The Adrenaline rush that you get after being stalked and hunted within a leaping distance from one of the top Predators in the wild, is undescribable even after it happens. Heres what happened to me while chasing elk in the wild of Idaho during the 2009 September archery season...…..
My hunting Partner Richard (DIC) Teply and I got up early as usually, ate a quick breakfast and where on the road to a predetermined location were we planned on spending the day elk hunting. Morning came and gone without any close encounters, so we moved into a favorite area of ours for the afternoon hunt. After about a 30 minute hike into an area that the elk love to hang in during the rut, we took a stand. We checked the wind put up the Montana cow elk decoy got Dic the shooter down wind of me and the decoy and I started the 45 to 60 minute cow calling sequence that we like to do to intice rut crazed bulls within bow range.
The morning thermals were steady perfect for the setup. A very nice sounding bull fired off about 5 minutes into the calling sequence, so I keep at it. Over the next 20 to 30minutes the bull keep responding but was not advancing in on us. I was about to call it quits a little early and head in on the bugling bull. Then I thought about what happens so many times how as soon as you standup all you see is ass and horns running away being usually a satelite or raghorn bull that was kicked out of the heard and looking for lone cows. So I keep at it, about 30minutes into it a, Timber tiger (chimpmunk) starts chirping away. I didn’t think to much of it because normally the bulls don’t come in from up wind. I check behind me a couple times, but there was never nothing there. I continued calling for about another ten minutes and that is when a strange uncomfortable sensation hit me…….
You can say that I am now a beiliever in the sixth sense or the god lord watching over my shoulder which ever it may be. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I vividly remember and will never forget the thought that came threw my head, something told me to turnaround and look behind you with great detail. The next few seconds after turning and focusing in on a spot behind me were in slow motion like right before a car wreck or near death experience. I was now looking into the eyes of a Big wild blood thirsty Tom cougar at a mear 15yards aways haunched and ready to spring for an attack. I had to take a double take, yup sure enough he was there heart pounding and all.
In one swift yet smooth motion I rotated around and drew my bow. I remember thinking this cat is either gonna fight or flight, so I needed to get an arrow in him and quick. The pin settled in my trigger finger found its home the squeeze began and all I seen and heard was a snap and whack, I had just successfully lodged my arrow in a tree after hitting some brush upon arrow flight. The Cat didn’t flinch he just keep staring me down with those piercing eyes. Withing 5 seconds I had another arrow knocked drawn and settled in on the cat and already on its way. This time the arrow made it threw the brush and with the cat quartering towards me it hit a little further back than I would have wanted. He cartwheeled into the air and was up over the small ridge and out of sight in a mere flash.
I sat there motion less recaping what had just happened, the shakes soon came on along with the holy *censored*s, I couldnt beilieve it. Dic hollars from down below me, what did you Shoot? I tell him a cougar, and Im pretty sure he was a big Tom. Dic couldn’t believe it either. We talked and recaped about what had just happened took a couple pictures and then hit the blood trail.
Blood was hard to find at first but once we found it the tracking was easy. We followed for around 300 yards and came to a spot were we had jumped him out of a bed in the ferns. By now it was getting close to dark and we made the decision to come back first thing in the morning. It was a restless night to say the least especially after such a adrenaline pumping experience.
Morning finally came and we were headed back out to go find the cat. We brought Dics German Short haired pointer (Max) along to help us out on the bloodtrail if needed. Off into the thick brush we go looking for a cat that we hope is by now dead. I continued on down the old grade were we left off at. Max had different plans and drags Dic up the hill into the thick brush by his leash. Shortly there after Dic hollars out found him, and the hooting a hollering and celebrating begins! Good old Maxy found the cat within about a minute of looking.
When I first put my hands on the big boy I was a little surprised to find that he still had a lot of body heat and he hadn’t rigged up yet. Unbelieveable to think back to the night before and relize we were about 20 yards from him and he was still alive. I would estimate that he had only been dead 1 to 2 hours prior to use finding him. He had laid there all night pulled the arrow out bit it in half and finally died a slow death. My respect goes to ONE TOUGH ELK KILLING CAT. Estimated weight around 130lbs.
On this trip I was also fortunate enough to harvest my bull elk after a very exciting rut crazed hunt. We were working a big bull, when this 5x3 Raghorn had enough and came charging in to take us the “cows” away. With Dics expert calling it was enough to bring this guy in to about 12 yards and I put the arrow were it needed to be. One big crash, a 40 yard blood trail, a round of high fives and the work began. We had a 1.5 mile pack out, and my full respect goes to my Elk hunting partner Richard Teply. Dic is 71years old and was by my side every step of the way packing meat. He is as hardcore of an Elk hunter as they come!
On a side note: We found a dead calf elk within about 10 yards of were the cat crossed an old grade during his dieing flee. We also found a pile of old bones in his bedding area, it looked like he had been killing elk in that immediate area for the last year or two. Last year in this same area I had an encounter with a low profile animal tearing off threw the brush. I was only able to catch a glimpse of movement and was unable to identify the critter, but Ive got a sneaking hunch it was this old boy!!!
Once I fill my late season blacktail tag I will put my 4 state hunting quest photo/story essay together for you guys. Its been a dam good season but a long one for my wife and kids........
