Post by: Goose Pit on October 03, 2012, 02:59:29 PM
After an uneventful opening morning we weren't too sure what Tuesday would be like. We started in the same area as the first day but a little wind and some cloud cover was enough of a change that had the elk talking all morning. Our first set up didn't do much other than to push a bull out of the basin along with his cows but that set the stage for the remaining bulls to look for some love.
We had heard this same bull since Saturday night right from our camp. He couldn't do much more than growl so the name stuck. After the first bull left, Growler began to talk fairly close to us. So we planned the set up based on the wind and had Luke and Stan hang behind us about 100 yards. Lane and I set up watching a small basin below us where we hoped he'd walk out of. It wasn't more than five minutes and I could see antler tips moving through the brush and trees less than 100 yards out. He ripped off a bugle that made me hair stand on end from that distance. Lane, about 5 feet away, finally caught a glimpse of him and raised the gun. I whispered, "not yet" and he began to follow the bull with the barrel of the gun. The cow calling behind us intensified a little and pulled him closer, behind some trees and heading to our left which would give us away based on the wind. He was inside of 50 yards but still no shot as he screamed again at the "cows" making the noise. When he stepped out again, I knew it was going to be good. Maybe 30 yards but still had one tree blocking his chest. He roared one last time, took two steps and Lane pulled the trigger.
I watched as the bull lunged forward, took a few steps and looked at us. He then turned and moved off through the trees in a slow, lumbering trot. I hadn't seen any blood on him and was worried but the way he reacted made me think he'd been hit. A few seconds after he went out of view, I heard a distant crash and then nothing.
We all came together and talked about the shot, the scenario and how fast it all happened. Lane felt good about the shot and didn't get the shakes until after. We calmed ourselves and waited that agonizing 30 minutes to give him some time and then started working the trail. After 75 yards without a drop of blood, we began to have some doubts. I was up on a log glassing the forest floor for any sign when Lane said, "hey, what's that over there?". Looking across a small basin about 100 yards I see a light colored stump that I had already looked at 10 times, then I glance above it and see the bull, piled up against a tree and I let out a holler! He hadn't bled a drop until the last 25 yards before he tipped over. It was just lucky we were in a spot with good visibility.
I was so happy for my boy and couldn't thank my buddies enough. For Lane to stay steady and calm with the Growler right in front of him and to make a great shot for a clean kill, the kid shows the nerves of a seasoned elk hunter with this being his first elk killed.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2Fgrowler12.jpg&hash=1f1c4dbc6266429823f9d816e2432679a091134d)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2Fgrowler13.jpg&hash=810c1180c90b9416ad3009f0476c7d1693e8d01d)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2Fgrowler8.jpg&hash=865b96423197e6d16209d379a656d9d5008948b5)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2Fgrowler2.jpg&hash=b08fe8ae5f01e6c02ce42640a55a72767946863e)
Post by: bucklucky on October 03, 2012, 03:00:53 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on October 03, 2012, 03:06:48 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 03, 2012, 03:08:05 PM
Post by: Greenhorn on October 03, 2012, 03:08:52 PM
Post by: ellensburgpo on October 03, 2012, 03:23:59 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on October 03, 2012, 03:30:59 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on October 03, 2012, 03:37:18 PM
Post by: huntnphool on October 03, 2012, 03:50:41 PM
Post by: Heavily Armed Hiker on October 03, 2012, 03:50:51 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on October 03, 2012, 04:00:45 PM
Post by: 270Shooter on October 03, 2012, 04:09:06 PM
Post by: chad s. on October 03, 2012, 04:47:23 PM
Post by: Austrian Hunter on October 03, 2012, 04:51:33 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on October 03, 2012, 04:53:03 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on October 03, 2012, 05:27:54 PM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on October 03, 2012, 05:40:33 PM
Post by: oldleclercrd on October 03, 2012, 05:43:38 PM
Post by: fishunt247 on October 03, 2012, 05:49:50 PM
Post by: Smith_22 on October 03, 2012, 05:53:37 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 03, 2012, 06:13:48 PM
Post by: wackum on October 03, 2012, 06:53:42 PM
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on October 03, 2012, 07:05:02 PM
Post by: actionshooter on October 03, 2012, 07:07:18 PM
Post by: SkookumHntr on October 03, 2012, 07:23:38 PM
Post by: yelp on October 03, 2012, 08:26:29 PM
Post by: Limhangerslayer on October 03, 2012, 08:28:55 PM
Post by: SniperDanWA on October 03, 2012, 08:54:50 PM
Post by: Goose Pit on October 03, 2012, 09:45:30 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2FFacebook%2FUntitled%2520Album%2F384246_3811146878224_256577255_n.jpg&hash=7bb93c393201a0e0ffbe66587905f7736b6a3fb3)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2FFacebook%2FUntitled%2520Album%2F247382_3811144078154_140347276_n.jpg&hash=e675764c1f511fcd6fc1ea9c7d628f187afc1c1b)
and a pic of some of the glory on the cutting board!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm440%2Fjberry870%2F2012-10-03195132.jpg&hash=b9a6a2876d35bfb28a89c861d42bf509d2593963)
Post by: buck man on October 03, 2012, 10:10:44 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 03, 2012, 10:14:59 PM
Post by: Elk whack master on October 03, 2012, 11:06:33 PM
Post by: RadSav on October 04, 2012, 01:42:54 AM
Post by: 400out on October 04, 2012, 05:48:33 AM
Post by: igotbigbulls on October 04, 2012, 05:53:33 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 04, 2012, 06:40:10 AM
Post by: Sawbuck on October 04, 2012, 06:45:39 AM
Post by: runamuk on October 04, 2012, 06:57:35 AM
Post by: Goose Pit on October 04, 2012, 07:18:13 AM
What gun and bullet did yo use to take this beastly elk? :IBCOOL:
Knight Bighorn with Hornady SST 300gr and 90 grains of powder.
Post by: BLUEBULLS on October 04, 2012, 07:24:15 AM
Congrats to all! very cool bull!
Post by: SnakeEyes on October 04, 2012, 09:12:57 AM
Post by: firefighter4607 on October 04, 2012, 09:21:18 AM
Post by: Elkpiss on October 04, 2012, 01:14:30 PM