My 2012 Elk Hunt, A Picture Story

[Swede]

Picture 1. I believe this is one of the pictures of the bull I killed later in August. The camera was set at a nearby water hole. We use several cameras to help determine where we will place stands, and ultimately where we will be waiting when the season opens. It is said a picture is worth a thousand words. Well we had over a thousand pictures in total. Sorting through them and analyzing the contents can be a sizable undertaking. Even though setting up cameras, checking them and then finally reviewing them can be a lot of work, it is a labor of love.

PICT0602.JPG (77.89 KiB) Viewed 2682 times

[Swede]

This second picture shows the water hole and wallow area where I was waiting in a tree stand just above. It was an interesting year as the wallow had not been used on August 31 when this picture was taken. It was the day before at 7:15 PM when I shot my bull, as he approached this wet area.

Bow Hunt 2012 001 (34).JPG (307.93 KiB) Viewed 2679 times

[Swede]

Here is a view from my tree stand. The bull came down the draw from the right, and stood hidden behind the bushy White fir for ten minutes, except for his hind quarters. While standing and waiting I could see the bull was on edge, and ready to bolt if he heard, saw or smelled anything out of order. After standing behind the White fir for ten minutes he took about two steps forward to where he was completely hidden. There he waited for another few minutes, while I was waiting looking down where I could see spots of brown between the branches. While we both waited, he was looking down the draw and over the scene shown in picture two. Then after standing behind that White fir for nearly fifteen minutes, he took another three steps forward. At that point he was in good view between the snag on the left and the White fir. At that point I had a good broadside shot at 25 yards. Now his caution in moving forward worked in my favor, as it gave me plenty of time to draw, aim and release the arrow.

Bow Hunt 2012 001 (26).JPG (261.43 KiB) Viewed 2678 times

[Swede]

This picture is a close up of the view where the bull walked out into my shooting lane. He was standing just to the right of the snag.

Bow Hunt 2012 001 (27).JPG (260.64 KiB) Viewed 2676 times

[Swede]

This small watering hole is a great place to catch a thirsty elk. I have never seen this spring used as a wallow in 20+ years of hunting here. It was either this spring or the adjacent wallow, which is a part of a larger wet area, where the bull was heading. The wallow is about 40 feet to the right of the spring. Since he was looking more in the direction of the wallow, I suspect he would have used the wallow first. Over the years bulls have wallowed all around the perimeter of this wet area.

Bow Hunt 2012 001 (32).JPG (256.55 KiB) Viewed 2673 times

[Swede]

As I scouted the area just before the season, I discovered this recent rub tree. I could see it from my stand and the bull ran just to the right of it after being shot. He traveled about 250 yards, down the draw and side hill, from where he was hit, before he collapsed. Well used trails, fresh rub trees and a good secluded spring with a wallow, are hard to beat for a tree stand hunter.

Bow Hunt 2012 001 (36).JPG (261.37 KiB) Viewed 2672 times

[Swede]

This was the end of the line for the bull. I shot the him at about 7:15 PM, but by the time I located him, and was ready for a picture, it was well past dark. Actually; I went back to camp, prepared dinner, and called home before we went back to the bull. My friend Tim took this picture for me. It is sure great to have a good friend near at a time like this.

Bow Hunt 2012 001 (17).JPG (190.71 KiB) Viewed 2672 times

[planebow]

Enjoyed your story, seems like more people are using tree stands for elk.

[BowElkDwn]

Great story and great pics. Sounds like you were on the edge of your seat before getting the shot. Thanks for sharing.