Bull's were buglin'

[snag]

Oregon Okie and I just got back from a fun adventure in elk country here in Oregon. Neither one of us had hunted this area before. So, it was like scouting for us. But we got to setup on a few bugling bulls. At one point we were working a satellite and a herd bull. The country was beautiful, hunting good, and the company was great. We hiked in about 2.5 miles and setup camp near one of the many creeks.
   

This is our kitchen by the creek. We had to cross the creek with our 50lb backpacks...by walking on old rotten logs!

 
This was one of the many meadows in the area. We found some bedding areas in them.
 
We found this "hot spot" the last day we hunted...of course. Here is a freshly made wallow.

 
Down in the "jungles" in the creek bottoms we found a few fresh scrapes too. The elk seemed to be down in the creek bottoms for the most part. These were a tangle of willows and deadfalls.  
We worked about 4 or 5 bulls over the 3 days. Unfortunately the wind was really swirling the whole time. We got busted twice on our hike out. We were walking out on the trail when we heard a a couple of bulls. Looked at each other and dropped our packs and off we went down into the creek bottom. Up the other side only to get within a couple hundred yards and have them shut up when the wind went from hitting us in the face to hitting our backs! This happend twice within a half mile.
I will be back there in a week or so!

[DesertDude]

Very nice,  good luck. Love the Blacktail sittin there, I just traded for one...

[quackersnacker]

Sounds like a hoot!!

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Very nice patch you have. Good luck!

[beachbowhunter]

Man, that is some thick stuff. Don't know how you guys can hunt elk in it, wow!

[snag]

You have to have a little "Commando" in you to sneak and squeeze and claw your way through it Beachbowhunter. But the good thing is there is cover to do your sneaking in.

[jcar315]

Thanks for sharing. What an adventure and great pics!!

[cacciatore]

Good luck for the next week.Where I am been hunting they were not yet bugling dry hot and slow

[Oregon Okie]

Yup, Good time. It was my first time to be chasing bugling bulls so it was very exciting for me. I'm not sure what I was doing in snag's first pic up there but I can hardly see me in predator "outfit"    :cool:  
Here's one of snag surveying the scene.
 

and then a spot I checked out my way back to town to see if any Elk were back after a fire a few years ago. No Elk sign but BIG muley tracks and saw a few does.
 
Nice spot except for the all day rain and crummy rain gear. Some times you have to be uncomfortable to have this much fun.

Thanks for the trip Snag and I'm still working on next week... not looking good yet.

[snag]

I think I was sucking wind about then!     You take a flatlander and put in at 6000ft. (coupled with the grey hair syndrome) and the air is a little thin up there for the first day.

[hogdancer]

Beautiful country, sounds like a great time, I head out to Colorado on Sunday, and yea I also really like that Blacktail sitting there.  

[twotimer]

thanks for sharing with us david,makes me lone for the times i spent around "k falls,prineville,and bend.robert              

[Owlgrowler]

Go get 'em bro, are you hunting with the Surewoods?

[snag]

80#-85# Surewoods with 175gr. Abowyer Brown Bear broadheads, fletched with "real" turkey feathers. It should be a killer-combo if the darned winds would settle down. Round two coming up Sept. 16th.
Hi Twotimer! Good to see you enjoyed the scenery.
Hogdancer, that Blacktail is just itchin' for action!!!

[Paul WA]

Anytime you have a good hunting partner is a good time and to be chasing bulls starting to rut is a big bonus...PR

[snag]

I agree Paul. It has been a lot of fun to share these experiences with Oregon Okie. I just wish I could have got one of those big boys to waltze on in and introduce him to Okie. But there is always tomorrow....or rather the 16th!