Lady Luck

[gonefishin]

For the umpteenth season in a row, my elk hunting season had been thrown to the gutters. I was called away for a 6 week course, which had basically blown my entire archery season.

I got back home late Friday night, and after a day of relaxing Saturday, my wife asked me if I wanted to take her hunting on Sunday. I never seemed to have any luck hunting on my own and my elk tags always ended up in the junk drawer at the end of the season, so I figured bringing the wife might bring me a little luck?? I was far from optimistic, but as it was my last kick at the cat to fill my archery elk tag, I figured why not.

We were in the woods for less than 2 hours when we stumbled upon a bull elk having a snooze about 100 yards away. I told the wife to stay put and I would attempt a stalk... somehow. I managed to close the distance to about 50 yards, using a small hill for cover, and when I peeked over the hill, I was quite surprised to see 6 cows/ calves and a smaller bull eating away in the little meadow. The bigger bull had gotten up to eat and was slowly made his way in front of me, and at 45 yards, he put his head down for another mouthfull, which was my chance to draw. At the shot, all hell broke loose and elk were running in every direction, except for the bull I had just shot at, he didn't move. So I sat and watched him for about 20 minutes, and he never moved at all. I knew I had hit him, but seeing as he was still standing after all this time, I figured he wasn't hit well. So I snuck back to the wife and suggested we let him be for the night and I would come back in the morning to take up the chase.

I was on the blood trail bright and early this morning, and had only followed it for about 50 yards before I heard the crows and magpies squawking. I quickly ran up to see all the comotion and found my bull piled up in a bunch of saplings.

He's no monster by any means, but he's my first elk and I'm especially happy that I got it with the bow on a spot and stalk hunt.






The wife (my lucky charm)


Daddy's future hunting buddy

[hunt_and_fish]

Way to go gonefishin. You have every right to be proud. I sure would be. Great animal, especially with the bow on a spot and stalk. Congrats man.

[Bushmaster]

Congrats....very nice !!

But the cape looks buggered ??!!

[TreeGuy]

Awesome bull! First ever with a bow?? Very cool. Congrats man!

Tree

Very nice,..

[BigRackLover]

Frick that awesome ... sometimes it just works out like that. Good on yah for not giving up.

Fortress Brook trout and a late season archery bull elk .... 2008 has been good to you eh?

[gonefishin]

Thanks guys.

Bushmaster-- Yeah, the cape got a little rubbed out during the drag out (man power, no quad).

BigRack-- So far it's been awesome; hopefully rifle season has a contribution.

[Rocks]

Great first elk, and with the bow to boot. Congrats!

[Albertadiver]

Wow, whoseyerdaddy!

Once I get some white-tails under my belt I'll be going for an elk too. Meanwhile building up my draw priority.

Congrats.

[slopeshunter]

Congrats, great hunt! I guess the wife will be coming out hunting more with you.

[thumper]

I'd say that you're three-times lucky -
A dandy bull and two beautiful smiling girls!

[Matt L.]

Hey man, there are no bad bulls. Awesome job and an awesome bull! Congratulations!

[Coldhill]

Wow great hunt,

It is a great feeling when the wife says, " Can you take me hunting". I always enjoy what i do so much more when my Bird is around. She really likes learnning the how to"s. And what a great day it turned into awell, any elk is great, but the first one is the best and the first one with a bow is even better. I guess you got three greats in one day. To be so lucky.

I think you are gunna have to keep a sharp eye on the little one, her smile tells it all...I am sure it won't be too far away when you are asking the girls if they will take YOU hunting!
Congrats to you and yours Sean!!!

"...go your way in safety!"

G-len

[gunslinger]

awsome job on taking a bull spot and stalk, that is even more sweet with teh wife there

[High_N_Wide]

Awesome job at not pushing him. Some people would have messed that up badly!!

Nice one.

Trev

[Tuc]

Congrats!

[wrenchmonkey]

Congrats, great first bull! I'm still looking for mine, never can seem to be at the right place at the right time. Sounds like an awesome hunt, always cool to have the wife along. Hope you have great rifle season, keep me posted.