Another Winston Elk, My First

[bwhntr2819]

Been waiting a long time to say "Elk Down".  I've been bowhunting elk for 11 years, some more seriously than others.  Especially the last five.  That's when I convinced two buddies from work to start bowhunting with me.  Third year they hunted they both got an elk, and last year one of them did.  I've had a few shots and a few more near opportunities, but had never sealed the deal before Monday. 

We were on the fifth day of a five day late season trip in the Winston with less than an hour of light left.  We had all gone our separate ways but in the same general area well beyond a gate.  I'd seen elk in this clearcut many times over the last four years and have gotten a couple shots.  It was getting late and I was taking stock of the trip.  The weather had been great and I had been in the elk most days.  I was content with the season.  That's when nine elk (eight cows and a funny looking 4x2) came up the draw I was on.  They appeared from the reprod about 90 yards below me.  I was able to move into a position where they would pass me at about 50 yards.  The lead cow stopped and started feeding, as did the rest of the herd.  I knocked an arrow and ranged her at 53 yards, broadside.  Couple deep breaths, fight back the nerves that have screwed me on every other occasion, and let 'er rip.  I watched the arrow hit just a bit farther back than I would have liked, but I knew it was a good hit.  The whole herd started moved off about 20 yards but they resumed feeding with a couple cow calls.  I watched my cow move out of the draw with another cow, and then she bedded down out of sight.  The rest of the herd figured something wasn't right and they bolted.  But only eight of them bolted.  After 30 minutes I slowly moved below where I thought she was and found her bedded.  Another shot from 20 yards and I had my first elk. 

I called my buddies on the radio and started barking orders.  Someone needed to go back to the truck for the packs (no short trip) and someone needed to come give me a hand.  I started boning her out at about 4:45.  We had her loaded onto two pack frames and a daypack by 8:30.  Then we started our descent down the hill by headlamp light.  This is an ankle twister during the day without an 80lb pack and pitch black conditions.  I was never so happy to see my bike.  We coasted down the rest of the way and were back to the truck at 9:30.  The next day we packed up and headed home with my last minute elk.  We dropped off 193lbs of boneless meat at the butcher.

[bucklucky]

Congrats!

[Lightning_Rider]

congrats 

[Dan Olson]

Great story and congratulations. Brett said he thought he was going to die packing her out. Felt like his tibia was about to crack.

Well done,

Dan

[krout81]

Nice   

[Huntbear]

Great job!  Those steaks will taste good this winter.

[poohdog]

Congrats on your first elk.

[zackmioli]

congrats!

[carver52]

Awesome.  Adds new emphasis to the expresion, "it ain"t over 'till the fat lady sings"..   Way to go.

[ser300wsm]

Great job, thanks for sharing... 

[h2ofowlr]

Great job.  Should be some good eats for the table.

[MLBowhunting]

Great job bet you cant wait for next season already 

[bwhntr2819]

Next season does seem far away. I've always seen elk there. In fact my buddy shot one at the top of the hill 2 years ago and I've shot at two others in the same clear cut. I know where I'll be next season!

[MichaelD]

Way to go man!  ELK DOWN!!  

[Little Fish]

Nice job. Congrats on your first elk. My situation is similar to yours except I've only been elkless 5 years