Quality elk tag, might be too late. It's a go!

[cooltimber]

IM in ellensburg, ill help pack out. help if needed..go for it, youll never get another chance!

[Ghost Hunter]

  Grand Master   Must have missed that promotion.     I really appreciate all the motivation, help, and information offered here and by PM.  Motivation might be what I need the most right now.  Hard staying positive not getting sleep and pain the worst when at rest.  Thought I had a high tolerance.  Will try to stay positive and follow up on information. 
I'll go ahead and release the antlerless elk Colockum tag for the same time window.  Hope it goes to someone on HW.

[full choke]

Just the thought of a Ghost Hunter and ghosthunter collaboration is intriguing!

[Ghost Hunter]

IM in ellensburg, ill help pack out. help if needed..go for it, youll never get another chance!

Thank you.  I'll add you to my resource/support list.  I'm going to try to make this work.

[Ghost Hunter]

Made contact with an accommodating landowner this weekend.  Looks like my best option.  Got home to a stack of WDFW mail.  Hunt is on.  Thanks for all the suggestions and offers for help.

[Ghost Hunter]

Spent some time looking the area over and watching a herd today.  I'm humbled by the responses, information, help from individuals, and opportunity that is being provided to me.  A go date is set.

[horsehunter509]

Got a bunch or time off this month and can be down there in a few hours to help. Let me know. Always up to help a uncle out.

[jhouckwsu]

Eight points earned 2nd choice for a Teanaway archery bull.  One of two permits available for archery.  I haven't hunted that unit, would hunt out of mobile truck camp.  I hunt with a crossbow.  My problem is dealing with a bad shoulder over the last year.  No shoulder strength and has progressed to constant pain (why I'm posting at 1:00am).  Dr's not giving me much help or hope.  No way I could pull hunt off alone.  Contemplating returning the tag and give someone else the opportunity.  I would happily share meat for any help.  Just hate to not do it justice.

I'm not trying to be a Karen I promise, I am trying to understand the regs as I'm in a similar situation where a crossbow would be ideal.  Anyway, aren't crossbows only legal during rifle and muzzy season?  Did you get some sort of special exemption? Again, not a Karen just curious.  Good luck with your hunt!

[bearpaw]

Good luck, hope you get a big one! 

[time2hunt]

Eight points earned 2nd choice for a Teanaway archery bull.  One of two permits available for archery.  I haven't hunted that unit, would hunt out of mobile truck camp.  I hunt with a crossbow.  My problem is dealing with a bad shoulder over the last year.  No shoulder strength and has progressed to constant pain (why I'm posting at 1:00am).  Dr's not giving me much help or hope.  No way I could pull hunt off alone.  Contemplating returning the tag and give someone else the opportunity.  I would happily share meat for any help.  Just hate to not do it justice.

I'm not trying to be a Karen I promise, I am trying to understand the regs as I'm in a similar situation where a crossbow would be ideal.  Anyway, aren't crossbows only legal during rifle and muzzy season?  Did you get some sort of special exemption? Again, not a Karen just curious.  Good luck with your hunt!

You can get a medical note from your doctor that you are unable to draw a bow due to shoulder injuries.


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[time2hunt]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/eligibility-requirements-disability-status


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[bearpaw]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/eligibility-requirements-disability-status


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  most states now offer this option

[Ghost Hunter]

Eight points earned 2nd choice for a Teanaway archery bull.  One of two permits available for archery.  I haven't hunted that unit, would hunt out of mobile truck camp.  I hunt with a crossbow.  My problem is dealing with a bad shoulder over the last year.  No shoulder strength and has progressed to constant pain (why I'm posting at 1:00am).  Dr's not giving me much help or hope.  No way I could pull hunt off alone.  Contemplating returning the tag and give someone else the opportunity.  I would happily share meat for any help.  Just hate to not do it justice.

I'm not trying to be a Karen I promise, I am trying to understand the regs as I'm in a similar situation where a crossbow would be ideal.  Anyway, aren't crossbows only legal during rifle and muzzy season?  Did you get some sort of special exemption? Again, not a Karen just curious.  Good luck with your hunt!

This will be my 3rd season with a crossbow WDFW "Special Use Permit" for archery adaptive equipment.   If you think you qualify, I suggest going thru the application process.

[time2hunt]

How did you do ?


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[Ghost Hunter]

I don't know where to begin.  This hunt became so much more than an elk hunt, that tagging a bull became secondary.  The support I received here, PM's included helped make my choice clear in moving forward with the hunt.  Thank you to everyone for motivating me.  Some suggested contacting landowners, something I had seldom done.  On one of my trips across the state in late July I took a short detour to stop and talk to a landowner suggested by HW members.  He welcomed me with access to his land and invited me to use existing tree stands.  The excitement started to build.  Suggestions, PM's, and calls continued to come it.  I spent a lot of time prepping equipment, studying Onx, logging information and suggestions. 
Then I received a call from 'JB' who asked if I had a hunting partner.  My response was No.  I think this is the moment I realized this was becoming so much more than an elk hunt.  He advised me he had a week off and would be happy to join me.  Trail camera pictures were coming from JB and others.  Bulls were showing almost every day. September was getting close. We decided Monday would be opening day, I would be the only hunter.  We sat in the stands morning and evening for several hours Monday and Tuesday without any action.  Weather was warm so we decided to take a break.  I took the 4-hour trip home Tuesday night keeping positive thoughts.  There had been a couple of problems preparing for the hunt that were overcome, and I wasn't going to let those affect this experience.  Caught up with a little sleep that's hard for me to get.  Then JB called saying weather was changing and bulls were showing.  I told him I would be there for the Thursday afternoon set.  I arrived early afternoon, changed clothes and geared up.  I think we were in the stands shortly after 4pm.  I was worried I would be able to see because I had changed to a brimless hat and looking directly into the sun, bad decision.  About 6:00, earlier than seen on camera, JB heard a step.  I turned looking below and behind me and started counting points on the closest bull.  6 points, I nodded at JB and started to position the crossbow before elk worked around to the side.  Three times I swear the bull was looking right at me from 20 yards.  A smaller 5pt was directly behind us.  Each time I would freeze, still not in a good shooting position.  One final time he looked away, I got on target and pulled the trigger.  I heard the hit and felt good about it.  JB had been filming and reviewing it looked good.  The bull was quartered away and the 525gr 20" bolt just missed the heart.  It trotted away a short distance and stood behind some brush.  It then became a waiting game with the 5pt still standing behind us.  We had plenty of light and didn't want to rush it.
After the hour in the stand, we had it in sight with no shot we climbed down.  It had lain down and got up 3 times and was over 100 yards when last seen behind trees and brush.  We made a slow and walk to pick up sign.  JB found first blood and it was an easy trail from there.  It was dead 200 yards from where shot.  Front half of bolt had passed through and was retrieved where elk had lain down.   Crossbow was brand new (earlier problem mentioned) but I'll take the blame for placement.  I was calm the entire time, until the extended waiting game.  We got a couple of quick pictures.  JB made a phone call for assistance.  My phone rang unexpected with an offer to help.  Next thing I know I have 5 guys surrounding the bull, breaking it down gutless method to pack it out.  I'm standing there humbled and in awe.
I don't have words for the gratitude and feeling for JB and group that my wife refers to as 'the band of brothers'.  I can't think of anything more fitting.  The landowner and others including HW members that provide info, phone numbers, and offers of help.  Each and every one gave beyond any expectations I could have ever had.  And that is why I say this experience isn't about a successful elk hunt, but more about a special group of folks helping others.  I will forever be in gratitude and consider them friends.

Ghost Hunter

PS.  I'm going to attempt to post a photo but may need help.