Post by: Mulie87 on September 28, 2023, 09:21:28 PM
We put the herd to bed Saturday and picked him back up on Sunday. Sunday brought rain that was not-stop for the rest of the trip. We devised a plan for opening day, which was Monday, September 24. We got back to our glassing spot before dark and was met by rain and thick fog. We could hear him bugling down below us, but the fog did not clear until about 9:30 in the morning. As soon as the fog cleared, we located him. Me and two other guys decided to go down into the bowl, which turned out to be a hell hole. We are able to call him into about 150 yards from us, but due to the brush, we never saw him. My buddy was up top, looking down and watching the whole thing.
On day two we were back at our elevated glass spot to wait out the fog. At 10 AM the fog cleared, and we spotted the herd in a more advantageous position for us. We hiked down a finger and I took up my final firing position. The herd was better than 150 yards below us. I had to shoot between a dead stump and a tree branches. I wasn’t comfortable with the shot, with fear my bullet would hit a tree branch. My son-in-law knelt on all fours in front of me and I laid my rifle across his shoulder blades to gain elevation. I settled the crosshairs of my custom Remington .300rum right behind his shoulder as he was bedded from left to right. I slowly press the trigger and hit him behind the shoulder. He stood up, but didn’t take one step as his cows quickly trotted off. I quickly reloaded and sent another one into his front shoulder. He tried to walk off and follow his cows, but he only made it 28 yards before piling up from two 200grn Accubonds at 3,000fps and 4,000fp of energy at impact.
Though it never stopped raining, and mother nature gave us her best, that was one of the most enjoyable and memorable hunts I’ve ever had. A rifle hunt for elk in September and having the only modern tag for that area in the state. A special hunt at such a historic national monument was truly special.
Post by: Mulie87 on September 28, 2023, 09:23:37 PM
If anyone gets any of the tags in the Upper Smith Creek, let me know and i’ll give you some tips. Hell, I might go with you.
Post by: Alan K on September 28, 2023, 09:27:21 PM
Post by: elksnout on September 28, 2023, 09:31:50 PM
elksnout
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 28, 2023, 09:40:37 PM
Post by: redi on September 28, 2023, 09:44:23 PM
Post by: MADMAX on September 28, 2023, 10:04:46 PM
👍
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 28, 2023, 10:18:54 PM
Post by: huntnfmly on September 29, 2023, 04:58:09 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 29, 2023, 05:43:35 AM
One more pic
If anyone gets any of the tags in the Upper Smith Creek, let me know and i’ll give you some tips. Hell, I might go with you.
Will you pack out my animal also??
Post by: Mulie87 on September 29, 2023, 07:02:11 AM
One more pic
If anyone gets any of the tags in the Upper Smith Creek, let me know and i’ll give you some tips. Hell, I might go with you.
Will you pack out my animal also??
I’m generous, but not that generous 😂
Post by: NorseNW on September 29, 2023, 07:09:08 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on September 29, 2023, 07:44:07 AM
Post by: bearhunter99 on September 29, 2023, 07:45:32 AM
Post by: LDennis24 on September 29, 2023, 08:34:35 AM
Post by: GOcougsHunter on September 29, 2023, 08:42:08 AM
Post by: GHETTO GUIDE on September 30, 2023, 02:01:54 PM
Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
Post by: Taco280AI on September 30, 2023, 04:47:55 PM
Post by: b23 on September 30, 2023, 04:59:33 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on September 30, 2023, 07:33:04 PM
Congrats! My son had it two years ago and filled his tag on day 2. It was 80 degrees during the day and we would have welcomed the rain.
Not sure I wanted 80°, but I definitely didn’t want three days of straight rain.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 30, 2023, 08:25:06 PM
Post by: bankwalker on October 01, 2023, 07:59:04 PM
Post by: Falcon on October 07, 2023, 04:09:50 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on October 07, 2023, 04:31:35 PM
Very nice!! I seen that bull back in July with 3 other bulls and about 10 cows. He was the biggest of the group and I couldn't help but think how awesome it would have been to have that tag
:tup: