Hunted 342 a few days during the late season. Had a herd of 10 that was vocal with me about 30 mins before sunset on the opening day of late archery. I calf called and had a cow in to 30yrds but she wouldn't step out behind the bushy tree. She got nervous as I tried to maneuver to get a shot. She wheeled out to 59yrds and presented her front half. I blew it and shot right under her chest, glad it was a clean miss and recovered my arrow.
I returned the day after Thanksgiving, happened to not be alone where I was hunting which is sort of unusual for me in that area. Turns out a group of jackwagons got their F250 stuck in a deep rut on the old road. They destroyed the area around them with another truck trying to pull them out, cut down a tree and only used an 18 inch section of the trunk. Needless to say, they shouldn't have been driving out there, drinking beers while they were doing it, and happened to ruin a perfect spot where the elk like to feed out in the open....all because they wanted to drive around behind closed gates. I left them to their own devices and decided to not come back until a week later, hoping the area would settle down from having them traipsing around the area (the truck was stuck maybe 200-250 yards from where I had taken the shot at the cow)
Went back for one last try this late season knowing there would be snow. Had to cross Snoqualmie pass on the morning of December 4th, lots of snow and figured it would be the same or similar where I hunt in 342. I get to my trailhead and there is no snow on the ground. The snow stuck starting halfway up the ridges, so I had to hump it in to get up higher to look for tracks. As I made my way in and hunted as I went the sky cleared more, the wind picked up, and it became quite sunny and bright. I made it to the opening where I have had many elk encounters and it was so blustery, driving snow, and sunny! Calf called of an on for about 30 min and then decided I needed to move to cut tracks, and the wind was going to hamper any chance of getting good response from the elk.
I cut a fresh set of tracks partway through the meadow, I lost track after a few minutes from the tall grass with blowing snow. I kept going and about an hour later cut a real promising set in a clearcut next to a dark and protected chunk of timber. It meandered down into the timber and the wind was generally in my favor for scent, but really I think helped cover my movements and noise. I hustled through the dense timber, arrow knocked, and periodically kneeling to look ahead around the bases of the trees to see if I could spot elk legs or a belly. After tracking for 15 min, sure enough I notice a huge elk butt 60 yrds ahead. The from half was behind a bush so I had no idea if it was a solitary cow, spike, or branched bull. It had no clue I was there. I had decided that I needed to be aggressive given the wind being so unpredictable and I had to use it to my advantage. Quickly the elk turned around and sure enough it was a monster true spike! My heart began racing! His spikes looked like they were 3ft long and perfectly symmetrical. He was one of the most majestic and magnificent animals I have ever laid eyes on. He turned around again, and at that moment the wind began blowing through the tree tops....my signal to move and cut the distance and hopefully get into a better position to make a shot. As I moved I had to lose sight of him for about 10 seconds. I happened to see movement on the otherside of the bush he was at, and I wondered was that him or did I just see a second elk?
I froze having only gained 10-12yrds, the spike had reappeared and was showing me from his neck forward and he started sniffing a tree branch in front of him like he was about to eat it. I desperately wanted him to walk another 2-3yrds and send me home with a car full of prime elk meat and trophy set of spikes to hang on the wall. Sadly I think the wind gave me away to that second elk or even another one I couldn't see, because he quickly looked alarmed and took off trotting through the timber. I tracked them for nearly a mile down the mountain, the snow faded out and I couldn't keep on their tracks. It was another good lesson in wind, and the fact I need to practice shooting from very awkward positions like sitting or kneeling so I can take these shots that would require less than ideal positioning.
Overall it has been a fantastic archery elk season, each year I get closer and closer to sealing the deal. Last year it was 65yds from a spike but no shot opportunity. This year I actually took a shot, and nearly connected, then had another spectacular encounter with a spike and nearly got the chance. Im hoping next year I can put one in the freezer. I just have to say that my hat is off to you who can consistently find elk and get on them if and when you don't have snow! The snow is my saving grace in being able to get on these critters and get close enough when it comes to archery.
