A year of firsts.

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 09:58:00 PM

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.

December 20, 2015, 10:02:00 PM

This sounds like it might get good!

I'm in for the rest!

Bisch

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 10:05:00 PM

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.

December 20, 2015, 10:14:00 PM

Awesome! Congrats on the bull!

What else you got?

Bisch

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 10:16:00 PM

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!

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.

23feetupandhappy · December 20, 2015, 10:22:00 PM

Now your talkin!!!!!

So glad the hunting tales are not over for the year!!!!

Big Congrats and cool pics!!!!

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 10:22:00 PM

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.

Hatrick · December 20, 2015, 10:22:00 PM

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.

goingoldskool · December 20, 2015, 10:23:00 PM

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

December 20, 2015, 10:28:00 PM

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

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 10:28:00 PM

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.

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 10:39:00 PM

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.

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 10:52:00 PM

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.

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 11:02:00 PM

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.

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 11:09:00 PM

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.

Next comes the beginning of the rut....

elkhunter-27 · December 20, 2015, 11:11:00 PM

Congratulations, looks like your youngest will be a hunter for life.

December 20, 2015, 11:29:00 PM

This is getting better with every new post, Rob W!

Bisch

Rob W. · December 20, 2015, 11:43:00 PM

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.

Sockrsblur · December 21, 2015, 12:06:00 AM

Sounds great Rob, super year! Congratulations.

Jwilliam · December 21, 2015, 02:53:00 AM

Great stuff Rob !!! Looking forward to hearing more.