Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: Badly Bent on September 06, 2015, 11:19:44 pm
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Elk. Its sept. and I've been dreaming about elk hunting, but since I live in the midwest where we have no elk or picturesque mountains to roam and search for them all I can do is dream. Hoping some of you guys are gonna post some pics and stories of your elk pursuits this fall, let some of us less fortunate ones have a glimpse of what we're missing out on. Been 7 years since my last trip out west to hunt 'em and that has been to long, dang I wish I were up on a mountain right now.
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I know Elijah, (seminolewind) has been in the mountains around Durango Co. He missed a 5x5 last week.
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Hope he has some luck there Eddie, lots of elk in that area and beautiful country to hunt in. I've hunted near Silverton twice in the mid and late 90's, saw a bunch but never got close enough to launch an arrow at one on those trips.
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Dvs is headin' west in a week or 2.
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Yep, went out for a camping hunting trip with my wife. It was more of a relaxing hunt than really pushing it hard. But we were able to get in close enough to hear elk. Although, not see them. The picture should help explain why... Thick and steep country! Hunting Roosevelt elk. I'll be going back next week for a more serious hunt.
Preston
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Our opener was Saturday. i have been out every day and get to go today also.
I came within yards of killing a cow on opening day but another cow busted me. I had a bull really worked up and he was like a wild beast bent on destroying the forest. Several dead trees were uprooted and knocked over. Unfortunately he would not come any closer.
I found a watering hole. I don't think its a wallow but it might be. Literally all of the trails within a 1/4 mile of this spot lead to this hole. Unfortunately, between me and another hunter I think we have run the elk out of this particular small piece of public surrounded by private.
Patrick
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Can't see your picture Preston, get back out there after 'em, wishing you success.
Looks like some beautiful Country your hunting Patrick, thanks for the picks and hopefully some of those elk will move back in for your next go around.
Man I'm envious of you guys. :)
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Dave, have a good hunt my friend, I know your a hard hunting go- getter. I hope to see a picture of your hairy face bent over a downed elk. :)
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Looks like some pretty country Patrick.
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Heading to Colorado Friday..two days of driving and two weeks of climbing mountains. Seventh year making the trip. One friend in Denver scored a 4x4 on Saturday morning and another shoulder shot a 5x5 opening morning and they are reporting seeing several good bulls. This weekend starts the dark moon and into the equinox so the daytime movement and rutting may be kicking in...I'll bring back some pictures to share.
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Good luck to all you elk hunters. I wish I was out there. 8)
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Tagged out on the 15th of Aug. Short season. 2 for 3 in our camp on nice cows.
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Good luck nclonghunter, two weeks on the mountain after elk sounds like heaven.
Congrats on your kill Springbuck, you should be eating well this winter. :)
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Went out for opener but there wasn't much activity. Funnily enough, the one elk we heard bugling, we initially thought was a dude with his first bugle tube: the calls were shrill, without any of the good growl or range of notes, they were repetitive, and it was during the dead middle of the day. After putting a lousy stalk (wind was swirly) on a group of three smallish bulls, we came back up to the ridge and heard the shrill, annoying bugle again. I second guessed my boyfriend and said, "Maybe it's not a dude. Someone that dumb would have given up by now." So I busted out my diaphragm call and gave a few nice cow mews. BOOM, big tan body moving across the slope on the other side of the draw. Saw him long enough to see that he was a handsome 6x6, probably 300+, but he was on his own program and didn't seem to care much about our calling as he disappeared into the deep dark bottom, probably to water.
Going out to a different spot this weekend, hopefully they'll be more talkative and walkative! :)
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Sounds like you two had a good opener Andrea, even if it was a little slow you still got a glimpse of a nice one. Get back after 'em next week and post a few pics for us poor unfortunate midwesterners to view if you could. Wishing you success, and I apologize I should have titled the post 'guys and gals' chasing elk. :)
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Today I walked 3.5 miles to see what was on the other side of a ridge I had been glassing. Normally I wouldn't think twice about the hike but I either broke my foot or have a really bad case of turf toe and walking is rather painful but I refuse to go to the doctor until hunting season is over. I made it through several weeks of Marine Officer Candidate School with a broken ankle and I figure I can make it through a few months of elk season with a broken foot. The area "normally" has a lot of elk this time of year but not this year. I wanted to see if they were somewhere that I couldn't see with my spotting scope.
Pretty view but no elk. I did stalk a coyote and I think I could have killed him but he was just trying to survive in a very harsh place so I just stood up and started walking toward him when I was about 50 yards away. He was pretty surprised.
I went back to the truck and drove to another area to see if maybe I could find some elk and give me a clue for where to go tomorrow. I saw a 6x6, 5x5,4x4, and 5 or 6 spikes all harassing about 12 cows. Of course these were 1/4 mile on the wrong side of the fence.
Patrick
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My first trip ever hunting elk, drove 4 miles from home. Cow called while walking away from my jeep. 20-30 minutes later a bulldozer starts walking through the brush towards me. Elk holds up about 50-100 yards away still in the trees and calls back to me. Game of cat and mouse, me trying to fool him to come closer or sneaking up on him when he tries leaving lasts 2 hours and in the end he disappears. Ghost for sure. Happened in a part of Washington where the last elk harvested was decades ago.
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Tough season this year...drove to Colorado near Yampa. Rained the first five days night and day. My truck through a code and ended up spending way too much time in the dealership. Not as bad as some guys out of Minnesota that blew a turbo on their disel on Rabbit Ear Pass. They had to stay an additional week waiting on parts and no hunting vehicle, so they had to hang out in town. The last couple days of season turned on and bulls started chasing cows. My buddy and I called and worked a bull until he committed to come in. He came straight down the hill walking towards me. At around 40 yards he angled towards my buddy. I had a bad straight on or angling shot which I will not take. I watched the bull in the brush walk towards my buddy and when I thought he was close he stopped and bugled. I cow called and he turned and faced me. I heard the bow and then the arrow hit. The bull ran back towards me and stopped at thirty yards in the brush. He coughed and I saw the red spot growing on his side. He took a couple side steps and collapsed. He was twelve yards from my Buddy when he shot. We butchered and deboned then each carried a blackstrap and front shoulder out. Got the heavy packs and went back for the rest. 3.5 miles from the truck. Last load was back at truck at 07:45 Pm. Kill shot was at 8:30 Am....Long day and an awesome hunt. Bull was a 5x4 but a giant body.
With all the rain and vehicle troubles we still had that one great day/hunt....was worth the trip!
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I hunted the Coast Range of Oregon for Roosevelt elk this season. I had a great time, saw lots of wildlife, including six bear, but no elk until the last day. Had a great encounter with a wise old herd bull and his cows. Took a shot but he was ready for me. He jumped the string and disappeared. Here's a little story I typed up about it. I can't wait for next year.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,54247.0.html