Some 2012 Pics & Story

HalfAce

Very Active Member
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Have a little time today, and since it's a little slow around these parts I thought I would share a couple pics of my 2012 hunting season. Living a 1000 miles away means my pre season scouting in this great state is non-existant, so I can only show pictures from the year before, no summertime velvet here.

The Limited Entry draw gave me the same "Unsuccessful's" this year as it has every year. So Ill be relegated to the general units again. Which ain't a bad thing.


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I dont know why guys return their elk tags after drawing the combo. There is still PLENTY of opportunity to shoot an elk in Montana.

This next guy had a little more age to him, and he knew right where the private property was, and sat down right in the middle of it. 1.5 miles from me. I hunted around him from different sides for a few days, but he didnt make any mistakes.

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Sorry for the crappy pics. I know its difficult, but does anyone want to run a guess at the score of this guy judging by the overall outline of his rack?

I had no success in the first week of the season on a bull, just a few failed stalks. So I headed east and checked out some new, as well as old Mule deer areas. The N.E. part of the state was hit hard multiple times just a few short years ago. But the deer are slowly starting to recover. Mature bucks are in short supply, but if you put your time in, you will cross paths with one or two. But it might just be a big ole 2x3. Here is a young up and comer.

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I wandered around looking in some holes and turned up this guy. Shot him at 30 yards.

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I hunted solo for those few weeks, so I had to return home and regroup/recover.
Also had my first ever Colorado tag, for the 3rd season. So I did a solo trip out to there for the last 5 days of the season. I missed mister BIG, but got an opportunity at a smaller buck 2 hours before the season ended, so I took it. Shot him at 120 yards.

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After that I went home and recovered for my last trip up to Montana for the year. (I hate the sound of that)
It took a day to get back on the elk, but when I did, I got to shop around a bit. Saw a for sure 310+ bull, but never got on him. Later I made a stalk on a decent 6 pt. but I messed the stalk up on that one too. Finally after a few days of walking around, I found a group of cows with some bulls mixed in. With responsibilities and work at home weighting on my mind, I made a stalk, got to 60 yards, and finished my season off with a raghorn 5 pt.

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I know the spread-eagle shot isnt too appetizing, but thats all I could get with the sun already down, a bull in need of being cleaned and a long walk back to the truck.

Anyway, Ive got 4 tags this year (one is a pretty good Idaho CH Mule deer tag :0), and plenty of meat still in the freezer. So I am excited for the 2013 season, as I will be more picky, and ready to eat tag soup if need be.

I hope this helps get you through the doldrums of summer as it has helped me.

Goodluck this year.
 
Nice pics and stories, thanks for sharing them. Good job and good luck this year!

WP

"My only regret in life is setting my goals too low"
 
Nice bucks and bull. The bull makes me hungry for elk steak, eggs, and biscuits. Was the bull in general season area late in the season on public land?
 
Nice job HalfAce. Which reigon were you elk hunting in Montana?

Mark
muledeer.jpg


My hunting spot is so secret, not even the elk have found it yet.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-30-13 AT 04:58PM (MST)[p]Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments.

Leonard, yes this was a general unit bull on public land. I shot him on November 18th.

FamilyMan, this was a region 3 elk.
 

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