A Dream Realized: Mountain View

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

...

Or would you rather know that I was at full draw 4 times in the last two days…with one miss, and one that thunked into the shoulder/no man’s land, never to be seen again. (He will live)

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Bummer, I thought for sure you'd tag out!

Since I won't be flinging arrows at elk this year and now that your hunt is over... will you paint a more detailed picture on your misses and hunt so others (me) might benefit from it?

- what would you do differently (if anything) on your two shots?
- How was the wind?
- Shot distances?
- Did both feel good on release?
- Is there anything from this hunt you plan on incorporating into prep for future hunts?
- Besides not tagging out, any regrets?
- Best single memory of the trip

Great questions…

The one I think about more than the others was my first full draw on Tuesday, where no arrow was released.

I had two lunker bulls at 58 yards who had no idea I was there.  They were just over a rise, antlers only as they began to work back around.  The larger of the two needed to take one more step to clear his vitals…and he decided to rake a tree instead and then move back down. 

At this point I tried to move forward ten yards to reestablish a shot. 

In hindsight, I wish I would have dropped to my belly and crawled to the ledge.

My two shots were 71 and 83 yards.  Long for many, but within my wheel house, though not the distance I prefer.  Closing distances was a serious struggle for me as these bulls were burying themselves in thick dry nasty timber and not coming to calls or setups.

The bull on my high shoulder was calm and standing broadside.  Never moved until the arrow hit him.  I should have taken an extra 3 seconds and breathed deep.  I’ve made that shot a thousand times.  I was still breathing a little hard from the 400 yard sprint across the basin to try and cut him off before he made the open hillside.

Another tag holder had a hell of a time with wind.  It was occasionally an issue, but I believe it only accounted for 10-15% of my failed setups/stalks.

I can’t think of any blatantly terrible moves that I repeated…every situation was a little different…and you never know how many elk were there.  I was pinned a few times by wayward cows and spikes.


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[Netminder01]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

[Gonehuntin01]

Sounds like you had an amazing hunt.  Great job on the write up and glad you enjoyed the hunt.  Hunts like this will always make us a better hunter.  Too bad you didn't tag out, but looks like you still had an amazing experience. 

[HntnFsh]

Honestly I have to question this also. You say that 71 and 83 yards are in your wheel house but you had a miss and thunked a shoulder at those ranges. It's a lot different hitting a target at those ranges than putting a lethal shot into a bull elk at those ranges. I would think it might be time to reassess what is in your wheelhouse.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Honestly I have to question this also. You say that 71 and 83 yards are in your wheel house but you had a miss and thunked a shoulder at those ranges. It's a lot different hitting a target at those ranges than putting a lethal shot into a bull elk at those ranges. I would think it might be time to reassess what is in your wheelhouse.

Thanks for your opinion.


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[SilkOnTheDrySide]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


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[Matth]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


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I don’t think I would call anyone a Karen, it’s just well outside most people’s wheel house. Including mine, some folks just need their opinion to be heard.

[Netminder01]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


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Wait, you're not associating "Karen" with me are ya? There was nothing snarky intended w/ my note, just thinking how far that is outside of my comfortable range.

Good vibes

[Timberstalker]

Thanks for an honest and raw documentary, Travis.

This is top notch and shows the reality of hunting - it's not all horn porn, fancy camo and the number of social media followers one can obtain.

You showed grit, left it all on the mountain and are taking it on the chin. 

Thank you.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wait, you're not associating "Karen" with me are ya? There was nothing snarky intended w/ my note, just thinking how far that is outside of my comfortable range.

Good vibes

Nope!


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[Netminder01]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wait, you're not associating "Karen" with me are ya? There was nothing snarky intended w/ my note, just thinking how far that is outside of my comfortable range.

Good vibes

Nope!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HntnFsh]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wait, you're not associating "Karen" with me are ya? There was nothing snarky intended w/ my note, just thinking how far that is outside of my comfortable range.

Good vibes

Nope!


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I have no doubt it was directed towards me. But no, not a Karen here.

I am sure you did everything within your power to make this not just a successful hunt, but also a great experience. I enjoyed following along and reading all of your posts. I have no doubt you put more into this than most people would or could and I commend you for that!

Maybe I should have phrased my comments a little better. Sometimes thats something I'm just not the best at. But I also know that that there are times when we need to reassess our capabilities. Especially under certain circumstances It seems to be happening to me more and more often!

You are right. I have also seen people make errors at what are considered pretty close range, or chip shots with any type of weapon. I also know that the odds of things going bad at those ranges are or should be greatly reduced. Heck Ive been there. Thats when I have had to do a reassessment.

I apologize for ruffling your feathers.  :sry:I probably would be a bit defensive also.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

whoa!  I can't imagine flinging an arrow at an elk that far. You had to be confident to do it twice!    Fixed or expandable?

My practice routine includes a 75-yard target but it seems like so much could go wrong in the time between release & impact; that's about 2+ seconds, right?

So, one of the misses was the shoulder hit, right? The other a clean miss?

Yup.

I needed to take one extra second and get my breathing under control. 

I am confident in those ranges.  It wasn’t something I strive for, but it was the opportunity presented.  I’ve seen guys make errors at 30 and 40 yards too

I’m not here to argue about anyone else’s ethics when applied to myself. I also don’t pull any punches, I knew the Karen’s would be out in full force after I posted that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wait, you're not associating "Karen" with me are ya? There was nothing snarky intended w/ my note, just thinking how far that is outside of my comfortable range.

Good vibes

Nope!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have no doubt it was directed towards me. But no, not a Karen here.

I am sure you did everything within your power to make this not just a successful hunt, but also a great experience. I enjoyed following along and reading all of your posts. I have no doubt you put more into this than most people would or could and I commend you for that!

Maybe I should have phrased my comments a little better. Sometimes thats something I'm just not the best at. But I also know that that there are times when we need to reassess our capabilities. Especially under certain circumstances It seems to be happening to me more and more often!

You are right. I have also seen people make errors at what are considered pretty close range, or chip shots with any type of weapon. I also know that the odds of things going bad at those ranges are or should be greatly reduced. Heck Ive been there. Thats when I have had to do a reassessment.

I apologize for ruffling your feathers.  :sry:I probably would be a bit defensive also.

It’s all good! Thanks for following along!


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