Addicted to Elk Hunting

[apollosmith]

I've never hunted bull elk before. I shot a few late season cows in high school, but this year's late season limited entry elk hunt will be my first chance at a big bull. I guess I'm a novice, but since getting my tag I have read, watched videos, studied, scouted and hiked (A LOT), and done about everything I can to help me have an enjoyable and successful hunt. I've kept a log of my scouting trips and today I hit 150 miles hiking this summer! It's been rewarding and I've seen a lot of elk.

I also just had my first close encounter with bugling elk. It was AWESOME!!! I had two bulls screaming across the canyon below me. I hit my bugle (and admit it was a totally pathetic first in-the-wild bugle - sounded like a balloon deflating) and both bulls turned and bugled at me at the same time. Cool!

Later I used a cow call to bring in a raghorn bull to 40 yards. He was screaming his head off at me and raking and thumping. I can't believe how loud it was - made the hair stand up on my neck. I'm so addicted!

The only disappointing thing about having a Utah LE tag is the 5 year wait until I have a chance to try again. I guess there's Idaho and Wyoming and...