elks96
Long Time Member
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Well my wife worked ridiculously hard this past archery elm season! We hiked over 100 miles and never really managed a good opportunity. It was her 2nd time ever trying for archery and the season was horrible. Luckily there was enough time between the archery elk and rifle deer tag for her to refine her motivation.
She drew a 2nd choice low quality unit. Opening weekend we hunted at 10,000 feet. We hiked just over 12 miles and seen lots of deer but only a few small bucks. She was determined to find a better buck than the other 2 she had already killed. Since the other 2 were not great we had a good chance.
Opening weekend came and went with out a good buck. During the week she worked every night and put in over 50 hours as a nurse. Despite that she was ready with the kids to go out Friday night for an evening hunt. The hunt was unsuccessful but we did see several more deer and one little buck. She was somewhat tempted as we had our 5 and 9 year old with us, but with 2 days left and decent weather she held out.
On Saturday morning we got up at 4:00 am and I was very surprised when we all left the house in the jeep by 5:00am. Major accomplishment just getting the 9 and 5 year old up.
We drove nonstop until first light. She and the kids slept comfortable until just before sun up. At sum up we worked several aspen stands. Again right at 10,000 feet. That morning early we saw over 40 deer and several yearling bucks. Just before 9 we made a decision to go drive the jeep down some roads we had not explored. We loaded up and made it about a 1/4 mile when I spotted a deer in the aspens. She saw the buck and immediately decided he was worth a try.
The buck stood still while we unloaded the kids and made our stalk. We closed the distance to around 150 yards before she decided to try for a shot.
First shot hit a little low making a softball sized hole in the lower chest/brisket. We moved again to get a better angle in the trees where she shot again hitting a little far back. At that point the buck bedded and a neck shot finished it off.
It happened very fast but she did an awesome job shooting in the thick trees, and the kids were amazingly quiet.
It was definitely an interesting problem trying to figure out how to fit the buck, the 2 kids, wife, cooler, handy man jack, shovel guns, gear all into a CJ7. But it all worked and the kids were happy to make sure the buck stayed put...
I can not wait until next season!
She drew a 2nd choice low quality unit. Opening weekend we hunted at 10,000 feet. We hiked just over 12 miles and seen lots of deer but only a few small bucks. She was determined to find a better buck than the other 2 she had already killed. Since the other 2 were not great we had a good chance.
Opening weekend came and went with out a good buck. During the week she worked every night and put in over 50 hours as a nurse. Despite that she was ready with the kids to go out Friday night for an evening hunt. The hunt was unsuccessful but we did see several more deer and one little buck. She was somewhat tempted as we had our 5 and 9 year old with us, but with 2 days left and decent weather she held out.
On Saturday morning we got up at 4:00 am and I was very surprised when we all left the house in the jeep by 5:00am. Major accomplishment just getting the 9 and 5 year old up.
We drove nonstop until first light. She and the kids slept comfortable until just before sun up. At sum up we worked several aspen stands. Again right at 10,000 feet. That morning early we saw over 40 deer and several yearling bucks. Just before 9 we made a decision to go drive the jeep down some roads we had not explored. We loaded up and made it about a 1/4 mile when I spotted a deer in the aspens. She saw the buck and immediately decided he was worth a try.
The buck stood still while we unloaded the kids and made our stalk. We closed the distance to around 150 yards before she decided to try for a shot.
First shot hit a little low making a softball sized hole in the lower chest/brisket. We moved again to get a better angle in the trees where she shot again hitting a little far back. At that point the buck bedded and a neck shot finished it off.
It happened very fast but she did an awesome job shooting in the thick trees, and the kids were amazingly quiet.
It was definitely an interesting problem trying to figure out how to fit the buck, the 2 kids, wife, cooler, handy man jack, shovel guns, gear all into a CJ7. But it all worked and the kids were happy to make sure the buck stayed put...
I can not wait until next season!
Thanks for sharing. 
