Author Topic: Solo hunt, gettin' it done! (Read 13772 times)

pips4bucks · « **on:** September 15, 2013, 06:26:15 PM »

So after a whirlwind of "issues" I got a late start to my elk season. The short story is that we borrowed a travel trailer so my girl could have a decent bed to sleep on. That trailer had some lighting issues, then I lost the keys an hour before we were supposed to leave. Therefore, we got to camp a day and a half late.

We finally got set up and to bed at 3 AM. Needless to say I slept in the next morning.

So that first evening I went out and checked a couple areas, nothing around, no new sign. The only elk I saw were 2 miles away in a very difficult area to access, not enough time to get there before dark.

The next morning I biked into a different area. The loggers were busy as the woods were quite noisy with the sounds of equipment. I did manage to get some cows to answer back to my bugling but the wind was wrong to make any sort of move on them. Back to camp for some lunch.

The evening hunt I headed to my hidey hole dubbed "Huckleberry Hill." On the way in I dropped the mt. bike at the end of the road and start walking in. I make it about 50 yards and spot a cow in the middle of the road. She doesn't see me so I scoot to the side of the road and start closing in. She steps to the side of the road and I slowly get to 50 yards of her. As I'm looking for an opening to get closer another cow steps out and looks right at me. Well, my impression of a tree must've worked because she dismissed me and went back to feeding. I keep working closer and more elk come out. Then a 5x5 bull steps out with brush all over his antlers. Still too far at 75 yards and too many eyes for a shot. I do my best to get closer, a foot at a time, to close the distance but they move off.

Now there's one cow left, so I move closer each time she puts her head down to feed. I make it to 60 yards and that's as close as I can get. She turns broadside, I draw, set the 60 yard pin on her vitals, and release. She heard the shot because she ducked the arrow and it sailed over her back.

Off she goes.....

So I walk down to collect my arrow and see if the herd is still nearby. Of course they're gone as well as is my arrow.

I continue walking down the road to Huckleberry Hill and reach the edge of the hill. Looking around I spot a small young 4x4 bull feeding by himself, 65 yards away. The wind is perfect and I've got room and cover to creep in closer. I stalk to 50 yards and that's all the closer I can get.

The bull has his head down feeding toward me so now it's just a matter of waiting for my shot. In the mean time the bull is joined by 2 calves, then a large cow steps out, then a spike. Finally he turns broadside. I range him again, 50 yards. Last check, none of them are looking. I draw, settle in, and release.... SCORE!

Quickly cow calling after the hit, the bull runs 50 yards behind some hemlock trees and stops....CRASH! BULL DOWN!

Now the work begins...

When I first saw the bull I thought he was a non-typical because of the way his left antler hung down. It turned out to be a BROKEN antler! It was broken at the skull! I thought I was going to get a cool Euro mount out of it. Oh well, I'm more of a meat hunter anyway. Bring on the backstraps!

The first good sign!

As he laid.

Busted antler!

Cheesy grin!

New custom knife that worked awesome!

This is how you get them out by yourself without a trailer....

oldleclercrd · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:32:07 PM »

That is awesome! Good effort!

jwd7777 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:35:11 PM »

Congrads!!!! That's one way to get it out.

sneakyjake · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:39:50 PM »

Good job, I expected to see a picture of your girl packing it out.

blackveltbowhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:40:29 PM »

Nice Bull!!

Hunterman · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:40:49 PM »

Congrats dude

Way to get 'er done

Hunterman(Tony)

3nails · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:41:02 PM »

Really cool bull, Joel! He'd make a great euro!

bobcat · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:42:43 PM »

Awesome! Sounds like it was the perfect hunt. Even if losing the keys did make you late getting there.

3nails · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:45:47 PM »

Oops, I missed the last sentence about the broken antler. Maybe you could see if a taxi can attach it as it was?

Turner89 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:46:58 PM »

Nice job

Glad it worked out.

Wea300mag · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:48:52 PM »

Congrats, nice work.

Cap.Silver · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:54:31 PM »

Awesome story ,congrats on the bull.

Birdguy · « **Reply #12 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:55:22 PM »

Nice work, way to get it done! Cool looking bull the broken antler will just add to a great story of making it happen. Congrats on a great animal.

boneaddict · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2013, 06:56:22 PM »

Cool set of photos. Congrats on your bull

dreamingbig · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2013, 07:01:24 PM »

Way to get it done!

pips4bucks · « **Reply #15 on:** September 15, 2013, 07:07:15 PM »

Quote from: sneakyjake on September 15, 2013, 06:39:50 PM

Good job, I expected to see a picture of your girl packing it out.

I called her to see if she wanted to help get the 2nd half out, but she hadn't been feeling very well. She "helped" last year by carrying the lantern to recover the cow I shot. She's not above helping out though. I usually just do it myself 'cause she's got a bum knee.

calib · « **Reply #16 on:** September 15, 2013, 07:55:35 PM »

nice work, i like the bike set up getting the bull out

kisfish · « **Reply #17 on:** September 15, 2013, 08:02:40 PM »

That thing looks cool riding your bike.

steen · « **Reply #18 on:** September 15, 2013, 08:51:54 PM »

l
Looks like a great euro mount in the making to me! I like the way you brought him out in two halves...pretty awesome!

Alan K · « **Reply #19 on:** September 15, 2013, 08:55:41 PM »

Love that rack!

SniperDanWA · « **Reply #20 on:** September 15, 2013, 09:03:19 PM »

That elk sure knew how to get to your truck. Nice story, shot and kill. Congrats.

sled · « **Reply #21 on:** September 15, 2013, 09:06:49 PM »

Cool Rack On That One!

Taco280AI · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2013, 09:11:18 PM »

Great job

nw_bowhunter · « **Reply #23 on:** September 16, 2013, 07:42:30 AM »

nice work, its hard hunting elk on your own. well earned

Huntboy · « **Reply #24 on:** September 16, 2013, 08:11:19 AM »

Congrats,

bowhunterforever · « **Reply #25 on:** September 16, 2013, 12:23:46 PM »

Cool looking bull, congrats

Widgeondeke · « **Reply #26 on:** September 16, 2013, 12:34:23 PM »

Saweet bull. Antlers are tools to assist in bragging

While you may not repair and put em on the wall. You got good pics.
Enjoy the meat.

Basket Rack · « **Reply #27 on:** September 16, 2013, 06:59:50 PM »

That is really cool. I like the bull on the bike that is great. I killed a bull just like that a few years ago, his entire skull was broke and the antler was just hanging down swinging along as he walked. Great job!!

carpsniperg2 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 16, 2013, 07:05:52 PM »

Congrats

beave · « **Reply #29 on:** September 16, 2013, 07:09:31 PM »

bracer40 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 25, 2013, 02:58:13 PM »

Seeing how you got your bull out by bike reminded me of an old Patrick McManus story......Deer on bike going down the mountain and it all gets away from him.

7mmfan · « **Reply #31 on:** November 25, 2013, 03:08:50 PM »

Quote from: bracer40 on November 25, 2013, 02:58:13 PM

Seeing how you got your bull out by bike reminded me of an old Patrick McManus story......Deer on bike going down the mountain and it all gets away from him.

Isn't this the one where he shot it in the horn or something and it wakes up when its strapped to the bike? I loved those books growing up. I just bought my Dad the whole set for his birthday, I'm going to have to borrow them I guess

bracer40 · « **Reply #32 on:** November 25, 2013, 03:31:52 PM »

Quote from: 7mmfan on November 25, 2013, 03:08:50 PM

Quote from: bracer40 on November 25, 2013, 02:58:13 PM
Seeing how you got your bull out by bike reminded me of an old Patrick McManus story......Deer on bike going down the mountain and it all gets away from him.

Isn't this the one where he shot it in the horn or something and it wakes up when its strapped to the bike? I loved those books growing up. I just bought my Dad the whole set for his birthday, I'm going to have to borrow them I guess

That's the one!

C-Money · « **Reply #33 on:** November 25, 2013, 04:04:23 PM »

Nice!!

sakoshooter · « **Reply #34 on:** November 25, 2013, 05:11:08 PM »

Congrats.

Yakirack · « **Reply #35 on:** November 25, 2013, 09:39:34 PM »

That's awesome, way to go!

BullMagnet76 · « **Reply #36 on:** November 25, 2013, 09:55:42 PM »

Great job congrats!!!!!!!

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