my first Elk ever

[vaz,,66]

First of all I like to say thanks to Good Lord and  all of you guys. This forum is the best with great people who are willing to help with their knowledge and experience. Thank you guys I learned a lot from you.

Here is the story: I started hunting with a rifle about 8 years ago with no experience at all and no one to help me, none of my friends or relatives hunted on that time, I had a hard time but how the saying goes "what does not kill you makes you stronger". After 2 years with out any success, (I haven't even see any bulls, accept cows and a pumpkin field of hunters) I decided to switch to an archery that was one of smartest decisions I've made, was hard, had to learn a whole new curve about equipment, how to call and on and on, but from that time everything had changed. Every year I start getting an opportunity to take a shot but all ways something was wrong you know wind change direction or at a very last moment someone put that crunchy twig under your foot or something else but still that was a real game and I was happy even with that to be there to see them to hunt.
Finally this year everything worked out perfect. My brother in law and I, we've got to our hunting area on opening day around noon we hunted the rest of the day without seeing or hearing anything accept other fellow hunters. For the next day our plan was to check another area with a big clear cut surround it with a very dense timber . We woke up at 3;30 am drank a cup of hot chocolate and we were ready to leave at 4;30am. We were first at the gate no one else was there yet I thought this is good, slowly we start moving toward our spot. When we've got there I started to do some calling, but there was not answer. So we decided to start moving. We followed a logging road that was going around the clear cut to the top . We slowly got to the top of the clear cut, checked one side. Nothing. Then we decided to go and check the other side. When I got there, I heard a rattling noise but saw nothing. I grabbed my binos and to my great surprise I saw two bulls at the very bottom of the clear cut. They were just fooling around, paying.They were about 250 yards away. At first, almost instantaneously, I checked the wind. The wind was utterly perfect. It was blowing in our face. From my previous experience, I knew they wouldn't hang out here for a long time. They would be soon moving through the clear cut and disappear in the timber. But there was no chance to get close for a shot, because I was surrounded by dry branches and leaves. If I moved even a little, I would lose my chance. I started thinking "What should I do?" "What is my next step?" whilst contemplating my reactions three more bulls came out of the timber. I decided to observe there movements closely to see which directions they would be going through the clear cut. Based off of the information I would receive I would set up an ambush. I then saw they were moving in my direction but in a lower elevations, almost a hundred yards lower than I was. Just to make sure I let the first bull ( that was a spike) make it's way up to the timber.
 Now I knew where I should be exactly to wait for them. I started to carefully make my way before they could make it to that spot. When I got there this bull appeared from the small valley somewhere about forty yards away but without giving me any clear shot, I held off my shot. I knew which direction he was going to go and when he would appear the next time. I was ready for the shot. He got out of valley again at the same spot I predicted he would, but instead of continuing going that directions he turned slightly to the left and started to walk right towards me. This was unexpected, dumbfounded, I did not know what to do. I realized that I would have to do something or he would run me over. I waited for him to turn his head, and when he did. I drew my bow.
He stopped fifteen yards from me. He started to turn around. You could imagine my excitement at this point, my body was pumping with adrenaline! I decided this was the best time to take the shot, and I let my arrow go. He jumped, ran, and disappeared into that ditch. When he appeared on the other side of the valley, about sixty yards, I was in complete shock. Because the arrow was sticking out of the elk and it was definitely too far to the front part of the chest. At this point I was praying, begging Good Lord to let me finish the job because I was terrified that that shot was not fatal, and I knew I had to do something. And it was not about getting the elk or not, it was to dispatch the wounded animal. I had to make sure he would not suffer. I was waiting for him to give me an opportunity to give me a broad side shot. But he wouldn't. I was waiting for about 5-10 min until finally he started to turn around and present his side to me. I drew my bow for the second time and praying once again for The Lord to guide my arrow. I released my arrow into his direction. After the shot he made at most 5 steps until he collapsed dead. I was extremely happy! Relief come over me like a cool wind on a dry day. I thanked The Lord for helping me. When we started to gut him we saw that my second arrow struck true. Right in his heart.

 And that's my story of my first ever Elk. I hope you enjoyed it

[SniperDanWA]

Vaz,,66
Awesome story, inspiring.  Congratulations brother on a great hunt.

[Hawk I]

Great job.

[CAMPMEAT]

Wonderful job.

[hoytem]

Congrats on the first!

[vaz,,66]

granddaughter?  You hardly look old enough to have a daughter....

That's fanny my wife hates me for that, we've been marred for 25 years and i still the same this is what she is saying.
One time we've been at a store and she decided to get some red wine for cooking, I grabbed a bottle, at the register salesperson said to her that she will not sale her a wine. My wife was so surprised and she asked her why? This is what that answer to her:" I can't do that because your son with you and how would I know that you are not buying it for him?" My wife was:" What are you talking about what son?" The lady pointed at me  . I was laughing I almost died but my wife was very mad, by the way our oldest son he is 24 years old and this is his daughter beautiful girl.
One more time I like to Thank you guys for all congrats and making this community, it is a privilege to be a part of it

[BOWHUNTER45]

Right on .... Love to see someone new whackin elk ... nice bull 

[Bigluke1981]

Congrats on your first Bull, He is a dandy!!!

[bucklucky]

Well done!!!

[Ranger91298]

Great story...congrats on your bull!!!

[archerE]

Congrats!

[blacktail luv]

First elk are special.  Enjoy the moment and bask in the glory. 

[buglebuster]

Congrats on an amazing first elk!

[Timberstalker]

Great story and great trophy.  You will never forget this.  Ever.

[losdaddy7]

Congrats!  Great story......