Colorado Tradgang Elk Hunt Story

[fnshtr]

I had a great hunt also... this was my fourth elk hunt and I was yet to take an elk. Early on the hunt, Doug, Darren S. and I got together and did some calling.

We had some action, but no shots were presented.

Darren Shue and I hunted some together and found an area that looked very promising. Thanks Darren for some quality hunting time together.

On 9/13 Tim and I went with Doug to the place he shot his cow. He refused help carrying the meat as he wanted to do it himself. (What a beast!)

Tim and I had about 45 minutes of daylight left after visiting Doug's kill site so we set up in a good looking spot on the ridge facing the east. It wasn't long before we had three bulls bugling... one on my left, one on his right, and one a good ways off straight out toward the east.

The bulls on either side of us were responding (moving our way) and very vocal. Unfortunately, it got dark on us before we could close the deal.

The next day, Barry and I decided to bivy up to the top of the ridge (about 2 miles from base camp). Darren said that I wouldn't need to take my tent as he predicted that I would connect that evening.

I'll post again as soon as I get some pics up.

Wayne

[fnshtr]

Darren and I on an early hunt. We found fresh tracks, rubs, wallows and droppings.

[fnshtr]

Lunch on the go.

[fnshtr]

Note: I did not eat the antler. I found the piece of antler on an early outing.

[fnshtr]

Back to the story.

On 9/14 Barry and I headed back up to the area Doug took his cow. Darren S. had predicted I would connect (he and I had scouted the area earlier and knew it was a good one).

After Barry and I arrived and set up our camp... we headed north. After calling at our first set-up, we heard bugling below us... to the east. I could tell that one of the bulls were moving around a "bench" in my general direction. I moved down to a position that I thought might intercept him if he continued on that same route.

After I moved... it seemed that the bulls just went quiet. Eventually I moved back up onto a finger ridge running east from the main north/south ridge. As I came into a rather open area on the point of the east running ridge... a bugle rang out down in the dark timber below me. I cow called twice and heard crashing as he was coming my way.

The bull came in quickly as I didn't have time to set up properly. He came head on and spotted me at about 23 yards. As he turned to leave, I loosed the arrow.

The bull ran about 20 yards and I cow called again. He stopped and looked back at me. It was nearly dark as he walked back into the dark timber below me.

After a brief search for blood/arrow/spore, I returned to camp and had a sleepless night... anticipating what I might discover the next morning. I felt the shot was low, and feared that I had undershot him.

[fnshtr]

The next morning Barry and I returned to continue our search. Here is what I found about 125 yards from the spot I made the shot.

 

Well... the bow wasn't there... but the bull was!

[fnshtr]

My first elk... and a bull... with the recurve! He had 5 points on one side and 4 on the other. I really need to thank Doug for setting up this hunt... Darren for the miles he put in helping me scout... and Barry for helping with the in-field butchering.

It was a great hunt with a great bunch of guys.

Here is another pic.

 

[fnshtr]

Oh yeah... I hit him behind the shoulder and he was slightly quartering towards me. I anticipated him turning and released a bit early, missing the direct broadside shot I wanted.

The 630 grain arrow was completely buried in his body. I got one lung, the liver, through the paunch and ended up with the broadhead in his left ham (femoral hit). He didn't leave a blood trail because the entry hole plugged with fat. All the damage was internal.

[COOCH]

Very nisely done fnshtr congradulations  

[BCWV]

Congrates Wayne! I've been watching the thread hoping you made meatand had a good time.

 Congrats to all of you guys on a fine hunt and thanks for sharing with us.

[Froggy]

Awesome thread.....    Thanks for sharing it.

[bornagainbowhunter]

sounds like a great hunt fellas.

[wapiti792]

AWESOME pics, story, and hunt! Hat's off to ya' gents          

[bohuntr]

Awesome hunt fellas!!!   Congrats on your 1st bull fnshtr!!!  

[Bill Turner]

That is one heck of a hunt. Congrats to all. Thanks for sharing.  

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Awesome time. Congrats on your success.

[Smallwood]

Way to go!  

[The Night Stalker]

here are some pics from the trip.
 

 

 

[The Night Stalker]

 

 

 

[Mojo Rising]

Nice story. The Kifaru with the stove makes a great camp for sure.