Montana Elk 08 (Huntnphool)

[huntnphool]

Well we just got home and unpacked from our first go-round, the score is elk 1 huntnphool and partners 0

 We got there last Saturday and glassed one of my favorite spots right away. The temp was in the 30's and I spotted a couple herds of 60+ that we would go chase on Sunday morning. We headed off down the road and set up camp. That night it snowed and was bitter cold when we got up but our spirits were sky high and it looked like the weather was going to be perfect.

 Long story short (I'm very sleepy) we chased those elk all day, I had several shots at cows within 30 yards but the bulls just never presented an opportunity.

 The next day someone flipped the switch and the weather turned to 75+, with it the elk went deep into the timber and shut right up. After chasing them all day we headed back to the rig, about 4 miles away according to Garmin, and went through this little patch of timber, about 5 acres worth right in the bottom of a draw. While we were walking through it we came upon 6 different carcasses, all elk and all cows. I figured there must be a cougar living in there. Almost through it I glanced over to the base of a tree and saw a white piece so I went to take a closer look. It was a ram skull that obviously had been there for quite some time. I picked it up to take back to camp to show the guys so into the pack it went. There is more to the story so please hold any comments until later Here is a pic of it though.

 I will post more of the first trip in the next couple days, I have to get some sleep and get my crap together for a moose hunt

 

 

[archery288]

Sweet photo Rob!  Sounds like you had fun though! 

[jackelope]

thats a good start, phool....can't wait for more pics.

that skull shot is neat.

[robodad]

Hey Rob, glad your back and no injuries, good luck on the moose this weekend buddy !!!

[boneaddict]

PM me your dates you'll be on moose and what your cell is. 

[huntnphool]

PM sent Doug

[huntnphool]

You know what really pisses me off, when I type out about 5 paragraphs, go to insert an emoticon and have the entire thing wiped out

I will have to post some more of the story later, I ran out of time

[boneaddict]

Have fun over there.  I know exactly what you mean.  Since my computer virus every once in awhile when I type a Y it randomly goes somewhere in my paragraph, it sometimes posts and sometimes erases everything. 

[Buckoholic]

Sweet photo!!! Hang in there something will go down!!!

[boneaddict]

Think of all the money you saved since you don't have to buy yet another freezer.  That moose of yours will take plenty of time to eat.

[huntnphool]

So I'm sitting in camp one afternoon after a long hike trying to cool down when a MFW&P officer comes pulling up. He gets out, walks up and introduces himself and asks me if I had seen a particular rig in the area, seems a guy shot a bull with his rifle and some hunters saw it and went to town to call it in. We BS'ed for about an hour about a land owner in the area that I know when he looked over and spotted a shed I had found and brought back to camp. I then went and grabbed the sheep head to show him and he informed me that it was illegal to pick them up. He asked where I found it and said it was too old and had no trophy quality to it so he wasn't going to give me any crap for it. He was actually a pretty decent guy and even gave me his card telling me that if I come back for another hunt I should contact him and he would give me some tips on where the critters are hanging out.

 A while back I posted some pics of a penned up bull over there I have been watching for several years and this year I went to see what he looked like again. He has regressed dramatically over the last couple years but has a new buddy in there to compete with now. Here is a pic of the new young stud.

[huntnphool]

Here is a pic of the old timer, he has really gone down hill.

[Muleyslyr]

Sounds like you had a pretty good trip though.  Go knock down a Moose....the Elk can wait....and anything else for that matter. 

Think of the life that old Bull has lived.  Eat, sleep, breed....has never even known what harm is....what a life! 

[huntnphool]

Heading over for the moose in a bit. Here is a pic of a pronghorn from over there, they were everywhere.