Willapa Hills/Swakane 08' here we come!

[Charlie]

Sorry to hear that you lost her roadhuntking. Wouldn't it be sweet if we all had some do-overs, or Mulligans if your a golfer. Unfortunately we learn more from a situation like you went through then we do from the sound advise of an expert. I don't think there is a rehab program for archery. It is a terminal condition. Many wives have looked for a cure but they have not found successful.

[roadhuntking]

Thanks Charlie, I believe it is a sickness I am willing to live with.  I also think that it is something the little woman is going to have a tough time with, considering the possibilities of more time in the woods.  All in all, it was a great 10 or so days on the road with my cuz. Lots of good laughs and hunts and as usual trying to soak up as much of his knowledge and exerience in the woods as I can, and for that I say thank you to him as I am very greatfull of his willingness to teach.  Like any other thing we do in life, repetition will hone and learn you the ways of what you love to do. 

[mrgoodwrench]

That sucks when someone loses an elk.  I'm pretty sure we ran into your party when you were looking for her.  They were on bikes, and told us about your situation. One of our guys whacked his first bow cow the same day.  Judging from his rant Aceseal must be the *censored* artist that drives for UPS.  Just to clear a few things up...the fog and rain is perfect, it keeps most guys in the truck, and the food at Hunters is the best in Pacific County. 

[roadhuntking]

Oh I wouldn't give him that much credit.  Some people are just Proffesionals!

[aceseal]

Ok Ok already here we go w/ the second post.  MrGoodwrench that was us and by the way I found a key to all of those gates the last day we were there if you want to get one over on one of your co-workers that lost it I would be happy to send it to you if you respond to me w/ a personal email.  I guess I came off a little rash but when it seems like someone is questioning the integrity of a friend and family member it becomes offensive.  I still do not believe that he was trying to get answers for what my cousin had done but more so rubbing salt into the bow hunters wound.  If you were just merrily trying to get answers than fair enough.(with the nickname the opioniated one I guess this to had a hard time sticking to me.)  Hunting is about good times and sharing stories so in the future that is what I will use this blog for.  Mr.Goodwrench any luck from your friend in the Sinlahekin?  Good luck to all and to all goodluck.

[dreamingbig]

Okay, I am a bowhunter and disagree with some on here as to effective ranges however to each there own.  57 yards is not a shot I would take at an animal as I feel there are too many things that can go wrong even though I shoot out to 70 yards in practice.  I am glad to hear you took a second shot; that is mandatory if it is still around and you are unsure of the first shot.  The more arrows the better.

I would encourage you to rethink your effective killing range especially given your now gained experience.  It is tough to tell exactly where an arrow hits at that range even with great eyes.  Overall it sounds like you are trying to learn from the experience.  Losing an animal is never easy and when you do you find yourself doing everything possible to prevent it from happening again.

[BlackTail]

and the food at Hunters is the best in Pacific County. 

That's debatable!!   

[Chesapeake]

A few thoughts.

50+ yards seems realy far for a first bow kill.

As for notching the tag for the lost elk. Thats a highly personal thing that each individual must decide for themselves. I think its out of line to ask a guy if he did this.

It sounds like you gave it your all to try and recover the animal. I respect that.

[300winmag]

I think that aceseal needs to pull his head out and realize that you owe that animal to find it and put it down if its not all ready. To many bow hunters have the same kind of thinking,that is ,well that one ran of with my arrow, or that was not a good hit oops oh well,well find another one.Do you know how many elk get stuck and lost here every bow season to many to even keep score.I have friends that knocked a big bull down this year and it got away,"shot to far back probably a liver shot they said".They never quit looking for that bull found it and taged the horns 6 and days after the shot ,so ya some bow hunters do the right thing and only stick one animal not just keep throwing arrows at any elk they see till one finaly stays down. There big there strong and need to be treated as such no matter what you hunt with. Even a 200 gr nosler dont always nock them off there feet. TWO WORDS ---- SHOT PLACEMENT -- SHOT PLACEMENT.....

[AKBowman]

300WinMag...why not 338UltraMag or 475H&H? Maybe a ShoulderFiredRocket will stop them in their tracks!

I agree shot placement is key but when is the last time you heard of a bow hunter killing another bow hunter in the woods?

[huntnphool]

A very tough situation for sure, too bad you couldnt find her. Lets not forget that this doesn't just happen with archery gear, there are animals lost during modern seasons as well.

 As far as the shot distance, every hunter will have their own max distance they are comfortable with. I wouldn't hesitate a second about a 70 yard shot with my bow, but I already know that's a shot I practice all the time and feel comfortable doing. Repetition is the mother of all skills guys, to shoot out to 50+ yards takes practice practice practice, not something I would recommend for a first time kill but to each his own.

[huntnphool]

I agree shot placement is key but when is the last time you heard of a bow hunter killing another bow hunter in the woods?

Uh, how about two weeks ago on the east side.

[300winmag]

I agre with you there are some very scary people careing a firearm during rifle season..
Im just a firm believer and teach one shot one kill.I personaly have a hard time with anyone loosing a animal... which I know that it happens with rifles also.But its never ok to loose a animal under any condition or weapon .

[ICEMAN]

I agree shot placement is key but when is the last time you heard of a bow hunter killing another bow hunter in the woods?

AKbowman,  .....What the heck does that have to do with this topic? 

[huntnphool]

I hit a 6X6 a couple years ago in Montana that took off. Three of us searched for several hours that day and never found it. I drove back the following weekend by myself, hiked back up there and found it, it was pretty easy all I had to do was look for the birds. Anyway, I tagged it and my Montana hunt was over, even though I didn't get any meat.