Finally got off work and up into the elk woods on Thursday the 5th, packed up the mountain and made it to camp 15 minutes before all hell broke loose with thunder, lightning and multiple inches of rain. Didn't bother to go out Friday morning as it was raining so hard that a blood trail would have been impossible to follow. Friday evening I sat in one of my stands with only seeing a few chipmunks to show for my efforts. We've had this area scouted with game cameras since July and we've been getting hundreds of pictures of elk, usually multiple per day. However the weather had them completely shut down, after the storms came the 80 degree heat. We kept at it day after day hoping that the elk would show back up to our spots. Finally on Thursday morning the 12th I hear brush moving and sticks breaking above me, Finally and elk was coming! After a couple of minutes of anticipation she walked down the game trail below me giving me a 10 yard shot, my 125 grain muzzy found it's home and she only went 60 yards before piling up. This is my first big game animal with a bow and first elk in 20 years. Getting her gutted, skinned, and boned out in amoung the thousands of yellow jackets looking for a free meal was a chore but definitely worth it, along with the 2 mile pack back to camp. We were able to get her down the mountain and into coolers that day which was a huge relief due to the heat. Already looking forward to next season!!!
