I have hunted elk for about 25 years.  Missed a year when overseas.  I have had close calls and exciting encounters. But never killed and elk.
Until this year.  
Sunday morning I managed to call in and arrow a 4x4 bull elk.
We were suppose to leave sunday but needed to have the u-joints on my truck replaced.  So I hunted Sunday morning and although it started out slow I continued checking different locations. Finally a bugle was answered by 3 different elk.  I worked one of them and tried to close but his cows called him away.  Then I tried to find one of the cows.  After moving over to another ridge as I called this 4x4 walks up and stares at me from about 25 yards.  I couldn't make out his antler points at first and tried to make him stay by low cow calls.  When he turned his head I could see the points. ( Three point minimum).  I tried a shot but I guess I had been staring at the antlers too long.  I missed and he bolted.  I , Using the diaphram call screamed and he stopped at about 40 yards. An opening through the trees to his shoulder forced me to concentrate on a spot and the arrow was away.
The arrow hit the back part of the delt and must have done some serious cutting as he went about 30 yards and piled up.
After the reality sunk in I yelled for the world to know.  And then thanked God.
25 years and I can't wait till next season!
 http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd69/BigArcher/P1010014.jpg

BigArcher

used a 93# home made osage bow.  Grizzly 190 heads on cedar arrows.


Congrats bud....please reduce the size of your picture and re-post if you'd like....thanx

Congrats on your first elk.  Well done      

Very cool!

Good jog and wonderful picture!
Marc

Hard-won successes are all the sweeter.  Good work.

Awesome! 40 yards! Wow, that is a long shot(for me). Some times things come together as if they were guided personally by God's hand.

Nice bull and good job! Some might question what type of hunter would take 25 years to kill an Elk. Others (folks around here) know exactly what kind of hunter of that is. Congratulations!

Congrats.  Nice bull.  How was the pack out? LOL.  No bow pics?

Congratulations on a well earned bull!

Congrats on a long awaited gift.

Well earned congrats....and hey, show us what a 93# osage bow looks like!

Way to go.  I understand the frustration have been at it for 10 years with traditional equipment and have yet to connect on any big game.  Friends always ask why I keep going. And the wife gives the gentle encouragement that is needed to keep it up.  I have had opportunities, but the small voice inside told me not to take the shot, and when reflecting and relooking at the situation it was the correct decision.

To me this about the adventure and clean, humane kill (if that opportunity arises).  Like most on here, its about being closer to God and nature.

Again good job, and stories like these are what helps keep me going.

Nick

OUTSTANDING! YEA MAN!  

   

Congradulations!!! Nice picture. Hap

Good job. That is some thick timber you were in.

Good for you! You deserve it.  

David, you give guys like me inspiration.  I have been 5 times and never connected.  Maybe even worse, I have missed shots on bulls on three of the five trips....agonizing.

But I always heard "you can't hit em, if you ain't swingin", so I'll be back out next year swingin!  

Congratulations, you deserve it!  Good Job.

Mike

Outstanding! Congrats!

25 years! Man thats determination. Congratulations

Congrats, and what a nice, dark set of antlers!