So it could have gone better but saw a lot of animals.
First light got on the herd right away. My stepson was able to take a shot at 100 yards from a rest. She was broadside. When he shot her front end buckled and she almost hit the dirt right there. Then the whole herd took off up a steep hill. We got reloaded, gave her some time and went after them. No blood sign for almost a quarter mile. Then only found a few drops here and there. She somehow kept up with the herd really well and never stopped to lay down or anything. Was never able to catch up with them again. The only thing I can think of that may result in her buckling like that but such little blood and no dead elk would be if he hit high in her shoulder and too far forward. We searched for the rest of the day and found nothing. In this process we saw a big 5 pt bull with that herd, and 3 other bulls, a big 4pt, another 5pt, and a nice 6pt in a small group on private property. While we were watching those a nice 3 pt buck hopped up and ran out among that herd haha.
I felt like we would have been able to find that herd with the hit cow again and we tried but my stepson has a hurt foot and after most the day was done with so was he for the most part and me recovering from a chest cold as well kept us off the highest point of the area. its the only spot we didn't get to so I am assuming that's where they are.
