Opening weekend came and went with a couple of close calls, but no shot opportunities. Was back up the following Wednesday for 5 days. Lots of sign aroud along with some beautiful scenery.
Hunting partner carrying training wheels.
It seemed the elk had almost completely quit my stand site. However I was determined and sat a few evenings.
Finally had a spike come straight in catching me off guard and on my butt. Ten minutes at ten yards and only a frontal look. Finally turned and "I couldn't draw" due to an awkward angle. The bull sees me and bolts. A serious low at this point, as I can't seem to kill one, even having the drop.
That evening and next day I got a couple of "pick me up" phone calls to get my head squared away. It helped.
More beautiful scenery and bugling bulls, but no close encounters.
Decided next morning to hunt a ridge that had some activity. Park at the gate before dawn and all is quiet. Hike 2/3 of a mile and finally hear a bull sound off.
.
Start getting close and can see two different branch bulls that are satellites. Oh oh...busted at 60 yards. Hunker down and he moves off. By this time the main group is in world war 3 mode. Bulls screaming....brush breaking! Appears to be 6-8 fighting for herd dominance and cows. I am into this group for two hours trying to find a spike with big bulls 50-60 yards away trying to kill each other. An adrenaline rush to say the least.