Had an appointment in Bozeman yesterday afternoon so I took my bow and met up with a friend that evening. A 25 minute drive from Bozeman and not even 50 yards off a side road we get into 5-7 bulls that were bugling in every direction around us. We picked a direction and started cow calling. Almost immediately two Bulls on each side of us were bugling in close proximity. I went up from our current location a ways and dropped in the drainage to see if I could find a good position between my friend cow calling and the bull that was approaching. The timber was significantly thick, however I found a small opening that I positioned myself in. With my friend still calling in the distance, I could hear branches and twigs snapping and something big approaching. At last, I see his rack (5x5) and portions of his body as he moved gracefully behind this thick timber. My heart pumping, my hands shaking as I knock the arrow. Without hesitation, he abruptly turns and slowly recedes back into the thick timber.
At this point I can’t tell if he winded me or if something else spooked him. With day light slowly fading and my pins starting to dwindle, I knew I had to be more aggressive. I hop out of my little clearing and make a straight shot towards him. I eventually get closer without spooking him and set up in another small clearing. Within a few minutes at most, I finally have him at 10-15 yards, but the timber is just too thick to make an ethical shot and legal shooting light has concluded. I toss my arrow back in the quiver and take a seat listening to all the bulls screaming.
All said and done, I’m fairly content with how I handled the situation based on the fact that this was only my second time hunting with a bow and second year ever hunting Elk.
I appreciate all the feedback/suggestions so far!
