Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 07:56:55 AM

Title: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 07:56:55 AM: Ok after four miles of chasing at 10,000 feet I just put an arrow into a bull. About six inches behind his heart towards the hind legs at 51 yards. There was no pass through. Going to give him two hours as there may be no blood trail. Sound good or more time? Going to be about 70 today and no rain in sight so far....
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 15, 2014, 08:01:19 AM: :archer:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Russ McDonald on September 15, 2014, 08:06:28 AM: I am just wondering. Is this a permit tag you got or gmu 407 because I thought the regular archery season ended yesterday. Or was this post meant for yesterday?
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 08:08:57 AM: It's Arizona.
Title: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 08:09:34 AM: Congrats Bean!! Sounds good. Looking forward to pictures. Is today day 1?? I think 2 hours is good.

Did you have any pictures of him on the cameras?
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: elkoholic1 on September 15, 2014, 08:11:14 AM: :drool:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Craig on September 15, 2014, 08:14:02 AM: Will be waiting for pictures. Chasing anything at 10,000 feet is tough work. Did it in Utah, lots if rest breaks.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 08:17:18 AM: Russ,

My tag is still good. I appreciate your integrity check.

Jack,
Day 4. Good thing. This hypoxia sucks
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 08:19:53 AM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 08:17:18 AM
Russ,

My tag is still good. I appreciate your integrity check.

Jack,
Day 4. Good thing. This hypoxia sucks

Not getting used to it, huh? I've only had one experience at fairly high altitude like that and I agree. It sucks.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: bobcat on September 15, 2014, 08:20:39 AM: How big? Any blood at the location where you hit him? Sounds like maybe you could have got the liver? If so, he won't last long.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: xXLojackXx on September 15, 2014, 08:24:05 AM: If your shot was only 6" back of a heart shot, you are definitely good to go. Wait an hour or so and go find your bull, he's dead. Don't forget some pics and congrats!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 08:30:53 AM: Quote from: xXLojackXx on September 15, 2014, 08:24:05 AM
If your shot was only 6" back of a heart shot, you are definitely good to go. Wait an hour or so and go find your bull, he's dead. Don't forget some pics and congrats!

:yeah:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: MLBowhunting on September 15, 2014, 08:33:03 AM: He is dead already. :tup:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Alchase on September 15, 2014, 08:39:12 AM: We need a "waiting patiently" emoticon.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Russ McDonald on September 15, 2014, 08:43:29 AM: Quote from: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 08:08:57 AM
It's Arizona.
Thanks didn't know :tup:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Russ McDonald on September 15, 2014, 08:46:22 AM: Quote from: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 08:17:18 AM
Russ,

My tag is still good. I appreciate your integrity check.

Jack,
Day 4. Good thing. This hypoxia sucks
After 5 season here in WA I still don't have the regs down :chuckle:. By the sounds of your shot placement I would have to agree with everyone that bull didn't go far.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bigbuckoholic on September 15, 2014, 09:13:26 AM: Good luck in your search!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: gaddy on September 15, 2014, 10:29:06 AM: hope you find him soon.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: mulehunter on September 15, 2014, 10:32:17 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 11:11:55 AM: 2 hour wait was over 1 hour ago. What's the word!!?!?
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: KFhunter on September 15, 2014, 11:21:07 AM: his hands are too bloody to mess with the phone :chuckle:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 11:25:36 AM: Let's hope so!!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Alchase on September 15, 2014, 12:04:36 PM: Quote from: KFhunter on September 15, 2014, 11:21:07 AM
his hands are too bloody to mess with the phone :chuckle:

He needs to get his priorities right, doesn't he know we are all waiting for info :dunno:

LOL
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: boneaddict on September 15, 2014, 12:10:21 PM: Here is to hoping he is straddled his big bull taking some selfies.

Good luck Bean. Looking forward to your update. 10,000 feet is a real bugger for us lowlanders. Made me puke when I was trying to cut my bull off climbing up that mountain. There is definitely an acute lack of air...
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: bowhunterwa87 on September 15, 2014, 12:15:14 PM: ok time to post pics!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: coachcw on September 15, 2014, 12:29:53 PM: six inches behind the heart and low ! might not be a good ending , lets hope it caught the bottom of the lungs. good luck
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: 1bugman on September 15, 2014, 12:42:03 PM: tag
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on September 15, 2014, 12:50:58 PM: Tag. Keep looking!!!!!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 01:45:07 PM: Ok six hours later and haven't found him. :bash:

How long until the meat spoils? It's probably 50 and cloudy. We got some rain, lightning, and hail. It's clearing now but still cloudy.

We've done 150-200 yard radius pretty good. Weren't back there until 2.5 hours later. Mainly focused on the direction he was goIng, which was slightly uphill. I walked up to the spot of the shot 10 minutes after the arrow let lose. I did not attempt to track at that point. Just looking for blood. Fo t think I spooked him. He was pretty chill after the arrow found it's home. Almost too chill.perhaps I got in between the heart and liver and no vitals? Need to expand?
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: 1bugman on September 15, 2014, 01:55:48 PM: Is there much blood?
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on September 15, 2014, 01:58:14 PM: You could eat him over twelve hours after you shot him. Keep looking even tomorrow keep looking.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: mulehunter on September 15, 2014, 01:59:17 PM: If blood get less, Look for wet white foam dripps from mouth keep following that way. it could be 200 to 600 yds or more if Arrow go thur between Spine and Lung it will be LONG way but Hopefully you find him.

Dont give up. ignore HW Thread and keep looking get it done.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: snowpack on September 15, 2014, 02:03:03 PM: The meat spoilage concerns are from when he died, not necessarily from when he was shot. I know it sounds like a Captain Obvious statement, but if hit in the elk grey area they could be alive for hours afterwards. If no tracking sign, is there water nearby--wallow, stock tank, pond or a big clump of heavy brush?
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: CarbonHunter on September 15, 2014, 02:16:36 PM: I killed a bear last week and it took over 5 hrs to find him due to no blood trail. He was stiff when we found him but the meat is fine. It was about 60-65 degrees where I killed him. Without an exit wound it can take a long time for blood to start pumping out but if the broad head is still in his vitals every step will cut him up more.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Band on September 15, 2014, 02:39:06 PM: You had the same shot placement I had on my big bull, Bean. He could very easily still be alive. If there is water (creek, pond, etc.) anywhere near the area of his escape take a look to see if he is trying to alleviate the pain by laying in it. That's what my bull did and he was still very much alive 6 hours later after the shot, he just couldn't stand up. He was also making a strange noise that I mistook for a bear on each breath that I could hear from 50 yards away (which is how I finally located him) so keep your ears open. Keep looking and good luck!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: coachcw on September 15, 2014, 02:52:43 PM: your right band my buddy shot a bull in that area and I heard him take his last breath 20 hours later . remember theres always blood or tracks. I'd go back and start onto a blood and track trail . it's there you just have to find his trail and stay on it . if he takes you more than a mile you wont find him .
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: ctwiggs1 on September 15, 2014, 03:05:44 PM: I'd just keep looking. Your butcher will tell you if the meat is bad. Don't give up hope - that elk didn't just vanish and it's not like he's going far. Just stay on it.

Curtis
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: raydog on September 15, 2014, 03:48:13 PM: Keep at it. Unless you push him, he shouldn't go to far.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: bearpaw on September 15, 2014, 04:11:44 PM: If you can't find blood try following his tracks, mark each track or blood spot with a small piece of tissue paper, if you don't have paper then poke sticks in the ground, that will help you keep going in the right direction and if you lose his tracks/blood you can go back to the last spot to get lined up again in the right direction. GOOD LUCK, hope you find him. :tup:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: jrebel on September 15, 2014, 04:16:58 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on September 15, 2014, 04:11:44 PM
If you can't find blood try following his tracks, mark each track or blood spot with a small piece of tissue paper, if you don't have paper then poke sticks in the ground, that will help you keep going in the right direction and if you lose his tracks/blood you can go back to the last spot to get lined up again in the right direction. GOOD LUCK, hope you find him. :tup:

:yeah: :yeah:

This is how we found my cow this year....she put less than a teaspoon of blood on the ground. Good Luck Hope you find him. :tup:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: bearpaw on September 15, 2014, 04:19:22 PM: Another thought, maybe you already know this, be sure to watch any bush leaves or needles and tall blades of grass for blood that may have rubbed off the animal when he walked through. :hello:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 04:49:58 PM: Still at it guys. Ran I to a guide from A3 Outfitters and said he'd keep an eye out. Got one partner And two other really kind strangers going in circles. Never any blood even before the rain and hail we got. Exhausted 200+ yard radius and going further. Going to look until sunset and all day tomorrow. Then going home and I'm going to put my bow on ebay and sell it to the lowest bidder :bash:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 04:54:37 PM: Oh yeah. I lied. He's actually a nature bull that had cows. I am going to post a road taken in the same unit on public land (not mine) and mine is pale in comparison. Best guess 330".
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: ctwiggs1 on September 15, 2014, 04:56:29 PM: Just keep at it. Don't sell your now yet. Stop thinking like that
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Buck_Nasty11 on September 15, 2014, 05:11:15 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on September 15, 2014, 12:10:21 PM
Here is to hoping he is straddled his big bull taking some selfies.

Good luck Bean. Looking forward to your update. 10,000 feet is a real bugger for us lowlanders. Made me puke when I was trying to cut my bull off climbing up that mountain. There is definitely an acute lack of air...

thats how im going to be in two weeks hunting at 9700 ft! :o
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 15, 2014, 09:59:43 PM: Ok guys. The four of us spent most of the day looking for the bull and never came up with a drop of blood. Maybe my shot was too low and hit the brisket(?). A few think he's going to live. Anyway they are unanimous that I should continue hunting (other bulls). Meanwhile I'm sitting in front of the fire and considering adding my bow to it.

:sry: :sry: :sry: :sry:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: KFhunter on September 15, 2014, 10:01:48 PM: wish I was there to help you, I'll be putting in for AZ in a year or two.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: pd on September 15, 2014, 10:24:44 PM: It is not my place to state an opinion, so take this for what it is worth.

My money says the bull is still alive (i.e. not dying anytime soon). Therefore, your choices are to either keep hunting (the same bull or a different animal), or burn your tag (that is, consider your hunt over for this season). Personally, I would decided "bull survived" and keep hunting, but that is me. Others have different thoughts, and they might be right.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on September 16, 2014, 04:36:55 AM: Do what you can to put eyes on him today. Then after you've tried all the stops go find a 350 and fill tht tag.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: boneaddict on September 16, 2014, 04:55:30 AM: I absolutely understand Bean. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: RadSav on September 16, 2014, 05:47:27 AM: Six inches behind the heart and low is a tough one. Add the angle back toward the hind leg and it can get dang hard. Even at a level even with the heart at that angle is can be difficult to recover a mature bull with that shot. At that angle it's a tough recovery with a rifle too! Sent you a PM with some information.

Hope that bow stays out of the fire! Whether you try at another bull or keep looking is your deal. I have nothing to say one way or the other about it. But, I do think you can hold your head high knowing you and your friends gave your absolute best at recovering him.

Given time just about everyone who gets regular opportunities will have a shot they wish they could have back. I know in the last 32 years I've had more than one. Important thing is to use it as fuel to learn and become better. Burning the bow won't make the sick feeling go away. But making your next opportunity count will make the nightmares come less often ;)
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Olydog09 on September 16, 2014, 02:48:14 PM: First off if you havent lost an animal you havent been bow hunting very long. It sounds like you should keep hunting the same area. You may come across the bull again if it is alive or keep an eye to the sky for circling birds. By the description of the shot it sounds like it was a fairly hard quartering to shot that would cause an arrow hitting 6 inches back of the heart and low to be very far back. As long as it didnt hit any major blood vessels and it didnt slice his junk off he shoudl be okay. However it may have hit him low in the guts. If that happened look for the nearest water. He could have lived a long time with a wound like that and if found there is an outside chance the meat would still be good.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: bearpaw on September 16, 2014, 02:53:11 PM: BC - You gave it your best but it sounds like your bull likely survived, I think you need to move on. Don't quit, keep hunting and good luck, hope you get a good one. :tup:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 16, 2014, 11:47:59 PM: Update--0.4 miles away we found 3 dudes field dressing a tagged bull. Not sure if it was the same one or not. I didn't see my arrow laying on the ground and told them what I was looking around for. I didn't want to ask any insulting or accusatory questions but In an odd sort of way I kind of hope it was the bull I shot. I decided to come home and lick my wounds for a bit and be back at it in a few days. They give archers two weeks here. So for now we have rescued my bow from the fireplace. Thanks for the admonitions and encouragement :tup:
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2014, 12:47:57 AM: Quote from: jackelope on September 15, 2014, 08:09:34 AM
Congrats Bean!! Sounds good. Looking forward to pictures. Is today day 1?? I think 2 hours is good.

Did you have any pictures of him on the cameras?

I don't think so. After all the adventure of chasing him for 2.5 hours I was pretty well determined to take a shot as long as he wasn't some spike or rag. Man it was so fun getting to know his "voice". At 04:15 that morning I first chose to pursue him because it sounded like he was lip ball bugling. Dude must think he's top dog around here. So I would chase and occasionally throw a locator bugle out there to see where he was, and he would scream his distinct call. Other times there were other bulls calling and I could pin his direction and distance again. We continued this dance in a northwest direction until at one point I bumped his cows (didn't know until then that he was cowed up) and I realized he was blowing regathering bugles and moving his herd off. I decided to call less and just wait for him to react to other bulls in the area. In fact at the very end I thought they got away and I Was fixing to give up and there were two other bulls I started moving towards when I heard his call again and realized i finally got ahead of him.. Then out stepped one of his cows, and then him behind her at 51 yards...

I'm pretty sure I saw the Hajj below on opening day around 3:00pm, but he didn't give more than his rear end for a shot. I tried calling him and he just slowly walked off. The 6x7 was down in the honey hole where the cams were on the second day, but at 80 yards and myriad branches in the way 8)

KFHunter, you have no idea what you're in for...
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: boneaddict on September 17, 2014, 05:09:53 AM: :tup: Those are some nice targets to be after
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2014, 10:08:28 AM: This guy taken in the same unit, on public land. hence me calling mine a dink. Such is life in the Elk Factory..
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bronson on September 17, 2014, 11:55:45 AM: Keep at it Bean. Good luck man!
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: TheHunt on September 17, 2014, 12:01:35 PM: What unit is Bean hunting in? If it is a unit that I have lots of knowledge of I can give him some pointers.
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: Bean Counter on September 17, 2014, 12:04:50 PM: PM sent 8)
Title: Re: Aaaaand *thwack*
Post by: irishevox on September 17, 2014, 12:27:19 PM: Bean, i've been there man shot a doe with my bow and and i found blood for a long time i searched for over 6.5 hours till the blood trail went cold and i continued to look and i never found her... as i was looking i had bucks and mulitple does jump in front of me etc.. and couldn't take a shot b/c i was looking for her i am sure by now the coyotes found that doe i shot... so i know the frustration. I waited and i know it was a fantastic shot as well. i am sorry for your loss on the Bull man... keep at it you will get the next one.