D
Deleted member 16014
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With a recent job change and birth of our third child, time off has been a little scarce this fall. I work hard to be efficient and put myself in a good position to harvest animals with minimal drama.
Three days before the rifle elk opener I spotted a bull good enough to convince me to change where I was planning to go. He was remote and I didn't have any other strong 6x6's scouted so I decided to chase him.
I made the long backpack trip in the night before the opener. Lots of miles and lots of up. At daylight I was right were I wanted to be. Elk were talking a little and I was working the ridge I'd spotted him on. At that moment a guided outfit blew past me on horses, fully knowing where and what I was doing. I kept hunting and glassed an ok 6x6 on a far finger ridge.
I hustled to make the stalk and get a better look. I put him in the spotter at 950 yds and he was good enough, but feeding into the timber in a tough spot to stalk. I started making the run and got distracted by a smaller bull across the canyon. I was thinking about getting the spotter out when I faintly heard a group of elk moving below me at @ 100 yds. I could tell there was no route they could take that wouldn't provide a shot so I just waited. Spike, cow, cow, cow, cow, bull. I judged him quick and could tell he had some mass and character.
First shot went through the shoulder blade and into the vitals. I hit him again in the back of the neck as he did the death walk. About half way through butchering I started rationing water, having not planned to hunt this far from my camp. Trying to save miles and get to water more quickly I bailed of the ridge through some brutally thick, steep, cliffy terrain. Mostly I learned which way not to go, though I did find a spring for a nice rest.
In an effort to save some future suffering I took a full dry bag and my hunting gear out on the first trip. A friend offered to help haul meat and we set out the next morning to get the rest of the meat/antlers/gear. After a 15 mile 4,000' day two it was all done but the butchering.
Never found the big bull. I've been trying to decide if it's a reasonable enough hunt to repeat next year, we'll see what next summer turns up for cervid candidates.
Horses not included.
Three days before the rifle elk opener I spotted a bull good enough to convince me to change where I was planning to go. He was remote and I didn't have any other strong 6x6's scouted so I decided to chase him.
I made the long backpack trip in the night before the opener. Lots of miles and lots of up. At daylight I was right were I wanted to be. Elk were talking a little and I was working the ridge I'd spotted him on. At that moment a guided outfit blew past me on horses, fully knowing where and what I was doing. I kept hunting and glassed an ok 6x6 on a far finger ridge.
I hustled to make the stalk and get a better look. I put him in the spotter at 950 yds and he was good enough, but feeding into the timber in a tough spot to stalk. I started making the run and got distracted by a smaller bull across the canyon. I was thinking about getting the spotter out when I faintly heard a group of elk moving below me at @ 100 yds. I could tell there was no route they could take that wouldn't provide a shot so I just waited. Spike, cow, cow, cow, cow, bull. I judged him quick and could tell he had some mass and character.
First shot went through the shoulder blade and into the vitals. I hit him again in the back of the neck as he did the death walk. About half way through butchering I started rationing water, having not planned to hunt this far from my camp. Trying to save miles and get to water more quickly I bailed of the ridge through some brutally thick, steep, cliffy terrain. Mostly I learned which way not to go, though I did find a spring for a nice rest.
In an effort to save some future suffering I took a full dry bag and my hunting gear out on the first trip. A friend offered to help haul meat and we set out the next morning to get the rest of the meat/antlers/gear. After a 15 mile 4,000' day two it was all done but the butchering.
Never found the big bull. I've been trying to decide if it's a reasonable enough hunt to repeat next year, we'll see what next summer turns up for cervid candidates.
Horses not included.
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