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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: workstohunt on October 21, 2021, 08:56:46 AM


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Title: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: workstohunt on October 21, 2021, 08:56:46 AM
Ok, need a little encouragement from the guys that spend so much time in the area.
Everything has changed from July after the fire. Where I had planned to hunt is closed.
Checked out the oak creek drainage, A Lot of camps going up, so must be elk in the area.
So I guess my question is where would an old man, who hunts by himself focus his attention?
You guys have been pretty generous over the years, so I thought I would pick your brains. Just want to do the tag some justice.

Thanks in advance for any advice.  :tup:
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: vandeman17 on October 21, 2021, 09:04:34 AM
I haven't seen exactly where all is closed and where all is burned but I had the archery tag a few years back. I will see if I can find some maps of updated closure areas to try and locate some areas I scouted that I think survived the fire
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: workstohunt on October 21, 2021, 09:12:48 AM
Yes, the 1500 is closed at the top of the hill just before the first intersection (4 miles maybe) and it's closed about 1/2 mile in from the Nile side.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: Mtnwalker on October 21, 2021, 09:39:32 AM
Sent you a PM
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: goldenhtr on October 21, 2021, 08:00:39 PM
Good Luck, I had to turn in my Q- Archery tag for the Bethel unit :'(. They closed everything above HWY 12 until just recently. Looks as if they have opened things up above HWY 12 up to the Bethel RD. Could be crowded in such smaller area.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: workstohunt on October 22, 2021, 06:27:40 AM
Yes, they opened it on the 7th. Like you said still a lot closed.
I held out turning mine in, in the hopes it would all open, but going to give it one hell of a shot! Still a lot of area a big bull could hide that I didn't get in to see. Of course.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: workstohunt on October 25, 2021, 07:40:55 PM
Got into some elk today. They are smarter than me!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help.
Post by: MAVsled on October 29, 2021, 10:51:26 AM
Ive been camped here since saturday
Best bet is oak creek 1400 road system. That's what dnr-usfs persons told me.

You'll have lots company...but you have 1 of very few "ANY" bull tags.
And you kept your tag. Good luck, fill it with a good bull!!!

This year I'm solo too. Usual hunt pards cancelled out for 2021.
My 53rd year hunting 356-360. Had to adjust hunt area due to fire closure.
And when road signed "Closed to fire interior", they mean it. Was advised by dnr & usfs that big fines for those tickted...and they are patrolling EVERY day!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: workstohunt on October 30, 2021, 09:17:39 AM
First, thanks to the ones who offered advice and encouragement.
I will get the story and some pictures in the next couple days.
It was a great hunt and a lot of fun. Not my biggest Bull, but couldn't pass it up after a pretty awesome hunt.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Mtnwalker on October 30, 2021, 09:23:32 AM
First, thanks to the ones who offered advice and encouragement.
I will get the story and some pictures in the next couple days.
It was a great hunt and a lot of fun. Not my biggest Bull, but couldn't pass it up after a pretty awesome hunt.

Congrats, glad to see you were successful! That hunt can be good but it isn’t a gimme by any means, looking forward to the pictures
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: dvolmer on October 30, 2021, 04:26:19 PM
Great job!!!  Can’t wait to see pics and story. Not a slam-dunk hunt like some think!  I had the same tag last year along with another forum member and we both ate a big bowl of tag-soup!  Once again, congrats!!!!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: riverrun on October 30, 2021, 09:48:11 PM
That's Awesome! Great to hear you had success!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: workstohunt on November 01, 2021, 11:04:14 AM
Had one of the greatest hunts I have ever had in all my 60 years.
I had made an early morning hunt which took 5 hours in some pretty steep ground. Never saw an animal. Headed to an area I had taken a couple hikes in earlier where I had seen some deer. It was going to be a “quick” hike, so I only took my fanny pack with a knife, a water, and a candy bar. I went down a steep hillside into the bottom of a ravine, with a small creek in the bottom, angling up the creek. I got to the bottom and it kind of opened up and looked really good. I crossed the creek and found a rather large game trail that was following an old fire break, so why not check it out. I walked quite a ways and decided to cow call, nothing. Walked another half hour, cow called and nothing again. After 2 hours of walking down hill thinking it should come out somewhere, decided to turn around and head back. Before I headed back thought it wouldn’t hurt to cow call one last time. Immediately was answered by a cow, pretty close within a hundred yards. We bantered back and forth for a while and her calf started mewing as well. The calf got curious and I could see it was moving towards me and pops out at 10 feet right in front of me. Of course it panics and runs off, but the cow didn’t as I had the wind in my favor. While all this was going on, I swore I heard a bull bugle off in the distance, but couldn’t tell if it was my ears ringing or I just wanted to hear a bull. Decided I needed to change positions before she investigates. I move up wind, cow call and immediately above me a bull bugles. I cow call again and get a response from a cow in the direction the bull bugled. So now I know he has cows and probably won’t come to investigate. He bugles again and now cows above me behind me and to the side of me start talking. It gets quite for a while so I bugled again. He lets off the longest bugle I have ever heard and the cows start talking again. Decided I didn’t need to call anymore and just make a move on the bull. I started up the ridge trying to stay hid. I get 50 yards up hill and notice something to my left at 40 yards. It’s a long horned spike. It didn’t see me so I moved right enough to keep out of sight and continued up hill. I get another 50 yards and catch some movement. It’s a cow looking things over and checking the wind. Thought I was busted but had enough crown in the hill she hadn’t seen me. I watched her for 10-12 minutes before she moved, and right behind her was another long horned spike. I knew that wasn’t the bull I had heard. I moved up the hill on my hands and knees to see if that bull was bedded on this flat area 30 yards in front of me, nothing. Crawled up behind a burnt log and waited for something to follow where the other cow had walked. After about 5 minutes, here comes a cow, another cow, another spike, cow, spike, BIG BULL, 2 seconds to decide, BOOM – 30 yards and he humps up. I shot him from my knees! I stand up and walk towards him as he walks up hill shaking his head. Elk running everywhere at 10 yards, but I was focused on the bull. He turned and I put another in behind front shoulder. He drops and now my work begins. It is 4 o’clock and I need to get it gutted, skinned and figure out where I’m at.
After taking care of it the best I could and now it is almost dark. Walked straight up hill about 350 yards and hit the main road. 4.5 miles later I was back at my rig. Went back at daylight, finished quartering it up and 8 trips later had it all out.
This Bull was a battler. He had 2 broken ribs that had healed, a split ear, and a puncture wound in the neck that had healed as well.
I also have to mention I pulled out every good luck charm I had, my Bearpaw Outfitters hat, my Hunting WA- Aaron Blanchard 5k shirt, and used my Dad’s #1 Ruger.


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Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: 7mmfan on November 01, 2021, 11:49:53 AM
Awesome story and great bull! Well done!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 01, 2021, 11:55:43 AM
Damn nice bull. Congratulations.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Rainier10 on November 01, 2021, 11:57:00 AM
Nice job.  Thanks for sharing the story and photo.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: bornhunter on November 01, 2021, 11:58:38 AM
Nice bull and what a great story of your hunt.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Bob33 on November 01, 2021, 12:02:23 PM
That's a beautiful bull. Congratulations.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: vandeman17 on November 01, 2021, 12:05:15 PM
Pretty awesome to get to be in among them and have some rut activity. Memories for life
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: trophyhunt on November 01, 2021, 12:20:51 PM
Doing it alone is tough, nice job!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Rainier10 on November 01, 2021, 12:24:49 PM
Doing it alone is tough, nice job!
That's what I was thinking.  Pretty impressive to deal with it in the field solo and to get it out solo.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 01, 2021, 12:44:33 PM
Nice work arlie!! Glad you got to put Doss’ #1 to work. 👍

For the guys that are impressed with the solo hunt, you wouldn’t be if you knew him, arlie is a straight savage. 👍 he’s 60 but he’s in better shape than 99% of 20 year olds. Grats again buddy.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: workstohunt on November 01, 2021, 12:55:12 PM
 :chuckle:
Thanks 257
I told Dad I shot it with his rifle and he said I didn't know I loaned it to you. I told him You didn't :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: elkboy on November 01, 2021, 01:06:16 PM
Arlie, congratulations on beautiful bull and a fantastic hunt.  Sounds Iike you really hit "the right place at the right time!"  Well done!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on November 01, 2021, 01:09:22 PM
Haha.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: OutHouse on November 01, 2021, 03:56:54 PM
In current condition, I don't think I could do a pack-out like that and I'm 35. You're a beast and great bull too by the way!!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: wadu1 on November 01, 2021, 04:07:38 PM
Well done, thanks for the writeup. This part was a nice touch "I pulled out every good luck charm I had, my Bearpaw Outfitters hat, my Hunting WA- Aaron Blanchard 5k shirt, and used my Dad’s #1 Ruger." :tup:
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Twispriver on November 01, 2021, 04:55:34 PM
Sounds like a magical time in the elk woods - thanks for taking us along  :tup:
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: riverrun on November 01, 2021, 09:23:51 PM
Congrats again on a successful qaulity bull tag!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on November 01, 2021, 10:08:26 PM
Congrats and way to work for it!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: full choke on November 01, 2021, 10:21:25 PM
Congratulations!  :tup:

Nice bull, thanks for sharing the story.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Fish4Fun on November 02, 2021, 01:19:08 PM
Congratulations that is very nice for a Bethel Ridge bull   :tup:
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: whacker1 on November 02, 2021, 01:31:51 PM
great story
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: Buckjunkie on November 02, 2021, 01:50:29 PM
Congratulations and what a great story. Sounds like you did everything right when it counted. Nice work!
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 02, 2021, 02:56:33 PM
Beautiful bull.
Title: Re: Bethel BUll (modern) Tag help. (Success)
Post by: TVHunts on November 02, 2021, 03:35:01 PM
Very impressive solo hunt!  Congrats on the success and a great bull :tup:
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