Post by: Vees on March 10, 2011, 05:03:05 PM
We had 6 ½ days to hunt an area we knew very little about. We did our research, poured over the maps and made phone calls…but there is no substitute for actually getting out and seeing the country for yourself. Although we were optimistic, we knew realistically this would be more of a learning experience with little chance of taking an animal. One thing about that country, no matter what you hear and how well you prepare yourself, it’s amazing how BIG that country is…you better be in shape!
The first few days of the trip we saw ONE elk from a distance and a handful of mule deer (including a couple small bucks). The weather was BEAUTIFUL (which is terrible for the elk hunting!) with a full moon at night. You could almost glass the hillsides at night with all the moonlight. We decided that the elk were still too high and scattered (relatively inaccessible without horses) and decided to check out a new area.
The new area proved to be more productive. The first day there we jumped a few mule deer up high and decided to check out some areas down lower...other hunters we talked to said some of the elk were staying REALLY low due to the wolf pressure (who really knows though). By the next day, we were nearing the end of our trip and my standards were starting to drop pretty quick! The next bull elk or muley buck I saw wasn’t gonna have much of a chance ;) On our way into one of the spots we wanted to check out I spotted my buck! Didn’t take me long to decide he was the one. I’ll be the first to admit I got lucky…but after 5 days of hiking my a** off, I felt like I earned him. Even when hunting a new area, patience and persistence pays off.
He is a 4x4 with a good spread (25 ½ inches). He doesn’t have great mass or tine length, but a trophy in my book. He also had quite a bit of velvet left, which was impressive considering I tagged him near the end of October.
The elk hunting also picked up right after I shot my deer. I was literally getting ready to clean out my buck when we spotted a herd of elk on the timberline 300-400 yards away! Unfortunately no bulls in the group, but just crazy how it all happens at once! We spotted a few more cows before the trip was over, but never ended up tagging an elk.
Well, I think I’ve blabbed enough. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the pictures! One last thing, I took my orange off for the pictures…
-Vees
Post by: Black Ghost on March 10, 2011, 05:10:38 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 10, 2011, 05:13:23 PM
Post by: ribka on March 10, 2011, 05:51:59 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 10, 2011, 05:54:45 PM
Post by: Vees on March 10, 2011, 06:30:48 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on March 10, 2011, 06:39:39 PM
Post by: bowhunterforever on March 10, 2011, 07:02:54 PM
Post by: 400out on March 10, 2011, 07:05:54 PM
Post by: blacktail luv on March 10, 2011, 08:13:44 PM
Post by: PacificNWhunter on March 10, 2011, 10:04:09 PM
Post by: bearpaw on March 10, 2011, 10:17:15 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 14, 2011, 10:47:01 AM
I wonder if people even read all of these stories it clearly says when he shot it. :P. That is a great buck and props to you for taking on the challenge of hunting a new area.
...sometimes the ADHD kicks in and it's hard to concentrate longer than it takes to look at a picture... :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: vandeman17 on March 14, 2011, 10:57:37 AM