I drew the Goose Prairie Bull Tag this year. I had spent some time in the area but spent several weekends expanding my knowledge of the area, sometimes solo, sometimes with good friends. My hunt would be a solo effort due to the hunt falling on a work week. I anticipated this hunt because it would be my first opportunity to hunt branch antlered elk. i spent the weekend prior to my hunt refining my understanding of the trails and ground in the area I had decided to hunt. I pieced together a couple routes I felt were consistent travel routes but the first couple days of the season seemed to change behavior in the area. I found some animals late in the first day of the hunt but they were on the hoof and running by the time I laid eyes on them, I was not in the best position. With some good intel from some fellow hunt WA members I changed my game plan a bit and focused my efforts on a smaller area that seemed to be holding/funneling animals. I found a herd early morning but was in a bad spot again and didn't get a good opportunity. I tried some calling to try and get the bull to reveal himself but again was unsuccessful. A little frustrated I took the opportunity mid day to catch a nap in the sunshine. During which I decided to pick a spot to sit for the evening in the same area. I should have known better. I made it about two hours into the sit before I got bored and cold and decided to get up and work around the area a bit. The ground was a series of small hills and cuts and draws that had good feed and cover. I had crept slowly along side hill through a couple of these cuts and on the last one, heard an animal move on the other side, not spooked, just moving along in the brush. As I continued side hill on the uphill slope of the current nob, the front side cut revealed itself and I could see antlers. The bull raised his head, chewing his dinner and by some miriacle did not notice me frozen, not twenty yards away. Lowering his head to continue feeding I took a step forward to reveal his high shoulder and took aim, he raised his head again and I made the most of my opportunity.
To those I met along the way, thank you for your fellowship.
Al
