My First Elk

WalleyeDeitz · #1 10-07-2010, 04:27 PM

Here is a photo of my first ever Elk, a small horned 5x4...first time posting a pic so hope it works. I have been chasing these critters for 5 years now with my bow and have had lots of chances but never a chance at a good shot. This years trip, on the first night of our 11 day hunt we climbed the mountain to the sounds of two bulls calling so much we were sure they were other hunters...we had not called once on teh climb up. We were very confused as where we were we were confident there wasn’t anyone else. As we got into position on a ridge the bugles became very deep and throaty...the kind that make the hairs on your neck stand up as you now have confirmed these are actual elk and not other hunters. We called for 10 minutes or so with several answers. Then for about 5 mins or so we could hear him crashing up the ridge towards us. My partner was calling 60 yards up behind me and the bull came flying in, just about stepping on me (about 8 yards) at which we had a stare off.....me with my bow not drawn staring at a bull at 8 yards that I was 100 percent sure was going to bust and and run...well he did after about a 30 second stare down but he only ran to about 40 yards at which point my partner just so happened to bugle again (he couldn’t see this all going down) and the bull turned and headed back uphill on an angle towards my partner. Well this time I was ready however I was drawn for about a full minute and was starting to shake a bit when he finally gave me a good shooting lane. He was at 30 yards as per my range finder but in the heat of the moment I didn’t account for how downhill he was from me. If I was to measure correctly I should have been shooting for about 15 yards. Anyways my shot was a bit higher than I wanted but he only made it about 40 yards before deciding to take a "rest" up against a tree where another arrow ended up flying in his direction. That’s when the work began........I am hooked for life and have a huge smile on my face while I am writing this……Cant wait until next year.