Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Taco280AI on September 26, 2015, 03:40:12 PM

Title: tag soup
Post by: Taco280AI on September 26, 2015, 03:40:12 PM: Not a lot going on in Colorado for me. Did see some elk on private property that knew they were safe. Went as high as 11,400 feet looking for them, but no luck. At least I did have an exciting end to my season before I had to come back early for work related stuff. Still no elk talking where I was. After waiting in an area that looked like it had potential and then trying some calls with zero response or anything coming in, I headed back to my camp as it started to get dark in case something came out near the path.

Sure enough, as I was walking I heard a snap and saw an elk through the trees. Didn't know if it saw me or not so I just stayed still and silent and it was coming out. I crouched down on the side of the trail, knocked an arrow, and was ready to draw back.

As I got a peek here and there through the trees I saw it was a bull, but how big? Got another glimpse and saw something coming off its antlers so was thinking maybe it is a legal 4-point. As it made its way out I saw him again, but could see he was a big spike with velvet hanging off which made him look like more.

So he came out on the path, froze when he saw me, but had no idea what I was with my hat tilted down and bow in front of me. Sniffed the ground a few times, had a stare down with me for about a minute, then took off. Didn't range him at the time since it wouldn't have mattered anyway, but ranged a rock he was in front of after he left - 13.3 yards.

At least I finally saw an elk on public property, was fun!

One of three units I tried, only one I used a quad in some of the time
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F11942097_10204983188603004_7158320702903837064_o.jpg&hash=1a1a39e344bc6a2815015e8c1df9f1cc6ace25aa) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/11942097_10204983188603004_7158320702903837064_o.jpg.html)

Had to hike to this spot
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2Fght.jpg&hash=41780a15296ea8c1c054aa63cd5333205e667abf) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/ght.jpg.html)

These mountains are no joke
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150910_163825%2520Stitch.jpg&hash=346544f04a6f55d43b71998b82c6f3f47300f71b) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150910_163825%20Stitch.jpg.html)

On private property, of course. Bigger guy ran off smaller guy
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150910_190738.jpg&hash=decb5c82c5c20f0b540127a3c5e991c8c33ec955) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150910_190738.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150910_190807_3-1.jpg&hash=7b53ca62a4deb69f26be02bba03cb4e504a611ab) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150910_190807_3-1.jpg.html)

Another area I hunted

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150904_081835%2520Stitch.jpg&hash=6352c2ec726a98c8d3c4d4765b26044fef333374) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150904_081835%20Stitch.jpg.html)

Saw this guy and a buddy of his
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2Fbuck.jpg&hash=811c6328f11f83358ca8e883639f14632e0deb40) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/buck.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150904_072642.jpg&hash=605d00b5be764d7ad0d32340aab3ff25712d394f) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150904_072642.jpg.html)

Most scenic area and where I had the bull at 12 yards
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150925_152746.jpg&hash=d1d46ffaa12f8d03f1b8974bbd1d1cda5052e1a8) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150925_152746.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1098.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg364%2Fnwoutdoors%2F20150925_174105.jpg&hash=718d894a24365fbd599afbf388993203bfc1db8e) (http://s1098.photobucket.com/user/nwoutdoors/media/20150925_174105.jpg.html)
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 26, 2015, 03:47:08 PM: Big country for sure! Cograts on the elk encounter! :tup:
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: tgomez on September 26, 2015, 04:16:16 PM: Good try, and that is a beautiful area. Thanks for posting the pictures! :tup:
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: TheHunt on September 26, 2015, 07:43:56 PM: Looks like you still have fun.
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: Taco280AI on September 26, 2015, 07:48:47 PM: Are some amazing areas in Colorado
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: MtnMuley on September 26, 2015, 09:23:25 PM: Absolutely. Just the to me out there is the reward itself.
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: coachcw on September 26, 2015, 09:53:15 PM: Don't ever get hung up on the kill... that's beautiful country. Looks like a great trip :tup:
Title: Re: tag soup
Post by: SniperDanWA on September 26, 2015, 10:00:00 PM: I sure do miss that country. Moved here almost 10 years ago. I could move back tomorrow, if I could find the right job. Great animals, beautiful weather, wicked mountains, and nice people too. Sorry you didn't score, but you did get to see them.