Hilljackoutlaw
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2019
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Hunting partner from PA and I struck out in archery so he decided to come out for a week of general rifle. He deer hunted Sunday evening and all day Monday. Saw a lot of deer but nothing on public he was looking to shoot right away. I took Tuesday off, so Monday night we jetted 2 hours away to a hotel closer to some ground hoping to locate some lone bulls I found in a few canyons back in mid October. We woke up Tuesday bright eyed and bushy tailed for the hunt. After a short drive we started up the trail that had way more snow than expected. Undeterred we continued. Well after 2.5 miles 4 inches of snow turned into about 16 inches even the south slopes were covered. Deep snow accompanied by howling winds influenced are decision to go back and try our luck elsewhere.
After some trial and error driving around on roads that ended up being to nasty to continue on to destinations we had in mind we ventured to some new territory about 30 miles away in hopes of glassing up a buck or two. We arrived at 215pm picked a knob and started hiking. While heading up a finger to the knob I mentioned to my partner that the wind is gonna take our scent down in this cut and kick some deer out and they will be right on that adjacent face for a perfect shot. As we were about to crest the top of the knob, we noticed some hunters a long ways off and glassed their direction. I put my binos down and glanced over to the adjacent face and there was a herd of elk coming out of the cut directly below us. We quickly moved to a tree. 1 2 3 4...9 cows followed by 2 spikes. Not expecting to see elk I looked up the regs for elk in the district. Low and behold its a spike only district. Jason got settled in and fired at the end of the line spike. Shot over his back I whispered. Crack another shot, hit front shoulder I whispered now you got the range settle in and finish him off. Crack another shot and down he went. Headed over quartered him up and decided since it was a nice 1.5 miles to the vehicle we would take him in one trip. 2 hours 20 minutes later we were headed home with full coolers.
Back at it tomorrow for deer. Hope to add to this story tomorrow night.
After some trial and error driving around on roads that ended up being to nasty to continue on to destinations we had in mind we ventured to some new territory about 30 miles away in hopes of glassing up a buck or two. We arrived at 215pm picked a knob and started hiking. While heading up a finger to the knob I mentioned to my partner that the wind is gonna take our scent down in this cut and kick some deer out and they will be right on that adjacent face for a perfect shot. As we were about to crest the top of the knob, we noticed some hunters a long ways off and glassed their direction. I put my binos down and glanced over to the adjacent face and there was a herd of elk coming out of the cut directly below us. We quickly moved to a tree. 1 2 3 4...9 cows followed by 2 spikes. Not expecting to see elk I looked up the regs for elk in the district. Low and behold its a spike only district. Jason got settled in and fired at the end of the line spike. Shot over his back I whispered. Crack another shot, hit front shoulder I whispered now you got the range settle in and finish him off. Crack another shot and down he went. Headed over quartered him up and decided since it was a nice 1.5 miles to the vehicle we would take him in one trip. 2 hours 20 minutes later we were headed home with full coolers.
Back at it tomorrow for deer. Hope to add to this story tomorrow night.
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