Post by: Timber on September 26, 2009, 01:54:50 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 26, 2009, 06:10:53 AM
Post by: Jeffrey on September 26, 2009, 07:07:10 AM
Post by: Bearhunter on September 26, 2009, 09:23:24 AM
Post by: Tom Reichner on September 26, 2009, 07:51:30 PM
I just passed thru Y-stone last night, on my way home from CO. I hear there's a good-sized fire not far from where you'll be. Hope you're ok, and that they don't evacuate you and ruin your shooting :'(
I can't wait to hear how you do there. Hope you have a great time!
Post by: CoryTDF on September 26, 2009, 08:07:50 PM
Post by: shanevg on September 26, 2009, 08:46:50 PM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on September 27, 2009, 01:37:12 PM
Post by: searchnfor on September 27, 2009, 06:08:35 PM
Post by: Timber on September 28, 2009, 12:44:03 PM
The fire is causing starting to cause trouble now, hopefully it doesn't get too out of control. My shots from this morning have a smokey haze in them, but I think they still turned out okay. What's worse is I caught stuck in the north half of the park yesterday afternoon because the only road going north to the south was closed because of the fire. I had to drive 270 miles just to get 25 miles south of the closure!
I'll post some pics soon.
Post by: Timber on September 28, 2009, 01:09:20 PM
I arrived at the west entrance to the park at 3:30pm. Right away along the Madison I saw a 5pt and a nice 6x6. Here are 2 pics of the 6x6.
Then I went to Pope's spot and right away got into some bugling elk. First a satelite bull. He had grass in his antlers from raking the ground. Then I got in on the herd bull. After playing cat and mouse with him in the jack pines, he ran off into a small opening to round up a stray cow. I snapped a few pics in the short time he was in the open. I didn't anything great, but you can see the size of him.
Post by: Tom Reichner on September 28, 2009, 01:12:31 PM
Post by: tlbradford on September 28, 2009, 02:44:51 PM
Post by: Ridgerunner on September 28, 2009, 03:11:16 PM
Post by: bigdave on September 28, 2009, 03:21:03 PM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on September 28, 2009, 03:22:49 PM
Post by: Ricochet on September 28, 2009, 05:11:46 PM
Post by: searchnfor on September 28, 2009, 08:52:54 PM
Post by: shanevg on September 28, 2009, 09:17:47 PM
Post by: Timber on September 28, 2009, 09:46:37 PM
Right at daylight I had a lot of elk action. I was surrounded by 4 or 5 bulls bugling their lungs out. But, I didn't get a single shot. I caught glimpses of 2 of them. They were nice. I ended up bumping some cows and that was the end of that.
Then I decided to explore the northern half of the park. I spotted a few bison, a few more bull elk and a decent mule deer. I spent a lot of time glassing and driving back and forth over Dunraven pass hoping to spot a grizzly. No such luck. I missed one by 10 minutes my first trip over, then talked to a guy who had been up there most of the day and had already seen 3.
Post by: shanevg on September 28, 2009, 10:50:29 PM
Post by: Timber on September 28, 2009, 11:32:55 PM
The forest fire is getting bigger and the smoke was a problem today. It made for some interesting light but there was a smokey haze that didn't go away until late moring. The bugling this morning was not as intense. There were only 2 bulls screaming and it took me a while to get in on them. I was being extra careful today to not bump any cows. Eventually I saw a giant bull chase off a satelite bull right to me. I got some pics of him before he barked and ran off. I got a few shots of the giant herd bull way off in the jack pines. I tried to close in on him but he stayed in the thick stuff.
Soon after giving up on the herd bull, I heard some antlers clashing. I closed in on the sound and found a 4pt and a small 5x6 horsing around. I got a few shots of them before the 4pt gave up and left.
Post by: Timber on September 28, 2009, 11:33:34 PM
I got to the elk spot at 4:30 this afternoon hoping I could finally get a good pic of the big bull. I had a pretty good idea where he might be. Soon after hiking in there, I heard his distinctive raspy bugle. I headed towards the sound and caught sight of him as he walked into an opening. It worked out perfect. I was able to snap quite a few photos of him before he heard my camera and left.
Right before dark I found a young bull and got a few pics of him. Tonight was the highlight of my trip so far. Any guesses on the score of the big bull?
Post by: Tom Reichner on September 29, 2009, 12:54:14 AM
That's a special bull. His antlers are exceptionally dark, which makes him unique in my book. You did get some very nice images of him! It's good to hear that your trip is getting better as the days progress. It often takes a while to figure out a new location and new subjects.
BTW, I especially like the fact that the white of the bull's eye is showing in that one fight pic. The eyes often make or break the shot. Hope you get more good stuff tomorrow!
Post by: boneaddict on September 29, 2009, 06:13:29 AM
Post by: tlbradford on September 29, 2009, 08:47:50 AM
I CANNOT wait to get home to see these. I'm actually excited! Sounds very cool Jon. Maybe we can do a trip one of these days.
You should be excited, it is a special bull. I like the sparring pic with the thick smoke in the background. More for the story it tells than anything else. Keep up the great work Timber.
Post by: saylean on September 29, 2009, 09:34:15 AM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on September 29, 2009, 11:56:16 AM
That big bull is amazing. I'll check through my photos and see if I have pictures of him from last year. I have found over the years that the spot produces a lot of really dark horned bulls because they rub on the jack pines and that gets pitch all over the horns and then dirt sticks to the pitch. Remember, these elk migrate out of the park in another month or so and they are hunted then so they are fairly wild bulls you are working. That's what makes it fun and interesting. Sounds like the rut may be calming down or the smoke is bothering them. Good stuff.
Post by: muleysgirl13 on September 29, 2009, 12:12:25 PM
Post by: shanevg on September 29, 2009, 06:20:32 PM
Post by: Jeffrey on September 29, 2009, 07:49:47 PM
Post by: boneaddict on September 29, 2009, 08:01:30 PM
Post by: Timber on September 29, 2009, 10:14:55 PM
Had good bull action all morning until 10:00. Unfortunately, I only got 1 pic. It's of the second best bull I've seen. The picture doesn't do him justice. He is wide and has good mass. I accidentally got right in on him before there was enough light for the camera. While I was hanging back waiting for more light, for some reason he ran by me and I was only able to snap one shot.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi177.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw207%2Fjontimmer%2FIMG_3561copy.jpg&hash=aefcb87e47f863b045a4d27ab9df2aab163de309)
This afternoon there wasn't much bugling. I got one picture of the big bull from about 400 yds away just before dark.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi177.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw207%2Fjontimmer%2FIMG_3619copy.jpg&hash=45f433ab74ab8a40f19190549c70d93c3129a069)
Here are a few critters I shot while the elk action was slow.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi177.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw207%2Fjontimmer%2FIMG_3585copy.jpg&hash=cd365f5bb8db31dbad0602431ed969c6e7a4adcd)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi177.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw207%2Fjontimmer%2F003602copy.jpg&hash=dfbc048a140eb2b6405561309f07bcdfde40f6a9)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi177.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw207%2Fjontimmer%2FIMG_3618copy.jpg&hash=304b581375172488e5756f82d9fef618fceff5db)
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 29, 2009, 11:10:08 PM
Post by: Little Dave on September 29, 2009, 11:49:39 PM
Sparring bull in particular. Thanks.
Post by: boneaddict on September 30, 2009, 05:43:39 AM
Post by: bucklucky on September 30, 2009, 07:41:03 AM
Post by: Timber on September 30, 2009, 10:14:45 PM
Woke up to a change in the weather - snow. Got some pics of a nice bull this morning. He was running around with his nose to the ground like a hound dog. Then I made a trip down to the Tetons. Saw some antelope and a couple of small bull moose.
It's been a great trip and I want to thank Shawn (popeshawnpaul) for offering to let me check out his honeyhole. I really appreciate it Shawn. Getting pictures of the big elk in there made my trip!
I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Idaho to help a friend fill his moose tag. Watch for a new thread.
Post by: muleysgirl13 on September 30, 2009, 10:17:05 PM
Post by: ribka on September 30, 2009, 10:24:50 PM
Post by: popeshawnpaul on September 30, 2009, 10:25:15 PM
Post by: shanevg on September 30, 2009, 11:42:29 PM
Post by: boneaddict on October 01, 2009, 06:14:54 AM
Post by: CoryTDF on October 01, 2009, 06:36:43 AM
Post by: searchnfor on October 01, 2009, 07:15:37 AM
Post by: Wea300mag on October 01, 2009, 08:44:03 PM
Post by: Huntbear on October 02, 2009, 06:53:23 PM