Archery Hunt 07 success

[saylean]

So, a little late but here goes:

My brother Johnny got his first elk this archery season. It was at 7 yards when he shot and was up against 5 or 6 elk sets of eyes. He was able to spot the elk from far above the canyon, hiked down into them after a very slow stalk. To be honest, I cannot belive he did as well as he did. It was nearly impossible to walk quietly, plus Johnny is a big boy. 1 shot, 1 kill. The elk went about 60 yards he said. Here is a pic of our camp.



So, we all were back at camp waiting for John to return for lunch, when Adam called over the radio that John had got one and get the gear together. Funny enough, we thought Johnny was close to camp and had heard an elk calling, we thought it was Johnny using his call...the elk was close and we were clueless. So we gather our gear and head down to the bottom of a very nasty little canyon.

Here is a pic of Johnny (far left) Adam and myself.



The elk's face had about 30 ticks on it, so that was fun. We all got to the elk eventually, and was able to hike it in pieces down to a walk in only road, which was a great blessing. Here is a pic of the walk out.



A day later, Johnny spotted another elk, and called on the radio. Adam and I were able to get close, but ADAM had a shot and took it. The animal ended up going for a bit, but dropped. So, down a very steep nasty ravine with loose rocks and thick trees we go. Wouldnt have it any other way.

Here is a pic of the me hiking down into the ravine with the winch on my back (top center). It is stainless steel.



And here is one of me on the way down, so you can get an idea of the fun. The elk is all the way down in the trees.




After getting down (which took a bit) Art, Adam and Johnny pretty much had it all boned out.



Adam is center. Then we started the hike up.



Note the rope in the left side of the pic. This was connected to the winch.


This is a pic of me tuggin on the winch as the boys helped out below.

We finally get the elk out and just in time. The terrain was very steep, we ran out of gas on the winch right at the very top. We had a blast, killed two nice elk, missed a few others (lousy branch!) and created great memories.

Thanks for the read, I hope you enjoyed it.

Cheers,
Saylean

[Geno]

Congrats and good job on the narrative. Where were you hunting?

[MuleySniper]

Sounds like you guys had a great time. Nice job on filling your tags. At first I thought the one guy was Egon sporting a proton pack! Looks like some rugged country.
MS

[saylean]

We were in the clockum area. I missed a spike at 40 yards ...but I sure killed the branch. Found a few elk corpses....missing horns...that was it....it is always a shame to see. Good times either way. Thanks for the grats.

[Geno]

Where did you find that winch setup? It's way cool.

[jackelope]

Where did you find that winch setup? It's way cool.

I agree. i need one of those.

[Chesapeake]

Great post, and pictures. Just one question.


My brother Johnny got his first elk this archery season.

A day later, Johnny spotted another elk, and called on the radio. Adam and I were able to get close, but he had a shot and took it. The animal ended up going for a bit, but dropped.

This makes it sound like you were party hunting. Thats not legal is it? Just a misstype?

[jackelope]

This makes it sound like you were party hunting

johnny can still go into the woods and look even though he doesn't have his tag, can't he??
party hunting is not legal, but i can't figure out where you see party hunting.
the other 2 guys with the tags are the ones that made the shot on the animal.
maybe i'm missing something.
 

[Chesapeake]

The way I read it was; the other two got close, but Johnny had a shot so he took it.


With the way you read it, who took the shot? Adam and Saylean got close, but he had a shot and took it. Who is he?

I read it that Johnny took the shot. Sure hope I'm wrong.

[NRA4LIFE]

Yeah, sounds to me like Johnny shot 2 elk.  I wouldn't be braggin' about that on a public forum.

[jackelope]

Adam and I were able to get close, but he had a shot and took it

sounded to me like adam and saylean got close, saylean couldn't get a shot, but adam could so he took it.
really not worth bickering about...

[Chesapeake]

I wouldnt say anyone was bickering. Just asking a question about my translation.

It read kinda odd to me so I thought others might think the same, so I asked.

No hard feelings meant by it.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Great photos and story! 

[Geno]

The way I read it Adam had the shot and took it.

[high country]

I would like to see a pic of the rope spool. how much is on there? 600ft? I have the simpson that runs on my saw and really like it, but I have a pretty halfass way of transporting it compared to yours.

[saylean]

There were two elk shot on two different days, by two different people. Johnny shot one and Adam shot one (I was with Adam when he shot, but I couldnt get a shot off, as I was down the hill a bit). Once a tag is filled, of course we would never ever shoot without being legal. The spool had about 300 feet of rope on it, I think.

First pic of elk in story is Johnnys elk, second pic of elk (with three guys in it and elk half gutted/skinned) is Adams elk.

To my knowledge, the winch (back pack design) was completely custom made by one of my hunting buddies out of stainless steel and uses an old chainsaw engine.

I edited the original post a tad to make it a bit more clear. No worries on the questions and no hard feelings taken.

Cheers~

[GoldTip]

Great pics and congrats on the elk success.

[Chesapeake]

There were two elk shot on two different days, by two different people. Johnny shot one and Adam shot one (I was with Adam when he shot, but I couldnt get a shot off, as I was down the hill a bit). Once a tag is filled, of course we would never ever shoot without being legal. The spool had about 300 feet of rope on it, I think.

First pic of elk in story is Johnnys elk, second pic of elk (with three guys in it and elk half gutted/skinned) is Adams elk.

To my knowledge, the winch (back pack design) was completely custom made by one of my hunting buddies out of stainless steel and uses an old chainsaw engine.

I edited the original post a tad to make it a bit more clear. No worries on the questions and no hard feelings taken.

Cheers~

Thats what we thought, just had to ask. The windlass you used is a complete unit you can buy. It looks like someone mounted it on a stainless packboard and added a spool. Pretty neet realy. The gass windlass operates off what looks to be a weedeater type motor built specialy for the aplication. My hunting buddy has the same (looks the same) unit that he uses for hunting.

[saylean]

Ahh cool. I wasnt really too sure about the winch...I asked a little bit about it, as it was the first time I had to use it, but didnt ask too much. It was fun and fairly helpful though.

Cheers 

[Chesapeake]

Just Google "Portable Capstan Winch" and you will pull up a few manufacturers.

My buddy has the same model/Manufacturer you guys have.

[Muleyslyr]

Great story and great pics!  Great huntin' partners as well.  They sure come in handy when you knock down an animal in a canyon like that.  Of course, the winch helped a little too.   

[saylean]

Many hands make light work....nothing better when you bag an animal that you hear on the radio 5 other dudes coming with gear, water, support, and enthusasim (sp?)

[high country]

the winch is made by simpson. they are dang handy when you need em'

[saylean]

SIMPSON?! EH?! (monty burns..)

[Opportunist]

Good job on the elk! I like seeing photo's of the work!

I read that two hunters killed two elk. I don't get it, maybe we should spend more time congratulating our fellow successful hunters than trying to pick apart their stories or downplaying their hunt. I usually find hunters that put down other hunters trophies are the same ones that end the season with tags in their wallet! Funny how that works!

[LongTatLaw]

Saylean...I wish I was with ya buddy..Id have helped drag em out!

even though you were in Montana when I needed help with my bear!!lol

As for the rest of you...Ive hunted with Saylean and he is as straight as an arrow on the reg's. If he wasnt he woulda  tried to talk me into the elk we called in while bear hunting with scoped rifles in hand and no other hunters for miles.

It really does seem like every damn post on here is directly followed by attempts attack, discredit, and or tear down the hunters telling the story. I know of people who dont feel comfortable being completely honest on here because of the abusive responses some people leave. Luckily Im so damn conceited I actually believe all my unaltered thoughts are worth posting...lol

Saylean, did I tell ya I ended up with my, an elk tag, and a 300 win mag within 75 yards of 10 elk one 3x4 in a green field during shooting light and elk gun season? but I was 2 hrs from leaving for seatac and the buddy with the tag is clueless on skinning. I shoulda let him shoot and called you for help. I know you'd trade steaks for sweat...

the 10 elk were 5 yards from the very last place we did some calling for elk... remember?

next year bro!