Your Move Hoss, 2021 Episode #1

[WapitiTalk1]

Tag: OTC Bull tag
Season/Hunt: Archery, solo hunt
Time/Date/Location: Sunrise/Mid-September/in the Elk Woods
Camp/gear: Base camp.

Hunting journal: Solo elk hunt in (insert elk state here); day 5 of your 10 day hunt; 3 PT or better bull only tag. The elk in your area have gotten laryngitis/lockjaw and don’t seem to want to talk for the past two days. This morning, you decide to set up on a known travel route/elk trail in a natural material ground blind you slapped together in July during your scout trip. Cool, you arrived at the butt crack of dawn and are ready for your extended sit……. Just 15 minutes into your shift, you hear cows talking and elk moving down the trail, from the other side of the small pine clearing you’re sitting, in the “right” direction… directly towards you. Arrow nocked, release clipped on, and…… cow, cow, cow moving from right to left in front of your position, a calf (who decided to flip ends and stop and loiter, lollygagg on this side of the trail), cow, co…… “SCREEEEAAAAAMMMMM” a bull blows his stack just out of your vision. I guess they’re not so quiet after all! And…… here comes the rack and here comes the bull. This all happens literally, in a matter of a few seconds from when you hear the bull and physically see what you’re seeing right now…. big stinky broadside. You try to draw as quickly and quietly as possible and………………… That’s all you get.

Thermals are as shown; your position is as shown (again, around 35 yards from the trail). Your move Hoss; quarter back this thing and tell me what you think is going on and how you’re gonna bring this fellow home for dinner. Have you done anything wrong to this point?   


Reminder that if you save the thread picture to your desktop and open in MS Paint, you'll be able to place a spot, X, or whatever on the critter before you save it back to a jpg and add the marked up pic with your post if you decide you’re shooting.

[Rainier10]

I feel like he has me pinned or at least knows something is odd in my direction.  I am going to hold my draw hoping he turns his head and I am aiming low, bottom half for sure just in case he goes down on the release.  I am also hoping that darn calf moves out of the way and doesn't bring it's head up any.  Depending on how long it takes I may have to just take the shot with him looking at me but again I am aiming low, bottom half.

[lamrith]

Did I make it to full draw?  If so given he is alert I am drifting a hair down from usual spot incase he drops a little and sending it home.

If not, pray he loses interest (YEAH RIGHT!) and draw if he turns head away and then sending to same spot as in picture.

[pd]

Been there, done that.

Next time (this example) I am shooting.  He seems close in the set up (<40 yards).  He didn't know I was there, yes he has seen me, but I am going to gamble on this one and shoot.

[jrebel]

Never had an elk duck the arrow at that close a range.  If he lets me draw he eats an arrow half way up behind the shoulder.  These guys aren’t as agile as whitetail. 

[Mudman]

I had a cow step as I shot.  Hit rear shoulder, heard thump of bone.  It was 40y shot.  Looking at me.  They are quick.  Bad luck or decision.  Also hit a 5x5 top shoulder 35y shot, same type situation.  So yeah it is a concern imop. I wont shoot if looking at me now.  Or I am a bad shot? 

[dvolmer]

Shoot!!!  Always shoot!!!  300 Win Mag seems to love most angles!!!

[WapitiTalk1]

Shoot!!!  Always shoot!!!  300 Win Mag seems to love most angles!!!

Andddddd…. You get whacked by the gamey for shooting an elk, with a boom stick, during an archery hunt 

[pd]

Shoot!!!  Always shoot!!!  300 Win Mag seems to love most angles!!!

Andddddd…. You get whacked by the gamey for shooting an elk, with a boom stick, during an archery hunt 

Pay him no never mind.  300 Win Mag is always his answer, regardless of the question.   

[Shawn Ryan]

Exactly like lamrith. I'm fairly certain I've said those same words in earlier versions of this game...