Post by: 7mmfan on August 18, 2017, 10:44:09 AM
That being said, I'm encouraged by what I've seen recently, and I know that what drew me here in the first place was reading peoples amazing hunting stories, and seeing pictures of animals. So, if we're heading back that direction now, I'd like to contribute what I hope to be an amazing, and hopefully NOT a once in a lifetime hunt. So here goes.
The Facts
- This is the 2nd time I've applied for a quality tag. Last year was the first.
- I drew with 5 points (leftovers from the category change a few years back). A friend of mine didn't draw with 25. I feel bad for him, but only kind of.
- I have hunted the unit a fair amount, but most of it has been spent in just a few spots.
- I've never killed a branch antlered bull, despite 2 bull tags drawn in the last 10 years. I prefer meat to horns and killed spikes both times.
The Situation
I applied for this tag, like most of us, with zero expectation of drawing it. My wife and I just welcomed our first child 2.5 weeks ago, a boy we named Grayson.
When I saw selected back in June, I knew my scouting time would be extremely limited. It has become even more limited as my wife had to have an emergency C-section, and I've had to stay close to home to make sure I'm there to help out as needed. Nothing like going through 28 hours of labor followed by major abdominal surgery, only to be sent home with a tiny human that's totally dependent on you!
I expect that now as we find our new normal, I'll be able to get a couple weekends in over there before my hunt comes on September 25. I have areas I've marked on my maps to check, areas I have found good rut sign in the past, and areas that members and friends have shared with me as legit locals for bulls in September. I feel good about this.
I have no experience with calling elk, short of tooting on my cow call here and there. I've never hunted elk in the rut. I'm trying to brush up on my bugling, but mom won't allow it at home with the baby, God forbid I wake him up. My commute to work is only 5 minutes, so there's minimal time available there to practice. Besides, I'm sure that somehow applies to the new distracted driving laws. I wonder what they'd write on that ticket?
My fitness level is average right now, which is tough for a guy that prides himself on being above average in that department. I went bear hunting with a buddy last night and we rode our bikes up some pretty moderate slopes a couple miles. I don't recall ever sweating that much. I feel good today though, so that's encouraging. Hoping to double down on this in the coming days and get some of my endurance back.
The Goal
Being as I've never killed a branch bull, my expectations aren't huge. That being said, I know the potential in the area, and the damage I could do with a rifle. My friend and I were talking about what's a shooter and what isn't. He wants main beam and tine length. I like mass and junk. Big eye guards and 4ths are also appealing to me. That being said, I will probably shoot the first nice 6 point or big 5 point (also weirdly appealing to me :dunno: ) that I see. Score means absolutely nothing to me, I couldn't even tell you what a 300" bull looks like. I doubt I'll score him unless he's potential record book, which I don't expect. I will shoot any bull I get a clean shot at the last day, and maybe the last 2 days depending on how things are going. It all boils down to that meat in the freezer for me. I haven't bought beef in 5 years, I want to keep it that way.
Most importantly, I want to soak it all in. The idea of being in the woods with a couple good friends hunting elk in the rut when virtually no one else is in the woods hunting, is a dream come true. I can't wait to blow on that bugle and get the first response, and make my move. I'm really excited to get in close to a herd with an active bull, wait for him to bugle and cut him off with a bugle of my own and throw the challenge at him. While I'm prepared to shoot out to 500 yards, I'd prefer to kill him like the last few I've killed, staring at the whites of his blood shot, pissed off eyes.
I'll update this is I go along, and if anyone has anything to add or suggest, I welcome all input. More info is better than less, and these quality tags are so few and far between that I don't think anyone should worry about sharing info. PM's are suggested though, you know, for modesty.
Thanks for following along guys. :tup:
Post by: Jpmiller on August 18, 2017, 11:18:39 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on August 18, 2017, 11:22:01 AM
Quote
Most importantly, I want to soak it all in
:tup:
You got it really figured out! Enjoy every min!!!
Post by: Timberstalker on August 18, 2017, 11:24:06 AM
Post by: SkookumHntr on August 18, 2017, 11:29:06 AM
Post by: baker5150 on August 18, 2017, 11:42:38 AM
Congrats on the baby, hopefully momma recovers quickly.
Post by: Southpole on August 18, 2017, 11:43:36 AM
Post by: 2MANY on August 18, 2017, 12:04:59 PM
Make to most of your hunt.
No regrets.
Feed that family. :)
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on August 18, 2017, 12:24:33 PM
Post by: bracer40 on August 18, 2017, 12:46:12 PM
Look for a pm from me when I have more time. I might be able to provide some "up to date info as your hunt approaches.
Post by: GUscottie on August 18, 2017, 01:59:13 PM
Good luck to you!
Post by: h20hunter on August 18, 2017, 02:23:00 PM
:chuckle:
Dyn O Mite!
Looking foward to following along. Make sure I'm on the text list of bull down!
Post by: kevinlisa06 on August 18, 2017, 02:27:46 PM
Good luck this season and fill that freezer!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: 7mmfan on August 18, 2017, 02:49:52 PM
Man...you guys got it all wrong. I've been out with this joker to plink. Sure he talks a big talk. Fitness. C'mon! You only had like 30 pounds of water weight plus gear, gun, ammo, and optics. Sheesh. Probably taking along that lil 7mm of yours. Underpowered. I saw you shoot up my steel plate at 175 yards tearing up my beautiful pvc target stand. Those piddly rounds only knocked the plate what....3 or 4 times what my 308 did. Lame. You are probsbly going to share this experience with that guy you claimed was your dad. Don't get me going on him. Acting all nice, being polite....then...then shooting the heck outta my steel also!
:chuckle:
Dyn O Mite!
Looking foward to following along. Make sure I'm on the text list of bull down!
It was actually 5 gallons, so closer to 40# but whose counting??? At least it started that way.
Thanks for the support, it's nice to read positive comments! I'm just grateful to have a wife that understands that my hunting isn't just a for kicks deal, and knows that I'm not leaving for a week long bender. She appreciates that its a passion and that it provides us with some of the best meat on earth, year after year! We'll see how she feels after a week solo with the kiddo though :yike: Now I just need to convince her that the huge vaulted entryway of our home is the perfect place for a European mount.
Post by: h20hunter on August 18, 2017, 03:01:57 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 18, 2017, 03:11:31 PM
Forgiveness, not permission. Just saying.
Good point. I know she won't get up there on a ladder to take it down... :bdid:
Post by: boneaddict on August 18, 2017, 03:12:52 PM
Post by: Skillet on August 18, 2017, 03:25:10 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 18, 2017, 03:45:36 PM
As a responsible parent I can assure you that your life will only get busier as the child ages.
Make to most of your hunt.
No regrets.
Feed that family. :)
This is what I'm expecting, and as much as I like my free time, I'm excited for it. I can't wait to see what this little guy grows into and the places that he'll go. I just hope to keep him steered in the right direction and well supplied with game meat :)
We just ate our last pack of steaks this week. Still have some burger left. The wife is finally experiencing a meat crisis for the first time since we've been married, and that was 2 deer we ate!
Post by: JakeLand on August 18, 2017, 04:16:07 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on August 18, 2017, 05:14:40 PM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on August 18, 2017, 05:52:49 PM
Post by: DeerThug on August 18, 2017, 06:19:25 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on August 18, 2017, 06:20:35 PM
Post by: ffbowhunter on August 18, 2017, 06:55:10 PM
Post by: Dan-o on August 18, 2017, 07:12:28 PM
Looking forward to reading about it.
Post by: jmscon on August 18, 2017, 08:14:54 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 20, 2017, 05:38:41 PM
Estimated my windage at 400, was off by 2" on my first shot, then 1 shot kills out to 550 yards! Those milk jugs didn't stand a chance.
It was a good workout hauling 40# of water in the pack uphill 2 miles to the cut I shot in, plus pulling my cart with collapsible bench. Felt great to shoot, and shoot well! Those bulls are in trouble.
Post by: Elkcollector82 on August 21, 2017, 06:09:08 AM
Tagging along.
Post by: 7mmfan on August 21, 2017, 08:29:02 AM
He's such an amazing little person already. He only gets up once a night to feed, usually around 3:30, and lets us sleep 4-5 hours uninterrupted on either end of that. The changes that happen after only 3 weeks (unreal, he's already 3 weeks old today) are pretty amazing. Watching the visual recognition begin, the head/neck control gaining strength fast, and facial features begin to change, its amazing. My wife and I are definitely in love with the little guy, and it feels like he's been with us forever already. Couldn't imagine life without him :)
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 21, 2017, 09:01:54 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 21, 2017, 09:45:43 AM
Hope your buck holds still like those milk jugs. :chuckle:
Hey, those milk jugs can be quite elusive :chuckle: especially when you can't find them after walking 550 yards back to your shooting location, only to realize you put them 100 yards to the left of where you thought you did! Made for some tricky shooting through tiny gaps in trees. Was a lot of fun actually.
If history has any way of repeating itself, I'll most likely kill my bull this year inside of 15 yards. That's how it usually happens for me
Post by: Elkcollector82 on August 21, 2017, 09:47:27 AM
Hope your buck holds still like those milk jugs. :chuckle:
Hey, those milk jugs can be quite elusive :chuckle: especially when you can't find them after walking 550 yards back to your shooting location, only to realize you put them 100 yards to the left of where you thought you did! Made for some tricky shooting through tiny gaps in trees. Was a lot of fun actually.
If history has any way of repeating itself, I'll most likely kill my bull this year inside of 15 yards. That's how it usually happens for me
15 yards or 550 yards. Just hope one gives you a chance. Good luck.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 01, 2017, 10:12:31 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 01, 2017, 11:15:14 AM
Finally going to make a scouting trip over there this weekend! I have 3 locations in mind that I want to get into. Traveling super early Saturday morning and coming home Sunday night to avoid the holiday traffic. I've been in contact with a couple of members who have given me some good intel lately, so thanks guys, you know who you are. From the sounds of things, theres a couple of bulls beginning to test their vocal cords out, so hopefully I can hear my first bugle of the season. Hopefully I can add some photos of big hard horned bulls on Monday!smoke is absolutely unbearable today out this direction! Visibility is like 500 yards. Afternoon winds have been blowing it out a bit though. Worst it has been hands down so far this summer. Good luck this weekend! I'm out of town or I'd offer up a second set of eyes.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 01, 2017, 11:47:39 AM
Finally going to make a scouting trip over there this weekend! I have 3 locations in mind that I want to get into. Traveling super early Saturday morning and coming home Sunday night to avoid the holiday traffic. I've been in contact with a couple of members who have given me some good intel lately, so thanks guys, you know who you are. From the sounds of things, theres a couple of bulls beginning to test their vocal cords out, so hopefully I can hear my first bugle of the season. Hopefully I can add some photos of big hard horned bulls on Monday!smoke is absolutely unbearable today out this direction! Visibility is like 500 yards. Afternoon winds have been blowing it out a bit though. Worst it has been hands down so far this summer. Good luck this weekend! I'm out of town or I'd offer up a second set of eyes.
I was worried about smoke, but this may be my only weekend to scout so i'm going. I'll learn the lay of some land and put boots on the ground in some places I'm excited to see. Forecast up high calls for a S/SW wind both days so hopefully that helps some.
Post by: DaveMonti on September 01, 2017, 11:54:19 AM
Post by: Pegasus on September 01, 2017, 12:00:26 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 01, 2017, 12:02:09 PM
Grayson says you need to get this hunting elk stuff out of your head and stay home with him and Momma. PS: He says it is time to change his diaper.
No son of mine will talk to his Dad that way! :chuckle:
Post by: GUscottie on September 01, 2017, 01:23:16 PM
Post by: Falcon on September 01, 2017, 10:46:34 PM
Do what you do and make it a great experience. A big bull is a bonus.
Soak it all in. Looking forward to your story :tup:
Post by: RB on September 02, 2017, 12:26:54 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 04, 2017, 08:18:35 AM
The smoke in a lot of that area is unbelievable right now, especially in Thorp on our way back through yesterday. It felt like we were in the fire. I feel terrible for those of you who are having to live in that right now.
We spent a lot of time Saturday bouncing around on nasty roads. I have hunted portions of that unit, and knew the roads were rough, but some of the ones we found Saturday afternoon took the cake. 4 wheel low, 1st gear, and crawl. It was the only way to move without rattling the truck, and us, to pieces.
We covered a lot of ground, getting to know the lay of the land. I was able to effectively check off a few large areas. We finally made it to the area that I was really interested in about 4:30 Saturday afternoon. We shouldered our packs, grabbed our scopes, and headed up the trail. We had a vantage point in mind to do some glassing for the evening. We had a super productive evening seeing almost 100 elk in 2 big groups, and several bulls, including, the one I'm hoping to track down in a couple weeks. We heard lots of cow talk, and several bugles. Man it got the blood pumping! No photo opportunities, so I'll leave it at that!
Sunday morning, different area, fewer elk, but plenty to go around. One thing that I really enjoyed about this weekend, and the elk, was being able to observe elk that are just being elk, and not being pushed around by an orange army. They were so vocal, and often we could get in pretty close if careful, just because they weren't so high strung. It was a lot of fun.
All in all, a super productive weekend, it felt good to stretch my legs in the elk woods once again, and spend some quality time with my Dad. I know at 60, he still has many good years of hunting ahead of him, but I'm more aware than ever now that those will be gone before I know it, so I'm cherishing them as best I can now.
Heres one good smoky sunrise pic for your viewing pleasure!
Post by: bracer40 on September 04, 2017, 08:33:19 AM
Post by: Elkcollector82 on September 04, 2017, 09:23:11 AM
Post by: huntnphool on September 04, 2017, 10:57:49 AM
Quote
but only kind of.
That was funny. :chuckle:
Post by: 7mmfan on September 19, 2017, 08:10:43 AM
I've had an unexpected change to my group in the last week. A friend of mine that I grew up, who moved to LA a few years ago when he got serious about web development, asked me if it would be ok if he came and filmed the hunt. He's got some connections in the film industry that are very into hunting and the outdoors, and he's got some projects that he's floated to them for funding, but needs to show them what he can do with a camera in the field first. He's got top of the line 4k camera gear, and is hell bent on making a world class film out of this. At the very least, I'll have an awesome video documentation of my hunt to look back on for years to come. Super excited about it.
We're heading up and setting up camp Saturday morning and scouting for a day and a half before the opener. Hopefully we can get a few animals tracked down and get in on them Monday morning.
All this snow up high is worrying me a little bit. Any of you guys with more experience have any input if a foot of September snow will move those animals out of the highest country there? The ground I scouted over Labor day was 5500-6500 feet, so its definitely getting snow right now. I know if those animals move downhill to much, they'll be in a jungle, so I'm hoping they stay up in the alpine where they were.
Post by: Southpole on September 19, 2017, 08:49:38 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 19, 2017, 08:53:31 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 19, 2017, 08:56:23 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 19, 2017, 08:58:18 AM
Post by: Pegasus on September 20, 2017, 07:59:10 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on September 20, 2017, 08:55:10 PM
Post by: brocka on September 20, 2017, 09:40:04 PM
I wouldn't give it any thought man. The snow is short lived. Chase the bugles, they are absolutely cranking right now!Couldn't agree more
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Post by: 7mmfan on September 20, 2017, 09:45:19 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 23, 2017, 04:06:38 AM
Post by: JakeLand on September 23, 2017, 05:55:09 AM
And we're off! This day couldn't get here fast enough. No cell service where I am going, so I probably won't update this until I get home. See you guys on the other side!Good luck!!! Whack one
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on September 23, 2017, 06:07:22 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on September 23, 2017, 06:51:47 AM
Post by: Turner89 on September 23, 2017, 08:43:47 AM
Post by: DaveMonti on September 23, 2017, 08:57:37 AM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 23, 2017, 09:04:58 AM
Post by: h20hunter on September 25, 2017, 01:59:13 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 26, 2017, 04:37:52 PM
Post by: Stein on September 26, 2017, 04:41:26 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 26, 2017, 04:46:24 PM
Post by: Stein on September 26, 2017, 04:48:53 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on September 26, 2017, 05:01:50 PM
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on September 26, 2017, 05:02:09 PM
I promise I won't wait too long to update this thread, but I have to take care of some business first. First of which is storing a hide to be tanned! What's the best way to store this until I can get it to A Tannery, or taxidermist to take care of for me?
You already have one down?
Post by: h20hunter on September 26, 2017, 05:04:36 PM
Post by: 10thmountainarcher on September 26, 2017, 05:06:17 PM
He does indeed. ;)
Quick work, I like it! Congrats can’t wait for the story and photo.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 26, 2017, 05:16:03 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 26, 2017, 05:34:59 PM
Post by: elkrack on September 26, 2017, 05:48:34 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 26, 2017, 05:57:00 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on September 26, 2017, 06:01:21 PM
Post by: bracer40 on September 26, 2017, 07:08:29 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 26, 2017, 07:25:53 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 26, 2017, 07:47:10 PM
Post by: bracer40 on September 26, 2017, 07:50:40 PM
Post by: scottfrick on September 27, 2017, 04:35:08 AM
Post by: 2MANY on September 27, 2017, 08:50:37 AM
Love on that family. :)
Post by: 7mmfan on September 27, 2017, 09:19:07 AM
We left town early Saturday morning and headed east. We got into our camp spot at approx 8:30, and got everything setup. Anyone who has a fully stocked wall tent camp, knows it takes a while to get everything done. So by the time we'd got the kitchen set up, firewood cut, and lunch cooked, it was about 12:30. I took off and went to scout a spot I'd been thinking about. I walked in past the closed road signs, following all the tracks of vehicles that didn't care. I reached the elevation I wanted and dove off into the woods, heading up into a canyon. I had just made it around the corner, out of ear shot of the bottom, and I heard a bugle. YES! a few minutes later, another one, and then another one. All the same bull though. I made my way to a high point above the canyon and pulled out the binos and tried to find him, but couldn't. I could see lots of tracks in the remnants of the snow that had flown earlier in the week, and a short time later, I could hear elk talking and making noise below me in the timber. By this time it was about 5:30, and I was happy with what I'd found. I knew I wouldn't put eyes on the bull unless I went in after him, so I backed out. On my way back down the road, I met a group of 6 very drunk atv riders. They knew they weren't supposed to be there and dropped their masks and zoomed by me. Oh well. Heres Quality Elk Camp 2017.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 27, 2017, 09:32:44 AM
Sunday morning came cold and crisp. Nice and frosty. We left the truck and headed uphill an hour and a half before light. As we neared the location I wanted to be in, I realized I had forgotten to put my boots on that morning and was hiking in my tread free romeos. I was looking at the mountain ahead me and wondering how it would work. It went surprisingly well!
I let out a locator bugle.... nothing. Climbed the hill a little further, another bugle.... nothing. We ended up climbing the whole ridge, and checking every nook and cranny in the upper end, and never saw an elk. I found where they had been, and the direction they were headed though. We waited for the thermals to switch, and then headed down the spine towards an area I felt was likely they would be. By now though it was near 11:00 and I didn't hold much hope of spotting anything. I periodically cow called, or threw out weak bugles hoping for a response, that never came. Then by chance, we spotted a cow work her way across an opening a couple hundred yards below us. This was the first elk we'd actually laid eyes on in 2 days. It was very encouraging. Given the time of day, I knew she would be bedding nearby. Also encouraging.
We backed out, and that evening I made my way to a vantage point for the area and watched and listened until about 6:00. At that point, I heard a group of animals get out of bed and make their way out of the timber. I never saw them, but knew they were there. I dropped down from the ridge, and onto an old road bed and began tailing them. I had only gone a couple hundred yards and I peaked into an opening and there was a cow standing there feeding. I backed up and found cover and waited until dark just listening, hoping for a bugle. None came.
I knew there were elk in the area, and I knew where they weren't from that morning. I knew that the big bull I had seen earlier in the season was still there somewhere, and I assumed he was with this group of animals, just wasn't talking. I made a plan to be back in there first thing in the morning, opening day.
Post by: 2MANY on September 27, 2017, 09:50:07 AM
The plot thickens.
Post by: dreamingbig on September 27, 2017, 10:16:48 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: 7mmfan on September 27, 2017, 10:19:46 AM
The forecast was for overcast and light/variable winds all day. I planned my approach based on morning thermals. I got to my staging area an hour before light and waited. The wind was swirling everywhere, driving me crazy and shaking my confidence in the plan. We stuck it out and hoped that when we got out in the open it would steady a bit. At 6:55, the sun peaked over the horizon, and offered us an amazing blood red sunrise. An omen
Post by: 7mmfan on September 27, 2017, 10:22:53 AM
I pulled up the binos and got a better look at him. He was not the BIG bull in the area, but he was a wide, long 6 pt bull. He turned and walked into the brush and disappeared. I pulled out my cow call and gave him a few seductive mews. I was instantly greeted with a chuckle. I cow called again, chuckle sent back. 3 times we did this, and I realized he wasn't going to move so I pulled a tactic from the Elknut play book. I began cow calling feverishly, almost distressed, and then immediately followed them with a bugle and a chuckle.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 27, 2017, 10:26:50 AM
There was no response, just action. I immediately heard brush breaking and limbs snapping. He was on his way. I had the gun on the sticks ready. Unbeknownst to me, my Dad had moved up behind me and suddenly, he's talking in my ear about something, and I almost whisper yell at him, " Don't move! He's RIGHT THERE!" And almost on que, he stepped out of the brush 40 yards away looking right at us.
Part of me would like to say that I looked him over, counted points, judged his 4ths, etc.. etc.., but at that point, I had a nice bull in front of me, that I had just called in to archery range. I told you guys in the beginning, that I would probably shoot the first decent 6 pt that I saw, and it just so happened that it was the first bull I saw, in the first 30 minutes of shooting light, on the first day.
He turned slightly, giving me a slightly quartering to shot. I placed it on his shoulder and let it fly. The resounding THWACK! was almost deafening. He took off like nothing had happened. I chambered another shell, put it on the front of his shoulder and sent it, tumbling him head over heels. He was down.
I leapt up and took off across the sage brush hillside like I was walking on air. When I was about halfway to him, I stopped, and let it soak in for a minute. There, a short distance away was a large elk horn sticking up in the air above the brush. A sight that I will never forget. Dad and I slowly worked our way to him, ensuring he was down for good. Dad and I had a big hug, and a few minutes of reflection.
One thing that's very important to me is respect for the animal. I won't ever set a gun, or a pack, or any object on a dead animal. I won't ever straddle them, or sit on them. They deserve better than that. I don't enjoy killing them. The more I do it, the more I realize that its so instinctual. I run on auto pilot, hunting my butt off, strategizing, and making moves, and only after the trigger is pulled, and the animal is down, do I come down from the hunt and feel some remorse. I never regret killing an animal, it's all part of the cycle, and I will always be a part of it, but I have an immense amount of respect for the life I've taken, and ensure that it's not wasted.
Post by: 7mmfan on September 27, 2017, 10:29:59 AM
The work began. We took some great photos, moved him down to a flat spot and broke him down. The trigger was pulled at 7:15, and we were heading downhill with the first load at 10:30 or so. Dropped that off headed back up at 1:30. The last load was substantial. I had decided to pack the skin out to be tanned, so my load was a 30# bag of scrap meat, the hide which had to weight close to 50#, and the head, another 35# or so. The Exo pack creaked and groaned a little, but nearly as much as me when I shouldered it. The pack held everything steady and securely, and I we made the 2 mile trek back to the truck. What a relief to drop that pack on the tailgate!
We got it all back to camp, and used the remaining daylight to trim up the meat, and bone the quarters out. We had a great dinner, a couple drinks, and great campfire that night. It was the epitome of elk camp.
There you have it boys! That's my hunt. I accomplished exactly what I wanted out of it. I could have waited, and I'm certain I would have had opportunities at bigger bulls, but I have zero regrets, and now I'm home hanging out with my family again for a couple days before I have to head back to work. Thanks for following!
Post by: RB on September 27, 2017, 10:38:04 AM
Post by: 2MANY on September 27, 2017, 10:43:33 AM
"One thing that's very important to me is respect for the animal. I won't ever set a gun, or a pack, or any object on a dead animal. I won't ever straddle them, or sit on them. They deserve better than that. I don't enjoy killing them. The more I do it, the more I realize that its so instinctual. I run on auto pilot, hunting my butt off, strategizing, and making moves, and only after the trigger is pulled, and the animal is down, do I come down from the hunt and feel some remorse. I never regret killing an animal, it's all part of the cycle, and I will always be a part of it, but I have an immense amount of respect for the life I've taken, and ensure that it's not wasted."
That paragraph right there sums up my thoughts 100%.
Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Post by: Skillet on September 27, 2017, 11:10:24 AM
Post by: GUscottie on September 27, 2017, 11:42:56 AM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 27, 2017, 11:53:29 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on September 27, 2017, 01:09:13 PM
Thanks for sharing.
Post by: elkrack on September 27, 2017, 01:22:25 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on September 27, 2017, 01:32:56 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on September 27, 2017, 02:53:02 PM
Post by: Elkfever on September 27, 2017, 03:44:53 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on September 27, 2017, 04:34:47 PM
Post by: Jpmiller on September 27, 2017, 05:12:32 PM
Post by: JakeLand on September 27, 2017, 05:19:52 PM
Post by: mkcj on September 27, 2017, 05:52:17 PM
Post by: Turner89 on September 27, 2017, 08:54:04 PM
Posts like that keep me coming back to this site :tup:
Post by: bracer40 on September 27, 2017, 10:00:19 PM
Great job 7mm :tup::yeah:
Posts like that keep me coming back to this site :tup:
Post by: Gearhead1940 on September 28, 2017, 05:22:32 AM
Post by: E35alex on September 28, 2017, 06:12:53 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on September 28, 2017, 08:48:02 AM
I started cutting meat yesterday and it's crazy to me how big everything is. I've killed several elk, but never a mature bull. They are crazy big animals. Going to be lots and lots of good chewing.
Post by: quadrafire on September 28, 2017, 08:58:01 AM
Post by: gee_unit360 on September 28, 2017, 09:18:31 AM
Post by: Brushbuster on September 28, 2017, 09:56:32 AM
Post by: Fish4Fun on September 28, 2017, 09:58:45 AM
Post by: swanny on September 29, 2017, 09:18:58 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on April 03, 2018, 02:02:14 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:40 PM
Post by: X-Force on April 03, 2018, 02:57:06 PM
Great Video. More to hunting than the kill or the horns.
Post by: 7mmfan on April 03, 2018, 03:26:49 PM
What the... 5:30 into the video and we already have a BBD! Man.
Great Video. More to hunting than the kill or the horns.
Yeah, I didn't waste any time, nor did I give him any real opportunity to get good footage of animals. That was my only real regret with the hunt, was killing one so fast and not getting to interact with more animals. So it goes. Had elk tacos last night, they were delicious.
Post by: huntnfmly on April 03, 2018, 03:30:12 PM
Video was great thanks for sharing
Post by: LabChamp on April 03, 2018, 04:03:38 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on April 03, 2018, 04:51:07 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on April 03, 2018, 07:49:51 PM
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on April 04, 2018, 08:21:26 AM
Post by: elkrack on April 04, 2018, 08:50:49 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on April 04, 2018, 12:03:29 PM
Thanks for sharing! Love the flag hanging at camp too :tup:
:tup:
Post by: Mr Mykiss on April 04, 2018, 01:54:26 PM