Archery Elk hunt
Public land
Unit 33
1st week of September
Long week of hunting
Heard and saw lots of elk
Camped at 9,500 feet
Hiked up to almost 11,500 most days
My goal is to always see elk and get within 60 yards of one
I capped myself at 60 yards for shooting
Knocked an arrow on 4 separate occasions
Shot 1 arrow
We hiked up out of camp and climbed 1,500 feet or so. Called back and forth with a bull and he ended dropping down into the creek so we moved across and then went up again to the mountain across from us. Got there around lunch time and sat down to rest. Well 3 hail storms rolled through and we didn't have cover so we bundled up and sat through it with out backs to tje storms. Good news the temps dropped and stayed cooler.
Bull walks out like 400 yards to our left, no bugling. We sit and watch him walk towards us and eventually passing us. He crosses our face at like 80 yards but then works his way to about 18 yards on our right. Of course I have no shot. He trots down the hill and I whisper to my guide "call". He kinda turns and stops....broad side at 55. He looks away from us. I sit up on my knees and draw back. Big deep breath. Im calm. Guide whispers 55. I release. First thought was "that was a good shot"
Hits him perfect height and looks great placement. He runs. Doesnt favor front leg. Can see blood down his side now. He turns away and we can see the arrow....only half way in. Damn it. Its moving though...not stuck in bone... that's good.
Watch him run off another few hundred yards into the timber he came out of. Wait 2 hours. Start tracking. Find blood and tracks but there isn't a lot of blood cause the arrow stayed in. Not good.
Track him to the edge of a 50 degree drop off. Look at topo....it drops 1000 feet down. Damn it.
Never saw him again. Showed video to other guides and hunters. Conclusion the mechanical caught the edge of his shoulder blade. I was 2-4 inches to far forward. Tough ass lesson to learn.
Pictures to come
Public land
Unit 33
1st week of September
Long week of hunting
Heard and saw lots of elk
Camped at 9,500 feet
Hiked up to almost 11,500 most days
My goal is to always see elk and get within 60 yards of one
I capped myself at 60 yards for shooting
Knocked an arrow on 4 separate occasions
Shot 1 arrow
We hiked up out of camp and climbed 1,500 feet or so. Called back and forth with a bull and he ended dropping down into the creek so we moved across and then went up again to the mountain across from us. Got there around lunch time and sat down to rest. Well 3 hail storms rolled through and we didn't have cover so we bundled up and sat through it with out backs to tje storms. Good news the temps dropped and stayed cooler.
Bull walks out like 400 yards to our left, no bugling. We sit and watch him walk towards us and eventually passing us. He crosses our face at like 80 yards but then works his way to about 18 yards on our right. Of course I have no shot. He trots down the hill and I whisper to my guide "call". He kinda turns and stops....broad side at 55. He looks away from us. I sit up on my knees and draw back. Big deep breath. Im calm. Guide whispers 55. I release. First thought was "that was a good shot"
Hits him perfect height and looks great placement. He runs. Doesnt favor front leg. Can see blood down his side now. He turns away and we can see the arrow....only half way in. Damn it. Its moving though...not stuck in bone... that's good.
Watch him run off another few hundred yards into the timber he came out of. Wait 2 hours. Start tracking. Find blood and tracks but there isn't a lot of blood cause the arrow stayed in. Not good.
Track him to the edge of a 50 degree drop off. Look at topo....it drops 1000 feet down. Damn it.
Never saw him again. Showed video to other guides and hunters. Conclusion the mechanical caught the edge of his shoulder blade. I was 2-4 inches to far forward. Tough ass lesson to learn.
Pictures to come