I have been hunting elk on weekends for at least 6yrs due to having limited vacation. Last year, I was able to put in a solid week in the Crowded Winston Unit. No success last year from our camp, but we did learn tons and had a good plan in place for opening morning. We saw elk in this particular timber thicket a few times and knew that if we went in, the road hunters would keep them there. Opening morning 2010 arrived and we all set out to our designated places we discovered last year. I started the morning glassing the timber line at first light just waiting for it to get a little bit lighter to venture into the timber. I slowly worked my way across the large clear cut and slipped into the dark mossy timber.
I slowly worked my way deeper and deeper until I could not see the edge of the cut. I began working my way across the timber parallel between the creek below and the clear cut. My nerves were on edge the entire time, listening for the slightest crack of a stick or swish of the ferns. As I crossed a small stream, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. Elk! Just one butt disappears into the timber. I sat there for 10minutes glassing that spot listening to hear and see nothing at all. As I continue on in that direction, at about 9:30 I heard a crack! My heart pumped with excitement just to turn around and see one of my buddies. Doh! We chatted for a minute then went our separate directions through the timber trying to close the distance on the elk butt I saw disappear. At about 10:00 I cross another small stream and spot some super fresh tracks in the mud. I thought, ahh this looks good… then crack! I look up to see an elk slowly moving through the timber to my left. I can visibly see antlers that are fairly tall! I swing up my rifle count 1, 2, 3 points and squeeze the trigger. The bull just merely flinches and moved forward about 15yds, stops and looks at me. I re-chamber another round and squeeze another one off and the bull hits the ground! Then I start shaking like mad and realize I just downed the first elk of my Life.
I reached a buddy on the radio to call Elk Down! He worked his way back to his truck and headed my way. The other buddy that I had just saw 30min before took over an hour to find me since the forest is so thick. Once he got there we got some pictures and gutted it out.
We looked at the GPS and realized we were only a few hundred yards into the timber and might be able to drag it out hole. 4 hrs later, we were to the rd and were able to get the truck down to it. My buddy and his son that helped with the drag.
<
All Loaded up!
Saturday evening my best friend showed up to camp. He was just an awe as well as neither one of us had shot an elk.
I spent Sunday afternoon running to town to get more tarps and game bags to get it all covered up good for the rest of our stay. It was dark by the time we got my elk all covered up and in “storage” mode. About an hour after dark the guys that went out for the evening hunt had not come back yet. We started to get worried thinking they were stuck or broke down. Boy we were wrong! My best friend bagged a nice 4pt as well. They were about ˝ mile north in the next thick timber stand they found. No field shots, but a few of our two bulls posing.
Crazy Happy Camp right here!
It was a elk camp we will all never forget! I got them all hung in the garage now with some new chain hoists and are having a big butcher party beginning tomorrow.
Thanks for all the info on this website as well. I have been reading all summer long and last year on what is successful for elk. The deep dark timber is where they are at that’s for sure!
