Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: WapitiTalk1 on May 06, 2014, 08:57:25 AM
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Very early September, 0830, you've decided to take your bow for a walk and try to still hunt through an area you know very well; branched bull only tag. The bulls have been quiet as heck so you figured you'd just pick your way very, very slowly, through an area you know has held elk in the past. As you come through some sparse timber, you hear what sounds like a possible bull rubbing on a tree. As you get closer, you see this horse rubbing this large tree with his forehead and antlers. Thermals are still flowing nicely from your 1 o'clock to 7 o'clock. He's 70 yards away. Cover is what you see, sparse pine and underbrush. What's your game plan to try and bring this guy home for dinner?
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He'll probably stay for at least a few minutes. Take advantage of the fact that his concentration is on rubbing those antlers to move up slowly and cautiously from tree to tree while he is looking down until I am at least within 50 yards (40 yards if possible) and he presents a good broadside shot. I wouldn't come straight in, probably circle around a bit to my left since that may be the only way to get the broadside shot I'm looking for.
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Probably just stand there and pee myself!! I've never seen an elk that big in the woods!
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70? 10 years ago I wouldn't have said this but, my guess is most guys would simply wait for him to turn broadside. Most seem to have 70 and 80 yard pins these days.
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He is distracted with that tree and it is making a ton of noise. I walk straight at him for 20 yards and come to full draw as I move inside of 50 yards. At some point he is going to see me and hopefully turn to his left giving me a shot. Hopefully I make it to 40 yards before he is aware of me. Being at full draw as soon as the opportunity presents itself I hit the release and let it fly. I don't like my odds here but it is the only game going.
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Take the boots off, cover myself with bull piss and crawl into range.
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I would swing around to the left trying to keep as many trees between me and him as possible. I would rather swing right cause there seems to be little more cover. He is obviously content and even if he moves a little bit he isnt leaving the area unless he gets spooked. When i got into position to have a good broadside shot i would slowly try to move up still using trees. When i got to a position i felt comfortable i would come to full draw, let an arrow fly and hopefully put one right in the pump house. Then im heading for the truck to get the packboard.
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I would try to get as directly in front of him as possible while keeping trees (including the one he's rubbing) between his eyes and me. Then I'd ninja as close as possible while he is distracted by the rubbing. When he stopped rubbing, I'd freeze. When he turned, I'd like to be shooting.
An elk's (and other deer) eyeball is shaped such that when his head is down, he actually sees farther; the focal point/lens alignment changes. That is believed to be an evolutionary benefit for spotting predators while their head is down eating. I've mostly seen whitetails, that are nervous because they think they have seen a predator, lower their head, feign eating, and when I move, they jerk their head up because they were watching me with that increased visual clarity. Their vision is also best to the side, so a direct frontal approach is at the periphery of each eye. They'll still see movement, just not as clear.
Does it matter that I would have just pee'd myself from the excitement of shooting that pig?
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Favor his odds because he's been more successful living than I've been hunting.
Circling to the left as he rubs. Point of concealment to point of concealment. If his itch is greater than mine I can close the gap and get the angle on him. He could be my perfect stupid elk!
