1st elk tagged

[justyhntr]

I'm going to start this with the history of me and elk , back in the early 80's I was a mad man for elk , got close but could never get it done . Then in 1986 I was in the Wynochee for late archery elk and I shoot my first elk , a big cow . It was about a 20 yard shot with my 65lbs. recurve . There was good blood but I chose to wait a bit and then track . After an hour I start to follow the blood only to find two sets of foot prints also following the blood . I found my elk with 2 guys gutting it out . Some heated words were exchanged and I walked away . I spent the next 20 + years chasing steelhead . A few years ago a friend talked me into picking up my bow again , my wife was all in as well . But we focused only on Blacktail and then a few years ago got into chasing bear , because of the crowds in the OTC areas we avoided elk . We buy the elk tag and put in for the White River quality and if we draw we'll get serious . Which brings us to this week , we normally hunt Kapowsin and as most know we cannot be in there during elk season because only those with the elk tag are allowed . So we're a little board and need to get out so we buy a walk in pass for the White River Tree Farm . We do not have high hopes but it's some place to go and it's close. Wednesday evening we walk into an area in the 652 unit , we see a little sign but nothing great . At dusk on our way out we spot 3 elk , a spike and 2 cows . One cow is about 100 yards from us and I decide to try a stalk , at about 60 yards I feel the wind shift and back out . We decide to come in the next evening and try to head them off at their trail . I've been shooting a longbow all year and that is what I carry for deer but if I was going to get a chance at an elk I wanted to be able to reach out a bit farther so when I got home from work Thursday I grabbed my compound and a couple arrows with broad heads , stepped out to 50 yards and shot my 3d target . Dead on , shot few more and headed for the woods. While walking in we're rounding a corner and out of the corner of my eye at 20 yards I catch a glimpse of a big black head and tiny little ears as I'm grabbing for and arrow he winds us and bolts , sounded like tanks going through the woods . We comment on how cool that was and move on . I am getting a good feeling . We post up just off a couple trails were we think they may enter their feed area . We sit there for quite a while with nothing moving .I getting a little discouraged.  The sun is disappearing from the tops of the trees and the light is starting to fade when my wife motions to me that they are out . The elk came out right where we bumped the bear . It's about 300 yards away and I'm figuring I don't have time to make a move , but I have to try. I start the stalk and with about a 100 yards to go and they still had not detected me I take off my boots and continue . The first time I ranged I was at 55 , I needed to be a little closer . I get to a point that the big calf is 40 yards in front of me and the spike and cow were 50 . I'm loosing light and I know I'm right at the legal limit . I decide if the calf or the spike give me and open shot I was going to take it . The cow was big and healthy and her calf was big , she was a breeder and not a target . About then the calf stepped forward opening up it vitals , I took the shot , I heard a solid smack and off they went down the road towards my rig . I went back to my collect my gear and put my boots back on and my wife came down from her vantage point . We sat for a minute collecting ourselves . I told her I felt I got off a solid shot but I never saw the arrow impact . By now it's fully dark we put on our head lamps and go look for blood . We found blood instantly . I locate the arrow and it's looking good totally covered in blood . We found the bull calf about 30 yards down the road. We are stoked ! I instantly call Pope a member on here to see if he was up for giving us a hand . He was , so I got busy gutting and getting ready for the haul out . Pulled the heart out and it had the perfect shape of my Sliktrik passing through . Pope shows up a little after 9 pm with his bike and trailer and another friend showed up to help . With me on one side , Scott on the other side  to keep form bending the trailer and Pope pushing the bike we had him out in no time . 175 hanging weight at the butcher , we'll be eating good .

[justyhntr]

Pic of the heart

[nanserbe]

Great work!

I too got my first elk this season and am enjoying it!

Awesome story as well, save for the part where your elk was being gutted by another couple of a$$hats.

[Dan-o]

Nice job, but you need to practice your marksmanship.

Next time, I'd aim about 1/8" lower.

On a serious note, that is one cool pic of the centerpunch on the heart.  Great job.

[Tysonwhit]

Nice work


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[MtnMuley]

Good work. You will be eating well this winter.

[de0827]

Congrats!

[KM1986]

Congrats. That's awesome

[crowinghen]

 What an awesome hunt with you!!
It was so much fun to see you stalk 'em, then to hear your shot connect and then  find the elk- SO MUCH FUN!

 

[kellama2001]

Congrats!  Now enjoy that long awaited elk backstrap! 

[Muleyslyr]

Good job!

[Russ McDonald]

Awesome job.  I am still trying to get my first one.

[Widgeondeke]

Great patience and shot placement.

Congrats 

[pope]

Definitely a fun night. Glad you connected, and thanks for helping me try to call the bear tonight.

[Mark251]

Nice