Umtanum muzzy cow tag notched opening day ..... with a spike

[CedarPants]

Opening morning found myself and JColony hiking to the top of a steep hillside to glass the valley below.  Just as we get to the top at sunup, we hear a bull chuckling down in the thick timber on the opposite side of the canyon we had just hiked up (go figure).  We quickly spotted cows a couple hundred yards above him in a clearcut and they were feeding their way down the steep slope towards the bull in the bottom (we couldn't put glass on him).  JColony had the Observatory bull permit in his pocket, and I had a cow tag in mine .... so we quickly put together a gameplan and started heading their direction.  A couple hours later and we were in their bedroom, but they weren't there at the moment.  Fresh sign everywhere - droppings, rubs, wallow, track, and the lovely scent of elk in the morning had us convinced the area was where we'd be come that evening.  We backed out and headed to camp for lunch and to make plans for the evening hunt.

We came in above the clearcut that afternoon and made a big loop around and down into the bottom to put the wind in our face.  There was a heavily used gametrail that we followed down and we could see that it led straight across and up the clearcut to the treeline on the far side.  Our plan was to sit along that trail in the bottom hoping to catch something coming up to feed for the evening.  We hadn't even got to the bottom yet when I spotted a spike trotting along the top far side of the clearcut along the treeline, then he quickly disappeared into the trees. 

We quickly made our way to the bottom and got comfortable, expecting to sit until dark (this was around 5:45pm).  Ranged the far treeline at the top - 165 yards.  Thin line of trees out in front of us - 100 yards.  Thin line of trees directly below us - 37 yards.  Not 10 minutes passed when JColony whispers "he came back".  Sure enough, the spike is coming out of the far treeline along the trail.  My gun at the ready, JColony whispers "let me know when you want me to stop him, I'll whistle".  I was figuring on the small trees at 100 yards, but when he got there he was still moving.  I whisper "I think he's going to keep coming to us" ....... and he did.  He reached the smalls trees 37 yards below us, saw us, put on the brakes .... and the second he did I pulled the trigger.  Directly in front of me all I could see was smoke, and directly to my left all I could see was JColony fist pumping with excitement.  One shot to the spine had anchored him where he stood, and I had my first elk down.

A huge thanks to JColony for helping me on this hunt as well as the pack out after.  It was nearly midnight before everything was said and done, and he took the time to do all of this even though he had a big bull tag.  A big bull tag that I'm happy to say he filled not 2 days later!!!  Read his post (Tagged Out!! Observatory bull down!) for the story of that hunt.

Also - benhuntin ...... a HUGE thanks for helping put together JColony's hunt, which honestly was one of the most intense hunts I have ever been on.  From driving 40 miles out of your way at 11pm to find us, to getting us there, getting the bulls fired up, and heck .... even feeding us afterwards ...... I will never forget it for the rest of my life.  Can't thank you enough buddy.

[pianoman9701]

CP, you stud. Nice elk and a good story.

[JColony]

Like you said in my post, experience of a life time!!!  Was glad to help, but was even more glad for your help

[brianmtsinc]

Awesome!!  I love Elk hunting!!! 
Thanks for sharing!
Brian

[zackmioli]

congrats! great story.

[SniperDanWA]

Great story, nice bull, good friends--beauty of a hunt.  Awesome.

[rebal69972]

  doesnt get any better

[mtndew]

Great write up, well written! Congratulations on your elk. Lots of bulls getting taken by archers and front stuffers. You guys can stop now. Leave a few big bulls for me to hunt 2 weeks from now in Observatory! 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Nice bull CP.. Thats cool you guys helped each other out ...I have read both stories and congrads to all of you  thats cool !!

[benhuntin]

Way to waste a good cow tag

[Elkrunner]

Nice looking spike.

[CedarPants]

Way to waste a good cow tag

   Actually, I made a great soup out of it.  I minced my Alaska moose tag from last month and sprinkled it in to add some kick.  It was delicious, but that metal locking tag they require in Alaska is a bit rough on the gums.

[seth30]

Good job on your muzzy elk!

[400out]

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rainier10]

Way to go, in velvet too, nice.