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Author Topic: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !  (Read 9350 times)

Online HntnFsh

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Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« on: October 03, 2011, 03:28:30 PM »
[img]  Lets just say I started the day off on the right note. Got into town to fill the truck up with gas and it struck me that I didnt have any of my hunting liscenses on me. Fantastic.had to head back home and dig them up.Well I'll only be a couple minutes late meeting Matt.

I really wasnt optimistic heading into this season.During my scouting trips I hadnt seen many elk.And no legal bulls.But what the heck.You never know.I've had other seasons start that way too,but ended well.

So any how,after hooking up with my son we pulled into an area that we have had success in in the past.WE were right on the border of an area we could hunt,.and one we couldnt. We got out of the truck and were getting ready to hit the timber when we heard a bugle from the area we couldnt hunt.That was crazy.We looked at each other like what now.I told Matt to work down on the edge of our area and see if he could call the bull in while I made a small loop to check an area where I had seen a couple elk a few days before.I was pretty sure there were 2 groups of elk in the area.Just didnt know what it had in the way of legal bulls.If anything. I knew the route I was taking would only take a few minutes.So I was hoping I could get around it and catch up to Matt before he got into position to call the bull that was bugling at daylight.About 1/2 way around the loop there is a big clearcut that I checked.Nothing in it.So I worked my way down the edge of some big timber and was within about a 100 yards of him when I spotted a couple cows right below me.Probably 1/2 way between us.The cows were working into the timber when I spotted a bull.Couldnt tell if it was legal or not and it kept working into the timber also.I decided to side hill them a ways and see if I could get a better look.In no time I saw the bull again.It took awhile but I finally saw that it had at least the required 3 points.Pulled up, aimed right behind the shoulder and pulled the trigger.Waited for the smoke to clear,but no elk.Couldnt see anything where I shot.Didnt know for sure if I got him.Or missed and he used the smoke for cover to escape by.After a few seconds I heard him thrashing in the brush and I knew he was down.By the time I got to him he was dead.Perfect shot! In the meantime the elk we herd bugling in the morning had crossed into our area and were headed towards the clearcut I had checked earlier.

I tagged my elk and followed Matt back to the clear cut,just in time to see the small herd I got into,join up with the bull that was bugling and the rest of his herd.That bull was also a shooter and Matt got into range but didnt have a good shot.That bull had a cow standing behind it.So he escaped up into a thick alder patch.Matt stalked them for awhile,but it was too thick.He didnt want to spook them so he let them be.Hooked back up with me and helped me get my bull out.Back to the house and hung up.Then we were heading in to see if we could get back into the herd,and the bull that he tried for.

Heres a pic of my bull. Incredible mass,tall,wide,and palmated.Well not really,but just enough to be legal.

Allright, we headed back over and I had Matt drop me off about a 1/2 mile away from where we went in that morning and I was going to try to work my way through and push the elk back into him.Or at least try to keep them from busting clear out of the area.I had only gotten in a few hundred yards when I spotted a couple cows.I radiod Matt and let him know that I was in them.But was just going to back out,have him come back around and go in where I was at.But I wanted to watch them a bit and see what they were going to do.I lost sight of them pretty quick,so I thought I would ease in and see if I could nudge them back towards Matt.Well you know how well that works.Almost never.

I started following the herd and believe it or not,they were actuallyheaded in the right direction.But its a big area,and chances are really slim they will be close enough for him to see ,let alone get a possible shot.It was pretty thick stuff.I mostly just followed the tracks for about 15 minutes that the elk were making. Then I heard a shot.My heart jumped.I was sure it was Matt.We hadnt seen anybody else in the area.Which was incredible in itself. I called matt on the radio.Did you get him.Ya,I got him. Is he down,Ya hes down!!! Awesome.Start gutting him and i will find you.Love those Rhinos.

It took me another fifteen to 20 minutes to get to where he was at. He was standing over the bull that got away from him that morning.And he had blood up past his elbows.What an awesome sight.

Of course he had to show his Dad up with a nicer bull.And of course it had to be a lot harder to get out.But we pulled it off.It was an amazing day.
Only the second time my partner and I have gotten our elk on the same day in 40 years of hunting.And the first time of getting one, then going back and getting the second one in the same day.I dont think we had a total of 3 hours of actual hunt time in for the 2 elk.

Heres his bull a nice real dark horned fored horn with double eyegaurds.
Sorry for the lousy cell phone pics.
And a pic of them after all the work is done.

 I suck at this post and pic stuff so i hope it all shws up.Thanks for you patience everybody.I appreciate it. :chuckle:
 

Online HntnFsh

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #1 on: October 03, 2011, 03:29:36 PM »
Dam,I did it!!!!

Offline cld40

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2011, 03:36:57 PM »
thats awesome!

congrats to both of you.

Offline engelwood

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2011, 03:38:07 PM »
Nice work. Awesome stuff!

Online pianoman9701

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2011, 03:43:29 PM »
Nice going.
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman

Online HntnFsh

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2011, 03:52:52 PM »
This whole hunt worked out perfectly.After I got my bull and we went back to try for Matts he ended up in a perfect spot.It was a real thick alder patch with a lot of brush.The elk came through in about the only place that would offer him any chance at a shot. A few yards in about any other direction and all he would have seen were heads and butts.Not only did they go into the right spot.But his bull even stopped long enough for him to get a shot.He hit his almost exactly where I hit mine.Same side and everything.We were truly blessed that everything lined up as perfectly as it did.

Couldnt believe Matt was able to let a bull walk away,then go back later and seal the deal.When we saw that bull in the morning in that clear cut he was just going nuts.Bugling,snortin,pushing cows.What a sight.Saturday morning was the first time this year that we even heard an elk bugle.



How often can you push a herd of elk right where you want to.I'm thinking once in a lifetime.And I used up my once!



It was just an amazing day.It just goes to show that theres always a chance even if you think its a slim one.



I would have to mark this up as one of my most incredible days hunting ever. They werent huge trophies or anything.But they wre legal bulls.What more could a guy ask for.These memories will definitely last a lifetime.
« Last Edit: October 03, 2011, 04:04:34 PM by HntnFsh »

Offline kglacken

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2011, 04:10:53 PM »
That is an awesome looking bull and great story!

Offline Fullabull

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2011, 04:28:30 PM »
Ya just love it when a plan comes together  :tup: Well done and congrats to both of you  :IBCOOL:

Offline mikelonsford

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2011, 04:59:40 PM »
 :tup: Congrats!  That's Awesome that you both were successful...what a Day!

Offline blackveltbowhunter

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2011, 05:04:28 PM »
Both are great bulls! Congrats!

Offline TheHunt

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2011, 05:06:44 PM »
We need to change your name to slaughter. :chuckle:

Congrats on a great elk season. 
275 down 2

Offline BOWHUNTER45

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #11 on: October 03, 2011, 05:19:53 PM »
heck ...cant beat that ..father 7 son tagged out !!  :tup:

Offline CMG

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #12 on: October 03, 2011, 05:28:02 PM »
Congrats to you and your son! Thanks for the write up, good read.  :IBCOOL:
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Offline scudmaster

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #13 on: October 03, 2011, 05:39:02 PM »
Awesome day for sure.  Congrats to you and your son.  Hope to be as lucky with my daughters some day.
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Offline Elkrunner

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #14 on: October 03, 2011, 05:53:37 PM »
Looks like it was fun...congrats guys.

Offline bullcanyon

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #15 on: October 03, 2011, 07:34:58 PM »
Well done Rick.  You will be eating good this year:)

Offline buglebuster

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #16 on: October 03, 2011, 08:29:52 PM »
Congrats and that's a cool lookin 3pt  :tup:

Offline mulehunter

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2011, 08:39:36 PM »
very cool. Congt.

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Offline SniperDanWA

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2011, 09:43:26 PM »
That's one great story.  Great time and fun too.  Congratulations.  :tup:
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Offline Rooster1981

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2011, 10:05:03 PM »

Great write up and great lookin bulls :tup:
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Offline runningboard

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #20 on: October 03, 2011, 10:19:03 PM »
very cool that you got 'em both, thanks for sharing.
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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2011, 10:33:34 AM »
Great job. Neat story. I think I know your son but it's been years since I have seen him. I ma thinking I know him from back in the wrestling years.

Online HntnFsh

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2011, 04:16:18 PM »
 Your probably right.He wrestled at Ilwaco in High school.Was state champ his senior year.Then wrestled 2 years at Pacific university in Forest Grove Oregon.He still helps coach wrestling in the local area.

Offline billythekidrock

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #23 on: October 04, 2011, 04:26:01 PM »
Congrats and thanks for sharing.




Offline Jeremiah P

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Re: Finally story and pics of our opening day muzzy elk !
« Reply #24 on: October 04, 2011, 08:44:46 PM »
Didn't know Matt was your son, I know him through work. He works with my good friend Tim. Awesome season for sure
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