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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Tree Killer on September 24, 2016, 09:00:00 AM
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This years hunt began August 24th for me as I headed over east to set up elk camp. Having had left knee replacement in May, I felt fortunate to even be able to hunt this year. But I figured I'd do a little hiking and quite a bit of treestand hunting...by treestand hunting I mean sitting over a certain wallow that I killed a 6pt bull at in 2014.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/elk%20wallow2_zpslbawkfkf.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/elk%20wallow2_zpslbawkfkf.jpg.html)
The wallow got hit for the first time this year on August 29th at 5:48pm by a really nice 6pt bull...unfortunately, I wasn't in the stand that evening. :doh: But that gave me hope that more bulls would eventually come in to this community wallow.
Four days in a row of sitting this particular stand I had a big bear come in, a spike bull, cow and calf, two cows and a calf. But no more bulls until the 6th. Some mornings the hunting seemed to play second fiddle to the sunrise.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/untitled-9885_zps1nhabxiy.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/untitled-9885_zps1nhabxiy.jpg.html)
...not to be outdone, the sunsets were equally impressive!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/untitled-9871_zpso8qco2ug.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/untitled-9871_zpso8qco2ug.jpg.html)
As time went on I began finding sign of the rut heating up, but very little bugling was heard in all the usual haunts.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/bull%20rub_zps1eiibaoh.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/bull%20rub_zps1eiibaoh.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/wallow_zpskrzdmamr.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/wallow_zpskrzdmamr.jpg.html)
I decided to take a break from the stand on the 6th and 7th, and both days a nice 5pt bull came in and worked the wallow! But on Sept 8th I settled into the stand at 3:15pm. At 5:00 the air current was drifting down off the hill and wallow, which is perfect for this location. I heard a stick break over my right shoulder, and as I watched to see what had caused the noise I spotted legs of an elk approaching. As the elk strolled up to the tiny creek to drink his fill I could see it was a bull! He drank for several minutes less then 15 yards of my stand while I stood and composed myself for a possible shot. Once I noticed the air moving from left to right and I held my breath, the bull kept drinking and the wind corrected itself. Finally the bull crossed the creek and stopped to survey the wallow, then he walked up toward the wallow into the open at 8-9 yards. The bull stopped and lowered his head to sniff the mud. I drew and released, the arrow instantly appeared in the lung area as the broadhead penetrated a rib on the far side. The bull exploded in a circle around my stand and charged downhill about 30 yards, but suddenly stopped...I was watching as he stood for several seconds and simply fell over. I soon heard the air come out of him and knew it was over! I waited a couple moments to compose myself and climbed down...then slowly walked down to the bull and paid my respects to the creature.
A couple quick pics with the phone, then I went back to camp to get my pack frame and see if my friend Dave had arrived at camp..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/bull1_zpscl1vfoy5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/bull1_zpscl1vfoy5.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/selfie%20bull_zpsg9x9jloh.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/selfie%20bull_zpsg9x9jloh.jpg.html)
Dave had arrived at 4pm, so he went back with me and helped with the photos, butchering, and packing out the meat.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/untitled-9909-2_zpskjbdbxz7.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/untitled-9909-2_zpskjbdbxz7.jpg.html)
The next two weeks I'd go out in the morning with Dave hoping to get on a bull, then I'd take the afternoon off while Dave would sit in one of my stands.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/broadhead%20rib_zpsvc88lox1.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/broadhead%20rib_zpsvc88lox1.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/skull%20soak_zpsegs7w62p.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/skull%20soak_zpsegs7w62p.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/sunrise%20meadow_zpsp4vil4xk.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/treekiller/media/2016%20Elk%20Hunt/sunrise%20meadow_zpsp4vil4xk.jpg.html)
Here's some trailcam video of a few bulls...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGe0To0y91k
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Excellent........ :thumbsup: :clapper:
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BTW ... my hunting partner Dave ended up killing a nice 5pt bull from the same stand that I killed my bull. But he hunts with a compound, so I can't show his photo.
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Dynamite Ron, Thanks for your story and pics. It sure helps those of us who weren't successful. I could almost smell the elk in your pics.
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I'm still looking. Congrats, nice story too.
Curious, why the skull in the creek ( Crick as they say here) .
I haven't taken an elk yet so just wondering.
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Great story. Congratulations on a beautiful elk!!
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That is awesome! Congrats to you! Thanks for the pictures and story!
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Nice bull
Congrats
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Outstanding! !!!!
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Congrats!!
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Very nice!
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Especially sweet considering your knee.
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Great job Ron! I would love to hear about stand placement. Set up a ladder stand this year, camera had me pumped. As soon as rut kicked in, quit the site.
Ended up getting a spike on the ground....now cashing in 23 points for next year. Already feeling the stress.
Awesome job...especially after the knee...can really relate
Scott.
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Man that's is a great story and really like your pictures allot!! Thank you for sharing sir.
Chad
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I live in the shores of lake MI and we have incredible sunsets those are are on par with ours but the blues and orange in your are jaw dropping!
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Very nice, congrats to you and Dave.
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Thanks fella's!
Originally posted by kevsuperg:
I'm still looking. Congrats, nice story too.
Curious, why the skull in the creek ( Crick as they say here) .
I haven't taken an elk yet so just wondering.
Tossed the skull in the ice cold creek to keep it from stinking since I wasn't sure how long it would be till I went home. Going to get it beetled.
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Congratulations ron it couldn't happen do a nicer guy and outdoorsman thxs for sharing your pics and stories that's a great bull!
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That "holding your breath" gets them everytime!
What a beauty, good shooting.
Thanks for sharing, great inspiration.
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Thats is awesome. What a great animal. Thanks for sharing. . .
Dan in KS
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I envy you. Didn't get to travel west after elk this year. That's a dandy and a good story to go with it.
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Good story, great hunt! The elk is truly a magnificent animal.
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Congrats Ron that is a fine bull ... I have been missing your trail cam pics this year but it looks like you have been busy ... LOL
Good luck with the knee, one of my hunting partners had both of his done a few years back and it really has been a blessing for him.
I have had no success with tree stands on elk, the mountain winds never seem to be consistent enough for a long sit.
best to ya, Ken
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Originally posted by Tree Killer:
Thanks fella's!
Originally posted by kevsuperg:
I'm still looking. Congrats, nice story too.
Curious, why the skull in the creek ( Crick as they say here) .
I haven't taken an elk yet so just wondering.
Tossed the skull in the ice cold creek to keep it from stinking since I wasn't sure how long it would be till I went home. Going to get it beetled. [/b]
Thanks, great idea. I'll be back at it for the last two days of archery here. Your story will inspire me.
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Howdy Scott! All the wallows I hunt over are what I consider a community wallow....meaning that they get used by multiple bulls throughout the season. Some wallows are just a drop and flop where a bull will make one and never return.
Bulls can and will come in at any time of day or night, but between 4pm and dark seems to be the best time to kill a bull. Mainly because the winds will settle down and the air currents go downhill. So I set my stand downhill of the wallow.
This particular wallow is at the base of a steep hill and has a tiny creek flowing out of the ground off to the side of the wallow.Every elk seems to come in to the creek to drink first, and then the bulls will approach the wallow from right to left...I don't have a shooting lane until they're directly in front of me.
While they're drinking at the creek it gives me time to breath and compose myself.
Originally posted by 96ssportsp:
Great job Ron! I would love to hear about stand placement. Set up a ladder stand this year, camera had me pumped. As soon as rut kicked in, quit the site.
Ended up getting a spike on the ground....now cashing in 23 points for next year. Already feeling the stress.
Awesome job...especially after the knee...can really relate
Scott.
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Very cool. Congrats
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Thanks Ron for the stand placement. I will start looking for such places. Thought I had one similar, just didn't play out like I thought it would.
Again congrats! To consistently take bulls like that is not easy. Some time if you head over to Raptor Archery, would love to meet up with you and visit.
Thanks again for the reply. Scott.
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Thanks for the pics and story... and advice.
Congrats on a great bull... love those big 5Xs.
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Congrats Ron, Thanks from sharing
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Outstanding!
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Great stuff!
Eric
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That's AWESOME!!
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Awesome! Co grate on the bull!
Bisch
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Congrats Ron , Great bull, Great story and wonderful pics. Thanks so much for sharing them all.
God bless, Steve
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Ron
That's getting it done!! I just got back from the West...and the wallows were not as productive, but congrats!!! GREAT BULL!!!!
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Great hunt, bull and pictures! Congratulations!
-Jay
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Great job Ron! Congrats Sir.. That is a dandy bull. Very happy for you.
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Congrats on a nice bull.... :thumbsup:
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Incredible... Congrats, cool video also.
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Great all around Ron!!
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Great pics and story. Way to get it done.
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Congratulations! Beautiful animal.
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Congrats sir on a dandy
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Great bull Brother!
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Very nice bull, pictures and story; congratulations.
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Thanks for all the comments guys, appreciate them!
Sure is nice to be home, but all the household noises seem ... slightly loud and annoying!
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Great shooting!
I'm glad you were able to make it out this year and able to share it with us!
Congrats!
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Excellent! Thanks for taking us along
Tim
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Awesome man. Great job. I follow you on IG so I got to see the pic early. But loved the wallow video. Really fun to watch!
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Great bull! I may be looking at a knee replacement this coming Spring as well, so your words are encouraging! there maybe be yet hope for a trad elk!
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Well done , fine trip.....
,,Sam,,
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Congrats on a fine bull and some great pictures. :clapper:
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Congratulations on a fine bull, and thanks for sharing your story and pics with us.
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Great stuff and congrats. He's magnificent.
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Well done.
Thanks for sharing.
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
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congrats and thanks for sharing. Love the pictures.
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Great bull, great story. Congrats and thanks for sharing.
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Awesome bull! A bull at that range would put me in convulsions. Tell your hunting buddy congrats. It's nice to have a friend to share the hunt.
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Awesome. Good work.
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Thanks again guys!
Here's a trailcam video of Dave's bull. You'll see it react to a cow taking off behind the stand, then watch close as his arrow suddenly appears in the mud bank above the water.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/Blacktail%20videos/Elk%20videos/Elk%20videosII/th_Daves%20bull_zpspz1lbp74.mp4) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/treekiller/Blacktail%20videos/Elk%20videos/Elk%20videosII/Daves%20bull_zpspz1lbp74.mp4)
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Dang it man! Cool video
Congrats again bud! Great picks and awesome bull. Happy for you and hope that knee is doing good.
Tracy
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Very nice brother, congrats! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: