What Would You Do? He shot my elk!

[northwesthunter84]

I vote A.  Have had this happen before also. 

[pd]

Great topic, Phantom.

The alder/huckleberry of the Idaho Panhandle actually have a lot of slippery shale.  Just sayin'...   

But, seriously, in the heat of the moment I would hope we would all have our sense of self control, and would do the right thing (which would be A & C).  I really appreciate these threads, because they provide such a great teaching moment.

Also, let's consider this during rifle season---a much scarier scenario.

[MtnMuley]

"A"  without a doubt.  I'd expect cold beer at the days end though.

[Fullabull]

I agree, A & C. It's great when anyone gets a bull with a bow and if you had a hand in helping someone else get their bull because of your good calling, you may have a friend for life.

I did that my first time in a new area, I stopped to talk to a guy and he invited me on a hunt. He was not much of a caller. When we ran across a small herd I told him to move in and I would call. He ended up killing the bull on his way to my calls. That was it, we had good friends and packing help any time we needed it after that

Always take the high road!

[kentrek]

A

Keep calling an see if another one comes in...bows are pretty quiet

[et1702]

A & hopefully C.  Sounds like you both hiked into the area in the dark and ended up at nearly the same spot. 

ET

[floatinghat]

A--C

But how do I know I didn't walk in on him?  Was he sitting on a well used trail waiting for some movement?

[pianoman9701]

a&e
Congratulate him and help him take care of it if he's alone.

[Bullkllr]

A

Keep calling an see if another one comes in...bows are pretty quiet

  There were "several"- I think you have a good chance to stay on it.

[Ccortez]

A.
 Then try and get back out after another bull

[RadSav]

Wow, you guys are all alot nicer than I am!   

One would be best served to evaluate the size of the other hunter and his friends before choosing "D"

[Jonathan_S]

 

He could have a couple of brothers in the bush and they all might decide to bury you   

[Bean Counter]

I dont' like the subject line. Its not "your" elk until you have tagged it. Its not inappropriate for him to shoot at it unless you have mortally wounded it. With that disqualifying your premise, I will decline to choose an answer.

[bear hunter]

A It's the price you pay on Public land

[Tbar]

Place: Somewhere in the Rocky Mountains
Date: 24 September 20XX; 7th day of your 10 day hunt
Time: 8:48 PM
Weapon: Archery; just you and your bow (hunting solo) this day
Area legal animal: Bull only
Terrain: Timbered with light to heavy alder/huckleberry brush, and, some open intermittent benchy meadows.

After heading up the access trail before daylight, you stop to listen at the head end of a very nice timbered draw, with scattered small benchy meadows, that you know the elk frequent. There are several bull's bugling from various points. You decide to work in as close as possible, underneath the elk, to keep the thermals in your favor before saying a peep. The terrain is pretty decent and within 30-40 minutes, you're in position to where you think you may be able to do some calling below and between two separate bulls and perhaps, get one to come in. After some great vocal exchanges, a decent 5 point comes in to within 40 yards and as you see him walking to where you have a decent shooting lane all hell breaks loose and then you see the hunter stand up and do a fist pump. It appears another hunter has moved in to the situation and shot the bull you called in. As you approach him, he has a look on his face like "wow, I thought you were a bull also".

Do you:

A. Congratulate the other hunter on a good shot and help him track and pack the bull?
B. Give the other hunter a verbal lashing that this mountain has never seen before and head back over to the access trail to head out?
C. See if the other guy can call and maybe plan another attempt at one of the other vocal bulls at a later time?
D. See how far the other hunter would roll if he accidentally slipped down a shale hillside?
E. Other?

848 pm, nobody should be hunting elk.