Heartbroken

[Firemedicbkelly]

I hunted one miserable week in north western colorado. It rained from the time we arrived until the time we left. The rain would stop for a few hours each morning so we had to get out and hunt hard with the time we had. It was day three and things were not looking good. No bugling at all and the elk were in deep. I hiked to the top and started down in really dark timber and lots of deadfall. I was planning on slowly working the benches back down to the bottom. At my first stop I cow called a few soft notes and low and behold to my left coming down the hill was a very nice 6x6 with some great mass. I had one small shooting lane in front of me at about 20 yards. The bull came in with a slight quartering to presentation and I released. As he turned I saw my arrow up to the fletchings and knew I made a good shot. I had little blood up to about 50 yards. I then found my blood soaked arrow and a good blood trail began. I knew I got the front lung and was hoping the liver also. All was going well with the tracking until the skies opened up and a severe thunderstorm with hail and lightning started. It rained torrentially for about an hour. The rain completely wiped out my blood trail and I was unable to recover my first elk. I was sick to my stomach. I searched for two days but with no idea which way to go I knew it was going to be next to impossible to find him in all that deadfall. Looking back I probably should have waited for more of a broadside shot but he was downwind and looking dead at me. I just knew he was about to bust so I took the shot I had. Just needed to vent to some guys I know will understand my dilemma. Good luck to all the rest of the season and congrats to all on the great bulls and cows that have been taken. I guess there is always next year.

[cnelk]

Most everyone has been there buddy.

Even the 'slam dunk' broadside shots dont always work out for the best.

[Vanish]

Been a rough year for the "locals" it seems!

[bnsafe]

sorry to hear that. good luck next year

[Sucobowhunter]

17 yrd broadside passthru with a good shot last season and it rained an hr later and i never was able to recover. I know the feeling.. It happens to the best and worst of us.. Keep your head up..

[Indian Summer]

Very sorry to hear that. I lost a bear last spring under the same conditions. Just started drizzling before he came in and while I waited to follow up the shot it started pouring and didn't quit for 2 days. Never found him.

But I will say this.... at the risk of being disagreed with. For me there are only two shot angles... broadside and quartering away from me. I'm not interested in quartering to shots and will also pass a head on shot every time. All I can say is I've been a part of enough bad experiences to risk another. By the sound of it you've already learned your lesson.

But... it's you first elk man... give yourself a break. It's all part of the never ending learning process. I'm sure the next time will go better since you are now a bit wiser.

[>>>---WW---->]

You weren't hunting up around Freeman Campground by any chance were you? I have a friend up there now that might keep an eye out for your elk for you. Let me know and I'll pass the word on to him.

[Firemedicbkelly]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys. And I have learned a valuable lesson, I won't take a quartering to shot again even if I have to let one walk. I would rather hunt him another day than to risk not finding another one. WW I was hunting in CO unit 231. That area doesn't ring a bell but I appreciate the offer.

[fm]

Blake I know the feeling all to well. I lost a bull this year also, it sucks.