I got into my spot about an hour before light, just sat and listened for the first couple hours and heard nothing. With the early start to the season and the dry woods my plan was to just sit water for the opening weekend and get a feel for what the elk were doing. About 715 or so I hear a few far off bugles so I give a few cow calls, a little time goes by and I get another bugle but closer and I give a real light cow call. Few more minutes and I hear the unmistakable snap of a stick under an elk that we all know. I see a heavy dark rack ducking threw the branches and blow down and realize it’s a pretty good bull, he comes straight in and hits the water hole and drinks for what felt like five minutes but I have no shot, finally he picks his head up and turns to leave and I give him a little chirp, he stops and turns broadside and I let loose. Arrow felt perfect but he was a touch farther than I thought but I’m pretty sure he’s heart shot, bull blows up and takes off. I immediately give a few more cow calls to hopefully calm him down. As I’m waiting and replaying the shot another decent bull shows up. I watch him for a bit and get some pics, eventually he leaves. About ten minutes later a spike rolls up! I wait a total of an hour and a half and take up the trail, it’s raining now and the thunder is getting really close. Took the blood trail about 80 yards and there he was. Ended up hitting him perfect, heart and lungs. Pressure is off and I get to just play caller for the rest of the season!
