This has been a rough summer with it being hot and dry. The middle of August, our worst fears became reality with a fierce lightning storm that ignited many fires. One of which was where I primarily elk hunt. Were were under one form of evacuation order or another for a month.
The fire ended up around 1800 acres and had all roads and forest land closed when opening day of elk season arrived. Three days later they opened up part of area after a 4 day rain storm and I began hunting. A few days later I happened to notice the barricades were taken down on the road I wanted to go on to access my hunting spot.
The next morning I slipped down a favorite ridge with the smell of smoke strong and hanging in the air. I wasn't seeing much sign but decided to continue to the toe of the ridge to check a burn from two years ago.
When I got to the burn site, I looked out and saw a nice bull looking at me. I sank down, knocked an arrow and waited. There was a narrow strip of vine maple between us. He gave a low squealy/grunt and began moving up hill to see what I was. I moved up on my side of the brush trying to stay above him. When I came to the end of the brush, I found a shooting lane and waited. I could see horns moving toward the opening and then he was there. I leaned out from a tree and took the shot.
He wheeled but I saw the shot had got there first. Didn't have to wait long before I heard him expire. Walked 70yds out in the old burn to find him.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v706/lonehunter1/IMG_0287.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lonehunter1/media/IMG_0287.jpg.html)
Just wanted to share this years story because I really didn't think there would be a season at all. Used a 58# Toelke Whip shooting 625gr arrows and 2 blade STOS.
Thanks for letting me share, Mike
:clapper:
Nice bull, also lov those Whips.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :archer:
Very nice! Congrats! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Congrats on a great bull!!!
congrats!
Great Bull!
Congrats!! Great bull!!
Dandy bull...CONGRATS!
:thumbsup: well done!!!!!
Awesome! I sure hope to kill an elk with my longbow someday. After 3 tries and no elk, I will kill any legal elk I can get in front of me.
Congrats on a fine bull!
Bisch
Yes, nice one :clapper:
:clapper: :biglaugh:
Congrats on a nice bull
Jeff
Well done Sir!
Great Job, congrats for a nice bull
great bull!!
Fantastic! Nice job not giving up after some roadblocks, literal and figurative, had been placed in your way!! Congratulations
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats on a fine bull my friend. I am glad that it all worked out for you after the burn. :archer:
That's a dandy bull! Congratulations!
Congrats on a beauty!! Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
Bob
Way to go...love the colors in the pic!!
Awesome bull! Congrats!
Congrats! Fine looking bull!
:thumbsup: nice! congratts!
congrats on a great bull
Thanks for the kind words my friends. Normally don't post kill pics but wanted to share this one with those who would understand tough going and possibly offer a little inspiration to those who are also having a rough go.
Good luck to you, Mike
Congratulations on the success of your hard work. That's a beautiful bull and picture!
-Jay
Just plain awesome! Love it when things just all come together! Congratulations!
Congrats. That's a great bull!!
Awesome bull! Congrats on a tough area to hunt between the burn and the darn wolfs you did well.....very well. :clapper:
Awesome bull and awesome hunting! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Beautiful bull!
Congrats on a great bull!
Great Bull. Way to make the most of the hand which was dealt! :clapper:
Congrats!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice shooting...
,,Sam,,
Good job. You will remember this one. Congrats.
Great Bull!!!
Excellent work Sir! Glad they came back so quick after a burn.
Very nice bull, congratulations, on a great hunt.
Congrats! Awesome bull!!!! :clapper:
Nice bull! Congrats!
All the better when your season started off grim. Congrats!
Way to go . Nice bull. :thumbsup:
Well done,... nice Bull...!
Congrats on a beautiful bull! Nice picture also! :thumbsup:
Bernie
It doesn't get much better than that. Congratulations and God bless, Steve
Congratulations on a Beautiful bull. Gotta love those Stos heads, it is my favorite two blade. Other than wanting to try a single bevel for the sake of experimenting, it is what I generally use.
awesome story! Glad it worked out for you!
Thanks for the story. Congratulations on a beautiful bull.
Thanks for sharing and a very nice bull congratulations
Great job. Loved the photo. Thanks
Dan in KS
very happy for you sir!
Well did
Thanks again for your Good Wishes. Bull is packaged up and resting comfortably in the freezer.
Stos worked fine as usual, only use those and VPA's, depending on what poundage bow I'am using and what I'am hunting. Not a pass through but got both lungs and stuck in off-side rib. I boned him out and then went back in with my son that afternoon and brought him out on the mule. New mule but she did her job like a pro, no rodeo and really unconcerned about the whole process. Real pleasure to work with.
Good luck to you in your hunting adventures this year. Mike
Mike, fantastic bull! Thank you for sharing your story and pics. Congrats!!!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Very nice bull!! Thanks for sharing with us.
Fantastic! Great job Brother. The elk success threads are my favorite for sure.
AWESOME!
Beautiful! Hope you were not alone? :thumbsup:
Congrats on a good hunt under abnormal conditions.
Very nice! You make it sound so simple!!!
Great hunt and a very cool pic!
Just wanted to share, especially for those who don't get to elk hunt much.
Bjorn, I wished I wasn't alone but alas, it was just me and the yellow-jackets. Hope you're doing well.
Can't really call it simple :) three hours boning, hour and half pack out with 20# pack plus horns, drive home get mule go back in,(with son) out after dark. Pretty much how it goes every year but wouldn't change a thing. :thumbsup:
Besides, I'am young yet, only be 67 next week.
Awesome!!! Congrats!!! :thumbsup:
Nice bull! Congrats!
That's a great pic!
great job :clapper:
Wow nice bull and glad it all came together for you. :thumbsup: