As I often troll the forums for stories and pics I thought I would share my experience. I drew the second archery tag this year in my second year of applying as a non resident. I have only elk hunted one other time in colorado high success area with a rifle--got a 5x5. Feel very fortunate to get that tag. First thing I noticed was how difficult a hunt this would be for a "flatlander" that had only elk hunted one other time before and never in a wilderness type setting. Getting a good guide that knows the area will help tremendously.
On to the hunt. Horseback in and start hiking. Hear some bugling and set up on a couple bulls and the guide calls some. Bulls aren't cooperating. Did catch one bull circle way down a valley behind us about 150 yds away---looked like a decent bull 320 or so. Lots of hiking the rest of the day. Got in a group of bulls bugling--two real dominant ones and then looking around we say 2-3 smaller 5x5's. Those bulls were really going at it, but were not really moving. Hours of stalking closer to get within about 80 yds of one of the bulls (that we couldn't see either of the bigger bulls) only to have a spike spot us and blow that one elk out. Got a glimpse of him, but no dice.
Well back out we went and hearing some bugling again. Next thing we see a bull heading across a meadow up toward the trail we had just walked. We tried to haul butt up the trail, but those animals are fast walkers. Only got within about 90 yds before he just left us completely. Soon thereafter we heard another bugle on a ridge about 200 yds away and spotted a bull and a couple cows. Next thing we saw was an all out brawl of two good sized bulls. Neither were interested before or after the confrontation in our calling attempts. They just skirted the area and never to be heard from or seen again.
Well it's getting close to dark and we sat on a ridge to listen for the next days adventure with not much action. Then heard a faint bugle. We quickly move over about 100 yds and call again---bugle about 80 yds away. To my immediate right were some thick aspens with only a couple shooting lanes and a meadow out in front of me. I just knew the bull would come across that meadow toward the guides calling so I focused my attention there. All of a sudden I hear some branches breaking to my right in those aspens. I peeked around the tree and caught a glimpse of antlers. Only the backs and noticed the long 4's and he was likely a 6x6. Next I focused my attention to the right in one of those shooting lanes where as soon as his head peeked around looked right at me. I drew my bow and help for 30 sec or so before he made a step forward exposing his vitals for a shot. The shot was about 4 inches back further than I would have liked, but did the job as we found him about 60 yds away.
When we stepped up to the bull on the first day of the hunt I was extremely blessed to be able to harvest my first archery elk.
Thoughts and lessons I still am dealing with...it all happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to really check out the bull's fronts which are undoubtably short and hurt his score. I'm not a "score" guy per say, but had my sights on a 330 plus with this tag. It was the first day of the 6 day hunt and there are some great bulls in the area, so maybe I should have passed as I didn't get to eval him better/longer? Always that should have/would have/could have scenario. May not have even had another opportunity?? Please don't interpret this as ungrateful for my harvest, just questioning some decisions I made and building a thought process for future hunts.
In the end I am extremely blessed to be able to harvest my second elk and first archery bull ever. Even though he's not one of the "Gila monsters" he is a bull I am thankful for the opportunity to harvest and life experiences gained.
Lastly I want to thank some friends I have gained on the forums for all their help and guidance with my hunt, I really appreciate it.
On to the hunt. Horseback in and start hiking. Hear some bugling and set up on a couple bulls and the guide calls some. Bulls aren't cooperating. Did catch one bull circle way down a valley behind us about 150 yds away---looked like a decent bull 320 or so. Lots of hiking the rest of the day. Got in a group of bulls bugling--two real dominant ones and then looking around we say 2-3 smaller 5x5's. Those bulls were really going at it, but were not really moving. Hours of stalking closer to get within about 80 yds of one of the bulls (that we couldn't see either of the bigger bulls) only to have a spike spot us and blow that one elk out. Got a glimpse of him, but no dice.
Well back out we went and hearing some bugling again. Next thing we see a bull heading across a meadow up toward the trail we had just walked. We tried to haul butt up the trail, but those animals are fast walkers. Only got within about 90 yds before he just left us completely. Soon thereafter we heard another bugle on a ridge about 200 yds away and spotted a bull and a couple cows. Next thing we saw was an all out brawl of two good sized bulls. Neither were interested before or after the confrontation in our calling attempts. They just skirted the area and never to be heard from or seen again.
Well it's getting close to dark and we sat on a ridge to listen for the next days adventure with not much action. Then heard a faint bugle. We quickly move over about 100 yds and call again---bugle about 80 yds away. To my immediate right were some thick aspens with only a couple shooting lanes and a meadow out in front of me. I just knew the bull would come across that meadow toward the guides calling so I focused my attention there. All of a sudden I hear some branches breaking to my right in those aspens. I peeked around the tree and caught a glimpse of antlers. Only the backs and noticed the long 4's and he was likely a 6x6. Next I focused my attention to the right in one of those shooting lanes where as soon as his head peeked around looked right at me. I drew my bow and help for 30 sec or so before he made a step forward exposing his vitals for a shot. The shot was about 4 inches back further than I would have liked, but did the job as we found him about 60 yds away.
When we stepped up to the bull on the first day of the hunt I was extremely blessed to be able to harvest my first archery elk.
Thoughts and lessons I still am dealing with...it all happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to really check out the bull's fronts which are undoubtably short and hurt his score. I'm not a "score" guy per say, but had my sights on a 330 plus with this tag. It was the first day of the 6 day hunt and there are some great bulls in the area, so maybe I should have passed as I didn't get to eval him better/longer? Always that should have/would have/could have scenario. May not have even had another opportunity?? Please don't interpret this as ungrateful for my harvest, just questioning some decisions I made and building a thought process for future hunts.
In the end I am extremely blessed to be able to harvest my second elk and first archery bull ever. Even though he's not one of the "Gila monsters" he is a bull I am thankful for the opportunity to harvest and life experiences gained.
Lastly I want to thank some friends I have gained on the forums for all their help and guidance with my hunt, I really appreciate it.
