Post by: Watimberghost on November 07, 2017, 08:12:08 PM
We were able to make 4 trips up their before the season opened. We drove around the whole shed, hiked what we could of the intake trail, but mainly spent many hours behind the glasses. And talk about encouragement, we saw great bulls everytime we went. Our anticipation was killing us. After our preseason scouting my dad felt confidant in holding out for a good mature bull. But the family would be happy with anything he decided to pull the trigger on!
The friday before the hunt the weather came in and the snow restricted access up top. We were hoping to camp up there, so our plans changed from the get go. This is how God works... Have your perfect day one plans ruined, then realize that God has it in control and, in faith, go forward enjoying every step, every moment. And we did. We got to cover a very large portion of the shed in 3 days. From top to bottom to top each day. Coming in on a different finger and coming out on a different finger. What a beautiful place! We saw elk everyday, but did not get in range of a shooter bull for the first two days. We saw a couple shooter bulls on distant ridges, but that BIG country takes a long time to actually get to them. At the end of day two my dad and brother were able to locate and bugle back and forth with a few bulls. It was getting late, so they decided to let them be until morning.
Day 3. Accessed the area where they had located the bulls from the day before. Saw a few cows in that drainage, but even with the howling wind, we heard what sounded like a bugle from the other side of the ridge. We continued down the ridge line and the further we went the louder the bugles. We were able to pin their location... Down in the bottom, of course. Dad and i looked at each other and it was clear... Here we go. Down the steep hillside we went... and went... and went. Bugles getting louder and louder. Wind was blowing hard uphill right in our face. Just as we neared the bottom the bugle sounded like it was now going away from us, around another finger. We spoke briefly trying to plan our next move, then it all happened fast. Movement started flooding in down below. Accompanied by a loud screaming bugle, now directly toward us and coming our way. There were multiple bulls, but one was obviously the herd bull orchestrating the show. He was flashing in and out of big timber pockets. My dad got set up on a rock about 215 yards from a big snag that we thought the bull was behind. Then out he stepped. In triumphant fashion. Bugling while trotting left to right. He stops. Dad says, "I'm gonna take him." I said, "DO IT". Boom, he drops in his tracks. Shoots again for good measure. My dad just shot his first big bull. The moment was unforgettable and will go down as one of my favorite hunting expiriences ever. My dad is a great man and a very hard worker. He has paid his dues and some. I was so grateful to be the one to share that moment with him. We boned out and caped him. Hung 3 quarters and packed out. Met my mom and brother one step outside the shed boundary. It was an incredible family moment, giving all glory to God. My mom and brother were as much a part of the hunt as my dad and I. It was getting dark, we packed out. Went in the next day and the whole family got to enter and exit the shed. What a great day. All in all, we felt incredibly blessed to have expirienced the moments that we did. An all around great elk hunt.
Met some good people in the process of this hunt. It was very nice meeting and speaking to you guys. What you read about the watershed is true. Be in shape. Great shape. Even then, its a difficult hunt. Big beautiful country. God's country.
Thanks for reading my long winded post. Happy hunting all!
Post by: cbond3318 on November 07, 2017, 08:14:40 PM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on November 07, 2017, 08:23:50 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on November 07, 2017, 08:27:14 PM
Post by: Pinetar on November 07, 2017, 08:30:27 PM
Post by: full choke on November 07, 2017, 08:49:40 PM
Thanks for sharing such a great hunt!
Post by: HUNT on November 07, 2017, 09:15:25 PM
Post by: bobdog86 on November 07, 2017, 09:36:44 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 07, 2017, 09:48:23 PM
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on November 07, 2017, 09:53:57 PM
Post by: csaaphill on November 07, 2017, 09:55:11 PM
Post by: Brushbuster on November 07, 2017, 10:04:26 PM
Post by: mkcj on November 07, 2017, 11:28:19 PM
Post by: redi on November 07, 2017, 11:59:49 PM
Post by: E35alex on November 08, 2017, 05:30:20 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 08, 2017, 05:31:35 AM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 08, 2017, 06:42:39 AM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on November 08, 2017, 07:12:35 AM
Post by: elkchaser54 on November 08, 2017, 08:58:40 AM
Post by: Fish4Fun on November 08, 2017, 09:06:58 AM
Post by: Milkman on November 08, 2017, 09:07:40 AM
Post by: 724wd on November 08, 2017, 10:49:56 AM
Post by: firefighter4607 on November 08, 2017, 11:33:41 AM
Post by: ElkBOW79 on November 08, 2017, 11:34:46 AM
Post by: Stein on November 08, 2017, 01:14:02 PM
Post by: sternwarning on November 08, 2017, 02:25:13 PM
Story is a bit long winded... ;)
Great write up!
Post by: Watimberghost on November 08, 2017, 07:21:44 PM
Post by: spikehunterII on November 08, 2017, 07:33:11 PM
Post by: Browndawg on November 10, 2017, 09:08:28 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 10, 2017, 09:24:24 AM
Post by: hunting4sanity on November 10, 2017, 09:31:10 AM
Post by: jackelope on November 10, 2017, 10:16:57 AM
Thanks for sharing.
Post by: Falcon on November 10, 2017, 06:47:54 PM
Post by: SWHUNTER on November 10, 2017, 07:12:46 PM
Pretty sure I've met you before.
Post by: Watimberghost on November 10, 2017, 07:23:25 PM
SWHUNTER, any idea where we may know each other from?
Post by: BENCHLEG on November 10, 2017, 08:34:51 PM
Post by: JWEBB on November 11, 2017, 10:41:26 AM
Post by: Watimberghost on November 11, 2017, 01:09:54 PM
Congratulations to your dad! Glad you were able to enjoy the time with your dad. Are you going to get it scored please keep us informed if you do!
In the split second that we were able to see all of him we both had no question on whether or not he was a shooter. My eyes had him somewhere around 315"-320". But he's actually more in the 305"-310" range. Main beams were a touch on the short side.
I hate to even sound the least bit critical of this bull. He's got everything that a mature 6pt bull should have. Great symmetry, only 2-1/8" difference from each side. Not one broken tip. He's perfect!
Post by: csaaphill on November 11, 2017, 08:30:16 PM
Post by: firefighter4607 on November 12, 2017, 01:58:33 PM
I hate to even sound the least bit critical of this bull. He's got everything that a mature 6pt bull should have. Great symmetry, only 2-1/8" difference from each side. Not one broken tip. He's perfect!
Honestly any bull you can shoot in Washington is a great Bull.
But taking a bull out of the shed is even more special and rare! There is nothing to be disappointed in that bull at all. I think the percentage of successful hunters in the shed is around 25%, you have to work you a$$ off to find a bull in that hole. I didn't see many bulls in there this year, and even the rangers were saying it has been a bad year for elk numbers in the shed.
Post by: TommyGun496 on November 12, 2017, 02:03:48 PM