but getting to the crest of the ridge we couldn't find the cow and calf. in fact, though there were fresh tracks EVERYWHERE, we couldn't find any elk. it was decided that we must be in front of where we figured they were gonna bed for the day, and although the bull had went quiet we might be able to hunt him up. Levi worked the crest and i dropped down about 70 yards and paralleled him. we moved slowly and quietly in this fashion through a couple small canyons, but minus a ton of fresh tracks and sign there was nothing. i finally saw Levi through the trees, and climbed back to the crest to talk to him.
dejected.
we knew we had really blown a great chance here. it was simply too thick and there were too many tracks going everywhere to do anything more than hope for luck. maybe Dad had done better? after chatting for about 10 minutes quietly (and hearing a bunch more im sorries), we decided to call it a morning when suddenly a bugle erupted, close. 60 yards or so close! the herd was still right there and we almost left. i noticed a big tree tipped over about 20 yards toward the elk and instructed Levi to get there and id cow call the bull to him. Levi said he wanted to be the caller, as almost always do it and he wanted to try it, so i crept up and got ready. Levi had a decoy as well, and though hed forgot the stakes he held it up in hopes of giving the bull a visual.
some cow calls were returned by cows and calves in the herd but the bull said nothing. i could hear elk walking in front of me. the wind was going from good to so/so in a hurry at the angle they were moving, but we were sort of between them and their bedding spot so i held there even though a large spruce in front of me looked like a better place to be. i even considered trying to get there when i noticed the bull, about 35 yards away through the trees on my left kind of moving my way. he had his head down like he was feeding but was marching at the call.
now, i like to look for big bulls as much as you do, but last year you might remember i didn't fill, and a winter without elk meat is like getting kicked between the legs on a daily basis, so i was going to shoot at almost anything given the opportunity. my quick glance told me this was a sub P&Y 6 point but i was going to be happy to try for a chance with him.
here is where id set up, just over the close down log in the center of the pic. that little live tree in the middle, i was just on the right side of that. this is from where i was hoping the bull would come through.
but the wind concerned me. it had to hold for just a little bit longer. as the bull was coming into my first shooting lane, i could see that he was hard quartering to me. NO SHOT! come on wind hold.. he moved very quickly though that opening and behind some more trees, but was getting closer. the next opening was about 15 yards wide, but i figured hed get my wind half way thought it. when his nose got to the opening though, i could tell my wind had held and he marched out.
this is were he was coming into, from left to right. the wind pushing more to the right. that limb on the ground sorta center pic, that's the spot. about 21 yards away...
you know what i hate, when an animal is walking fairly quickly and you have to stop him. i hate that. makes an animal alert. i got away with it last year in Ohio on a nice buck chasing a doe, but i think its always bad to tell an animal something they don't like is right there.
but, he was REALLY marching toward the cow calls and i was half drawn when i made a "meh" noise. he stopped. he locked onto me, but id already hit anchor and released the string on the ol Stalker.......
Topic: another dumbass in WY, but this ones after elk... (Read 2215 times)
