Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Broken Arrow on November 13, 2007, 10:12:48 AM

Title: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 13, 2007, 10:12:48 AM: New to this site. Very nice. Figured I would share a banner year picture, as I know this will most likely never happen again. We harvested 5 elk this year. A 3x4, 4x4, 4x5 and 5x5 and a cow. Sorry the cow is not in the pic.....didn't pack out that head. All elk called in during the 2007 archery season....4 shot under 20 yards, one at 55 yards. All elk were taken on public lands, in the general area of Western Washington (lol)
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: jackelope on November 13, 2007, 10:20:31 AM: thats a pretty fair success rate there :chuckle:
thats awesome...way to go and thanks for sharing the pics.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Little Fish on November 13, 2007, 10:29:54 AM: That is excellent. Thanks for sharing the picture. Are there any memorable stories you have that go with the pic?
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 13, 2007, 11:15:08 AM: We have some great stories to share....I told my partners about this site so they may hop on and share a bit also. I can tell you about mine. I got the little one. (3x4)

One of my partners botched an opportunity at a wallow the night before on a very nice 6x6. The next morning we decided to hike back to that same wallow and set up. We got to the wallow while it was still dark and set up. It was obvious the elk were still in the area, as 4 different bulls were sounding off in a basin above our set up area. I was able to stay put for about 10 minutes before I could no longer stand it, and ran to the top of the basin and began to call back. The elk were challenge calling each other and it was insane inside this small bowl. I gave 2 bugles and a series of chuckles and the bull I shot began running at me from the bottom. Needless to say it was very dry and loud and he sounded like a train coming through the woods.....I could see him from 75 yards away running directly at me. My heart was about to jump out of chest and I just kept reminding myself to "pick a pin and pick a spot"....as buck fever has ruined several opportunities for me at close range in the past. The bull stopped once, at 20 yards, looked around and then came closer. He saw me at 15 yards, but he was broadside and by then to late. I double lunged him and he went 50 yards down the hill and expired. I think it took me about 45 minutes to calm down and stop shaking. After that, as we all know, is when the fun goes out of elk hunting. We had about a mile pack out to spike camp, and 4 miles after that to the trucks....not to mention, that was the second elk to go down in the last 18 hours. Getting all these animals out on your back was probably the hardest thing I have ever done, though definitely the most rewarding.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 13, 2007, 11:19:08 AM: Congrats on the elk nice job. Well earned elk it sounds like!!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Muleyslyr on November 13, 2007, 11:36:20 AM: Wow....I'd say it was a banner year. Looks like you guys are pretty beat as well. I'm sure that was a lot of work. Congrats to your group.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: huntingnut on November 13, 2007, 12:48:40 PM: Wow!! Congrats on an excellent hunt. Can't wait to get into that next year.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 13, 2007, 02:29:53 PM: couple of pics I had on my computer the guys packing out from our spike camp, as well as the only field pic we had.....he had the only camera in camp.....note to next year...bring camera from base camp!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 13, 2007, 02:32:19 PM: packing out from spike camp 1
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 13, 2007, 02:33:42 PM: packing out from spike 2
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Snap Shooter on November 13, 2007, 03:33:10 PM: This is the 'Snap Shooter', I am the guy that shot the 5 X 5. Well, as my good friend said, the first night there, I was set up at a mud hole with lots of sign. Wind good, clean clothes and lots of Elk urine in a bottle. Sitting there in a make shift blind I caught something out of the corner of my eye and turned to look. A hiker stumbles out of the tree line just to the North of me smoking a cig and holding a water cooler. He walked all around the mud hole spreading his sent and walked by me within 10 yards and never new I was there, well, I thought there goes my evening hunt. The hiker went away and I started to tinker with my gear not thinking anything would show up, WRONG! In 15 minutes a 6 X 6 heard bull showed up and caught me with my pants down. I could never get a shot. The good news, I knew where to hunt in the coming days. After my buddy shot his bull the next morning and we packed it back to spike camp, we got word over the radio that another friend had shot a huge cow, so with no rest we went directly to that site and butchered a cow and packed it back to spike camp same day, I dont know about the other guys, , but I am 48 years old and I was shot. The next day was tough, we packed all 8 quarters down to base camp. Two guys took meat to the butcher while two of us stayed at base camp to get some rest. After a little shut eye, I decided to hike back to spike camp for the evening hunt by myself. Once at spike camp I prepared and then hiked into my mud hole (at this point I had hiked 16 miles in 2 days much of it under load). Well, I set up at the hole and waited, wind was bad blowing my scent into the hole, so around 6:30PM I buggled and listened for a response. I received one, but it sounded far away, so I waited for a moment and hit the tube again, sure enough the response came back again a short grunt and some chuckles, but it was closer, at this point I said to myself, "game on" and moved up this short hill about 3 paces to have a clearer shooting lane through all the heavy tress and brush. Heart pounding and arrow knocked, I gave another blast on the call and this time the response I estimated was about 50-75 yards and I could now hear snapping and cracking as the animal got closer. Now, it was at this point that I had a to make a decision, I knew it was coming fast, but did not know to free my hands of the call and put both hands on the bow coming to full draw or bugle again. I have no where near the skill at calling that my buddies do, so it was a concern. I decided to place the buggle tube in my mouth and pull the bow up and go to full draw, all the time listening to the animal getting closer. I waited for what seemed like several minutes, but was actually only 20-30 seconds and gave one more blast on the call and sure enough another reponse a 'Bark'. I opend my mouth and dropped the tube while at full draw and it was about then, That I got my first glimpse, multiple tines, but through the trees I had a hard time counting. He was trotting fast amd came into 18 yards with vitals perfectly outlined by one live tree and one dead. I still could not make out how many points, because his head was obscured by a tree and some brush, but I knew he was a shooter. I set my 20 yard pin on his heart and let the arrow go, double lung, I was a little high. He took off to the North and I settled down to wait. That is when the shaking begins, its strange how when on target you are rock solid and only after do you start to shake, my friend says its muscle memory, anyway, I got one down. I will let my buddies tell the story of what happend next if they so choose. Great hunt!!!!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: jackelope on November 13, 2007, 03:37:19 PM: great stories and pics guys. thanks a lot
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: GoldTip on November 13, 2007, 03:57:01 PM: Danged nice batch of bulls, congrats on the success.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: andrew_12gauge on November 13, 2007, 05:51:00 PM: Man thats got to be once in a lifetime, way to go guys and can i get an invite to your camp next year?
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: hogsniper on November 13, 2007, 06:02:59 PM: awesome pics and what a great year for you guys...cant believe that was in WA...havent heard of success like that very much on public land..thanks for sharing....Justin
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Slider on November 13, 2007, 06:46:24 PM: You WON'T need the camera next year!!! Theres no Elk left!!! Just kidding... Congrats to all!!!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 07:08:03 AM: Hey Snapshooter,

On the home computer.....thought I would add a pic of your 07 buck...just to let folks know how lucky you are.....biggest bull this year...biggest buck of the group also!

Broken Arrow
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: General Disarray on November 14, 2007, 07:21:26 AM: Maybe you guys should quit packing into Mt Rainier Nat'l Park....
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 07:35:30 AM: lol....I didn't know "northwest trek" was part of the park.....far from that my friend!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Snap Shooter on November 14, 2007, 08:12:59 AM: I dont believ in luck, I was a blessed man this year, you guys did most of the scouting and I just capitalized, thanks to all the hunting partners for their hard work. I dont know if we will ever repeat.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: General Disarray on November 14, 2007, 08:52:31 AM: Quote from: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 07:35:30 AM
lol....I didn't know "northwest trek" was part of the park.....far from that my friend!

I know it wasn't Northwest Trek since they don't have animals that small there!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 09:21:05 AM: great point!....good thing were not trophy hunters or we would have gone hungry the past 3 years
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Little Fish on November 14, 2007, 09:30:09 AM: What a great year! Thanks for the stories.

Questions...How long have you guys been archery hunting? how long did it take to consistently start taking animals every year?
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: General Disarray on November 14, 2007, 09:56:07 AM: Quote from: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 09:21:05 AM
great point!....good thing were not trophy hunters or we would have gone hungry the past 3 years

Exactly, given the fact that you guys don't work and just collect unemployment all hunting season!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: addicted on November 14, 2007, 09:57:47 AM: ahh nice buck snapshooter. and a hoyt man at that.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 10:26:07 AM: Myself and snapshot have been hunting partners for about 16 years. We have archery hunted for 14 years. It took me 3 years of archery hunting to get my first animal. After that, combined, we have only had 1 year where as we have not killed an animal. We both have had off the chart success rates on both elk and deer. My other partner, is my brother in law....he got his first archery elk this year ( 3rd year archery hunting elk), though has smoked us on big bucks, especially Blacktails. My other two partners are Washington transplants, who have both had excellent success on both species, including two Pope and Young deer, through out the midwest and mountain states all with archery gear.

I base our success on the fact that we train exceptionally hard through out the off season. I personally have the fear of not being able to keep up with several members of our group who are either current members of our militaries Special Forces or ex-members. I can not count the the numerous miles I have put on climbing hills with a full pack 3 to 4 days a week, cross training at the gym during lmy unch hour, and running mile after mile in the evening. We all shoot our bows almost every day, even if for just 20 shots a night. Many of us also attend numerous seminars on calling, hunting techniques, gear etc.

Hunting wilderness hunts is not for the light of heart. It is hard and grueling.....and if your not physically and mentally prepared, the mountains, elements, and fatigue will break even the most well intentioned.

My mind set has always been, I will get 2 to 3 opportunities, per hunt. I need to be prepared to make those work.

Also we set realistic goals, we are not trophy hunters. We have killed many nice animals, some much bigger than these original pictures, however with that said....let a big cow come across me in the back country at 20 yards and I'm eating steak all winter!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Snap Shooter on November 14, 2007, 11:05:05 AM: Snap Shooter here, I concur! Preparation is everything. This has been an area of weakness for me the last few years, because I have always been blessed with athletic ability and have relied on that history, but now that I am getting older, I think I am the oldest in our camp at 48, I need to focus even more on off season physical and mental preparation. This year I shot my bow a lot and purchased a new Hoyt and was feeling very confident out to 80 yrds. In the past 13-14 years of bow hunting, I have never not killed an animal in the field. Willingness to go where others wont go and endure hardship that others wont endure is the key to success. I cant tell you how many times people have come and gone in our camps over the years and those that don't stay are the same ones that just don't commit fully (current group excluded). I remember on many occasions the core group telling people @ 4:30AM on day 5 "get out of bed"! And those timid hunters replying "I am just to tired" I can not tell you how many times the core group telling the timids go across those 3 canyons and push that draw and you will get shots and the timids saying "that's just to far to walk, I will hunt right here near the rig". The willingness to put yourself into situations that the average or timid hunter wont put themselves in results in one thing, meat in the freezer. I have shot some decent animals over the years, but never trophy quality animals, just lots of animals.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Bearhunter on November 14, 2007, 11:35:03 AM: Looks like you guys had a great year, do you have any more pics?
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: General Disarray on November 14, 2007, 11:42:25 AM: Quote from: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 10:26:07 AM
Myself and snapshot have been hunting partners for about 16 years. We have archery hunted for 14 years. It took me 3 years of archery hunting to get my first animal. After that, combined, we have only had 1 year where as we have not killed an animal. We both have had off the chart success rates on both elk and deer. My other partner, is my brother in law....he got his first archery elk this year ( 3rd year archery hunting elk), though has smoked us on big bucks, especially Blacktails. My other two partners are Washington transplants, who have both had excellent success on both species, including two Pope and Young deer, through out the midwest and mountain states all with archery gear.

I base our success on the fact that we train exceptionally hard through out the off season. I personally have the fear of not being able to keep up with several members of our group who are either current members of our militaries Special Forces or ex-members. I can not count the the numerous miles I have put on climbing hills with a full pack 3 to 4 days a week, cross training at the gym during lmy unch hour, and running mile after mile in the evening. We all shoot our bows almost every day, even if for just 20 shots a night. Many of us also attend numerous seminars on calling, hunting techniques, gear etc.

Hunting wilderness hunts is not for the light of heart. It is hard and grueling.....and if your not physically and mentally prepared, the mountains, elements, and fatigue will break even the most well intentioned.

My mind set has always been, I will get 2 to 3 opportunities, per hunt. I need to be prepared to make those work.

Also we set realistic goals, we are not trophy hunters. We have killed many nice animals, some much bigger than these original pictures, however with that said....let a big cow come across me in the back country at 20 yards and I'm eating steak all winter!

Did you get rid of that Mathews POS and go back to a real bow yet?
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 11:54:18 AM: not yet "JB", its still killing animal!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on November 14, 2007, 07:37:35 PM: sorry bearhunter...lots of picks from previous hunts...but that was the only camera we had in spike camp this year....and he was the last to fill his tag....other than that, I'm sure your not intrested in seeing picks of 5 guys tagged out sitting around camp, drinking whiskey, and figuring out ways no to come home to the wives!
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Bearhunter on November 15, 2007, 12:21:59 PM: Some of those can be pretty good pictures to. Any camp pics?
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Map on December 27, 2007, 10:46:03 PM: Great hunt and success!

Not many cedars trees in there for West side! Definetely looks like area near the crest...green grass found east and high.

Map
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Elknut1 on December 28, 2007, 06:31:47 AM: Wow! Great stories & success there guys & a very enjoyable read for sure! I've been invited to WA this year for Rosies & am seriously considering it. Not sure if it will work out at this time but am very interested in it! It would be a public land hunt. Thanks again for the great stories & photos!

ElkNut1
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: jae on December 28, 2007, 07:09:33 AM: Congratulations on a great year. I realy enjoy that style of hunting myself.
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: LongTatLaw on December 28, 2007, 03:51:34 PM: Looks like a great year to me fellas.

Im with ya on the trophies brother... I know deer horns and I know what B&C potential animals are in the area... but Ill take a decent buck/bull every year over a book animal every 4th year.

I have killed hundreds of big game animals but never once have I sent a score card to P&y or B&C ... because Ive never killed an animal that makes the cut off.

Butt, Ive got tons of "trophies" and Ive killed tons of animals... and anyone that wouldnt be tempted by a fat old cow in bow range may not wanna hunt with me. lol

Great year fellas... good job!

dave
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on January 11, 2008, 07:28:36 AM: Have not been on in a while. Thanks for all the nice post. Just got two of the heads back yesterday. Did a leather mount on mine and a European on my friends. Hope everyone has had a great 07....and look forward to seeing and reading some great stories in 08
Title: Re: 2007 archery elk
Post by: Broken Arrow on January 11, 2008, 07:29:51 AM: here is the European