2022 WY elk...should have went fishing

BuzzH

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Joined
Jan 9, 2001
Messages
16,986
Location
Laramie, WY
I can't recall an elk opening week that was this hot, great camping weather, great scenery, and probably should have been fishing instead of elk hunting.

But, in spite of the hot weather and very little elk movement with the exception of about an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening, we did pretty well.

Saw elk everyday, bulls everyday but the weather was keeping elk in the trees most of the day.

Finally a buddy from Illinois shot a cow on Wed. night. The next morning my friend Pete and I hiked to a spot with very limited visibility on a north facing slope. Right away as we got there we heard elk walking around and calling some. I glassed a bull in the aspens but Pete couldn't see it. It finally walked into a small opening, and he still couldn't see it so told me to kill it. I ranged the opening, 349 yards dialed 2.25 MOA and rested over my pack. One shot from the 7 RM with 140 grain nosler etip, and he folded right at the shot. With that elk started moving around and we could hear wayyyyy more than we could see. We just waited patiently hoping to get another shot.

I finally spotted a half dozen cows or so in a small opening on a point of a slight ridge. We moved closer and Pete killed a cow from the bunch, his first ever elk.

We then walked down to my bull, quartered it and got it in game bags. We then went and found Pete's cow, boned that one and packed it out while the other guys in camp drove to the bottom. We went back got my bull and had everything packed out and back in camp by about 5:30 PM. Not bad at all.

Would have been nice to hunt this weather that is coming, but I'm pretty happy with how the hunt went considering the conditions. I'm also really tied up at work with a new position and after having some significant health issues for the first (and hopefully last) time in my life...just being out there seemed to be most important. Its also made me think I've been taking things for granted for too long.

Anyway, some pictures:

Camp:

IMG_20221013_153256438.jpg


Where elk were living:

IMG_20221020_090940229.jpg


Pete's first elk:

38221.jpeg


My bull:

IMG_20221020_091634017.jpg
 
Nice job, Buzz.
What a beautiful campsite! I'd love to do the wall tent thing some day
 
I hear you on the camping weather. Yesterday was the big change. Had to turn the furnace on last night.

Looks like a good camp.
 
Friends in the outdoors with elk hitting the ground seems blissful.

Congratulations to the whole crew
 
How many elk do you think you’ve field dressed in your life? You are way more ambitious for way more years than any hunter I know. Congrats on a fun trip!
That's a good question.

This bull was my 81st elk I've shot.

I would guess I've probably had my knife on about that many more for family and friends.

It never has gotten old, hope it never does.
 
Wow, 81 elk. That's impressive Buzz. Congrats on a great and productive trip!
 
Sounds like a great time. I hope you get to feeling better with the health issues. One never knows.
 

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