She has been hunting with me since 1993. She has taken blacktail, muledeer, whitetail, antelope, and a bull moose…..but not an elk. Not due to not trying, just never closed the deal. Drew a few cow tags but it just never came together.
With 15 points for WY and a friend with 11, we decided to use them up with an outfitter. Did some research, picked a good unit, made the most of the points and drew the tags. We ended up in unit 7 with High Pine Outfitters. From what we have experienced so far….I will be booking with them next year and use up my points.
First day out, we put on 12 miles on the boots and saw 35 bulls. 2 herds had 10 bulls each. One herd was 6 with a legit 350 bull. We got within 100 yards of them but they busted us before we were ready!
2nd day, we head to a point to glass, on the way spot a herd of 30 head with 2 rags. Move on to the point, start glassing and find 3 cows. 15 minutes later sharply to our left and below us, on the fence line, a herd had come up and were piling up at the top of the canyon. Talking, chirping, mewing, bugling, it was magical. From what we saw there were around 150 visible elk and many more already under us and in the scrub pines headed our way! Later the other guide told us he was on a lookout with his hunter and said that herd was 400 head easy! Amazing!
Meanwhile at the lookout….we had spotted at least 3 shooter bulls in what we could see, the elk were only at 275 yards at the fence, we had a large 6x6 below the fence on our parcel, the wife was on the sticks, but the bull was moving around and only stopped for about 5 seconds to bugle….then into the pines below us, darn it! The 2nd and 3rd bulls had already hit the pines while trying to take that 1st bull. By that time the herd had already reached us, we were about 100 yards above the canyon wall, a nice slope ran from our Rocky outcrop to that drop, cow after cow after cow after bull after bull passed below us at 10-60 yards!! We had no less than 50-70 elk walk right under us! I was freaking out that they would wind us! But the wind was as strong and blowing from them to us and then over the top of the rest of the herd. We got spotted once by a cow, but when she trotted off, no one else cared! The guide and my wife were standing up behind a giant boulder, watching the entire herd pass below! One big bull passed by and guide gave her the green light, I am watching them 30’ away biting my finger nails with sheer terror and exhilaration at the same time! Waiting for them to get busted! Never happened though, that bull came by at 50 yards with a harem of cows around him! NO SHOT! Argh!! She puts the safety back on and looks at we like “I cant believe it’s not butter?!?!?” Lol! She was having the time of her life as was I!
Just another 5-7 minutes later, a bugle, more elk coming, they see times, it’s a good six, not as big as the other two, but good enough for a first bull, I can’t see it from my spot, I am watching her, she shoulders, off comes the safety, about 5 seconds pass…..boom! The 7mag bucks and she is racking a 2nd round in, I am panicked because I am getting no facial expressions from her or the guide!! I am like, did you got it? Did it go down? Is it headed into the canyon? Can someone tell me what happened???!! Lol! Then boom, 2nd shot! 3rd round into the chamber…..the guide says hold it, he is done!! Ahhh…now I see a giant smile and she bear hugs the guide!! I trot over and she is like “he’s down! I got him!” We hug and high five and dance a bit, head down to admire the bull. He was a dandy first bull, more importantly, the hunt scenario was the most perfect, exhilarating, profound hunting experience we have ever had in 30 years together!
Her first shot was where the guide asked to shot, behind the right shoulder and it exited out the off side, dropped him as he stood, he struggled to rise and he said shoot, so the 2nd shot was quartering into the left side, exiting the off shoulder, broke it and had a fist size exit. The 7mag and Oryx bonded bullets were impressive.
I could go on…but I am still in camp as my buddy continues his search for a good bull!
If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime experience I highly recommend these guys. The ranch is a non motorized ranch, we drive the side by side from the cabins to a parking area and the hunting is on foot. No road hunting, no horses, just majestic high pine and aspens with parks, surrounded on 3 sides by Wagonhound ranch. Look it up you will understand why this place is so special.
Thanks for tagging along….
