Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: blackveltbowhunter on September 23, 2011, 12:10:24 AM
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Well,
After a long roller coaster ride of a season its all over yesterday with a large cow from western oregon. While I was hoping for a double on bulls :), im pumped to have had a fantastic time, take in some awesome scenery and harvest some great animals.
Opening day of the Oregon archery season found me in the Backcountry of eastern ore with temps deep in the 80s and clear. Action was slow until the morning of day four when I located a great bull, in an awesome location, with only a 3 cows, bugling, and no other hunters anywhere close to my area. The problem....My conscience! This was a solo hunt I was 10 mile min from the truck and temps were not conducive to leaving meat hanging around long to say the least. ( since then i have heard some opinions to the contrary, and am looking into it. Feel free if you have any feedback...)
I could not in clear conscience kill this bull and be even reasonably certain of getting the meat out before spoilage, and I consider myself a fairly rugged individual, but thats a lot of speedy miles under a loaded pack!So rather than risk temptation I looked elsewhere, yes I have reconsidered that decision many times. No I dont regret it.
Action was slow anywhere closer to the truck and deer sightings were also very slow so I decided to relocate on day 6 in an attempt to tag a buck before heading home to prepare for washington elk. The bugles of Mr. Big followed me out of the canyon that morning...... ahhhh.
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The move turned out to be a good one and I was able to ambush a nice buck later that day, will post in the deer section
After getting home it was turn and burn back to Oregon wetside to chase bulls in the coast range. Never having hunted the area before it was awesome the first morning saw 5 branched bulls 2 were "good" they all were shooters in my book. Unfortunatley I zigged when I shoulda zagged blew calls when I shoulda shut up etc etc....
After a quick trip into Washington to meet up with the boys and wrap up some homework in our hunting spot here. We returned. Unfortunatley the action had slowed, other hunters were in the area, and although we were able to get into em a bit nothing panned out
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After returning the evening before the opener of Archery Elk in Wa I was optimistic. The area we were hunting was scouted very well, several bulls located and although we had several tags we were hoping to fill. I was very optimistic of our chances given the bull sign in the area if we did our part and werent overly picky AND the woods stayed open. Opening morning brought several close calls with no deals sealed. After splitting up in the afternoon we had a couple bulls located in different areas to go after in the morning. Adam and I arrived at the location he had heard the bugling before right at shooting light. And what do you know elk! feeding in a clearcut just ahead of us, perfect location, good wind. Adam setup quickly and I backed up to call, a bull was bugling and responding to my cow calls and I could tell he was closing in. From my vantage I couldnt see into the CC to see what was happening but could tell from Adams body language and the fact he was taking several range readings the bull was closing in. This went on for several minutes and the bull had become quiet and I waited for Adams shot which never came. Although the bull was no longer talking I could tell they hadnt blown out yet and wondered if he may be headed for the jackfir adjacent to our location to circle downwind and had passed Adam out of range. Quickly repostioning on an alder covered berm I was able to see into the CC and notice several elk feeding about 80 to 100 yrds out. Immediatley after seeing these I spotted the bull moving below and past Adams location nearly into the Jackfirs. I ranged the bull quickly and drew undetected as the bull stepped clear i cow called softly he stopped perfectly, wham! i knew instantly the bull was hurt and hurt bad. my arrow had appeared to be on a collision course with the bulls chest. I ran back out toward adam who had the binocs up and was saying " i see him,I see him." Followed by " I dont see any blood?" I snuck up and could see the bull below us about 80 yards away sure enough not a drop of blood to be found. I felt like I had made a good hit, but was now questioning when I suddenly heard a crash followed by the "other" bull dancing away. Apparently another bull had been working his way up but remained undetected due to brush and terrain. Oh well.... We attempted a double but the bull was following cows which by now were onto our devious intentions. We broke the bull down and I returned back to take care of the meat and clean up...
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After taking care of the bull, it was back at it to help the rest of the guys tag out. Unfortunaley after another day of close calls. The woods were shut down. Talk about a low point. After a couple days spent relocating a couple different times Ed was able to close on a nice bull as well..... Long story short, bulls calling little, unknown country, hot weather. Slow times. Did manage to see a stud with a huge herd of cows who apparently knew I had a notched tag as he pranced around in bow range of me and behind a tree for my hunting partner. Such is the charmed life of huge bulls.... More pics, sorry no glory shots on my camera.
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After seasonclosed here it was backk over to Oregon to try and close. After the weather system moved through it was two solid days of nada! Not really what I envisioned, maybe being in the wrong spot, wrong time, dunno. Im sure it was good for others just slow for me. After two hard days covering alot of miles on foot and bicycle and seeing 2 elk and hearing one bunch that was blown out by other hunters I decided it was time to seal the deal. I wanted two elk in one year bad, but was startting to want to see my family almost as much :) ok JUST as much. Anyhow the mornings ride in the dark got me into a new area with a new perspective and even better elk sign! Fresh to boot. So fresh i could actually hear elk in the timber or so I thought. I quietly followed in the direction I thought I heard the elk going, but soon all was silent as I continued to walk softly. Elk sign was plentiful and After about half an hour i thought WTH cow call softly. Immediatly I hear sticks breaking and the unmistakable sound of an elk headed my way, my heart raced with anticpation as I waited for the elk to clear the vineys. I guess I assumed the elk would be a bull, or that their was more than one. wrong on both counts. As she cleared the vineys i could see her mewing but so softly I could bareley hear it at less than 40 yards, I got a range she was plenty close. she continued to walk and just as I was starting the draw she turned and starting heading my way spotting me about three steps into it. The jig was up I waited for her to bolt, but apparently the wind and camo were doing their job. She peered long and hard for what seemed forever then slowly turned to avoid the obstacle she knew shouldnt be there. This was the opportunity I neeeded as she faced straight away I drew back and anchored trying to keep track of her steps while doing so to assist in estimating range. she turned to parrallel and was slightly quartering away as I gave one soft mew. She continued to turn perfectly broadside as she looked up and her back hips relaxed, the pin settled in the sweet spot and was off before I realized what was happening. I heard the impact but her reaction was minimal, the arrow seemingly leaving no trace except for the irrepairable damage that a razor sharp broadhead leaves behind. she walked about 40 yards and out of sight. I never heard another elk or sound. I quietly settled down and searched for my arrow while the adrenalin rush i thought was reserved for big bulls only ran out of me. Upon inspection my arrow was covered in bright foamy blood, I followed the trail tho I didnt need to. She was dead 10 yard past where I last saw her.
Every elk is special, but I felt a sense of accomplishment with this elk I havent felt for a long time. Maybe she wasnt the muo grande bull I always dream about. But I felt complete knowing She deserved every bit of my best and got it. Not only from a technical standpoint but an emotional one as well. That at that moment Just before the release their was no hesitation about score, about whether she was "worthy" of my tag only the same adrenaline rush i battled the first time i pulled back on a elk. While I wont stop the quest for Mr. Big, I needed to know for myself it wasn't JUST about Mr.Big, that my completeness as a hunter didnt hinge on killing Mr.Big or killing at all. But in knowing I gave it my all. Every animal deserves that. Thanks for listening to the ramble.... It was an amazing season! Onto Pics :)
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Sounds like a great season. Congrats on both elk and great write up thanks for sharing.
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Nice! Great pictures showing the country. Congratulations!! :tup:
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Great story
Congrats
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Thanks for being part of "OUR" magazine. Great pics and story.
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Great story, nice pic's. Thanks for sharing.
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Hey, I really enjoyed your story and pics! That's what it's all about, right there. You've got me pumped up...just packed the truck and heading out for muzzy deer.
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Congrats on the "twofer". Full freezers and memory banks is what it's all about. Great write up!
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Nice pictures and story. Felt like I was a part of the hunts. Congrats.
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Nice Pic's and good story for sure... Thanks for posting...
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good job guys looks like you had alot of fun
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:tup:
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Great job, and great write up! :tup:
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Awesome story and I love how you respect the elk.
:tup: :tup:
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Nice write up, good job on the Oregon cow. I am the one that helped you get out your WA bull.
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Nice looking country and good job on the hunt ...I want to know where the one is that rubbed that 8' tree :yeah: congrads ... :tup:
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Nice write up, good job on the Oregon cow. I am the one that helped you get out your WA bull.
Thanx for the help! Beats my back or cart anytime! ;)
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Nice looking country and good job on the hunt ...I want to know where the one is that rubbed that 8' tree :yeah: congrads ... :tup:
LOL... I nicknamed that area uhmmmm "stripper pole"
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Congrats on a successful season! Freezer ought to be overflowing!
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Great story, Congrats!
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Thanks for a great story, "you gave it your all" nothing more fulfilling :tup: great memories!
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Looks like I missed this one. Cool write up !!
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Nice write up and your elk... You should be eating elk for some time.
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Great pics! I really like the one of you with your head down and your hand on the cow elk. It looks like you are thanking the elk.
