W
willyray77
Guest
http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos/7051bw\'s_2013_bull_elk.jpg
What can you say about the Book Cliff Roadless area? It's raw, steep, burnt, beautiful, full of elk, deer, bear, grouse, coyotes, owls and more elk. I got drawn after 7 years of trying for an archery tag and finally got it.
I made the decision to go on an 8 day solo hunt and hired Flying J Outfitters to drop me and 160 lbs of stuff three hours in by horseback up Little Creek Canyon.
We got to the camp spot just in time to watch a sow and cub black bear scurry off away from camp. At the same time, we hear multiple bugles sounding off within a quarter mile of camp.
The rut was full on and I had action from the get-go. And let's be honest - it's all about the action. Chasing bugles is, to me, what it's all about!
On day 4, Sunday afternoon, it all came together and it happened very fast. Side hilling towards the sound of bugles, i catch movement 30 yards down hill of me and see a line of cows walking in the opposite direction. I know there must be a bull with them so I peak over the edge and see a big branch antlered bull right behind the cows. So no time to judge size, just time to try and make a good bow shot before the "window of opportunity" disappears. We've all been there...
Anyway, I knock an arrow, stand up, watch the bull stop behind a cow just long enough to get a shot off.
What happened next still blows my mind! The arrow hits and this bull just drops in his tracks! I'm thinking spine shot, right? No, he tries to get up but only manages to tumble 50 yards down the mountain and is done.
This was 5pm and just starting to rain. Walking up to this Book Cliff Bull was what it's all about - hard work, planning, passion, drive, luck, good shot, and a tag filled!
After getting all the meat off the mountain I had 4 days to wait for my outfitter to come and get me.
Sure enough, a big male black bear decided to check out all of that fresh elk meat smell and gave me a visit. After spooking him off with a lot of yelling and posturing - he finally meandered off.
The next night, I hear this weird sound and look up just in time to see a pack of coyotes take down a deer - 60 yards from my camp.
Long story short - going on an 8 day solo archery elk hunt in the Book Cliffs and filling your tag, making 4 trips to pack out the meat, antlers and everything else, was very rewarding.
Thanks for reading my story -
What can you say about the Book Cliff Roadless area? It's raw, steep, burnt, beautiful, full of elk, deer, bear, grouse, coyotes, owls and more elk. I got drawn after 7 years of trying for an archery tag and finally got it.
I made the decision to go on an 8 day solo hunt and hired Flying J Outfitters to drop me and 160 lbs of stuff three hours in by horseback up Little Creek Canyon.
We got to the camp spot just in time to watch a sow and cub black bear scurry off away from camp. At the same time, we hear multiple bugles sounding off within a quarter mile of camp.
The rut was full on and I had action from the get-go. And let's be honest - it's all about the action. Chasing bugles is, to me, what it's all about!
On day 4, Sunday afternoon, it all came together and it happened very fast. Side hilling towards the sound of bugles, i catch movement 30 yards down hill of me and see a line of cows walking in the opposite direction. I know there must be a bull with them so I peak over the edge and see a big branch antlered bull right behind the cows. So no time to judge size, just time to try and make a good bow shot before the "window of opportunity" disappears. We've all been there...
Anyway, I knock an arrow, stand up, watch the bull stop behind a cow just long enough to get a shot off.
What happened next still blows my mind! The arrow hits and this bull just drops in his tracks! I'm thinking spine shot, right? No, he tries to get up but only manages to tumble 50 yards down the mountain and is done.
This was 5pm and just starting to rain. Walking up to this Book Cliff Bull was what it's all about - hard work, planning, passion, drive, luck, good shot, and a tag filled!
After getting all the meat off the mountain I had 4 days to wait for my outfitter to come and get me.
Sure enough, a big male black bear decided to check out all of that fresh elk meat smell and gave me a visit. After spooking him off with a lot of yelling and posturing - he finally meandered off.
The next night, I hear this weird sound and look up just in time to see a pack of coyotes take down a deer - 60 yards from my camp.
Long story short - going on an 8 day solo archery elk hunt in the Book Cliffs and filling your tag, making 4 trips to pack out the meat, antlers and everything else, was very rewarding.
Thanks for reading my story -
