Its just a muzzle cow- BUT I AM TAGGED OUT!

[DeerThug]

2011 off to a great start 3 tags out of 3 tags cut.  Filled my elk tag on the first day.  Thought I was screwed as I was on my home from Pullman in a work truck on Friday.  Got to just this side of Othello when the serpentine belt went.  Cost me two hours waiting for the tow truck.  Finally made it to camp at 9:30.

Was hunting by myself as Matthew was off trying to fill his deer tag.  Headed to my stand and got there right at first light.  Was clearing the twigs away and looked up and a spike was walking by.  Took off after him but could not get a clear shot.  Almost back when a cow came in and stopt.  Had a tree to take a rest on aimed and fired.  She ran off.  Went and checked for blood.  Missed.  Not even 8 yet.  Had 11 more elk come by no shot opportunities. 

Kept replaying the shot over .   No way I missed.  Decided to go look more.  Made a big circle.  Nothing.  this bugged me I knew I had hit her.  Did this twice - nothing.  Finally I decided that i had to have hit that elk.  I went back to where she was standing when I shot.  I decided that I would zig zag a 50 yard patern across where I thought she went.  Nothing. By now I was a ways from where I like to be.  Thought I would make another pass on my way back and then BLOOD on a fir tree.  Looked and found another smear.  Started tracking and each spot was bigger and bleeding good. Then I looked down the hill and there she was.  It was 12:42 when I found her.  She went a long ways before leaving any blood and she went up.   Never seen a hit elk go up hill.  Got her quartered and packed out and in the truck right at dark.  Thanks to the camp that let me use the game cart.

So don't give up when you take a shot - keep looking. 
Left at 4 then next morning to get to Matthews camp and deer hunted with him on Sunday.  That is another adventure. 

The pics are just from my cell phone not the greatest, but they speak for the event!
2011 to be continued....

[Machias]

    Congrats!!!!!

[Buckmark]

Wow after your year so far you must be out shopping for another freezer..

[DeerThug]

My brother and sister and mom and dad are going to take some of this meat.  I will keep a few steaks and 1 batch of jerkey meat.

Been eating the goat - excellent grub!

[Elkrunner]

Looks like you did good! 

[bucksnort]

Way to stick with it.  Too many people don't look long enough or hard enough.  Way to trust your gut on the shot!

[Wea300mag]

Great year you are having DeerThug 

[SniperDanWA]

Nice
Some guys have all the fun!
Congratulations

[runningboard]

great job following that shot up, good eating right there

[Biggerhammer]

A elk is a elk in this state, great job second guessing yourself and staying on her. One of the biggest mulies I have ever shot was like that. I knew I didn't miss, no blood . Looked and looked. Left, then it ate at me. I couldn't have missed went back and looked and looked, found him. The rhought of me not going back makes me sick to think I could have left a buck like that lay. Congrats!

[FC]

Good job sticking with it!

[kckrawler]

"JUST" a muzzle cow?  You say it like you're almost ashamed, you should be proud!

Congrats man, she'll taste way better than tag soup 

[longashes]

I'd be happy! ... Congrats! 

[Huntbear]

Nice cow... she will eat good

and according to most, you can not eat the horns.. kind of bland soup...

[Huntboy]

Congrat's, looks like some good eating.

[stickbuck]

It's not just a cow. It's a freezer full of tasty meat and lots of enjoyable memories.