We need new stories to make it till sept.1. Heres mine.

[DeKuma]

We are hunters, how can it be to graphic?  I think that is a beautiful sight.

[Crunchy]

So do I, but some people might not agree.

[MIKEXRAY]

Great story and picture crunchy, way to close the deal on opening day. Pictures fine with me, it is a hunting forum. Good luck this year and thanks for the story.

[Crunchy]

Alrighty then.  Last shot of what I found.  Wound is entrace.  Didnt get one of the exit.  100 grain Muzzy, although I have some 100 grain Stikers that I may shoot this year.

[DeKuma]

Doesn't get much more perfect than that!  Nicely done.

[chukar-ridge-quest]

So, day before opening elk 06, I had to work late. Opening morning I had my tree stand and my hunting pack on my frame pack. Nice little pack into my spot. Just getting ready to set up and I hear elk.  Take my frame pack off and get "stealthy". Turns out it was a timber tiger dropping pine cones on a hollow log. So now I'm pissed. Start to make a slow turn back towards my gear and I see ears and horn. A buck about 150 out, and he's watching me. Now I'm really pissed. Back tracked a ways and put the stalk on, futile effort, as the buck was watching every move I made. Got within about 80 and he blows out of his bed. I froze and let him go. He ran 200 out and stopped, as mulies will do. I'm down wind so I just watched him walk out of site over the ridge. Gave him ten min. or so and headed to "cut" him off.  And cut him off I did, came around a slash pile and he was standing 20 yrds. broadside.  So I draw, but still don't know if he's legal. Watched him for 30-45 secs, and he finally twitched an ear. I saw a third point. Needless to say the Mathews + 125grn steelforce did the job. And that's how I screwed up elk hunting that day.

[MIKEXRAY]

Beautiful Buck chukar, way to cut him off. Great posts guys & just what I was looking for. Its like getting a new bowhunting magazine in the mail ( which makes my day) without the ads and bs. Keep them coming, the stories and pics get me thinking about strategies & scenarios instead of just counting days down miserably. Mike

[DeKuma]

I agree, they are great.

[MIKEXRAY]

My Misses;   My first year I was walking up to my hunting area following a stream, and came around a tree to find 5 cow elk standing by the creek. (25 yards ) I stepped back behind the tree & had to look again to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. They were still there, I drew my bow, aimed at the closest one that was quartering towards me and because something was slightly blocking the back half of the elk I aimed slightly forward. The arrow smacked the tree just in front of the elks chest. I thought a stump was partially blocking but it was another elk quartering away ( perfect shot ). They blew out of there. The next year I had an cow elk at 40 yards, I drew, shot & watched the arrow fly exactly where I aimed. I actually watched my arrow hit the elks chest and bounce off. I must of hit a rib dead center. My buddy was off to the side in the woods and the impact was so loud that he yelled out that I hit a tree. Blood only on first 1/4 inch of thunder 100 gr. The next year I had a bull tag, we called in five bulls and I was in such awe that I never shot. I always thought they would come closer. Never did. Last year was my buck (first story this topic). This year WILL be my first archery elk, my bow is tuned, have my honey hole, and will be all practiced up. Almost a guarantee. ( yeah right ). Will be sweet to post that story Sept 9, hey I'm optimistic.

[bankwalker]

the buck that shouldnt have got away. 

i was on my way out from a long long days hunt and was dog tired. i was rounding a bend in the road along side a draw i really like to hunt/glass during the mid day hours. when i just happened to notice movement (i needed glasses at the time and really had no buisness hunting archery sence i couldnt see crap past 70yds) i pulled the truck over and grabbed the bino's and seen that there was 3 does and a fawn coming down from the tree line. i sat and glassed for about 10 minutes hoping a buck would pop out but nothing. right as i put the truck into drive i noticed more movement below the does, i couldnt make out what it was (needing glasses lol) so i grabbed the bino's again and seen antlers coming up over the sage brush. i put the truck in park and get geared up for the stalk. there was enough cover for me to get within my 20yd range limit so i made out my game plan. there is a little bench in this draw that the deer had bedded down in and i knew that was my only chance. and the sage brush below the deer would work in my favor.

there deer were about 400yds away and i could see them still bedded down as i started down the draw. i made it about halfway up the far side of the draw when i heard a branch break. CRAP they busted...i looked up just intime to see 2 does rum into the tree line. hmm but where is that buck that 3rd doe and fawn. i figured sence i was already over half way that i might as well finish my task at hand. as i was closing the distance i heard a car door. i looked back to see a buddie (game warden) sitting at his truck with his bino's waving at me and pointing up the hill above me. so i knew that buck had to still be there. during the last 100yds i continued to look back at him and see what he was motioning to.

after about a hour and crawling and ducking behind bushes i made it to within 50yds and i could see the ear of either the fawn or doe. i took my boots off and as i closed in that last 35yds and got an arrow nocked up and quietly as possible i noticed the doe standing broadside about 15yds from me and the fawn running up the hill. now the area i was hunting was open for antlerless (unit 336) but there was no way i could shoot a doe when there was a big buck just yards from me. the doe started walking up the hill away from me so i grabbed me elk call and hit it once and she stopped. the buck stood up and instantly locked his eyes on me.

the waiting game was on and i figure sure enough he would bust out of there. after waht seemed like a million minutes he finaly decided i wasnt a threat and started walking up the hill not even paying attention to me. so i grabbed my call stuck it in my mouth and got my bow to full draw. he was about 30yds from me and i hit my call. the buck stopped and turned broadside...30yds from me and right as i was about to release my arrow he started to walk again...RIGHT AT ME! i was shocked...i was standin there in plain sight at full draw. i was stuck, i didnt know what to do other then wait for him to make a move in my favor. i tell you standing at full draw in the hot september heat in full camo and dog tired wanting to sleep...sure isnt an easy task. lol

he walked down the draw towards me a few yards and turned broadside. now ive been at full draw for about 4 minutes(i can hold full draw for 30 minutes now problem, i train myself for that) but i just couldnt hold it any longer and i was glad to see this deer turn broadside. i set my 20yd pin right in the boiler room and let her fly. PERFECT SHOT!!! YES!!!

i flat out fell to the grouned being so exhausted. it took me a while to catch my break and get it togather. this was the biggest buck i had ever shot at until last year when i missed a 5x5 with my 44mag...thats a different story lol.

i got my cell phone out and called my dad and had him relay a message to my buddie sitting back at the truck to grab my other walkie. after a couple minutes i got a buzz from my buddie telling me i shot right over that deer. i didnt believe him for nothing. there was no way i could have missed that shot. i can make that shot in my sleep while having a nightmare.

so i made that 20yd walk to where the deer was when i shot. i found my arrow 10 yds behind said spot without a trace of blood. i couldnt believe it.