Took years but finally First Elk

[hoytpug22]

Its took me many of years to get my first animal, and to do it with a bow makes it even more enjoyable! Ive hunted 10 years now, the first 4 were rifle and didnt like it so i switched to archery.. Everyone left sunday night to go back to work, and i was left there wondering where I was heading the next day. I woke up at 5am on the 30th and decided I was going up where Ive been seeing the fresh tracks.. Left the cabin to head down the Highway, and right at day light theres a 5x5 muley with 10 does, bedded down on a hill side.. So of course, I get out and pursue my chase.. They would only let me get within 90 yards, after climbing the last steep hill they broke over the top and didnt see them again.. I figured they were just gonna lead me to the top of this hill, sneak around behind me and push me over the top!  .. I then walk my back to the jeep and head to where I was planning on goin.. By this time of the day it was blizzard like condiitons at 12pm as I was pushing a foot of fresh powder on top of the hill. Driving along the top of the hill looking for a great place to hike, I come to a set of 3 fresh elk tracks going up the hill.. I go park the jeep on a lil pull off section, and begin my walk back to the tracks. In a matter of 1 min they were already covered in snow, so by that I figured they were close! I begin my hike, following what was left to see of the tracks.. The snow was excellent, wit not even a sound heard on each step. As I walk through the woods they go through a little thick part of the woods. First thing that goes through my mind is great, heres all the noise im gonna make and bam they'll be gone.. So right before the clump of thick trees I look through a little window through the branches and there they were! 3 cows just diggin up snow to eat.. I bring up my range finder and they were 60 yards.. Then It was time to strategize.. I get down and bear crawl through the brush.. Once I got through the brush, It was a 55 yard shot with only a slight window. Right when I kneel up to pull back the 2 cows start to spook and I thought I blew my chance!  .. The 3rd cow which was a older calf, starts to run but then I let a little cow call and stops her in her tracks right in my shooting window.. I then pull back, put my pin on her, and let it go.. Solid shot, dropped her right in her tracks!  .. Too put in perspective, I looked like Rocky when he climbed the stairs in Rocky the movies! just add my bow in hand lol.. Dry spell over!

[wildmanoutdoors]

Can you say TENDER VITALS! Congrats! Many close calls and I'm still trying or my first!

[wayner]

congrats thats good eatin

[carver52]

Congratulations hoytpug.
You'll remember that hunt forever.  Way to go.

[GoldTip]

Congratulations on your first elk, thats awesome, and will be oh so good eatin.

[stalkbyfaith]

 That, awesome! Nothing like the first one to let you know you hunt for a reason and not just taking hikes . My first dressed out at 133 lbs, shot in knee deep snow above Milk Pond.

[Lightning_Rider]

good job, congrats!!!

[NWBREW]

   yummy

[D-Rock425]

Nice job man

[Little Fish]

Good job. Congratulations.

[elkslare]

great job on killing your first elk. you will always remember it. Especially with a bow.

[ser300wsm]

Way to stick with it, congrats to you..  

[Machias]

Awesome, congrats!!

[salmonslayer1]

 

[Boss .300 winmag]

wrap them loins on bacon, yum yum.