That first elk encounter…

[WapitiTalk1]

I’m talking about the one, perhaps it wasn’t the very first, that “hooked” you for life into this thing we call elk hunting. I know this question will garner some great responses… let’s go.

[dylan34_36]

September 11th, 2022. I bought my first elk archery tag and headed out to the national forest on the west side of the peninsula. Still being new to this hunting thing and a little over 9 months removed from a full acl and meniscus rebuild, I spent the night in an area where I had luckily found some elk sign ala poo on the road. I woke up to very hazy skies from wildfire smoke and as the sun rose, I bugled as best as I could, having practiced for most of the time I was immobile and recovering from the surgery. To my great surprise, my call was returned, coming from 2 separate drainages. Now I still don't know if the return bugles were from actual elk or other hunters but from that instant on, every time I hear elk bugling in the woods I get a feeling that has yet to be replicated in any other aspect of my life. Can't wait to read the other stories!

[pianoman9701]

My first close encounter was early morning entering the woods. I looked down and saw some fried chicken mushrooms, took off my pack and put them in. Got up to get going and probably 5 yards away was a cow staring me down and then bolting. Same trip, I believe, I was tracking some elk in the rain. Tracks were very fresh. Nose to the ground (not ahead), I came to a small hillock, looked up and standing right over me was a huge cow, who then bolted. It was an exciting trip and I ended up arrowing a cow with a Zwickey Eskimo and she died 20 yards away.