Creek Bottom Blues.

[MarkyMark]

I've been out muzzy elk hunting in nasty creek bottoms. Thick ugly dens of thorny, prickly,itchy plants. I'm told I will find elk down there. I know whoever told me elk hide in this hole is getting a good laugh at my expense. I also know that I'll be coming home with more welts on my legs. But back in the morning I go.

[csaaphill]

gl they can and do especially in the heat.
might try to get above them and hunt down into maybe?

[bobcat]

I think it's the elk that are laughing.   

Good luck tomorrow, maybe wear some leather chaps and leather gloves.   

[longstevo]

Right?

I was hunting the top of a ridge on Saturday, and some old duffers hauling firewood said "there's no elk up here.  They're down there!"  They pointed down in the bottom.

I didn't go to where they pointed, but I did focus on some low lying creeks, with no result. 

[MADMAX]

steep and deep baby

[Damnimissed]

I jumped a bull in a nasty creek bottom yesterday. I chased him at full speed through the reprod, but lost him. Pretty sure he had hoof "rot" because I found some blood a few places while tracking him, and he'd been living in one area by himself for a while.

[MarkyMark]

I've covered every darn creek bottom in the Minot unit almost. A couple of them two or three times where we saw what looked to be the freshest of the dried out tracks. At least we got some grouse traveling between areas.
The temps are hot in the creek bottoms too.
I only saw two four- legged animals and they were does feeding along hwy 8.
Back at it tomorrow.
At least it's not crowded!!!

[MarkyMark]

...and I fell flat on my face and jambed 2" of mud in the end of my barrel.
I did see an old gut pile way up high.

[MarkyMark]

Today I did not see any elk in the creek bottom but I did fall into a beaver dam that grass had  grown over. Thankfully a log stopped my fall by wedging itself in my privates. Can't wait for elk season to be over. More Advil please.

[bobcat]

At least you post about your lack of success. That's rare, most people only post when they're successful! I hope your luck is better tomorrow.

[elkfins]

Think of it this way...

you could be at work instead of elk hunting.

[MarkyMark]

I'm not ashamed to say I wasn't successful. I would be ashamed if I didn't try. I tried and got beat. I also learned a lot. Which will eventually lead to success.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me out along the way.

[Watimberghost]

  keep at it! Experience is the best teacher

[Damnimissed]

I'm not ashamed that I wasn't successful either. I am however, devastated about the really nice 5pt Rosie I missed TWICE at daylight this morning. Finally caught them in a small clearcut this morning after tracking them through reprod and creek bottoms for the last 3 days. I thought I had a good feel for my new musket, but I mis judged the range and shot underneath his chest. Unbelievable.

[MarkyMark]

That happened to me on a nice broadside shot on a mulie last week.
Those creek bottoms tore up everything. Clothes, skin, pride... You name it. Where were you at? I heard a couple shots this morning in the little north river area.