I Overcame The Nervous/Popping Grunt!

[ElkNut1]

My son & I were hunting a burned basin 3-1/2 miles back in, we glassed a 2nd & Paul II spotted a couple of spikes feeding below us a couple hundred yards & to our left out through the slight brush & now burned lodge pole looking toothpicks. It was now close to 10am as we'd been hiking in for a couple hours, the wind was now blowing straight up the hill at us as the sun warmed the mountainside. Paul II was to my right 10yds with video camera just in case a shot opportunity presented itself. He already took a spike a few days earlier & I too wanted one to fill one of our 2 tags we both had. The two spikes kept feeding & moving slightly uphill in our direction for about 15 minutes. We did no calling at this time. As the spikes inched up the hill one came below me at about 90yds & went on the other side of a few green pines that had survived the burn.

The 2nd spike fed between me & the 1st spike, he looked plenty close enough for a shot! As I got ready to draw without him seeing the motion my son whispered to me 60yds, I immediately looked at him like what??? It couldn't be? But I didn't 2nd guess the distance he'd said in a very low tone, I put 60yds on him & the spike had no idea we were there, he stopped to grab a bite as I released the arrow, I watched it fly 18" over his back, I was sorta in disbelief! The spike bolted for cover behind the same few green trees the first one had went behind. I immediately cow called several times to try & stop or coax him back. I was hidden pretty good in a low depression & he was looking through the pine bough branches so he couldn't see the area well. I looked at Paul II & he shrugged his shoulders & mouthed he was 40yds! (grin) He had accidentally ranged over the spikes back & must have hit a different object!

Anyway I cow called on very low volume several times, he stared but was out in that 90yd range with no shot & was too far. After 30 seconds the spike got nervous & gave a nervous/popping grunt & started shifting around from side to side, I knew it was about over if something didn't happen real quick. I decided I had to get out of the depression & cover about 6'-8' to the nearest cover that I could put between me & the spike. I did this & as soon as I was behind the cover I ran right at him mewing the whole way to the green trees which I was hoping he was still on the other side of? I gave a quick peek around the trunk of the tree & low & behold he was still there & broadside at that staring in my direction looking for the cow. I drew my bow behind the trunk & estimated 35 yds, I stepped/leaned out around the branches & split the 30-40yd pins & let it fly & watched the arrow sink into his heart! He went aprox 60-70 yds & piled up. Well, that's one way to overcome the nervous/popping grunt! (grin) We have this on video but I haven't watched it yet!

By the way the new Exo packs did great! It took us over 4 hrs to pack the elk out in one trip.

ElkNut1

[mjblowers]

Excellent stuff. And great news about the pack - I'm looking to get my hands on one. Can't wait to hear about your next one.

[Rizzy]

Good job on the Geoffrey!
I shall give that tactic a try. With enough cover, would you try that on a Bull?

[Hot Cow]

Great story of a great hunt. Its funny how things can happen in the field that we would never expect to happen while we are actually hunting. In the end it makes for good stories about the hunting success/failures we have. Heading to CO for round two of our hunting season. Had over 150 pix of elk on our trail cams but just couldn't connect on any the first weekend. I will update when we get back late next week. Good luck hunting to all!!!

[ElkNut1]

Thanks guys & good luck Tim! >>>>>>

What do you mean, a spike is a bull. (grin) Ha Ha I know what you mean! (grin) You bet it can work on any elk. Here's a bull I killed with nearly the exact scenario, I ran at this bull with good wind & just enough cover as I cow called excitedly to him, at 40 yds I slipped in fairly silent with no calling to a nice big fir tree & nocked an arrow on the longbow, I ended up killing him at 17yds. So yes the above tactic can work as long as all the elements are there!

ElkNut1

[Rizzy]

That's a great Bull with the longbow.
I have had 2 bulls give me the nervous grunt immediately followed by a scream and a grunt(?). Next time I will try running at them with the mews if there is decent cover. I have spot and stalk hunted for so long, running at a Bull is mentally tuff to get used to

[wawhitey]

Just looking at that load on your son's back hurts!

[redtop]

Nice job Paul. I tried that exact same tactic last week on a spike of my own. Yours worked better! I think he thought I was a wolf or bear and I scared the sht out of him. At least my pack out was lighter. Again.

[ElkNut1]

Heck Norm, nothing works every time! I've been on the losing end as well but when things work out we look like heroes, even on spikes! (grin) Good Luck!

ElkNut1

[zpd307]

I had a rag and a small 5x bark at me on night 2. I had my head down when I spooked them in the open. I found a nearby pine and cow called them. the rag started coming to me and then thought better and started barking. I tried walking on all fours to get to a closer pine but they didn't buy it. they stayed for a few minutes more and then left...
btw, I love these tips. it made for some exciting encounters this year!

[ChukarNUT]

Paul-- I know we talked on the phone quite a bit on the HH full curl and you went with one. Ive been happy with mine other than the waist belt! ive been eyeballing the EXO packs for some time and want your opinion on the difference between the two. seems to me like an improved design and definitely a better waist belt than the hh.