My 2025 wyoming elk recap

[Beesting]

Well, it has happened again, “The 4 Elkaholics” have drawn not only a cow tag, but also a late season bull tag.
Our hunt started by chasing cows on October 27th. The night that we arrived it snowed two inches, which is great for tracking elk, but added little chill when setting up camp. In the morning after a very minimal sleep and our heater stopping in the night, we set off to hunt. I was able to find a small herd of cows that had three bulls with them but was unable to get a shot before they worked to private land. The next day I headed back to the same area in search of the herd again. I was able to cut their tracks and see where they crossed back into public land. I parked the four-wheeler, dropped my pack and set off on foot after them. Looking back, that was a mistake. After about 2 miles, making sure to keep the wind in the right direction, I came upon them at about 40 yards. I picked out the first cow I could see and pulled the trigger; she slowly started to walk away. Everyone says, “if an elk is standing, keep shooting”, and that’s what I did. I followed with 2 more shots and she dropped. I was so happy to see her on the ground until I realized I didn’t have my pack. Thankfully, another member of “The 4 Elkaholics” was only half mile away. We got her cut up and hauled out in no time with a nice 300yard pack out.
After four days of hunting, I was the only one to harvest a cow. Then we were off to chase those bulls.

 

[Beesting]

Yes let's not to forget to talk about this cougar encounter my buddy had.

 

[LopeHunter]

Well, it has happened again, “The 4 Elkaholics” have drawn not only a cow tag, but also a late season bull tag.
Our hunt started by chasing cows on October 27th. The night that we arrived it snowed two inches, which is great for tracking elk, but added little chill when setting up camp. In the morning after a very minimal sleep and our heater stopping in the night, we set off to hunt. I was able to find a small herd of cows that had three bulls with them but was unable to get a shot before they worked to private land. The next day I headed back to the same area in search of the herd again. I was able to cut their tracks and see where they crossed back into public land. I parked the four-wheeler, dropped my pack and set off on foot after them. Looking back, that was a mistake. After about 2 miles, making sure to keep the wind in the right direction, I came upon them at about 40 yards. I picked out the first cow I could see and pulled the trigger; she slowly started to walk away. Everyone says, “if an elk is standing, keep shooting”, and that’s what I did. I followed with 2 more shots and she dropped. I was so happy to see her on the ground until I realized I didn’t have my pack. Thankfully, another member of “The 4 Elkaholics” was only half mile away. We got her cut up and hauled out in no time with a nice 300yard pack out.
After four days of hunting, I was the only one to harvest a cow. Then we were off to chase those bulls.

Nice job! Hunting with buddies has its perks when a critter is tipped over. That cougar looks healthy. I like seeing that terrain! My back aches when I see really steep stuff.

 

[duckhunt]

Yes let's not to forget to talk about this cougar encounter my buddy had.

That is so cool.

 

[Beesting]

Well, here is a little more on the cougar encounter/attack. On the evening of the 30th my buddy was sitting up against a rock overlooking a meadow. He had a feeling he was being watched, so he turned around to see a cougar at 10 yards. He took a few pictures and a quick video. He stood up shouted at it and started to walk backwards. That's when the cougar jumped up and lunged at him. He fired one shot hitting it in the chest. It fell 5' from his feet. With his pants full and the sun setting he called it a day. Back at camp we called game and fish. They said that is a very rare thing to happen.

 

[Silentstalker]

Congrats on the cow. Crazy encounter with that lion!

 

[Beesting]

On Halloween morning we packed up camp and headed south to the next zone in search of bulls. We set up camp and were able to get out glassing for a few hours before dark. While glassing I spotted 2 bulls feeding. The next morning, I went back to that general area, and I spotted 5 bulls that I planned to make my way towards until I saw one of the two bulls from the previous night. It was about 800 yards away, so I began to close the gap and play the wind. After watching him for some time, he bedded down and I knew it was my time. I found a good tree to use as a rest, ranged him multiple times, slowed my breathing and pulled the trigger. He stood up. I panicked a little, aimed higher and shot again and he dropped. I dropped a pin where he was at and headed to retrieve him. He was a nice 5x5 and I was beyond excited and grateful. Just as I was approaching him, my good friend and fellow “Elkaholic” called saying that he had a bull down. After 2 unsuccessful trips he was able to notch his tag with a nice 5x5 as well. It was well deserved. I pulled my bull into the shade and headed to help him with his bull and pack-out. Later in the day I returned to my bull, broke it down, bagged it and packed it all out. Two days later another “Elkoholic” was able to tag out with a beautiful 5x6. On the last day we were out there the one lone “Elkaholic” was feeling down as the only one who hadn’t notched his tag. But luck finally came his way, and he tagged a 5x5 that was the nicest bull shot in the group. The “Elkaholics” left this hunt with four for four and feel good. We have meat in the freezer and memories to last a lifetime.