Back from elk hunting in the Manashtash unit for the weekend. Have had some great experiences with elk, but the forest is getting drier and drier. Hard to walk to the stand without letting every critter know. I hate sitting for long periods of time...guess I will always be a rifle hunter. Things I've learned from other people this trip are about wearing a face cover and cow elk calling. I picked out one guy right away because his neck and face reflected light, his buddy was covered and I could have passed him over. The other was about two guys that were walking beside the road calling back and forth to each other. I thought it wasn't real at first because they just kept calling and calling. I was sure when one of the guys walked right by me and didn't even see me. I thought it was a little too much. Maybe it works for them. I was poking around in some real thick doghair firs, and I knew a herd was close or had past through, just didn't know they were ten feet away until it was nothing but breaking branches and thundering hoofs! Never saw a one, it was so dense. Tried cow calling to calm them down, but they didn't stop...they just calmly ran away. A herd of about twelve or fifteen was coming down right at me, but decided to veer off out of range. I know they didn't spook because of me, they just zigged when I wanted them to zag. Of course since I don't have a special permit the best shot offered to me was a beautiful five-by-five who stuck his head behind some branches...I would have pulled back and let fly if and only if...well, it was exciting seeing him. Glad to hear some of you have notched your tags on some fine animals. Any elk with archery is a trophy. Going back Sunday...hear it is getting hotter...the weather that is.
