mis-judging distance and a bent pin. my downfall.long story

[bankwalker]

i got that feeling today that i should be hunting so i loaded up the car and left for my secret spot. i hit the road at 2pm and arrived at my destination at 3:30pm. took a couple minutes to relax and glass the clearings around the area (way to far for me to hike and get one but still nice to look). i got started hunting around 4pm and made my way through an area that had tons of fresh sign yesterday. and again today there was even more fresh sign and 3 NEW rubs that werent there yesterday. i made my way back to the car after checking out this area and grabbed a bottle of water and headed off for the actual hunt.

ive been hunting this area all season and have seen elk every time i have been in there. getting a 1x2 within bow range a number of times throughout the season. i checked quite a few different wallows and all had been used during the day/night so i was excited that it looked like there might be a bunch more elk in the area then the last few days.

i heard a pathetic little bugle and i new it had to be that 1x2. i went to send a cow call back but realized i forgot my calls at the car  way to far for me to go back for with the amount of time i had left maybe a couple hours of daylight.

so i quietly made my way towards the elk making sure not to spet on anything that would make noise sence i didnt have my calls to use incase i made to much noise.

i had been watching the direction most of the sign had been going and i knew there was a couple different cows and calfs that were with a big bulls so i figured it might be the 5x5 and his cows that i seen yesterday morning.

i was getting close to another set of wallows that i figured the elk would be by (that the area the bugle came from) so i started watching for anything and everything that looked out of place. as i came into the little open area in the trees sure enough there was an elk broadside 50yds or so from me. i couldnt make out what it was cause the head was behind a few trees. the elk started to walk a little and i noticed it was that same 1x2 ive been seeing all season and he was heading right towards me. then a couple more elk fallow him over a little hill and again right towards me.

at this point you can imagine my excitement. these elk had no idea i was there and the wind was totaly in my favor.  it couldnt get any better then this i was surrounded my bushes with a nice opening and they were on a little trail that would bring them right at 10yds.

suddenly they stopped at 30yds. idk y but i figured the wind must have shifted just enough for them to catch me. none of them looked in my direction at all though so i didnt know what was up. it was now of never and there was a nice cow standing broadside at 30yds and i couldnt wait for that 1x2 who has been f'n with me all season.

i came to full draw and quietly and slowly stood up. the elk never even looked me way. i judged the distance at 30yds and let an arrow fly. MISS!!! WTF! i shot right over the cows back. it was kinda dark in the trees and thats the only thing i figure through me off.

the elk started to walk off not knowing what happened and i quickly whistled and that cow stopped. this time at 40yds give or take a couple yards. this time i couldnt miss. i knocked another arrow and carefully took aim. the cow took a couple steps then a couple more then finaly stopped. i again took aim and let and arrow fly. WTF!! MISS AGAIN! this cant be happening. i shot right under her this time. this time they took off like raped apes and never stopped till they were long gone.

i really cant believe this has happened to me. not twice in 5 minutes. both shots felt absolutely perfect. after checking everything over taking a couple shots with my grouse arrow and connecting on everything i shot at. i didnt know what happened. i wnet back and measured out both shots. the first shot was only 21yds i was off by about 9yds the second shot was 47yds so i was off by 7yds AND my 40yds pin was bent so that explains that miss. but i cant believe i was off that much on a 20yd shot. i really dont know how i or anyone else would be able to mis-judge a shot that close that we practice at so often.

oh well im gonna be back at it again saturday. hopefully this time with much better results. 

[Todd_ID]

Sounds like you had a fun hunt even without getting an elk down.  It sounds like you were on the receiving end of some elk lessons there!  The good news is that you can be back after them again soon better prepared with a couple of mistakes out of the way.  Good luck, and thanks for the story.

[bankwalker]

yes it was a great day. actually this whole season has been awesome and all in a 400yd square area. ive been in there making noise jumping elk all season and they just dont want to move out of there.

everyone else i have talked to that is hunting along the river hasnt been seeing anything. a couple here and there but very slow season.

ive been seeing all my animals within 100yds of the freeway. the places that noone hunts.

[high country]

sounds like a good reason to shift to trad hunting

[DeKuma]

I have not been actually hunting them, though I am supposed to be.  Are you hunting East-side or West Side?? I have seen much the same where I have been bear hunting.

[Bean Counter]

Great job on the stalk! At least you got a few shots off.  I've paid a few guides before and not even gotten that opportunity.

I don't mean to lecture anyone but this is a good reminder to all of us that time with your weapon, be it a rifle, bow, or spear, is critical to actually get the animal down. all the gear and scouting in the world doesn't amount to much if you can't connect the weapon with the animal.

You've got a few more days--next post I wanna see apic of that elk down!  Best luck 

[bankwalker]

I have not been actually hunting them, though I am supposed to be.  Are you hunting East-side or West Side?? I have seen much the same where I have been bear hunting.

eastside.

[bankwalker]

Great job on the stalk! At least you got a few shots off.  I've paid a few guides before and not even gotten that opportunity.

I don't mean to lecture anyone but this is a good reminder to all of us that time with your weapon, be it a rifle, bow, or spear, is critical to actually get the animal down. all the gear and scouting in the world doesn't amount to much if you can't connect the weapon with the animal.

You've got a few more days--next post I wanna see apic of that elk down!  Best luck 

yeah i am always checking out my sight making sure the pins are ok. this sight has some CRAPPY pins so it always worries me that they might get broken when walking through the thick stuff.  ill be getting a new sight after the season is over.

[DeKuma]

I have a cheap Tru-Glo if you need an emegency sight to get by, though the season is almost over for now.  5-pin.  I fyou are on this side and need to borrow it, just let me know.

Otherwise, go get them!!

[bankwalker]

I have a cheap Tru-Glo if you need an emegency sight to get by, though the season is almost over for now.  5-pin.  I fyou are on this side and need to borrow it, just let me know.

Otherwise, go get them!!

im just gonna use mine. i got the 40yd pin straight. and im bout to head over the mountains again in a half hour. coming home saturday night and hopefully getting out again sunday morning.