Another great season. The hunting gods blessed me with another elk. Wishing success to those that remain in elk camp!
(since I cant shoot this.....)
............
Bull Elk Eastern WA 2012I was selected for a colockum cow tag, and I planned on using it. Opening morning, had a cow at about 10 ft, but she actually was alone and looked sickly (I could see her hip bones quite a bit)...let her go. Several days pass and stories/lies told in camp...was able to close the deal on Friday.
Sitting in my same blind as the last few years, I was watching a herd of about 10 walk on by.....had cows at 30 yards, 1 spike....wasnt sure if he was a 'true'...but I let them all pass.
The wind was blowing pretty good in the timbers...kept thinking I heard elk to my left....then the noise of the herd started....like a freight train...for those who have been in the middle of a herd, you know the sound....crashing, bugling, mews, etc...its blood pumping!
I had a small shooting lane behind me to my left, but the wind was blowing up hill, right through the lane. Several cows walked by, but caught the smell and went up hill, back tracking...more cows....calves, etc...I pull back knowing that one will make a mistake of walking by that window...
Some finally start to cross directly infront of me...I swivel...a cow at ten yards...an enormous bugle basically comes crashing in from my left...I let the arrow fly hitting the cow as she walks by....
Right behind the right shoulder....double lunged....the herd splits and the cow trots about 30 yards away....staggers...drops!
Kicks a little and fights to get back up. To my amazement, she stood back up...looking right at me at 30 yards. I fling another arrow, wanting to do as much damage as possible to end any suffering. I think I miss!
Toss another arrow as she stands there swaying...hit her a little back and she bolts....
I hear a massive crash for a few seconds (she fell all over)....she ended up face planting into a log...bout 30 yards from that last spot. Turns out, I hit her all three times.
End of story.
My brothers showed up, along with two other hunting partners. We field dressed her, I sowed her back up and dragged her out. Tossed her in the truck and is now at the butchers.
I am glad I was able to help out the bull cow ratio in the colockum, and thankful for the meat.
I also spotted a cinamon bear, we had a guy in our hunting party with a cougar at 15 yards, little bro spotted a sow with 2 cubs and the season still continues for them!
