Post by: dupedc on September 19, 2014, 06:10:51 AM
Well, the early archery elk season has come and gone. What an awesome experience! Hunting solo (5 of 8 days) in the mountains presents certain challenges, yet is embraced as well. I pushed myself physically and mentally, well beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. I love that my success and/or failure is squarely on my shoulders. Even my survival, for that matter! I feel blessed to have a family that encourages me and allows me to spend countless days in the mountains. For some reason, the hours and days of solitude in such beautiful surroundings make me feel alive!
Successful?... YES! Did I get an elk? Not yet. Each day there were close encounters with elk. Two times I was at full draw, 27 & 32 yards, but the opportunity to release an arrow never came. The adrenaline rush that comes with these encounters is what brings me back! My number one goal is always to return ☺! My mantra, "John, don't do anything stupid," serves me well when I'm solo! It's amazing the number of times that this helps me make the right decision!
There's plenty more hunting this year, but the September elk hunt is always something special! Good luck to all of you!
John
Post by: DoubleJ on September 19, 2014, 06:33:49 AM
The adrenaline rush that comes with these encounters is what brings me back!
It might bring you back. It hurts mine. Right in the kidneys. When the adrenaline pumps and there is no release for it, it dumps right into the kidneys and makes them ache something terrible. Happens in hunting all the time and used to happen when I worked loss prevention. I'd be watching someone and the adrenaline would pump and pump and then they'd drop what they were going to steal and leave the store and the adrenaline would flow right into the kidneys and I'd have to sit down awhile. I love and hate that feeling all at the same time.
Post by: rover758 on September 19, 2014, 06:37:23 AM
Post by: dupedc on September 19, 2014, 08:07:48 AM
Post by: bearpaw on September 19, 2014, 08:28:51 AM
Post by: dupedc on September 19, 2014, 09:10:43 AM
Post by: axelfisher on September 19, 2014, 09:33:09 AM
Post by: dupedc on September 19, 2014, 09:48:27 AM
Post by: MLBowhunting on September 19, 2014, 10:11:03 AM
Post by: axelfisher on September 22, 2014, 10:52:19 AM
Post by: dupedc on September 23, 2014, 08:54:52 PM
Post by: RadSav on September 23, 2014, 09:33:44 PM
Post by: huntnnw on September 23, 2014, 09:59:52 PM
Post by: RadSav on September 23, 2014, 10:06:54 PM
Post by: huntnnw on September 23, 2014, 10:11:15 PM
Post by: kentrek on September 23, 2014, 11:24:42 PM
I really enjoyed our late bull season. Actually liked it better than all but the opening day bull hunt. But I just have a very difficult time getting excited about shooting a stupid cow. No problem doing it, just doesn't bring that anticipation and excitement. They are one of the stupidest big game animals on earth. Still to this day I can not figure out how or why they decided bulls were no longer allowed when in prior years cows were the no-no during the final week >:( Especially in the Winston where we have lost more than 50% of the elk herd. You'd think they would encourage bull harvest over cow harvests!
:yeah: but really once archery season is over its only like the end of the 1st quarter...gona be an awesome year !!
Post by: RadSav on September 23, 2014, 11:46:12 PM
I really enjoyed our late bull season. Actually liked it better than all but the opening day bull hunt. But I just have a very difficult time getting excited about shooting a stupid cow. No problem doing it, just doesn't bring that anticipation and excitement. They are one of the stupidest big game animals on earth. Still to this day I can not figure out how or why they decided bulls were no longer allowed when in prior years cows were the no-no during the final week >:( Especially in the Winston where we have lost more than 50% of the elk herd. You'd think they would encourage bull harvest over cow harvests!
:yeah: but really once archery season is over its only like the end of the 1st quarter...gona be an awesome year !!
At least with the Multi-Season tag in my pocket :chuckle: