I know I haven't posted on awhile but that doesn't mean I haven't been chasing deer and elk. So far this has been one of those year's I will remember the rest of my life.
I started out by planning a DIY backing elk hunt in Colorado with a couple friends. This was my first elk hunt and the first time I had been past Missouri in my life. I prepared a long time for this hunt and it payed off.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000405.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/P1000405.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000450.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/P1000450.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000451.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/P1000451.jpg.html)
This sounds like it might get good!
I'm in for the rest!
Bisch
I would have been very happy just to experience such a hunt much less take an elk. It just so happens an elk got a little too close.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000489_edit_1441486800308.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/P1000489_edit_1441486800308.jpg.html)
Awesome! Congrats on the bull!
What else you got?
Bisch
There are so many things I took from that hunt that I couldn't begin to tell about them in one thread but I will say it won't be my last trip to chase elk in the mountains!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20150901_123455.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20150901_123455.jpg.html)
I used a 54#@28 Lil hoot, CE heritage 250's and Tusker concorde heads. Shot was quarting a bit toward at 30 yrds ands buried to the fletch. 40 yrds recovery.
Now your talkin!!!!!
So glad the hunting tales are not over for the year!!!!
Big Congrats and cool pics!!!!
After a couple week recovery time deer season started in Indiana. I really hadn't scouted as much as usual but I felt good about the season.
That sounds fantastic. What a great job for a DIY trip. Great pictures as well, beautiful country. Congrats on the elk.
That first picture reminds me of one of my favorites of Fred Bear where he's looking over the countryside with his back to the camera. You know exactly who it is.
Congratulations brother! Chasing elk is on my bucket list. I'm having a blast chasing whitetails and Canadian bears...... just can't save enough $$$$ to do it all!
Pics are great,too!
God bless,
Rodd
Congrats again on your elk! I have been 3 times (once with a guide) and still have not gotten a shot at an elk!
Ready to hear about deer season now!!!
Bisch
Early on my youngest asked if he could go hunting with me after work one evening. It was hot! Very hot, the moon was way wrong and I was tired. Of course I said yes. ;)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151006_171450.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151006_171450.jpg.html)
We had sat total of about 5 min. And he said "Dad I hear a deer!". With all of the squirrels going nuts I didn't pay much attention at first. I went about taking snacks out of my pack for us just knowing we weren't going to see a thing hunting in that heat on the ground with a 7 yr. old. But my ears perked up in time to hear a doe running in fast. I grabbed my bow and turned in time to see a doe barreling down the log road in front of us.
She was going light speed but stopped dead in her tracks when she hit our trail. She spun jumped back a couple yrds and looked back. That gave me just enough time to draw and a send a arrow on it's way.
I didn't know what to say. The doe ran back from where she came. It happened so fast and with no reaction from the deer I thought I had missed. My son said " did you get it dad?". I told him that I wasn't sure but we would check the arrow after we calmed down awhile.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151006_173017.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151006_173017.jpg.html)
The arrow had decent blood but nothing spectacular. It was however buried in a tree so far I couldn't get the broadhead out. With the shot being so close (8 yrds) I was hopefull that I had hit my mark and my eyes just hadn't caught the placement.
After about an 80 yrd trail toward the truck we had found her.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151006_183647.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151006_183647.jpg.html)
I felt so lucky to have one of my boys with me and for him get to help follow a blood trail. A memory I will never forget.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151006_183557.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151006_183557.jpg.html)
Next comes the beginning of the rut....
Congratulations, looks like your youngest will be a hunter for life.
This is getting better with every new post, Rob W!
Bisch
Fast foward to pre rut. Up until this point I had a bunch of close encounters with deer that wanted to crawl into my lap but I couldn't get a shot. I did manage to miss a perfect feeling shot on an old doe and see one dandy of a buck.
Also, I don't want to down play the Colorado trip. I just figured I would save that for mid winter and maybe do some sort of DIY elk post.
Sounds great Rob, super year! Congratulations.
Great stuff Rob !!! Looking forward to hearing more. :coffee:
Awesome job Rob! :clapper: :clapper:
Man that's awesome I am tuned in for the rest!! :campfire:
After seeing that buck I moved spots and walked a laid down a scent trail across the top of the ridge. It didn't take long the next morning before I saw a buck drop out of the field and hit the trail. With his nose down all the way he made it under 10 yrds of my ground setup(a couple red oaks close together) and turned broadside. The shot was true and the Ace express exited the opposite side. Less than 40 yrds later he was down!
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151101_083514.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151101_083514.jpg.html)
Congratulations Rob! Can't wait to read more about the DIY elk hunt...sound like you have had a great season all around.
He wasn't the buck I had seen before but I wasn't about to let him walk by.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151101_082533-1.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151101_082533-1.jpg.html)
Oh and I'm not done yet...
Awesome job, great pictures! So cool to see your son out there with you. You have many years of good times with that young man! :thumbsup:
Good stuff Rob! Congrats on all the great hunts you had. I am tuned in for the rest.
:thumbsup: :notworthy: Congrats on a very blessed year! :clapper: :clapper:
Really great year so far!!! ...keep it coming!
Great stuff Rob....cant wait to hear the rest!
To finish this story we have to go back to the beginning. My original goal coming into trad archery was to hunt with a bow that I had made. Specifically a selfbow but 8 years or so have gone by since then. Every year I work it after season but have never been happy with my result. I've also broke a few along the way and that always sets me back. Then bow shoots start in January and it gets pushed to the back burner again.
Not this year. I happy to say that I will be finishing my season with an osage selfbow and river cane arrows that I built.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151220_082417.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151220_082417.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151218_211654.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151218_211654.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20151220_172722.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20151220_172722.jpg.html)
My year would have been made with getting an elk!!!!! But to have your son along and bag a doe then a buck........ and you're not done yet!!!!
You DID have a good year!
God bless,
Rodd
Congrats on a great year! Love the bow!
Lovin it!!!!
Ready for the primitive hunt :thumbsup:
:campfire:
Awesome season!
Good luck with the selfbow!
Bisch
I have been waiting for this thread and you have done a fantastic job of it. Glad to call you friend brother! Couldn't have happened to a better guy.
Awesome stuff! Taking your son out is the best part of it all!
Looks great, congrats on all!
I wondered where you've been...Congratulations on an outstanding season. A well put together diary of a special time. Nice pictures also! :clapper:
Bernie
Thanks so much guys!
I'm not sure the Colorado trip has even sunk in yet. I planned for a long time for that and it still doesn't seem real. I will get a thread together after Christmas that may help you guys that have always wanted to go but don't know where to start or think it takes big bucks.
Hunting with my boys is always special. I can't wait until they are ready for hunting weight bows. Passing on skills that are being lost these days is very important to me.
I feel like the selfbow thing finally happened when I was hopefully ready for it. I already have plans for building an osage elk hunting rig for the next big trip! :goldtooth:
Wow!!!! That all is awesome. Looking forward to your Colorado thread
Congrats on your season! Great thread!
Awesome Rob!!! Good to see and hear the great reports!!
Super cool stuff. Really like that self bow.
Outstanding Sir! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Wow! Congrats on your season!
When you build your elk bow make sure to build two. Things happen in the mountains and you may need the backup. I took 3 elk with selfbows I built in 3 years. I cried like a baby on the first one. It will take you back to your first hunt ever and bring all the excitement back.
Congrats on a great year!
Mike
:thumbsup: Simply awesome........ :notworthy:
I just have to add one more pic.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20150829_092900.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20150829_092900.jpg.html)
:archer:
Sweet self Bow Rob. That last pic is both cool and intimidating lol.
Nice bull. Congrats!
way to go Rob!