2014 Season in the books!

[7mmfan]

Well we did it! Dad and I managed to fill our special elk permits, and put a nice buck in the freezer to boot!

Dad filled his bull tag last week with a beautiful 5pt bull for his first elk. I was fortunate enough to fill my cow tag this morning.

I have never hunted a cow opener like I did yesterday. Not only were there more people than I've ever seen, but the etiquette of these "hunters" was unbelievable. I had hunters constantly cutting me off, driving canyons I was hunting, and chasing animals on quads cross country. I could not believe what I was seeing yesterday. Really jaded me.

Today went much better. I started off by not seeing ANYONE parked at the canyon that I wanted to hunt,    I then moved up to the spot I wanted to glass and immediately spotted a herd of cows slowly feeding down the canyon. I made a quick move and got in position to cut them off. About 5 minutes later they walked right out on the slope above me. 1 shot through the boiler room of the lead cow and the work began.

I was lucky enough to be staying with friends in the area, and as I wrapped up the 2nd load to the truck, one of them called and asked if I could use some help. With both hind quarters still on the hill, I opted to wait for him. He showed up and we made short work of the last load.

Now all the meat is chilling in the meat fridge, I'm fresh out of the shower and getting ready to eat some pizza!

This has been a very blessed year for us hunting wise. Never have we filled our tags like this. It feels good to provide for our families like this. I still have one more whitetail 2nd doe tag to fill, hopefully I can take care of that by the end of November.

Shots are as she lays, and meat in the fridge.

[tjthebest]

Congrats! I too have shot an elk and a deer this year. I have also shot a bear. Just need the cougar for the Grand Slam!

[fishunt247]

Well that fridge looks familiar.
Glad it worked out for you and that I could get out of the "office" to help you pack out the last load. Good bs session on the way in and out. And Michelle, despite have to "listen to elk hunting stories clear through dinner" every day this week, wanted to hear about it.
Just remember, you can always repay me by putting me on a 20 pounder this winter.

[7mmfan]

Michelle was awesome putting up with our BS every night. As for the 20 pounder, it seems that good cow elk spots are easier to come by then 20 pound steelhead, but I'll keep trying. We'll connect one of these times. In the mean time, you'll have to put up with the 10-15# fillers.

[mfswallace]

7mm-- where was your clown and circus of hunters encounter?

[ribka]

great job

Was the circus out on the LT? It really really gets out of hand with the quads running animals by mid week of season every year

[elkoholic1]

 

[7mmfan]

It was in the Cowiche unit. State land that is bordered mostly by private, so many of the locals get in there and feel that they have the run of the place. I was posted up on a small gulley that I knew had elk in it and they had fed out into the open the night before. These jackwagons pull up, look at me sitting there, and then spread out and begin pushing up the canyon trying to flush the elk out. They succeeded, took two running shots, in my direction mind you. The elk shot past me at about 20 yards going mach 2 and the guys take off, 2 on quads cross country, and one in a pick up up the road in the bottom. Never have I seen not only a massive disregard for other people, but safety of both me, themselves, and the animals. Just horrendous showing all around.

[bigbds61]

Good job Buddy.  After thinking through our hunt when my buddies dad took his cow I wish that I would have played it a little differently.  More patience to learn on my part.  There were a total of 6 animals in the herd and I only was focused on the cow tag getting filled and with hind sight I should have taken the time to let all of the animals come into the open.  They were just moving slowly and not spooked.  Had we held off on shooting, the other two animals that I did not see would have come into view and I could have checked to see if there was a spike following the cows.  Lesson learned on my part.  It was a good day to get the cow tag filled but if we would have played it right there could have been a spike in the bunch and we may have had my tag filled as well as possibly another cow tag.  I still have a chance to do some muzzy deer hunting if my surgery recovery allows.  It was good to have my brother finally get back into hunting as well as my son-in-law and youngest son and daughter for the last weekend.  I hope that my son and daughter are able to join me again in years to come as well as my brother and his son.  My son-in-law is hooked!  Good luck on the second doe tag.  I am sure you will be successful.  Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas Rory!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Good job 

[Elknut1]

Nice work bud, you folks will eat well this winter!

  ElkNut1