First archery elk

[Elkstuffer]

Well after 5 years of hard hunting I was able to connect on this 5x4 bull. I had the multi season elk tag and with 10 points was still not able to draw a bull tag. So I went back over to the west side. I found a waterhole/wallow this summer and sat up my trail camera and a tree stand. I also had set up a stand a mile lower on the mountain with another camera and got a picture of the same bull in mid August.

I got up to my camp late Wed. night and sat the lower stand Thurs. morning and went to the upper stand at mid day to check the camera. I had 3 different bulls on film from earlier in the week. I decided to sit that stand the next two evenings. That afternoon I was setting in the stand and was getting very fidgety. It was a new stand and very uncomfortable. I ended up setting on the foot platform with my legs hanging over the edge. A squirrel had been making noise for about 45 min. and then stopped and I heard the distict noise of an elk hoof hitting a deadfall. CLUNK!!! It was then that I grabbed my bow off its hook and got my range finder ready. He stepped out of the trees and went straight for the water. When he bent to drink I ranged him at 48 yrds. I put my 50 yrd pin low but not low enough with the angle. THWACK!!! his back end dropped instantly and he took off through the water. It took only seconds for me to nock another arrow and then ranged him again at 47yrds and let it fly. With the slight quartering away that he was I pierced his liver and one lung. He only went 25 yrds from the enitial shot and expired.

The emotions started to pour after I had realized what I had done. I started making phone calls, taking pictures and dressing this awesome creature. The next morning 5 of my closest friends showed up to help pack. A special thanks to SkybusterBo for making short work of the butchering on the mountain and carrying the heaviest load. Even though he was wearing that damn Husky t-shirt

[WonkyWapiti]

Very awesome!  That's one helluva bull that you can be proud of!

[LongTatLaw]

great bull..congrats bro!

[bowhunterforever]

Congrats getting your first bow kill!

[nw_bowhunter]

Good job. way to put the trail cams and tree stands to work before the season. good on a nice bow kill

[wonder]

Great job on getting your first archery Elk.  Feels great doesn't it. 

[Michelle_Nelson]

Thats great!  Congrats to you. 

[WAPITIHUNTER]

Nice job!!!

[elkaholic123]

Congrats Ric,Mark McTee called me and told me you got an elk this morning,me and
Mtdew from h/w leave Sat. morning to B.C. on a guided elk and deer hunt,hopefully
I get a nice bull and maybe even a nice buck.Jerry

[testar77]

Congrats man!!! Nice work!!

[wamuledeer]

Great bull, well done. I am still trying for my first archery elk.

[backwoods_boy]

Very cool bud!
and GO HUSKIES!

[KimberRich]

Nice bull!  Good job

[h2ofowlr]

Good work.  I gave it a shot the last week.  Blew out the legs, but had fun.

[Crunchy]

Nice work.  I have four cows to my credit but cant close the door on a bull.  Congrats.