2011 Monroe NR Archery story (success)

[NoBark]

Been home a week and finally have my thoughts and pics together. Just wanted to share our story for those who, like me, enjoy the story behind the success shots. I will try to get this start to finish today and tomorrow. There are so many people who were more than kind in trying to help us. They all know who they are and that Chase and I are very grateful for their help and friendship!

First, the back story. I'm a father of 2 boys, 23 and 25. Both are bow-hunting fanatics. We apply in several states and are rarely the ones to draw a tag. I have been putting in Utah for 9 years for elk and the boys have been in for two. When we put in for Utah, I put all three of us on my card. When the back-door opeded I saw that the card was hit, we were beside ourselves and of course wondered WHO drew the tag. When the results finally came out, we were pretty sure it was me because of my point total. But, it turned out to be my youngest son, Chase, that drew the Monroe NR Archery elk tag. We were pumped for this hunt. The three of us planned to all go to Utah and spend our fall hunt together chasing elk.

Plans were made and I even talked the wife into traveling to Monroe for the second week of our vacation so I could at least scout the roads and trails and get familiar with the unit. I also got to work contacting as many people as I could find who had hunted Monroe in recent years. That effort was very fruitfull and I have to say, the opportunity to help a fellow archer was not passed by many. We had all kinds of suggestions and pointers to work with and by the time I got to the mountain, my map was full of places to check out.

After our trip, I was really excieted for Chase and couldn't wait to spend a couple of weeks with him and his brouther Hunter on Monroe. Can you say 'stoked'?

Then, came about the last of the western states to draw. Out home state of Washington. When the results were posted, we quickly took a look actually kind of hoping none of us drew. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we were shocked to see that Hunter drew a quality elk tag in one of the few places in Washington that produces really big bulls, Dayton. Then saw that I too had drawn a Daton area archery elk tag! We didn't put in together andhe had a lot more points than I, but somehow we both drew. Now the wheels really started turning trying to figure out how to pull off 3 primo bull tags in two states in 18 days?

After lots of discussion, we decided on a plan that brought us the best chance of success. Hunter and I would hunt Dayton for 4 days, then Chase and I would continue on to Utah and hunt Monroe until he scoredor the season ended. (the 16th) Then head back to catch however many days of the Washington season was left. (the 19th) Hunter would join us to Utah IF he tagged early, otherwise he would stay until he got a bull and then head for home. All three wives were behinds us with this plan and the clock started ticking.

Home sweet home on Monroe.......

 

[HorseCreek]

I can't wit for the rest! Monroe is my second home if you ask my wife!


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[NoBark]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-25-11 AT 03:22PM (MST)[p]On September 1st, the three of us set out for the Dayton portion of our hunt. This area is SO different than most of the elk hunting we have done and way different than what lay ahead on the Monroe. Wheat fields and roads on top and elk in the canyons below. To make it even tougher, our tags were for private land ONLY. Some timberland and a few landowners gave permission, but the majority wanted to keep folks out. Not alot of fun trying to elk hunt with a gps in hand to make sure you didn't cross over into closed land. This is deffinately a hunt for rifles much more so than archery. That said, we hit it hard right out of the gate and were into animals the first morning. Unfortunately, they were coming from the wheat fields and headed for bed in the national forest which we couldn't hunt. so, it was a 'catch 'em at the pass' kind of show and stayed that way for the first week. Temps were in the 90's and it was s l o w going.

Hunter nor I got a shot before it was time for Chase and I to hit the road for Utah. A 13 hour drive lay ahead and to be honest, I was ready for a change of senery. Hunter would stay behind and I was confident he would get his opportunity. He is one of the most patient and stealthy archers I have been around. (were he got THAT I don't know. Ha)

After a long night of driving, we pulled into the richfield walmart at 330 and sleeped a few before we got our fresh groceries and headed for the hill. We stopped a friends house and hunted on the north end over a tank the first afternoon. Not much happeded that day but at least we were hunting Monroe!

 

[NoBark]

The next morning was a quick run up to the big lake area and we got into three bulls right off the bat. I don't know about the rest of you, but it takes me a few days before I shead the hub-bub of life and really get tuned in to nature. We made some moves that we wouldn't have made in a few days and ended the morning with nothing to show for it but two really big grins!
I love the sound of bugles in the morning!

During the midday we drove over to koosherum and headed up the hill and set up camp once we got on top. Got stuff unpacked and by the evening we were ready to try someplace new. I picked one of the many spots on the map and headed out. We set up on a tank for a while and then around 6, started chasing a bugle coming from the trees just to the north. We played hide and seek until dark, then head back to camp for a short nights rest.

This was the 8th and we began to notice something that lasted until we scored on the 14th. The bulls were willing to bugle but if you closed the distance, they moved off or simply shut up. We changed tactics quickly and most of the time, would seperate and let Chase sneak in while I stayed back and continued to keep the bull talking. It eventually payed off.

 

[antlerrick]

Jim, glad you are posting the story and pictures.
Congrats to Chase on a great bull.
I'll bet he was excited and really pleased.
Thanks for stopping by and letting us check him out...
Patienty waiting for the "rest of the story"!

 

[logan]

NoBark or Jim. I am pretty sure you are the same guy. I know its Sunday and you are probably eating dinner or watching football, but please do something much more important and finish your story so I don't have to keep checking every ten min to see if you have finished it!! haha. Just playing around, but seriously it would be nice to read the rest of it ha

 

[HorseCreek]

Post pics, tell the story later!


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[NoBark]

Thanks guys, Rick I can assure you that the smile on Chase's face is no smaller now than it was the last time you saw him.
And why not, he had 2 points to draw this tag. I figured it at a .58% chance of drawing!

The next few days had us in bulls morning and night. Many of the best sounding bulls didn't let us lay eyes on them. We were hunting the northern half of the unit from the guard station to big lake. We saw and heard alot of bulls in the Magelby pass area. We were not seeing many 6x6 bulls. Lots of 6x5's but just a couple of the 6x6's. By day 4 I decided to make a call to a local friend to join us for a few days in an effort to maybe speed things up alittle so we could head back to Washington and rejoin Hunter who was battle 100 degree weather and very little bugling.

We started working the middle of the mountain and over the next several days found 3 really dandy bulls. Chase actually made a play on a 6x5 and got to within 50 yards. He shot low and was really bummed about it. We talked that night and decided that maybe better things were in store. Speaking of nights at camp. We had two camp mascots. Two elk that stood on either side of camp all night and bugled until we left camp in the morning. They couldn't have been 400 yards away and they were there every night of our stay. (wishing for nightvision sights haha)

The next evening our friend glassed an awesome bull while Chase and I were watching a wallow that had held three bulls the evening before. None showed, but when we heard about the glassed bull that evening, it was a sinch to get up the next morning.

By the way, there is a lot to love about Monroe...this is NOT one of them........

 

[hunt4130]

awesome pics!

 

[sasquatch]

I'm waiting with baited breath...good story!

 

[Gator]

Very cool, Keep it coming.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".

 

[MichaelJ]

I haven't hunted WA for a few years... but I didn't know they had private land only Dayton elk hunts? that sucks I'd rather hunt the NF land any day!

Mike

 

[NoBark]

Alright, lets finish this up.

The following morning we hit thehill well before light and had hiked all way to the meadow th ebig bull had been spotted in the evening before. Over the next hour and a half, the big boy would sound off every few minutes as Chase and greg worked their way in on him quitely. From were I was videoing, it sounded like the bull was between us, but in reality he was just out of range. Finally, Chase had a chance and let loose. The arrow again went low and he was really bummed. The bull took his cows and headed for higher ground. We regrouped and started after another bull that was sounding off just a ridge over.

That chase ended when the bull went silent and our morning hunt was over. After lunch we headed back to the same area as Chase and I tried to find the big bull from the morning while greg watched from his vantage point and looked for a bull for the next morning. Well, we didn't find the big 6, but we had fun chasing a few others. Again, all were willing to talk but didn't want to come see our lonesome cow.

That night Greg once again had found two really nice bulls slightly smaller than the big 6 we were on in the morning. We made our plans and hit the rack.

 

[NoBark]

After missing low twice, we check the bow and Chase was dead on out to 60. Hmmmmm

We hit the mountain well before light not far from were we chased the big 6. Maybe 3/4th of a mile. We had two bulls that we were after, both slightly smaller than that big 6. The first play was in a saddle. We got there in time and had the wind in our face as the bull and his cows made there way to the saddle which they had comeout of the eveing before. Everything looked good as we saw the first cows approach. Just then the wind seitched for a second and then was right back in our face, but, the damage was done and the cows took the bull around the other side of the peak.

Not to be discouraged, we had bull number two to work and we bailed off the hill and chased him down into the bottom of a creek. Up the other side he went, and as we pondered the effort of continuing the chase, the morning mist turned into a steady rain. We decided to head for the truck and some warmth.

As we approached the truck, a 4 point on an open hillside sounded off and so we cow called to him as a joke to see if he'd come down to us. Well, the joke was on us because as soon as he bugled at our cow call, a much larger sounding bull lit up in the aspens above the little guy. Suddenly, it was game-on. Two cow emrerged from the aspen followed by a large bodied bull screaming at his cows to return. We could see the antlers but the body was huge. We decided that Chase and greg would pursue whle I cow called and kept the 4 point bugling. Everytime he did, the bigger bull would either bugle or chuckle. After about 20 minutes the raghorn faded into the aspens as well and it got quiet. I returned to the truck to warm up and found Chases warm rain coat in the back seat. I knew he had a thin one with him, but as cold as I was, I was worried about the two of them up on the hill in the rain.

Another 15 minutes passed and I saw a group of 20 cows come trotting out of the trees and move across the face of the hill and around the corner. Shortly after, the radio cracked and I heard greg say that chase had redeemed himself. He had shot the big bull. I told greg about the group of cows and that there was NOT a bull with them. They decided to move forward carefully and see if they could see the bull. A minute later, greg radioed that we had a Bull Down! And, it was a stud!

I couldn't believe it. The only time on theentire trip that I wasn't behind chase with the video camera, he scored!

Then, they tell me they are leaving the bull and coming down to the truck. They were frozen! When I met them Chase and I had a little celebration and them greg told me that Chase had shot the big 6 from the morning before! On a different mountain, but it was deffinately the big 6.

After warming up in the truck, we realized the weather was here to stay, so we sucked it up and headed up the hill to get the elk.


So much more than we had hoped for.........355 6/8

 

[NoBark]

By the way, for perspective, Chase is 6'6" 265

Getting late, I will finish the washington portion of this story tomorrow.


Thanks again to all who gave ideas, tips and advice. Thanks you all. And special thanks to DC for your friendship and greg for alot of fun with some hard work thown in! ha

 

[BLooDTRaCKeR]

Nice bull! and great read. Congrats!

 

[SoutherBowhunter]

Very nice bull. Thanks for the story and picts.

 

[HorseCreek]

Awesome bull! Where did you end up killing him? I'm surprised we never ran into you guys. We were hunting around magelby pass and signal peak. Congrats again!


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[NoBark]

We got him south of manning res. It seemed to us like we were the only ones elk huting. We met 1 deer hunter and that was on the road. you may have passed our camp many times.

 

[PleaseDear]

How exciting for you and Chase--- Jim!

Happy for ya

congrats

Robb

 

[huntinfanatic]

How did the washington part of your hunt go?

 

[eldorado]

Beautiful bull. The Monroe is sure beautiful.

Eldorado

 

[Gator]

Great story and hunt.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

 

[NoBark]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-10-11 AT 11:09AM (MST)[p]Alright,, I was waiting to get some pics from womeone with Hunter when he got his but that hasn't happened yet, so I finish with what I do have.

So after all the packing and pictures Chase and I got to sleep in alittle the next morning before teaaring down camp and hitting the road for Washington and the last few days of the season there. Hunter had said before we left that he didn't want a picture of Chases bull, he wanted to see it in person. So, Chase told him he got one and we were on our way.

After driving all night, we arrived at 5am and met Hunter as he was getting ready to head out. I needed some sleep so I was gonna wait till the afternoon. After Chase showed hunter his elk, there was tons of high fives, bear hugs and laughs. Then Hunter tells us he got a 6pt the day before! Chase got his on the morning of the 14th and Hunter got his on the evening of the 14th! Both boys got elk the same day! WOW!

While no as big as Chases, 13 days of hunting in 90-100 weather made his elk just as much a trophy as Chases.

 

[NoBark]

Two down and 1 tag to go. With just a couple of days left, Chase took off for home while Hunter and I hit the hills around Dayton for one more elk. As I have mentioned, it's deffinately, more gun friendly than archery.

but, we hit those areas where we had a little more cover.

I had to use my bow to reach the top of those scrapes!

We worked it hard till the end, but the elk in Washington just hadn't turned on like they did in Utah and we finally ran out of season.

The boys wanted me to get one real bad, but for those of us 'older' hunters know, it's more about watching the kids success than it is our own.

I can't tell you how fun this trip was! The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Hunter make the trip to Utah with Chase and I. But hey, Hunter and I still have a chance at drawing the same tag Chase had.

WE'LL BE BAAAAACCKK! hahaha