I was disappointed to not draw any elk tags this year. This is the first year I haven’t hunted elk since 2017. I obviously could’ve went otc or picked up an easy to draw tag, but I just wasn’t thrilled with those options this year.
I did have deer points in CO so this seemed like a good year to apply. I figured if I were to draw a random elk tags somewhere then I could always turn it back in.
I drew the deer tag and kept hoping for elk but luck never came. Anyway, I prepped, e-scouted, and talked to some other hunters and was ready for my first muley hunt solo in CO.
I showed up early to scout and verify my e-souting. Everything checked out and I found some great bucks. One buck that was high on my hit list was a cactus buck. He was just big and different from everything else. I saw some higher scoring bucks, but I wanted something cool.
I ended up turning up a smoker 4 point opening morning. He was just out of range and didn’t give me an opportunity. Then late morning I turned up the cactus buck. He was feeding alone at 500 yds and then bedded. I try to limit myself to 400 because that’s where I’m most comfortable. I waited him out and he eventually got up late morning to get a drink and feed some more. He came right up to 400 and was broadside so I took the shot. Perfect hit and clean kill. Fast but extremely fun hunt. Two firsts, my first muley and first cactus buck. I may be hooked on muley hunting now. Just what I needed; a new habit.
I did have deer points in CO so this seemed like a good year to apply. I figured if I were to draw a random elk tags somewhere then I could always turn it back in.
I drew the deer tag and kept hoping for elk but luck never came. Anyway, I prepped, e-scouted, and talked to some other hunters and was ready for my first muley hunt solo in CO.
I showed up early to scout and verify my e-souting. Everything checked out and I found some great bucks. One buck that was high on my hit list was a cactus buck. He was just big and different from everything else. I saw some higher scoring bucks, but I wanted something cool.
I ended up turning up a smoker 4 point opening morning. He was just out of range and didn’t give me an opportunity. Then late morning I turned up the cactus buck. He was feeding alone at 500 yds and then bedded. I try to limit myself to 400 because that’s where I’m most comfortable. I waited him out and he eventually got up late morning to get a drink and feed some more. He came right up to 400 and was broadside so I took the shot. Perfect hit and clean kill. Fast but extremely fun hunt. Two firsts, my first muley and first cactus buck. I may be hooked on muley hunting now. Just what I needed; a new habit.
