Went up by myself yesterday, to a spot we had scouted but didn't see any fresh sign in. But as it's quite a bit closer I decided it was worth a try for a short trip. Took the stuff to stay overnight if necessary. Been getting a lot of rain as you may know from the national news, seen these prints and knew they had to be fresh.
Moments later I spotted a mature cow and two yearling cows, they are in the photo, doubt you can see them, they are just above the trees in the second ravine. Was trying to figure out how to work the wind when I spotted an elk bedded on the opposite side of the ravine I was in, then I heard a bugle uphill and below me so I backed up, deployed the decoy and started calling. A pretty decent bull showed up shortly, but he was a smart one, he circled right downwind and was out of there. Started calling some more hoping the cows might come home and a small 4x4 showed up, he presented a shot and I forgot to pick a spot or pulled the shot, I don't know, kind of a blur, hit him high and forward, arrow passed through right where neck meets the chest, he spun bolted maybe 10yards at the most, threw on the brakes and walked off like nothing happened, had time to watch him, there wasn't even any blood visible. Gave him 10 and I went down and retrieved my arrow, was a total meat hit, didn't even muss up my feathers. Started to try and take up his trail just to make sure and he bolted out about 200yds away, he'll live for sure. Never saw the cows again, but called the bigger bull in again later only to be busted again. After I got the shot the clouds opened up and didn't close till this morning and was foggy too. This morning I called in two spikes in the fog, wish I had gotten some pictures of them, they looked really cool in the fog. I neglected put out the decoy though and they pinned me down for about 20 minutes without presenting a shot. Me and Judy are going back up there on Tuesday, will try to find these jokers again then, and tag team them with a decoy, hope they stay in the area.