Holy sh$t! An elk!

[SarcasmPhD]

Those words crossed my lips last Tuesday evening, 8 Sept, as I was set up. I got in Monday night from TX. spent the morning climbing to 10164' on a mountain with no trail. Thank god I trained for over two months using a weighed pack, eventually carrying 110#. It was the elevation that kicked my tuckus. At the top, I ate then passed out. Woke all groggy, laying on the ridgeline floor, when I finally hear a bugle in the valley below. And that was it for elk sounds that day. Got no response to contact bugles. After working my way down the mountain to my truck, it began to rain. Hung out until it stopped then worked my way to a meadow I had seen on the map. Once there, I checked the wind, which was calm and set up. Of course the wind kicks in, so I moved my position and began calling. Threw nothing but lost mews out, yes I subscribe to Chris Roe. As minutes are going by I call here and there. Check distances with my range finder. Then I look to the far side of the meadow and I whispered those words to myself, "holy sh$t! An elk!" This was my first elk I'd ever called in and the only elk I had seen all day. As soon as I know he's coming, throw in a few assembly mews and that was it for my calling. He was on his way. Silent, mind you. Didn't bugle once. He passed behind a bush I ranged at 43 yds. He was coming to my left, then stopped to look them feed. I grabbed my range finder from my pocket, nice and slowly, got him at 28 yds. I drew back, had a moment where I almost didn't use my peep site. I've practiced for this moment, so I caught myself and corrected. Line up 30 on the lungs, release and instead of following through with my shot, I peaked, sending arrow to the left. Ended up hitting him in the left shoulder. Arrow stuck, and he dropped right there! True story. I remained calm and set the timer on my watch for 30 mins. I'm thinking it was a heart shot, like a hog I had shot where the arrow didn't go all the way through. It ran about 20 yds, then stopped. I'm waiting, and Twenty five minutes goes by. I can see his sides rising as he still breathed. I had to walk up to shoot him in the lungs. He died soon after. I honestly have a guilt feeling because he didn't die quickly. Lesson learned: follow through with your shot.Anyways, my first day of a planned two week hunt, ended on my first day with a beautiful 5x5 young bull. I wish I could have at least got ONE bugle out of him. Next year. I'm working on getting a picture of me holding the bull's rack. I was solo and set the camera up, then took the picture. I quartered him the next morning, yes I gutted him, when the sun was nice and low and bright. My step daughter is going to try to use photoshop to make the picture look clearer. For the time being, here he is. First meal from him well be going in my belly this evening.... Oh, and for the record....yes the hunt is easy. It's the work after the kill that let's you earn your elk.

[Huntrgathr]

Nice job !! That's a good hunt in my book. The only thing I would say is to hit them with that follow up shot immediately, no matter how well you think you hit them. Keep shooting until they are down or out of range. Congratulations !

[ElkNut1]

Nice job on your elk bud! Looks like you need a Clipshot! (grin)

ElkNut1

[redtop]

Congrats on a great elk. The first with a bow is special for sure. I once put 3 arrows in to an elk. It was down and not getting up but I was making sure. Looked like a porcupine when I was done!

[Texasgamehunter]

Awesome read and congrats on the elk

[elkaholic]

Way to go!

[Toothy]

That's great.. congratulations!

Just curious, what did you do for the remainder of your trip since you were so fortunate?

[BRazz]

That's awesome! Way to get it done!

[nolanjs55@gmail.com]

this is what i dream of. i would love to tag out the 1st or second day and then help friends hunt or even better bust out the fly rods and fish...

[SarcasmPhD]

That's great.. congratulations!

Just curious, what did you do for the remainder of your trip since you were so fortunate?

I stopped by an archery shop at the beginning of town, asked where there was a place I could get the elk processed. Took it to the processor. Asked them where they recommend I get a hotel. Went to get a room, showered then ordered two large pizzas. While waiting to pick up the pies, grabbed gallons of H2O and two gatorades. I proceeded to hydrate and enjoy the pizza. Which, being originally from upstate NY, the pizza in this small Colorado town was excellent.

Next morning, picked up some candy for my wife's RA from the local marijuana dispensary.Picked up my elk from the processor then drove back to Texas. Had I known that a fishing tag was included with my elk tag, I'd have brought my fly fishing gear. I made a note to self for next season.

[SarcasmPhD]

this is what i dream of. i would love to tag out the 1st or second day and then help friends hunt or even better bust out the fly rods and fish...

It was quite surreal to be honest with you. I read all about the 10% success rate and 90% of us go home with unfilled tags. To have the pieces fall into place on my first hunt, if it happens again next year, then I may consider myself that good. (Sarcasm, by the way ) Just got real lucky on a good day. As for the fly fishing, I wish i had known a fishing tag was included with the elk tag. I definitely would have brought my fly fishing gear. That I will definitely do next season.

[Bow4me]

Congratulations! I love it when a plan comes together.

[Charina]

I read all about the 10% success rate and 90% of us go home with unfilled tags. To have the pieces fall into place on my first hunt,

I was going to say something like that yesterday, but refrained not wanting to rain on your success. Even with hard work, experience, etc, it can still be pretty lucky to find a shootable elk on the first day, let alone first day of first hunt (honestly, I'm a bit jealous, hoping I can have 1/10th your luck here in a week and a half). Whatever amount of luck went into it, no matter. I know you worked your rear off and prepped beyond what most people do. You earned it! (just don't expect it to be so easy every year )

That packout is quite a workout when solo, isn't it! lol

[Old school]

Congrats on the hunt.

[Lefty]

Job well done!!!

The excitement will stay with oyu,.. Watch-out becoming the work braggert

[Toothy]

That's great.. congratulations!

Just curious, what did you do for the remainder of your trip since you were so fortunate?

I stopped by an archery shop at the beginning of town, asked where there was a place I could get the elk processed. Took it to the processor. Asked them where they recommend I get a hotel. Went to get a room, showered then ordered two large pizzas. While waiting to pick up the pies, grabbed gallons of H2O and two gatorades. I proceeded to hydrate and enjoy the pizza. Which, being originally from upstate NY, the pizza in this small Colorado town was excellent.

Next morning, picked up some candy for my wife's RA from the local marijuana dispensary.Picked up my elk from the processor then drove back to Texas. Had I known that a fishing tag was included with my elk tag, I'd have brought my fly fishing gear. I made a note to self for next season.

very nice.. I'm flying out so I was thinking if I were so lucky what I would do with the extra time,.. I'm sure I'd help the other guys as much as possible, there's 4 of us going, but I'm planning on folding a small rod and reel in my rifle case.. just in case.

Hell I booked a motel in early May, lol. You did great.