Elk Season - How did everyone do?

[Todd_ID]

I was able to seal the deal on a 35 yd shot on a nice, old cow, so I'm a happy bowhunter!

[dkecoleman]

Well, this was my first Elk hunt and I must say I'm completely addicted now. To bad I moving to Missouri next year. We packed in about 4 miles and hunted 7 days on the Wet Side. Were in elk 4 of the 7 days but I couldn't close the deal. Having a good size 6 point within 30 yards, will for sure get the blood pumping. I did end up with a small bear and had one of the best hunts of my life.  Thanks to everyone on here that offered advice, it was appreciated.

[Johnb317]

Tag soup wet side.
Hot weather and they bugged out   
1 week old sign and tons of Mosquitos. 
One lackluster bugle, not enough to pinpoint. 


Thinking Idaho or somewhere with more reasonable dates.

Sigh

[hike2hunt]

Our camp went 2-3 with a 5x4 and cow. We were in Elk everyday from the start. Wasn't a lot of bugling going on. Did call in a nice 4x4 and my friend missed at 20 yds, I was trying to calm him down, he was shaken so bad he hit a tree.

We had a 6x herding cows around, but was a tough cookie to get to answer or anything else.

But, meat in the freezer.

[Little Fish]

Thanks Rainier10! The more vocal we are the better our chances of getting the season changed back.

LF

[BullCrazy24]

not a good year for elk at all!!! drove over 700 miles, hiked over 50 miles and got 3 bugles. did see a handfull of elk but could close the deal. wasn't able to hunt the first 4 days of the season due to work but not sure if it would have made a differance. hopefully something changes and they push the season back.

[pianoman9701]

Soup course is served.

[Oos.Stanley]

We had the same problem back home in Idaho this year. Weather was ungodly hot for sept (mid to high 80s) the whole time. We were able to get in on two button bulls and I got a 3yr old cow, but all three came out of more chance. Last 4 days, out of 2 1/2 weeks, the bulls started firing up a little but not much, and after shooting light. We got into several heards though but, as you said, we couldnt get in on them close enough for bow range. Im looking at late archery here in Washington (military @ Ft Lewis) see how my luck fairs out.

[Orion]

We went 2 for 3. 3rd guy missed twice. Hunted the eastside, backpacker in, up near the crest. Both were cows, no bull tags. Elk around every day and saw a lot of bulls. We had bulging nearly every day unlike some other posts. Moose tag to fill next. 

[Big10gauge]

Too damn hot.  Had 2 cows @ 40 yrds and didn't shoot. Couldn't get a bull to answer at all. Waiting for late season.

[pips4bucks]

The honey hole produced again.  4x4 bull with the left antler busted at the skull, the hide was keeping it from falling off. 

I got to camp and set up around 3 AM on the 8th, hunted that evening and saw a few elk over 2 miles away with no way to get to them in time.  Hunted the next morning and got some cows and calves to answer back to my bugling but couldn't get on them.  Killed my bull the evening of the 9th.  Didn't hear any bugling and after talking to some other hunters, they hadn't heard much bugling either.

[deaner]

this is just a basic summary.  theres still the late season tho.

[madmack76]

this thread really sucks with out pics at least we got to see a skunk.....   

[starr]

Simply put, hope late season holds more than early season or there will be a high probability of quad tag stew, i didnt even have squirrels come in thanks to an obsurd amount of grouse hunters. And these are a couple of the pics i had on the camera i put up in may

[TheHunt]

I had a blast.  I was greedy and came home with nothing.  I had many opportunities to kill cows and I did shoot at a 4x4 early in the season than I saw the big dawg...  I did nothing but hunt him.  Good bull and enjoyed every minute.