Rdy 2 Smell That Smell

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Last work day tomorrow... packed up and ready to leave early Wednesday am. Plan is kill quick in Montana and then on to Idaho or Colorado. My thought process is this...take a decent bull within 5 days, taking a couple more to pack him out and get him into a meat locker, then move on to Idaho and hold out for a better bull. Should it take me more time I will forget the 2 bull plan and hold out for a big Montana bull until late into the hunt when any legal bull will suffice.

This is only my second go for elk, but unlike my first try, this time I am using less traditional tactics and will utilize a homemade decoy. As one of the nations most successful turkey bowhunters, I am counting on my turkey experience tanslating to elk, the deke will be a game changet and make killing multiple elk per trip very doable. The temperatures will definitely be similar to an Alabama spring turkey season.

Besides the hunt, I am really ready to get away from our southern summer heat.

Hopefully my bad heel and ankles will allow me to hunt the way I know how, and allow me to showcase my skills, but after a short walk today I have doubts.

[Elkhunttoo]

Good luck to you turkey man. I'm Interested to see how you do.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Me too Elk, I am really interested in how the decoying is going to work. I outlined my killing strategy but not my hunting plan. I think I have a solid plan that involves finding elk first, then getting after them using what I learned on first trip plus decoying. Can't wait!

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Drove all the way to I 90 at souix falls on just 2 hours of sleep the nite before. Still work to do but might get a hunt in late tomorrow.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

We are a head of schedule. Looks like we will be hunting tomorrow afternoon as well. We are a half hr out of St Louis now. Best of luck to you be safe.

[Indian Summer]

How's it going TBM? How long are you hunting this year?

[njdoxie]

lol, well u do have the confidence thing down

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Not going good so far. Heard on bugle at nite. Mountain legs might show up in a day or two. Would be brutal to kill early...not sure Icould pack him out. Seeing 10x as many hunters than last time. All sign is a week old and can't find the elk. Plan b didn't work out at all. Tough so far.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

6x6...on my last leg....haha, auto correct... I meant next leg, but auto correct got it right.

[Elkhunttoo]

We need pictures and story

[Lefty]

Besides the hunt, I am really ready to get away from our southern summer heat.

Well many parts of the Rockies are getting snow. so you may want to change your train of thought

All sign is a week old and can't find the elk.

Some fresh sign if hard to read. Dont be surprised that snow will show a" magical" reappearance of elk.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

got close 3 different time on a big Idaho bull. Looks like a 7x7. Should score around 320. Takes me 3 hours just to get to him. Going to give him and me a break tomorrow. No GPS is a bummer. Came off the mountain in a bad spot today. Dead tired..been up since3. It will take me 3 days to pack him if I get him. He is smart and answers but want come. I snuck in on him today while he whipped a Bush.

[Elkhunttoo]

Keep after em... Are we going to get any pics?

[Indian Summer]

What went down in Montana?

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Killed a 6x6 in Montana... small antlers but huge body. Tough pack out. He died in a horrible spot and almost rolled over me when I moved him. He rolled another 100 yards down the steep incline. Found someone else arrow with blood in it while tracking. Had a better hunt in Idaho. Driving home now.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Got home this am. Slept a while then started the arduous task of processing the rather large quantity of meat. The threat of loosing it cut the Idaho leg of the hunt short. The Montana elk head had started o smell bad and having it right beside me in the camper didn't help. Pulling a trailer will definitely be on the list of changes I need to implement for next year. I will give an update on the hunt in its entirety when time permits.

[Elkhunttoo]

Congrats on the bull

[TurkeyBowMaster]

I was a little concerned about how rank this bull was but after sitting in the cooler for over a week it didn't have any bad smell and the roast I cooked was delicious. Sure helps offset the cost !

[Mnbowhunter]

Where's the pics ?

[Kessler10]

might have to confirm with Phantom on this one....but isn't there a rule that if you throw a teaser out, a pic must follow?

congrats on your bull and getting it packed out. Shooting a bull is only half the battle. I alwasy congratulate people on getting the bull out, no easy task. especially if solo. nice work!

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Didnt get any in the field pics. Killed him in a really bad spot, steep and over 2 miles deep. Didnt have anything to take pics with at the time i took him and going back just for pics might have led to spoiled meat. It woulk have been dangerous to process the meat where he came to rest. I gave him a slight tug and he rolled another 50 yards, sometimes bouning 3 feet off the ground. It was violent and i would have hated to be tangled up in his antlers while he rolled. They came close to getting me the first time and i was careful to stay out of the way after that and helped him get started 2 more times before he rested in a good spot to break him down. Had it not beem for the trees he would have made it to the bottom of the drain when he died. l

There were lots of learning points of this hunt, some i have never seen published and as a flatlander never would consider them without experiencing them for myself. Will update more when unpacked and settled.

[Indian Summer]

Didnt get any in the field pics. Killed him in a really bad spot, steep and over 2 miles deep. Didnt have anything to take pics with at the time i took him

I gave you a Clip-Shot!

[TurkeyBowMaster]

had the clipshot but didnt have zanythimg to attach it to.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Here is a summary of the Montana/Idaho elk trip. I hope to highlight some basic learning points along the way...things that might help the "do it yourselfer" or flatlander. Sometimes the "real" elk experts might overlook some obvious points...when you know and have known for so long, it can be hard to get a grasp of the points than need highlighting, so this might be a sort of elk hunting for dummies writeup.

[Backyard]

I think its gettin a little windy in here....


Aim small.
Dave

[Swede]

Turkey, I did not get one either this year. I am already planning on my next hunt in November for Mule deer and for next September. The truth is I was planning on next year's hunt while I was driving home from the one I just finished. I thank the Lord I am still in great shape for hunting and can still give it a solid effort. I am offering no excuses. My cousin and other hunting partner both got elk from one of my stands, so I will accept that as a consolation. I was pleased to have a couple partners for the first time in many years, and pleased to help them pack out. My cousin's 6x6 was a 1.5 mile haul and we were not back in the sack until 04:30. I was beat, but still had a big smile. Stringunner was there for the pack and a great help too. He and his dad are great to have around. I was disappointed not to get to help them pack. Stringunner's dad did kill a great 4x4 buck, which he packed out on his own. Maybe Stringunner can post a picture of his dad's buck.

[Kessler10]

does not have to be a clip-shot pic. Any pic will work. How about a couple off your phone of the dead bull or of the head so we can take peak at that headgear?

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Did a long writeup and it didn't submit, so I am just going to do day by day post.

Wednsday September 14, Packed up and ready...Thursday 2 am- headed north. Made it all the way from HY 80 in Al. to I-90 in one leg...sleepy and nodding the whole way. Pulled over at truck stop and crawled into the camper. One thing I noticed was that most of the corn looked ready to pick and some in Missouri had already been picked. This should make some of the Midwest whitetail hunters happy. Not many places for those big bucks to hide once all the corn is picked...makes for some easy hunting compared to what I am accustom.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Thursday Sep 15: Finished the drive to Montana....I- 90 across Dakota is a must see...most beautiful country I have seen. Arrived at my destination in time to get out just before dark. Make a cold calling setup near where I killed on my last elk hunt which was 2 years ago. Bull responded by raking his horns but went out in the opposite direction and bugled with chuckles just at dark. Lots of hunters in "my" spot compared to 2 years ago and a fire had came through some of the area.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Friday Sep 16- Scouted/hunted pretty much all day...had to pace myself as I hadn't acclimated yet. All the bike riding had my thighs prepared but my energy level was low. My planters heel was not giving me much trouble so that was a good thing. Didn't find as much fresh sigh as I expected and saw a decent amount of sigh from other hunters that included a kill. Another possible kill was across a drain with lots of ravens, magpies and coyotes congregating on what had to be a kill. I didn't waste time trying to satisfy my curisoty as to what it was they were after because it would have been non productive.

One thing I see written a lot is people say they are going elk hunting. That is the wrong frame of mind. You need to be in the frame of mind that you are going scouting for elk because finding them is often the biggest challenge you will face.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Saturday Sept 17: Still no sighting of elk or fresh sign. Talked to a local that was camped and hunting in one of my favorite spots and even using a 4 wheeler to get in and out where he was not suppose to be using one. He gave the sob story of how Montana had depleted its resourced and showed me other areas to try on the map. I didn't pursue them but did take a look at some new areas I found on Google earth. Dissapointed in what I found. Google earth is really not as useful a boots on the ground. Anyone should be prepared to walk and scout all day...be relentless in your efforts. Be positive and know the odds are stacking up against the elk with each mile. At the very least you are finding our where the elk are not. No elk or fresh sign located. Went to the mountain top to receive text from my son on how Alabama was doing against Old Miss. First text was "Looks lile they are going to get us again 21-3" THey got better after that. Went to bed early.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Sunday Sep 18-Up early and made it to the top on a major ridge a good 30 minutes before day. Having heard no bugles I started scouting in a predetermined direction in spite of having the wind at my back...mistake. Even when scouting you need to have wind in face. Spotted 2 bulls in a opening about 200 yards out, working in my direction. That didn't last long as the first threw his nose up and was gone. It would have been a good hunt if I had the correct wind. That evening I setup on a hill downwind of the drain where they went after smelling me and soon spotted the bigger of the 2. He was in an old burn that had grown up thick while I was on the opposite drain that had recently burned....bare ground with a few trees. I put on my decoy...a hooded sweat with ears a painted up the correct colors. I cow called and showed myself. He froze and faced me as I covered the 100 yards down to the drain. From there I was out of sight and making quiet a bit of noise against the brush on his side of the drain. I wouldn't see him again until in range. Soon the musty smell of elk filled my nostrils...I was close, but making way to many human sounds. He would have been long gone had it not for the confidence the decoy game him but still he blew out just before I got to where I could shoot him. Had I had cleaner walking I think I would have killed him. At least I was on elk. Sunday

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Monday Sept 19- Went deep into the same area where I heard the bugle the first evening. Someone else had been hunting that area so I had been staying out. He nor anyone seemed to be hunting the area anymore and I had it all to myself. Went in over 2 miles up a drain and then climbed to the top of a ridge in a small burned out area. I didn't hear anything at daylight so I began moving higher up the ridge heading up towards the mountain top. I would bugle every 1/4 mile and on my second stop I got an answer. It was the chuckler bull. He was across a drain and I had to cross deep down and back up to get to him. As I neared the bottom I saw fresh shiny droppings. In the bottom was more fresh sigh and I bugled to keep the bull interested. I thought about staying in the bottom and calling but I couldn't hear from there so I decided to go down the drain to get the wind and go up to him. After moving 70 yards down the drain I had second thoughts and decided to move back to where the sign was...where I had just left and bugled not 3 minutes earlier. I had not gone 50 yards and just arrived at a point where I could see all the fresh sign when I spotted elk. A cow and calf had come in just that fast. They spotted me and moved off and a bull followed up from further up. I could have killed had I stayed put.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Monday cont- I wasn't sure whether the bull was the one that bugled or another bull so I went back up to where I could hear better and bugled and sure enough the chuckler had not moved. I resumed pursuing him, assuming he was bedded near the top. It took about 30 minutes to make the climb and the wind was really shifting. It wasn't a good situation but I made the best of it I think he got my wind. He moved off and I got a setup close enough to hear him raking a tree and we called back and forth until he final moved away at a pace I couldn't keep up. It was around noon so I decided to head back to where the cow, calf and bull went after I spooked them. They really didn't move aff very fast so I was sure they hadn't gone far. I had to drop back down and back up again.

Rentless...that is what to takes to elk hunt. Many get and slow down or quit. My mindset is that the odds are stacking up against the elk...every failed hunt is one step closer to success. I soon found myself cold calling from the top of the ridge in the exact area I had encountered a herd bull 2 years prior.

It was a beautiful spot and looked real elky. I had bugled 3 times on my homemade tube. I have a commercial made tube that is much easier to use but the sounds from my smooth bore wiffle ball bat produce sounds that sound much more lifelike...to my ears anyhow. I wrapped the pastic bat with paracord to prevent it from making noise while carrying and the cord can come in handy when dressing and elk or making a shelter.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Monday cont: Just as I was starting to wonder what I would do next I saw movement...it was the cow and calf and I readied myself for the bull I felt would follow. The pair stayed above me at a challenging distance, partly due the distance and partly due to the brush and trees. Sure enough the bull followed but a good 10 yards lower and closer...I drew and when he hit an opening I grunted. He took 2 steps and stopped with his vitals mostly obscured...I waited and contemplated. I wasn't sure I wanted him...so early in the hunt, but legal...he fit right into my 2 state plan. He took a few more steps and stopped with everything good surrounding my pin. I thought don't shoot, then this is what I came fore and the arrow was on its way! I saw fletching and due to a poory tuned setup I even saw down the side of a slightly skewed arrow. It didn't matter, Ive killed 100's of animals and lots with arrows that didn't fly perfect. Broadhead choice is more important and I had one of the best. THe arrow hit without a sound and melted through the elk and stuck in the ground beyond...it would have went through a second elk had it been in the way.

There was no need to wait the standard 30 minutes. I took up the trail anter finding my bliid covered arrow. Tracking wasn't easy and the elk wasn't predictable. I was glad I shot him with a huge Simmons and not the tiny Slick Trick on the end of the blood covered FMJ I had just found. What is the odds of that...the elk I just shot bled on top of an arrow someone else had lost weeks, maybe even a year before.

Now here is where things get tricky for the flatlander. As I was tracking I happened to notice antlers sticking up 90 degrees off the blood trail. It became apparent that the elk had died while skirting the ridge and rolled down towards the bottom and got caught up just before going out of sight. That is one thing the flatlander don't consider. Game is where they die in flat lands, but in the mountains they can travel further dead that they did alive, and the blood trail on a rolling tumbling animal is different that one that is dead on its feet. Brush up there it tough and has strong memory...you run over it with a bulldozer and it springs right back up. Hard to track a rolling bull.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Monday cont...the pack out: Elk died on such a steep incline at such a bad spot I knew when I rolled him to remove the meat that he wouldn't stop rolling. I decided to roll him in hopes he would land in a better spot, plus the added benefit of getting him closer to the bottom of the drain. I tugged on him a bit and when he started rolling his antlers almost took my head off. It was violent! He rolled another 75 yards sometimes coming 3 feet off the ground. It was a rolling ball of hooves and antlers. He came to rest in an equally bad spot so I dislodged him again. He went another 30 and smashed into a tree. It took a bit to get him going and this time he ended up in a better position. I tied him off and began the arduous task of removing the meat. The flys were terrible and chili powder did nothing to detour them. The meat was rank...it was a big old bull and he stunk so I was skeptical that the meat would turn out good. Anyhow, I pressed on. I would get a load and head to the bottom where my sil tarp was layed out. My water ran out before the process was over so I bellied down and drank from the stream. I went out with my first load in my Backlands pack with one of those cheap portable packs from Walmart on my chest side. In all, I bet I had 55 pounds on the first load. Back in with the pack frame for close to 90 pounds. I slept well that nite and got a 3rd load close to 80 pounds and then the antlers, my bow and other assorted equipment. 4 loads for everything...2.4 miles deep but good walking out. Tuesday ended and it rained that nite in what would begin some rally wet weather.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Wed Sept 21- I forgot to mention that the whole time I was breaking down my elk I could hear the herd bull bugling. At one point he was right up top where I shot my bull.

Wednesday I finished trimming up the skull, got the brains out by twirling a forked stick in the spinal hole, built a fire for heating water in a plastic bucket for a bath. By enening, the skull and I were clean and headed for Idaho after stopping for a burger in Townsand. It was a beautiful ride that ssometimes took me above the clouds and it rained most of the way. By the time I got to McCall it was late and I settled into a partially wet sleeping bag for the nite.

Thursday September 22 I slept in, ate one of the best BLT's at one of the small grills and headed to Parks and Wildife.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Thursday Sept22: after finding out how pricy the tags were I felt the need to find a bull before purchasing a tag. The lady got me into the computer to save time should I come back. My first stop I heard a bugle but was not sure it was on public. My second stop a bull answered me from public and within the hour I was back at the department and got my tag. By 1 pm I was above the clouds and caught a glimps of the bull I would battle over the next couple of days. On Friday I saw the bull up close and figured him to be a 7x7...probably a 300 plus class bull. He was never with cows and only once with another bull. I found his wallow and it appeared no one had hunted the wallow. He was in a hellacious spot, the weather was basically hot, wet, my coolers were full...he was simply a bull that I did not need to kill in a place that I couldn't get the meat out without spoiling. It took 3 hours just to get from camp to the top where he stayed. I hope top return to the area and hunt there again...in better shape and better equipped. I need to stay on the mountain.

I hunted until Sunday around noon and left. Camp was falling apart. I had blood dripping our of my sleeping bag and the elks skull was beginning to smell. I ended up driving from east Wyoming to Alabama straight through to keep from sleeping in that mess again! It was a great trip and I learned much! The evidence proved what I suspected...I am an elk hunter!

[TurkeyBowMaster]

What I learned: Pull a trailor. Coolers, skulls, tools, come alongs, chains, etc can be put on the trailer and just hunting stuff can be put in the truck and camper. It wasn't bad until I killed then It got cramped. I need a dependable GPS, a light sleeping bag and tarp for just a make do camp. It would be very advantageous to be able to camp near the same elevation of the elk. Climbing and decending 2000 feet and the 6 miles each day took 5 hours. It wasn't a smooth climb...the 2000 feet was in one mile. I would get clifted out on the way down and risk broken bones each time I decended. My badlands pack started to squeak loudly after packing out my bull with it and I hate anything that squeeks. I need a better pack. In some of the rougher areeas packing 50 pounds is a good load so a good pack should be able to handle that or more.

Tips for flatlanders:

Turkey hunt- If you are not a turkey hunter start. THis teaches you everything you need to know about the hunting part of elk hunting.

Have confidence-Don't pay attention to success ratios. Ive turned 16% into 100% and only shot bulls. Not big bulls but bulls never the less.

Don't be intimidated- Map and compass works just fine for getting you out. You might come out a hard way but you will get out. Just keep up with the weather and don't get caught when the really bad stuff moves in.

Have a good additude: like I said before I ever went elk hunting..."I might be the best elk hunter to have never killed an elk". That is how I felt and it is looking like an accurate prediction. I don't allow my feelings to affect my actions...I can be down but I don't quit. Elk hunting is just about keeping going and eventually something good will happen They are not like our southern eastern turkeys where you will NEVER kill one when not equipped with specific equipment. You just keep at it and eventually something good will happen. Don't give up and don't give in.

In bad shape...don't let that stop you- I didn't walk any before my trip. I biked, but because of a bad heel I didn't walk. I got in shape after I got in the mountains. Its not the smartest stratigie but I didn't let being out of top shape stop me. I eventually hunted terrain a mule couldn't climb

[Bow4me]

Turkey I guess I'm going to have to be the one to say it out loud if you don't post a pic of some bone were calling BS! There I said it.

[Backyard]

Turkey I guess I'm going to have to be the one to say it out loud if you don't post a pic of some bone were calling BS! There I said it.

I second that.
It's getting to the point where you aren't even entertainment anymore.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Backyard not trying to entertain...just trying to help guys who have trouble killing elk. I heard where Nick Saban has someone turn his car around after he parks it just to save 3 seconds because that is 3 seconds he can use to better prepare his team and coaches. That is extreme but just goes to show the mindset of champions, and to be successful at a high level you almost have to think that way. Paying attention to things like moon position might not seem like much but it can be the little thing that brings home the bacon. When I arrived the moon was overhead around Midnite and each nite was overhead around 55 minutes later. That meant that it was underfoot almost 12 hours later and that would be a secondary time of movement.

Bow4me I will eventually get a pic posted. They are on my phone and I cant get on this site with my phone. I sent some to Indian Summer and maybe he can post them sometimes.

[Wapiti]

Man I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment...............I've already wasted an hour of my time so I'm pretty much in it for the long haul now !!

My favourite part so far is the elk rolling over and over down the hill........you should have used the paracord off your home made bugle tube to tie the bull off !!

But I'm ready for more so keep it going if you can think of anything else you may have missed.

[JKaboom]

I am a total non sports guy here but the reference fits - FLAG ON THE PLAY - between this thread, the 100% chance thread and the decoy thread I am pretty much done here. When a sponsor chimes in you know there's a problem Going to user contol panel and blocking this guy...

[JKaboom]

Wow- I like this feature !!!

[TurkeyBowMaster]

It actually was advantageous to roll the bull down. First, the chance for the bull to land in a more favorable position was in my favor...it took 3 times but he eventually got in a better position for processing, Second, he was getting closer to the bottom where there was a good flat area...there was not anywhere else to lay the meat on a tarp but down in the bottom of the drain. Third, there would be less distance I would have to go back and forth getting the meat transferred to the bottom. I had a nice size tarp laying out down there and there was water down there for drinking and washing up. Last, each time he rolled he dislocated joints and tenderized the meat.

I drank the mountain water and didn't treat it at all and didn't get sick. Sometimes I wonder...is this whole getting sick over drinking mountain water something that affects only city slickers who have only drank the processed water and the tummys cannot handle the good stuff. Ive drank out of a cow track and wiggle tail water down home...pond water and even downstream of a dead armadillo and never got sick...we are talking cow poo in the pond water water. I just think you can get seasoned to the bugs and stuff like saminella and stuff and one thing is for sure, a country boy can survive and live to kill another elk! There are reasons all this is true...its been proven. I sent Rory a pic of the bone visa satalite so maybe he can post it one here for all to see.

[Timber]

This is definitely entertainment! Please don't stop turkey I want to hear more about this great hunt!!!

[WapitiTalk1]

Yep, TBM got a bull this year. I'll get a pic posted as soon as Steve resends to me (I accidentally deleted it while cleaning out my wapiti talk email a few days ago). As "lofty" as TBM can be sometimes, he did put a bull on the ground again this year.

[Swede]

"Lofty" lol That is good. I admit I was having my doubts, but I am pleased for Turkey. Let me be the first to offer congratulations to you sir. Well done, and may you get many more. I look forward to seeing the picture.

[WapitiTalk1]

TBM's 2016 bull. Congrats!

[Timber]

Congrats Turkey but I still want to hear more of this hunt!!!

[Elkhunttoo]

Congrats again.... I want a picture of your decoy, my brother and I have been going to make one for years now and just haven't yet

[Wapiti]

Well done then but I will say I'm still suspicious as nobody is in the picture so it could be anyones bull. Can you post some pictures from the field so we can all see and enloy them ? Phone pictures are great as that's all I mostly use as well. If you do not have any its no big deal. congrats on getting out there and sharing your experiences.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

I think I said somewhere above that I didn't get any in the field hero pics. I had a falling out with my phone as the Gaia gps app didn't work. Those first few days were kicking my rear so I left everything I could behind, including bear spray which from what I hear isn't too smart. When I killed the weather was hot enough that I just couldn't risk going the 4 miles round trip to get a phone or camera for pics. Flys layed a gazillian eggs on my meat before I got it out. Speaking of flys, I have never seen one in the wild until I kill something, then the are everywhere. Where do they stay. Anyhow, My only pics I got where some scenery pics in Idaho because I was in better shape to carry the phone plus I got the app to work...slow, but it worked.

Now that I have my freezer full I plan on using my Hovora, or Savoyt takedown. The limbs are some that Duke Savora made and the riser I a hoyt. Thing shoots the Simmons like a dart and my performance during deer season will help decide if I will take it elk hunting the next time I go. I hope that is next September. This season lit a fire in me and I don't even dread packing the big bull I am sure to kill. I'm telling you folks, I can flat kill an elk and plan to step it up to larger specimen,

Thank Rory for posting the pic and I will try to figure out how myself and I will post a few more of different things.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

P.S. I am already working on a new system for carrying my turkey decoy and a new decoy stake. Deer season is right around the corner and I am working on turkey stuff. I am going to can the decoy bag and carry it inside the large compartment of the Badlands Diablo. I am making a collapsible decoy stake out of one of my trekking poles. It was just a cheap Walmart kind and it already had a blowout curtesy of that pile of rocks called Idaho. So I found a use for the Diablo so that might be my excuse to buy a good elk pack...looking for a used Karfaru or kiwi or something good like that big enough for 3 day wars in bad places

[Njdiverdan]

Turkey,

I am more interested in the pic of the buggy behind your bull.? What is that? Looks like it has a pretty cool rack attached to the front? Can you send some pics of that? I would love to see how you attached it?

thanks,

-dan

[Indian Summer]

Well done then but I will say I'm still suspicious as nobody is in the picture so it could be anyones bull. Can you post some pictures from the field so we can all see and enloy them ? Phone pictures are great as that's all I mostly use as well.

Ya think? He texted me during the entire hunt so no phone problems. One pic of a skull in a flatbed Ford somewhere in Winslow Arizona. So I said to myself consider the source. Then it all became clear. There is no way Turkey Blow Master would ever come back and say "No luck".

[ElkNut1]

Ha Ha, TBM, you never give up do you! That's no more your bull than the man in the moons. (grin) Plus if you're going to try to deceive ones at least make it a big bull! (grin) Quit trying to impress others & be true to yourself.

ElkNut1

[Timber]

Turkey how did you get a picture of my bull I shot!!??

[WapitiTalk1]

Drama, trolling, and BS (or lying), are things that are not tolerated on our forum. If I find out that TBM did not shoot the bull he sent me a picture of and asked me to post (told me he had trouble posting pics from his computer) actions will be taken.

TBM, I'll give you one chance to slow your roll down (trolling for responses), and, to provide solid proof that you shot the bull in Montana. Ball's in your court mister. RJ

[Kessler10]

One reason i love this site. RJ always keeping it real. Much appreciated.

For me and a lot of people on this site we put in so much work, share knowledge with each other in a respectful way, wish each other nothing but success and great experiences, and in my case for this year......even share my story of how I came so close to getting my bull, but could not close the deal. A journey I have been on for 3 years with my bow.

I still shared actual videos (have pics as well) of my encounter where I was not able to close the deal (see posts titled Part 1 and 2 of back country hunt_one of them has some videos). Why, because its really not about if you got an elk down or not. No one really cares. they (we) care about the experience and what you learned and what you can share to help other people on their hunts.

So for me and from what I am hearing everyone else on this site, there is no reason to go into so much detail about a successful hunt and have no evidence to back it up. the only reason that is a red flag is because on this site it literally never happens. At least not that i have seen.

And maybe I am just stirring the pot here, which is never something I want to be a part of. But one reason I enjoy this site is because of my passion and the passion of others on this site. When there is even a slight notion that is being taken advantage of its almost impossible for me to sit quiet. this is the one place I can go to talk to REAL elk hunters with REAL experiences and not have to listen to exaggerated stories and try to sniff through smoke and mirrors.

[sasquatch]

What makes someone lie to a group of internet friends? Just because you dnt kill don't mean your less of a person! But lying for some sort of validity sure does!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Still can't post pics. Gallery want come up. First pic of elk horns was when I got to Al. I did get a postcard looking pic I wish I could post. I think I can email pics to myself and get them to my computer but I will need help figuring out where my emails are on the computer. It's really hard to believe some are finding it hard to believe I killed another elk...the fact is I don't believe they don't believe. I think they are just pulling my chain. I didn't expect to kill so early in the hunt. Figured it would take 6 days instead of 4. Didn't expect to kill so didn't take phone for pics. Gaia app didn't work like I hoped so no need to take phone. Just used compass and maps.

[Brendan]

Still can't post pics. Gallery want come up. First pic of elk horns was when I got to Al. I did get a postcard looking pic I wish I could post. I think I can email pics to myself and get them to my computer but I will need help figuring out where my emails are on the computer. It's really hard to believe some are finding it hard to believe I killed another elk...the fact is I don't believe they don't believe. I think they are just pulling my chain. I didn't expect to kill so early in the hunt. Figured it would take 6 days instead of 4. Didn't expect to kill so didn't take phone for pics. Gaia app didn't work like I hoped so no need to take phone. Just used compass and maps.

TBM,

If you can email pictures, or snail mail hard copies, I can host them, post them, etc. If you're interested, send me a private message and I'll give you an email address or a postal address. All you need is the picture, and to be able to send it, I'll take care of the rest.

People are finding it hard to believe you killed an elk because you came to this forum and started making very lofty, grandiose claims as a "Newbie" to elk hunting about your 100% and 200% chances of success, and so far haven't done anything to prove it. Most everyone else here is a heck of a lot more humble and respectful of the pursuit and how difficult it is. If you really did get one - you have dated packages of meat in your freezer you can take a picture of, and you should have some in the field pictures that have you and your elk in them that you can send. Excuses won't get you far, but I for one hope you did get one and can back it up.

Send those pictures along!

Brendan

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Thanks Brandan, will do.

[Elkhunttoo]

I understand the hard to figure out how to post pictures thing and how it can be frustrating. I also hope you got one and can show us more on your hunt... Like a picture of your decoy, I would love to see it

[Indian Summer]

Why don't you have someone take another picture of that rack with you holding it for starters?

[Z Barebow]

Seeing a picture of TBM with an elk? I will more likely see a clear picture of Bigfoot.

[TurkeyBowMaster]

For 22 years running I have tagged out(5per year) on turkey in Alabama, something only one other hunter(my dad) has done 3 times and no other hunter has done once. Most who have tried have never killed 5 in their lifetime, so I can understand the need to prove that...but one medium size elk....is there something I'm missing?

Nevertheless, I do have some pretty packages of elk in the freezer and would be glad to show my handywork. I even considered taking my packaging and grinder to Montana and processing the meat out there. I would only need a locker to quick freeze it for me before heading home.

. I put up over 90 packs of hamburger, 10 packs of steak, 12 roast and all hocks went as stew meat. There is absolutely no pressure to kill even one deer as the elk should last a year or more.

[Timber]

Turkey you are in all honestly trying to divert the subject here. You have too many loopholes in your story. If I had a large percentage of people calling me out in a fabricated story that was true, I would do everything I could to validate the story. You have done nothing but talk about your turkey hunting accomplishments and how much meat you have in your freezer! Prove us "non believers" that we are wrong.

[Kessler10]

why are you even talking about turkey hunting anyway????
this is WapitiTalk. Not turkey talk.

and yes in my opinion getting any sized elk down in the back country, by yourself, with a bow, and packing it out does not compare to your yearly success with turkey hunting. Meaning in my opinion your success getting an elk down and packing it out is a more impressive accomplishment. that is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
And I am not talking down on turkey hunting. i live in Nebraska and have turkey hunted every year since I was 12. have turkeys in my front yard. In Nebraska you can find a hunter who has similar success as you do with turkeys. But hutning them in Nebraska might be a bit differnt than Alabama, i have no idea. Maybe we can disucss this further on a turkey hutning forum?
A turkey is a pretty easy pack out job

here is a forum for turkey hunting chat. stop with the turkey talk on an elk hunting forum.

http://www.turkeyhuntingchat.com/forum/

[WapitiTalk1]

After being a MOD on the original Elknut Forum for quite a few years and now being the head cook and bottle washer of Wapiti Talk (formerly the Elknut Forum) for almost a year, I have never received so many PM's and emails complaining about the actions of a single member as I have TBM. That and the fact that his elk kill is a bit more than suspect this year, he's outa here. I know this is not the first hunting forum he has been banned from. Hopefully he'll learn that these forums are designed for the exchange of hunting information in a respectful, honest, and perhaps even humble way and steer clear of the lofty activities/threads/posts that he has been associated with for the past months in his future endeavors. TBM, I wish you the best and hopefully you'll understand that there is no place on hunting forums (particularly this one) for bad behavior.

[Old school]

And let me be the first to say "THANK YOU" RJ

--Mitch

[Indian Summer]

I'm not proud of the negative posts I've made in regards to TBMs nonsense. I felt better when I saw that others including Elknut shared my opinion. But this forum has no place for wannabe heroes and flat out bullshitters. TBM was evicted from Bowsite for good reason. Then he was removed a second time after signing on under his son's name and being given a second chance. And over there bar fights aren't uncommon. Here they are not tolerated at all so it's really a surprise that the ol boy lasted as long as he did. They should have thought twice before introducing wifi to every lawn shed in Alabama. What did they think would come of it?

Turkey Blow Meister maybe you should go try out for Jerry Springer or Fox News. In the meantime how about deleting my number from your phone thanks.

Now back to our regular program.

[Ben Nicholson]

Thank you!!!

[Timber]

[Swede]

I don't believe TBM got an elk either, but I have been willing to give him the benefit of what little doubt I had. That said, I am not comfortable with booting him. It's done, and I greatly respect RJ and appreciate the job he is doing. Still, I have a nagging question. What rule did he break? Does someone being a hot air bag bother people that much? What do I care if he claimed to get 100, 6 point elk? He is not the first to blow smoke. I still remember our one elk wonder who wanted to start his own forum or something to guide us poor lost souls. There are others here that have been accused of narcissism. It is no crime.
I liked it when RJ said to TBM in essence, show us the proof or shut up. Just my thoughts.

[Mnbowhunter]

When he was on bs I just ignored every post TBM did . I think most of the crap he types he's not telling the truth anyways. Jmo

[Z Barebow]

RJ-I know you didn't take this action lightly. But I support your decision. This site has ALWAYS been the pinnacle when it comes to elk hunting tactics, information and sharing of ideas. It is also tops when it comes to civility. No other outdoors/hunting website can come close.

I witnessed the corrosive attitude which incubated when this dude posted on B-site (Round 1 &2). I almost left the site (Having joined in 1998). I used to think it was an act. After what I witnessed on this site, I don't think it is an act. It is a cry for attention and he needs to see mental health professionals.

You were as democratic as possible, but this is not a democracy. It is your site and you need to make decisions which are best for the integrity and long term growth of a great forum.

Ciao TBM! Don't let the door hit you on the way out the door.

[Swede]

Certainly RJ is fair, and has the best interest of the forum and its contributors in mind. Since TBM was almost certainly producing a figment of his imagination, but not violating a stated rule, I probably would have posted a bold all caps disclaimer and locked the thread.
One of the concerns I have is because my cousin and his cousin both killed elk this season. One was a six point bull, but I think neither got an in field picture. I have killed many elk that I have no picture of. That is something many from the older generation like TBM often fail to do. I have no picture of the three largest bucks I ever killed. I try to do better now since I write magazine articles for Oregon Bow Hunter, but I took no pictures this entire season. Just me.
Anyway TBM is gone, and I won't miss the unsubstantiated bragging. It was tiring.

[Indian Summer]

Life has unwritten rules. Ask any married couple.

[Kessler10]

Moving on..................................

[WapitiTalk1]

Locked. I appreciate everybody's opinions/comments but time to move on.