears to have a shed in it next to the stump? likely not, but you never know.
Love it so far........can't wait for the rest!
Bisch
As I was working my way towards him. He bugled a couple more times. Everytime he called he sounded more excited and more aggressive. At one point I thought there was more than one bull, because he was sounding so much different. I worked in below him to get the wind, I am sure he heard me walking and figured I was the elk he had heard and he started down the hill. I set up quickly and cow called a couple of times, he screamed at me! I remeber thinking - this should be interesting to see what comes out of those trees. Seconds later he stepped out and I almost swallowed my reed! This was NOT the 5x5 I was thinking he was.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/MDGC0132edt.jpg)
Six words: ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT!
Oh Lawd.....
QuoteOriginally posted by Froggy:
Oh Lawd.....
You can say that again... :eek: :scared:
Can you say Charlie Lamb :banghead:
Can you say Charlie Lamb :banghead:
Great story! and great photos! :thumbsup:
I see the aspen... is it safe to say you were in Colorado?
Awesome story elksong! Can't wait to hear how this one ends. :campfire:
I immediatly saw that this was a mature 6x6 bull and he was complete commited to my calling. I had to take a couple seconds and collect my thought prosses. DO NOT LOOK AT THOSE ANTLERS AGAIN! He was headed down hill to my left and would pass me inside 30 yards. As he stepped into my shooting lane I cow called to stop him hit full drawn, picked a spot and release. ....
On the way into this spot I had shot a few practice arrows, at dirt clods and such, and every shot was 6"-8" to the left. This had me wondering what I was doing to cause this? Now as I was looking at the bull, with him facing downhill and it sloping left, The thought was that I should pick a spot a little bit back to allow for the slope of the hill and my shooting left.
As I was saying I picked a spot and release. I guess under pressure the mind and body do what is ingrained to do, as the arrow flew like it was on a string to the spot I was looking at. OH NO! The shot was definantly back. Not guts, but right in the last couple of ribs. I knew he was dead I just hoped he would bleed well and leave me a trail.
Good Stuff right here. Thanks for sharing.
QuoteOriginally posted by Elksong:
...I had to take a couple seconds and collect my thought prosses. DO NOT LOOK AT THOSE ANTLERS AGAIN!...
Oh yeah- been there, done that. Great advice! Great saga!
Joshua
Thank you for sharing. I leave for my 10 days in NM chasin Elk this Sunday. First attempt with Trad Equipment. You are an Inspiration.
God Bless, Randy Chamberlin
Yep last trophy mule deer I shot at rattled both sides of the antlers . . .a complete pass through. LOL
DON'T LOOK AT THE ANTLERS!!
Now on with the story.
Mike
Guess we have to wait until after Elksong gets out of work to get the rest of the great story.
After the shot the bull ran off and I could hear him stop and start "coughing". I took this as a good sign. He did this for 5 minutes or so and then all was quiet. I waited another 20 mins., I figured no more "couging" and "wheezing"= dead Elk. I trailed him to the spot he had stopped and found alot of blood, but no elk. I tracked him another 25 yards and found my arrow. I had shot right up to the nock and it pulled thru as he ran. It was Dark blood(liver) with bubbles when he stopped(lung cavity), I lost it shortly after the arrow came out. I decided I should get some help. And give the bull some time.
I was able to get my Uncle, Ash Cox and his son Colby to come up and help me. Good thing I did as they put the African bushmen treatment on him. The blood trail was a drop or two every 50 -100 yards, but they were able to sort out his tracks, from other elk and cattle, and followed him 1/3-1/2 mile to his last bed! I was very impressed! After a quick processing job and a short but crappy pack out I was able to sit back and truely soak in the day. I had taken a great bull in a heavy hunted OTC area and got to enjoy it with two of my favorite people in the world.
Kanati LB 56" 71-72@ my draw, cedar arrows and MA-3 bheads.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/008edt-1.jpg)
Great job - he's a beauty! Full freezer, too!
What do you think he'll score roughly? 280ish?
fabulous story.
Heck of a bull! Way to get it done on OTC land.
Those big bulls lurk among us and you have proven that!
Good job.
Nothin like a 300+ bull to show for some hard work.
COngrats.
He's gonna go 320 maybe. Just by quickly looking. I could be wrong but Elksong is a big guy and that rack still looks big next to him.
But honestly who cares? That is an accomplishment to be proud of.
Hey Elksong, That woulda knocked me for a loop too if I thought that was a 5x5 judged on bugle then saw that beast step out!!
Great story/pics and awesome bull!!! Congrats brother! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
Thats a nice one, good work!
Thats a fantastic bull Jason! Well done! Great Photo's and a great tale, thanks for sharing.
Awesome bull and story
Wow, thanks for sharing! No elk hunting for me this year so this is perfect...
Congrats on that fantastic bull! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great story, makes my elk hunting dream even more vivid :clapper:
Great story and pics congrats.RC
Great recap
Awesome story and bull.
Congrats! Thanks for the story.
Awesome story and great bull. I still say one of the best trophies in the U.S. is a bull elk in CO OTC. Congratulations!!!!
Awesome bull and great story. :thumbsup:
Awesome Elksong, truly awesome!
That was great!!! Thanks for taking us along on your hunt and taking the time to take such wonderful pictures.
-Jay
Way to stick with it Jason and track that rascal down...you have some good buds there to!
Tracking can be tough and exhausting...but well worth the effort.
Again - Great Bull!
Awesome story and a beautiful trophy.
OUTSTANDING!!
So the moral of the story is that it pays to oversleep!
Seriously, the lesson is that even when the plan doesn't go as intended success can still come if you are in the woods! So many things can throw us off if we let them. Oversleeping, bad weather, other hunters, livestock, etc, etc. You showed exactly how it should be done by adjusting and just making the best of it.
Outstanding effort all the way around, starting with your scouting time right up through following up the shot. And then you brought us all along with incredible story telling. Thank you, and congratulations on a fantastic animal!!
Great story and pics,congrats again on a super nice bull.
NICE! I can't believe you have the composure to get a picture of him while he's coming in. Way to go.
Thanks Jason for taking us along and congrats on a great bull :thumbsup:
Excellent story!
Congrats on a great elk too.
Bisch
Well, now I know why I'm not seeing elk. I haven't been oversleeping!
Great bull, hopefully ours will decide to rut here in a week or two. Congrats! :thumbsup:
Fantastic Bull and story,I leave tommorrow for 2 weeks of Elk and Moose in Alberta.Your story upped my anticipation another 300%.thanks ever so much for taking the time for all of us to enjoy.
Congratulations Jason, that is a terrific 6x6 bull. Your patience and timing were perfect. Grand story, and great pictures as always. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Saw the picture of the elk the other day. Tonight saw and read through the story. What fun! great elk, and fabulous country and pics!
Thanks for sharing your story and great pic's Jason. Love to read these Elk harvest threads. A big congrats on a nice Bull!!
Thats an awesome story....congrats brother!
Great story! A story like this makes a guy want to go elk hunting!
My hats off you to you! I too was hunting an OTC unit in S. Colorado. The hot days and full moon aside, it was a great time to be in the mountains.
I envy you guys that get to be out there scouting and putting in the boot leather to find where the elk like to hang out. We had a day and a 1/2 to scout and saw lots of elk prior to the opener.
Great hunt and great story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
K.C. <><
THANK YOU Jason!
For sharin' your scouting & hunt with Trad Gang!
What a most-excellent journey / hunt / shot!!!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Great story and great bull!. Make plans, and adjust when they don't go as planned. Great lesson and fantastic reward!
Well done! What an adventure it turned out to be. Now you can have that "rest" day. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
-Jeremy :coffee:
Thanks for sharing. Good to see hard work rewarded. Great bull!
Awesome story and a great bull, congratulations!
Great thread and a beautiful bull Jason, congratulations again!!!
:clapper:
Jason...Great story and pics. Could you tell me what kind of camera you are using. I'm in the market for a new camera to keep with me in the woods. I've used my old one for 25 years. Time for a new one.
Thanks for taking us along...
Congrats on your hard earned success!
Fantastic pictures!!!thanks again! :campfire:
Great story and pics! Congrats, nice bull! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great story and pics, all the hard work payed off nice bull
Congrats on a nice bull way to pull it off in a drought year.
I am guessing about 330. Man you are a DOG. Carry pictures/camera with you and wave me down I don't know which rig you drive I want to see more. Congrats X 10 my friend
Thanks everyone! I had almost as much fun posting the story as hunting the bull.....almost!LOL! Anyway the picture is a good one and the bull is very nice, but as far as score he is 285" - 290". He was very short on the main beam. He is a world record to me though!
Someone asked about the camera, it is a Canon powershot sx30is. Not an ideal camera to hunt with, kinda bulky, but not bad. I like taking pictures though so I put up with it.
Congratulations on a fine bull, and thank you for sharing your story.
awesome bull!!!
Thanks very much for the great story and pics. Also congratulations on a great bull and some mighty fine eating. :clapper:
Thanks for bringing the Gang along on this hunt, well written and accompanying photo story.. :clapper: :clapper:
Thanks again! :archer:
Great bull Jason. Many Congrats.
Wow, 1/3 to 1/2 mile track job. Congrats on that alone. Why did you think he gave so little trail? I have yet to kill an elk with a trad bow and this kind of thing scares me. congrats on such a nice bull.
You the man Jason! What a bull.
Not sure why he stopped bleeding after the arrow came out, other than he was moving downhill and the shot was a liitle high and back. In that senerio I would guess he was just filling up inside and the holes were at the top of the bottle, so to speak.
Thanks a bunch Randy and Tom!
Took the wife out and although she came close, we could not make it happen. Saw a few good bulls and spent some amazing time with the wife and boy.
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/011edt_zps285cc43a.jpg)
This was just awesome. Your photography is wonderful. The mule deer are just as impressive. Thanks and congrats.
Thanks for all the time and effert that you put into posting truly amazing pictures and telling your fine story. Congratulations on a great trophy!
Jason, great story with a happy ending and a beautiful bull down. Congrats. :clapper: :clapper:
Jason thank you for taking me along. :clapper: :clapper:
Awesome animal, story, and pictures sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
one helluva dandy animal and great story!!
Nice bull brother
Thanks again! This is the best part of the season- my sons smile after we called in a good bull, my wife never got a shot, but it was very exciting. Lots of buglin and such that morning!
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/Elksong/005edt-3.jpg)