Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Dr. Death on September 16, 2014, 12:00:45 PM
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So, I think you could choose to make this hunt as easy or hard as you want, although elk hunting is never easy. I chose to make it as tough as I could, but wanted the experience that would last a lifetime. Decided that if I ever drew this tag I'd backpack into the backcountry and make the most of it. I do try to stay in shape year round, but when I saw that I got his tag I ramped it up as I didnt want any excuses for this hunt. We ended up going in and scouting everyway just about possible, opening day came and it was obvious that we werent the only ones who had also done this as there were over 12 people in the basic same area. To give the short version, opening day came with me passing on some smaller bulls, seeing some bigger ones and still no seeing my partner yet, he finally showed up right at dark, seems he wanted to hunt and take the long way into camp, which was a mistake for him. 2nd day we went way back in and got into some of the best elk areas I've ever seen, got on some bulls but no shots. 3rd day partner was already wore out from lack of preperation so I hunted alone, once again passing small bulls and seeing some good ones with no shots. I called my wife that night and she said I should get one of my sons Bryce (16) to go with me for the weekend as he'd be ready and willing to bust his butt to get to come with me. I headed home and got him after school on Thursday. Friday we packed back into the backcountry and set up camp further back than before. We decided just to glass Friday night close to camp. At about 530 Bryce spots a cow and calf and bull about a mile away. I look and decide not to go after them, guess I was now being lazy. The bull starts bugling and continues to bugle about every 15 minutes, so at 630 Bryce asks me again to go after him and I say ok lets go. We take off to get the wind right and do so, we continue to head in the direction the bull went and can hear him every 10-15 minutes. I finally bugle and he answers and so does another one, those 2 bulls start going back and forth, and I tell Bryce that this might get interesting. We keep creeping towards the 1st bull and his bugles are getting closer and closer, I finally can tell that he's within 100 yards or so, so we really slow down. I tell Bryce to stay close and continue on, he bugles again and I nock an arrow, I take about 10 steps and ease up over a small rise and catch movement....I see the bulls head/horns swivel and look in our direction at about 15 yards. I can see that he is facing quarting towards us, I pull back, level the bow and put the 20 yard pin right in front of his right shoulder and squeeze the trigger. The arrow is gone in a flash....the bull turns, runs about 10 feet stops and tips over, stands back up and does a face plant, game over!...I look at Bryce to see if he saw it all and see the amazment on his face... We take pictures, bone out the bull, and start packing it out by 11pm, by 2am we had made it down the hunters trail and to the truck. We got 4 hours of sleep and headed back in with 2 friends to get the rest the next morning. It was a great trip, all that I wanted, met and made many new friends throughout the journey that were very helpful with things, you all know who you are... Best of all was sharing this with my son..
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Wow! Great looking bull! He has some cool dark coloring on his face. Can't wait till the day I draw that tag, if it ever happens. Congrats!!
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Right on that's a cool bull. Looks like a heck of a big body on him. Congrats I'm glad you were able to make the best of it in many ways.
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That's my kind of hunt and having your son along, icing on the cake. Well done!
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That's a great bull and awesome hunt! You did that tag justice and then some!
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Congatulations on a great bull!! Your son is going to be hooked for life now :)
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Great bull. ENVIOUS!
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Very nice!
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Awesome bull. :tup:
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:tup:
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Nice to hear a real elk hunting story, not a lot of these other drama threads. Congrats to you and your son. You earned him. :tup:
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Great bull. Should have came and filmed for you.
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Way to go on your hunt. Live it to the fullest.
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Congrats on a great bull. Heading in Thursday after work, hope I can do the tag as much justice as you did.
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Congrats! Hunt of a lifetime. :tup:
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Way to go on filling the tag. Fun hunt for sure, just hope I know someone who draws next year so I can head back and do it again. :tup: :tup:
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Congrats man!
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Good story and great work on a nice bull stuff like that is what makes a young man want to hunt its cool he saw the whole thing time to get a bow in his hand
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great story and nice bull. nothing like sharing an experience like with a loved one.
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Right on! :tup:
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Congrats on a nice bull... you did the work and now have a story that your son will be telling his kids one day..
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Congrats!
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Nice bull and story :tup: Congrats
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Nice one great bull!!!
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Great job! Glad it worked out for you. The trip down that trail is fun in the dark, isn't it? I know I had a couple of tumbles.
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Sweet. All the better with your son too. Congratulations.
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Nice bull i drew that tag 4 years ago also and got a nice 5x5
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Great bull. We're going to be starting the 22nd for modern so I hope to get some chances at a bull like yours. He's a trophy!
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Nice job DR
you have a couple of really good years lately
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Huge congrats on your bull. Really cool you got to experience it with your son.
:tup:
Thanks for sharing.
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Nice job Dr.
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Very well done! Congrats on such a great bull!
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Last pack out with my 16 year old son Bryce.
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Congrats
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Great pic. :tup:
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:yeah:
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Thanks for sharing a great story! It pays to prepare!! Congrats!
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Congrats! Thanks for sharing. The smiles on both your faces says it all!!
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Awesome! Cool experience for the both of you!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Dr D
Great story and a great bull.
Having that hunt with your son is an awesome experience.
Nicely done!!!!!
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Great Bull and great job. That is rough country, but one of my favorite. Nothing better than having one of your kids with You.
John
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Nicely done! We had a great hunt on the other end of the unit and I've been curious to know how you brave mountain goats did up in the backcountry. :tung:
I'll post my story this evening. I never ever thought I'd get to bow hunt in an area with that many bulls. What a freaking blast!
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Congrat's I was hoping you were going to have a good hunt. Glad your kid was able to make it. That is a good area but you earn the elk back there. See you soon on the hill, hope we have snow this year
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Love reading these backcountry success stories...great bull and way to do it the hard way- the Barta way! :) Awesome experience for you and your son.
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Great bull! Way to get it done in the backcountry :tup:
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Thanks everyone!
Seems like a good year for many so far, lots of bulls hitting the ground..Congrats to all!
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great pic. you do any fishing while you were there?
