Colockum Elk(updated 7/24 with pics)

[cle elum bowhunter]

This story began in 1978 when I shot my first elk at the age of 12 up off the Bruton Road. Looking down upon that two point bull, feeling his grizzly mane and thick winter coat started a passion that draws me to the woods each fall.  That first elk of many fell to an open sight 30-30. A few more were harvested with a rifle before my switch archery in 1984.  It took several years to develop my skills with that early equipment, my third season I passed on a 6x6 at 40 yards because he was outside my comfort range.  I hunted the Colockum up until the year they took cows away from archery.  I then took up hunting a little in Peaches but primarily focus on the Alpine Unit.  4 years ago, frustrated with all the people and the elk getting pressured out, I went back to chase true spike on the Colockum. That first year was many close encounters with cows and huge bulls but no spikes. The second season my son and I drew cow tags but ended up with us sitting together eating lunch when a spike walked up on us.  Unfortunately he had set his bow down just out of reach and was in direct view of the elk.  I had a tree between the bull and I so dad harvested our winter meat as my "spotter" clicked of the yardage. At 20 yards he had to turn and presented just enough angle to slide my arrow in front of the shoulder and severe his aorta from his heart.  This past season I was fortunate enough to take a beautiful cow after a summer of scouting and trail cam pictures of big Bulls.  The Colockum has always been good to me but it was during my break to the alpine that I got the chance to meet a great young man who also had a passion for elk and the outdoors. Even though we never met in person, we talked often throughout the years of us both stomping around the exact same drainages of the alpine.  He was a fine young man and even though we were over 20 years apart in age, I enjoyed my conversations with him and his passion for elk.  As some of you have figured out and the slight give away in the topic line, I'm talking about Aaron Blanchard, or Colockum Elk as he was known on here. I still have some of the pm's we exchanged when he was going through Apache training, I remember his conversations and concerns about getting the family moved and settled into their new home before he deployed overseas.  Aaron was a great young man whom I still think about every Fall.  Yesterday, after a few moments of doubt, logging in twice just to make sure I believed what I was seeing, a battery of text to my hunting buddies, I then thought of Aaron and wished that he was still with us to enjoy this adventure of my scouting, conditioning, shooting and hopefully harvesting a Colockum BULL Elk worthy of his name on this forum.  It is going to be a busy three months of prep but I will post pictures and update the story as it goes.  I realize many others in here are familiar with the area and any and all pm's with tips are appreciated.  Gonna talk with Coachcw over coffee or something and pick his brain.  RT, I think you might also be a source is like to talk with.  I will take the entire archery season off, perk of being a Fire Captain and hopefully harvest one of the "little" Bulls that Corey passed on a few years ago.  I realize this is a long winded way to say I got drawn for Colockum Archery Bull but in my opinion, this tag deserves something a little different.  Praying for no fires in September I'm now off to get my trail cameras out.

[buddy01]

 

[MADMAX]

Right on !!!

[rtspring]

I wish you all the best while you enjoy this hunt!

Take it all in, a bull is just a bonus.. 

[Rainier10]

Congrats on the draw and best of luck to you.

[X-Force]

Right on!

[danderson]

Congrats Eric, this is going to be one great year I just know it !

[coachcw]

Take it all in Eric , I know that you will ARRON proud . We will be 90 the other side of the county doing the same and no doubt in my mind it will way on our hearts . Set your goal  I'm pretty sure there's a dink or two left in there .

[jackelope]

Awesome. This is going to be a great thread.

[jackmaster]

Gotta tag along for this one!! Be safe captain!!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Congrats on a supper tag! Don't leave out one detail of this hunt!!!!!

[Falcon]

Great post and congrats on that awesome tag.   Look forward to your journey👊💥👊

[ffbowhunter]

Congrats brother! That is going to be a fun hunt! Best of luck.

[jason stevens]

Awesome write up. Ive read the stories and got a little advice this last year from karl. I will be in the area on the weekends and if you need any help please reach out to me id be glad to help pack your giant bull.good luck

[C-Money]

Very nice! Good luck. Looking forward to the stories to come.