2020 Elk

[hunting4sanity]

I normally hunt with one of my sons or all three of them if possible. Last year due to harvest on the farm and the timing of several other things I decided to go solo, thinking in reality it would be more of a scouting trip for later. However, I got into elk and it was now hunting, not scouting.
I spotted the group of elk about a mile away. Through the spotter I could tell there was one mature bull that was either broken or funky on one side. I planned out a stalk and dropped back getting the terrain and wind in my favor. The next time I saw them was at just over 600 yards, but I could only find cows & calves at this point. My next terrain goal put me in the mid 300's from the group and I now saw a spike and the raghorn that were in the group, but still not the mature bull. After a belly crawl up to the last small rise between me and the elk I could now see the bull at 214 yards. He was a busted up 7x7. For a second I thought, do I leave him because he's broken up? In a split second sanity returned. No way I was passing on this opportunity! I was proud of the long stalk I had just made, I realized I had a great old warrior right in front me and the broken antlers immediately became 'character.' I slowly shifted to the right a few feet to get a better opening and shot.
As I was coming up out of the small coulee between me and the bull I could see his good antler sticking into the sky and felt very good about my decision. It was a very special moment, in 2019 I missed all of every season due to a back and leg problem. I was a bit worried about the task ahead that I knew I had to do on my own, but at that moment everything in the world was good. I've decided I'm the slowest elk-breaker-downer in the world, but I got two loads out before dark and got a beautiful sunset going in for the second trip. That night I experienced the worst leg cramps of my life. I don't want to be too big of a drama llama, but when it was done and I came out with the head, I was shot. I just laid on my back looking up at the clouds and smiling at the pack that had just completely exhausted me. During the first two trips packing my elk out I was thinking I can't ever do another solo hunt, especially for elk, now I'm hoping for one more.

[salmon]

Great elk and congrats to you!

[Westside88]

Great Bull and great scenery and experience. Sounds like you really earned that one.

[Bob33]

That's an awesome story. It really portrays what hunting can be: lots of hard work and immense satisfaction.

[bearpaw]

That's great, congrats to you! 

[Dan-o]

Great bull.

Great write up.

I was cramping up by the end.

[redi]

Great job on the hunt and photos thanks for sharing

[bracer40]

Thanks for sharing your hunt! Great bull, story and pics!

[DWBMontana]

Great bull! Wonderful pictures.