so close yet so far

[heartshot]

Dad and I split up and were out walking some overgrown logging roads that led down toward a creek bottom. I was following some fresh elk tracks along the creek. Lost the trail several times but was able to pick it back up by carefully researching the terrain. Well after an hour or so I heard a truck, so i figured i must be coming close to a road. Two seconds later I hear some rustling in the brush. I quickly made my way to the edge of a small opening and knelt down in anticipation of an animal. I figured if I crouched down and didn't move I wouldn't be  noticed and I could let an arrow fly. Well sure enough I could just make out a couple of cows through some vine maples heading my way. At this point my heart is just about beating out of my chest. The first cow pops her head out into the opening less than 10 yards away and quickly glances at me. In a heartbeat she makes a 180 and they both head back into the brush. I waited a minute and blew my cow call. I could hear them rustling again so I looped back and thought I'd try to head them off. Of course they headed in the opposite direction I thought they would and light was dwindling. Picked up their trail again but it was too late to follow. Radioed my dad to let him know they were heading back his way. He heard some movement go by but never saw them.

[Arteman]

Isn't it frustrating that you can never fully predict where they are going to head them off?  In a small spot I know that always has elk in it we always push the elk out the same way, and the one time you set up a shooter on their exit point they go out a different way, even with the wind correct.  Such is hunting though.  Good luck next time.