Moosie
Grand poopa
It’s O-Towns first year hunting elk. I was excited to get him on the hill. I went up with a buddy Neil as well. My dad came down from Challis and went out with us just for the opening morning. Knowing where 3 bulls were hanging out due to Wylee that spotted them the week before we were anxious to lay siege to them !!
2 other Groups of friends were hunting in the area as well. Kotters/Lee’s (5 in the group) and Warren's Nephews (depending on the day 3-6 of them). I also knew of 2 other guys down the road as well. The area had no shortage of people we knew.
With 15+ people hunting the area we knew there would be some packing … so we headed up the hill early on opening day. My dad, being 66 is slowing down a little and told Neil, O-Town and me to press ahead and he was going to be behind us. As we got up to the top of the hill ready to turn up the canyon, 4 guys on Horses passed us. Crap…. But what do you do, eh J
I told the other two I’d find more elk for them and we sat down to glass. As soon as the 4 guys got around the corner 10 shots rang out. I’m sure they got the elk Chris had spotted out for us……
Glassing across the next canyon I spot another herd of Elk. We decide to press forward after them. I didn't bring my spotter but there was bound to be a bull... right ?!?!?!
At this point… We had already gone 2.08 miles and About 1800 feet elevation. We opted to leave and go see if there was a bull in the herd. We dropped down 1,400 feet and climbed back up 700 Feet on the other side to find the bedding elk. about 600 feeet from the top of that ridge. Oscar and me hung tight and sent Neil around to get above them into a Sniper position so we’d have all the angles covered.
Shortly after Neil left….. I saw a bull !!! It wasn’t a big one but I centered it up in the scope and said “BANG” in my mind J
Over the next 8-10 minutes or so I tried getting O-Town lined up. It was a 324 yard shot from where we were. I had it killed many times in my head looking through the scope but I wasn’t going to tag it and I knew Neil would be in position soon if O-Town didn’t get a perfect shot. I got a BAckpack for him to rest on and moved brush but every time we tried to get set up the dang elk would move.
Soon after “BOOOM” a single shot from above and the elk was downed by Neil. The other elk didn’t know the direction of the shot and like we thought, and they came single filed by us. We steadied our guns on a tree and watched as a dozen elk filed by us. One of the big cows leading had a Radio Collar on her neck but no other Bulls in the group.
Although Osc’ was bummed he didn’t get it, He was real happy for Neil and we at least had meat to pack out !!!
Oscar catching a nap on the way home Friday :
The pack out from where we were wasn’t any easy feat. We were 3.5-4 miles back to the truck. We were 2 canyons plus away from our start so opted the “Shorter route” at almost 2.25 Miles looping to the Highway. With me carrying 2/3rds of a deboned Elk and Neil carrying 2 guns and the rest of the meat and items we had.
On the way out, I stopped on a ridge and glassed some new country and saw several dozen Elk about a mile away. I knew we had a new game plan for the following day. Unfortunately with Neil taking a Spill he tweaked his knee and I had to bring him back to town Friday. It was nice to sleep in and Eat a good breakfast at the Lodge !!
Out of all the guys we knew….We had the only elk from all the groups. Although not a big one, it was Neil’s first elk and we were stoked !!
2 other Groups of friends were hunting in the area as well. Kotters/Lee’s (5 in the group) and Warren's Nephews (depending on the day 3-6 of them). I also knew of 2 other guys down the road as well. The area had no shortage of people we knew.
With 15+ people hunting the area we knew there would be some packing … so we headed up the hill early on opening day. My dad, being 66 is slowing down a little and told Neil, O-Town and me to press ahead and he was going to be behind us. As we got up to the top of the hill ready to turn up the canyon, 4 guys on Horses passed us. Crap…. But what do you do, eh J
I told the other two I’d find more elk for them and we sat down to glass. As soon as the 4 guys got around the corner 10 shots rang out. I’m sure they got the elk Chris had spotted out for us……
Glassing across the next canyon I spot another herd of Elk. We decide to press forward after them. I didn't bring my spotter but there was bound to be a bull... right ?!?!?!
At this point… We had already gone 2.08 miles and About 1800 feet elevation. We opted to leave and go see if there was a bull in the herd. We dropped down 1,400 feet and climbed back up 700 Feet on the other side to find the bedding elk. about 600 feeet from the top of that ridge. Oscar and me hung tight and sent Neil around to get above them into a Sniper position so we’d have all the angles covered.
Shortly after Neil left….. I saw a bull !!! It wasn’t a big one but I centered it up in the scope and said “BANG” in my mind J
Over the next 8-10 minutes or so I tried getting O-Town lined up. It was a 324 yard shot from where we were. I had it killed many times in my head looking through the scope but I wasn’t going to tag it and I knew Neil would be in position soon if O-Town didn’t get a perfect shot. I got a BAckpack for him to rest on and moved brush but every time we tried to get set up the dang elk would move.
Soon after “BOOOM” a single shot from above and the elk was downed by Neil. The other elk didn’t know the direction of the shot and like we thought, and they came single filed by us. We steadied our guns on a tree and watched as a dozen elk filed by us. One of the big cows leading had a Radio Collar on her neck but no other Bulls in the group.
Although Osc’ was bummed he didn’t get it, He was real happy for Neil and we at least had meat to pack out !!!
Oscar catching a nap on the way home Friday :
The pack out from where we were wasn’t any easy feat. We were 3.5-4 miles back to the truck. We were 2 canyons plus away from our start so opted the “Shorter route” at almost 2.25 Miles looping to the Highway. With me carrying 2/3rds of a deboned Elk and Neil carrying 2 guns and the rest of the meat and items we had.
On the way out, I stopped on a ridge and glassed some new country and saw several dozen Elk about a mile away. I knew we had a new game plan for the following day. Unfortunately with Neil taking a Spill he tweaked his knee and I had to bring him back to town Friday. It was nice to sleep in and Eat a good breakfast at the Lodge !!
Out of all the guys we knew….We had the only elk from all the groups. Although not a big one, it was Neil’s first elk and we were stoked !!
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