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Roosevelt Elk hunt in Western Oregon (updated)

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juniper junkie:
welcome to  ELK university ;D they will continue to school you even after you think you got them figured out. My weekend went pretty well, were into elk everyday, either seeing or hearing them take off. no bugling though and mostly small groups of cows and calves, had one cow 60 yds downhill, didnt come closer, need some cooler weather for sure. we hunted silvies unit. saw some nice bucks but no shots.

Bryce:
Oh yeah. When you think you got em. They drop off the grid.

Weylin:
Well, thanks to Gordon I managed to get back out for the last weekend of the season. He let me join him at his spot out near the coast. We had an action packed day and were in elk almost the whole time. We were walking along, following a fresh trail when we heard a twig break in the woods off the path. We quickly set up and Gordon gave a quick cow call. The forest right near me erupted and a herd of 10-15 elk thundered away and crashed across the small river. Dang, we just got too close before we knew they were there but it sure did get my heart pumping.

We stayed in the area and looked for more fresh sign and soon enough we were surrounded by churned up trails and juicy droppings. We set up again and Gordon started calling. We got a distant bugle in response and started to shift our position but before we got a few steps there was another, much closer bugle from behind us. We set up for the closer bull and started talking to him. It took him about an hour to work his way closer to us. He got closer and closer with each bugle and finally I could hear him crashing through the under brush. But instead of coming straight for Gordon like we had hoped he might instead he began to circle wide and around. Eventually I saw him as he walked down to the creek to cross to the other side. He was a big bull with a rack of antlers that towered impossibly high over his head. I was entranced as I watched him splash across the creek and up the bank to the other side. I was still as a statue until he finally turned and started heading right for Gordon. My position wasn't ideal anymore because of his circuitous route but once he passed behind a giant tree I was able to adjust and raise my bow. All he needed to do was step past that tree and I'd have a 20 yard broadside shot. A little closer, a little closer and then I heard him stop. He was staring right at Gordon, obviously wondering where all the elk were that had just been making all that racket. He didn't bust us but he wasn't stupid either, he know something was fishy and he probably felt like he'd been away from his cows for too long so he just turned around and slowly made his way back where he'd come from.

We gave them a little break and came back later to see if we could coax him out again but after a few bugles he clammed up. Our plan was to come back Sunday morning and give him another chance. We camped for the night but awoke to a hard soaking rain and threat of a storm that kept us from going back out. Ah well, there's always next year. I learned a ton both from Bryce and from Gordon and that was worth as much or more as some meat in the freezer. I'm definitely hooked.

Bryce:
Oh yeah that bull has been around the block. He circled trying to get your scent.

Badly Bent:
I'd say you two put a good hunt in on those elk, so close on that bull. Sounds like you guys did every thing you
could to fill your tag. Too bad it rained out your last day, like any time when your hunting that next day is sometimes all you need to make magic happen. Just the same though that must been real exciting. Go get em' next year Weylin.

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