An epic season! (Long read)

[Navesgane]

This season was my third year elk hunting and has been the most exciting. The last two years I had good experiences setting up on tree rubs early in the season and killing a bull the first season on his tree rub line and last season missing a really big bull coming to his tree rub. With a hectic work and personal life schedule this year, I didn't get much opportunity to scout and when it came time, I just picked a place that I knew would be unpressured but would take some considerable hiking to get to. Last Thursday I started the hike at 4am and finally hit to my destination (11.4k' from 9k') at daylight. I was disappointed that I didn't hear much bugling along the way. When I got close to treeline I started some soft cow calling which got me replies from two different bulls at what seemed like a few hundred yards away. They seemed more interested in each other than my cow calls and we're making their way towards each other. At that point I decided to change things up and become the main aggressor and threw out some aggressive bugles and chuckles. Well, things got a whole less diplomatic at that point... The closest bull came running in only with a cow in tow which he somehow coerced her to coming into my position and spotted me at 20 yards. I saw the bull hanging out behind the brush at about 50 yards and he was a nice one with chocolate antlers and frosty tips. I had passed on some cows on opening weekend and thought right away I was going to pass on this one as well and try to get the bull. After a stare down with the cow she made a stomp and they both took off. My next plan was to go after the next nearest bull that was close by. After a few cow calls he replied back but could tell he was further than before so I eased his way and continued to conservatively cow call, which he replied but kept moving away. My first thoughts were that he had cows already and was not to interested in another to come my way. So again, I decided to change things up and threw out a lip bawl/chuckle to which he immediately replied back in an aggressive short bugle/chuckle. After about a 30!minute cat and mouse game as to who is going to down wind of who, I finally cut him off and he presented a broadside shot at about 35 yard when I drew back, only to have my peep site twisted...
When I slowly released and adjust the peep he was either spooked or had enough and was heading away from me in a non chalant way, but I couldn't get him to turn around or stop, although he did bugle back a few times. I figured I wouldn't pressure him and try him again later or the next day. Around 10am I opted for a nap and well into it I heard a bugle somewhat close by and gathered my things and headed his way. After about 30 minutes and a half mile hike I spotted the herd in a small meadow. The bull looked to be very mature 6x6 with about 6 cows. I started with a cow call which he chuckled back to then a buzz call which he chuckled back again. He was very concerned with his cows on hand and was moving them downhill and towards the dark timber. I then gave a bugle/chuckle which he aggressively replied back with the lowest tone bugle I have ever heard. I watched them slip into the timber and out of my perifial I saw an elk coming towards me and as I turned he was looking straight at me with no cover between us. He was a questionable legal bull. I counted three on one side although his tines were probably 5". I let him stare at me for a bit. He let out a bugle, then the herd bull let out another low bone chilling bugle to which sent the young bull on a trot out of dodge. That about wrapped up my Thursday, will continue the saga tomorrow.

[Timber]

Sounds like you are having a great time!! You hunting your home state public land?

[RAMMONT]

I'm an old guy and I started out hunting from an early age but life took over and prevented me from hunting seriously most of my middle years. Now I'm retired and close to 60 but I live very rural so I'm back to hunting, mostly elk. I love to hear about other people's experiences, it helps me learn quickly. I can hear the excitement in your post, even if you don't get anything this year you will always have those great memories. Good luck and enjoy your time out there.

[Navesgane]

Yes Timber, this area is a 20 minute drive from my house.
What area of Colorado are you in Rammont? Good luck this year!

[T.B.]

I look forward to reading about the rest of your hunt. Good stuff

[Navesgane]

A cold front storm came in Thursday night and there was actually about two inches of snow on the ground in the higher areas on Feiday. I was excited to get out although I got a rather late start (10am) after sleeping in and resting, waiting for the weather to clear. I had never hunted elk in snow covered terrain and the thoughts of tracking fresh tracks raced thru my mind the entire morning. When I got to he trail head and started to hike in, I was extremely disappointed. The new wet snow was excruciatingly loud to walk in. Being a bit sore from the previous days hike, paired with this new dilemma, I opted to make a short hike in and set up on a well used game trail. With low temps and dropping, about 30 minutes was all I could take sitting still and decided to slowly walk, softly cow calling as I went. Shortly after starting the walk, I spotted an elk trotting along on the very trail I was originally sitting by at around 100 yards away, along with another cow, then six more, followed by a decent bull bringing up the rear...I cow called a few times but they were in a bit of a hurry for some reason. I wasn't too far from the main trail and figured someone must of spooked them hence their pace. I backtracked to the trail and found their tracks but the noise of walking in the wet snow on this eerily quite day would make it impossible to sneak in on them. After tromping around a bit more and sitting as long as I could here and there, I decidied to call it a day and rest up for tomorrow and formulate a new game plan.