1st timer's elk hunt

[rudyc]

Hello,

Been enjoying the Elknut site since I found it about a year ago and thought I’d tell a story of how our elk hunt went this past September.

I’ve been hunting since I was 10 years old for just about anything that would hold still. Mostly archery hunting and upland bird hunting, with rifle / muzzleloader hunting and fishing filling in between seasons.

This past September my pal Andy and I made it to west-central Colorado for an archery elk drop camp hunt. We went out 4 days early and spent the time camping and fishing in Grand Mesa National Forest to get ourselves somewhat acclimated to the altitude we would be hunting in. I believe it was one of the smarter things we did, because by hunt time we were pretty much good to go. Coming from the flatlands of SE Wisconsin at 618’ above sea level and hunting between 8,500’ and 9,700’, it’s a bit of an adjustment.

I have to say that our outfitter provided us with everything we contracted for and more. With all the horror stories a fella hears about broken promises, bad equipment and land overrun with other hunters, we experienced none of them. All was good.
While camping on the Mesa, the weather turned pretty sour and our outfitter invited us to come in a couple of days early and stay at their base camp until out hunt date arrived and we went to our cabin up the ridge. He told us no one needed to be on the Mesa in a small tent camper with the weather we were having. A real nice move to start out our hunt we thought.

The first couple of days of hunting (we hunted the last week of the archery season) the wind was blowing 45-60MPH for 2 days straight. We hunted as best we could, even though at times it was hard to stand up. The outfitter told us ahead of time to stay out of the Aspens as they were a dangerous place to be in the wind that was expected and he was right on the money. Several times in the 2 days of blowing we heard and saw large, mature Aspens dropping. That WILL get your attention. The third day we had horizontal rain the whole day. That evening I got up in the middle of the night to pay a nature call and could not hear the rain on the roof, cool! Went I went out, I was pretty surprised to see about 4” of snow on the ground, no wonder I could not hear the rain.

Woke up to a fresh 6” of snow, 18 degrees, clear skies and elk bugling. Hot Dam!! That’s what I’m talking about!!!

We got into elk right from the start and made a classic newbie mistake. We set up too far away from the group when we cow called. The bull would answer but never showed any desire to come any closer. Eventually they wandered off doing what elk do. We learned that you have to be more aggressive than when you hunt whitetails, whitetail tactics did NOT work for us.

We dogged the herd as best we could and ended up loosing them. After relocating to another ridge, as we were walking, we heard a bull sound off no further that 100 yards or less from us. This time we got a bit closer and set up to call again. As soon as our first cow calls sounded he let out a bugle that shook my insides. I’ve turkey hunted for years and still get a grin when a tom sounds off close by. This is a whole different ball game!!
He kept on coming in giving a bugle every 30-40 seconds. By this time I was giggling to myself like an 8-year-old schoolgirl, WAY COOL!

The bull circled around us and came up to about 20 yards from my pal Andy, however, he only presented a head-on shot and Andy passed on it. The bull made it over my way looking for the new girl in the neighborhood. He stopped about 18 yards away with his vitals hidden by a bunch of Oak brush. I could see his rack and butt, however, no good shot was presented. He stood there for at least a minute or two and then walked out into the open for a shot. My first thought at that time was “I’m gonna kill a bull this morning”

Sorry to say that a little branch/twig I did not see had other ideas about how the plan was going to work out and when I shot, my arrow deflected and sunk into an Aspen next to the bull. Better the tree than a crummy hit on a great animal. All the while this was going on, a spike and another branch antlered bull were working their way over to Andy, he had the spike close enough to touch with his bow and the other bull was within 20 yards, but a clear shot never presented itself.

I have killed a couple of bull moose, a black bear and a pretty good pile of whitetails with my self-bow. I have never had such a great time in the woods with my bow in my hand as that morning. Andy and I both think that half hour was well worth the price of admission.

I have to thank all of you folks here on the site for all the helpful information and sharing of ideas. It is something dearly lacking on most other forums I visit and I’m proud to be a small part of this one. We will be back in the mountains again this September. This time a little smarter, in better shape and looking forward to it even more.

[easeup]

hey, I liked your story.
it sounds like a great hunt and the weather you got was pretty much what was served up to us in the SanJuans last year.

[Indian Summer]

Man was that a good story. Really good. Got me all worked up. The getting there early was a really smart idea. You guys made lots of good decisions and also learned from your mistakes. Really got the most out of your hunt. My kind of guys for sure.

So... there's an outfitter or two out there who really cares huh?

I have a feeling you'll stick around here and be back in elk country again as soon as you can. Stay thirsty my friend!

[Trophyhill]

that is the type of hunt that will bring you back lusting for more! glad you had a great time and look forward to future stories of your elk adventures!

[Kleinpm]

Sounds like a great hunt.

I also hunt with a self bow. I am working on a Mountain Maple one this winter and another snakey osage.

I too missed a bull almost the exact same way last year. I was extremely fortunate to not wound him.

Patrick

[Daved270]

Great story!

[Swede]

Great story. I like your determination. Keep it up. You will get one.

[cnelk]

Great story and hunt!
Im glad Im not the only one that was successful in harvesting a tree last year

[Toby]

Thanks for sharing, neat to see you hunting with a self bow.

[Elkonthebrain]

Great story, thanks for sharing.

[ElkNut1]

Hey Rudy, good stuff there! I enjoyed your take on your several days in CO , a good Outfitter & heck you both were into elk & you took a shot, that's a real memory builder right there! (grin) Thanks for sharing & being a part of the Forum.

ElkNut1

[Still Hunter]

I could live in that cabin. Is it for sale?

[Triplebhunters]

Awesome experience.