Like Rick said I had an awesome hunt. I was in to elk every day and had a bunch of close encounters. The last weekend of the season Rick and his son Jason came up to hunt with me. While Jason and I were hunting Rick spotted 3, 6x6 bulls on the Mt. behind camp. We came up with a plan to try and get above them the following morning.
The next morning as Jason and I climbed the mountain there were bulls bugling everywhere. We climbed about half way up and it was still about ? hour before shooting light. There were six bulls bugling in a semi-circle around us with in a few hundred yards of where we were. Jason and I decided to wait until light and try calling. As day was breaking we saw that we were on the edge of an aspen draw. I wanted to get out to a point about 70 yards away, but there were elk very close. We decided to set up and give it a try. Jason started calling and a herd of about 25 cows with a big 6x6 herd bull started coming toward us. The closest cows were about 35 yards away when the bull started coming. He got to 67 yards and cut the remaining cows and turned them up the mountain. I thought he would come gather up the other cows, but he pushed his herd away and the cows in front of me followed.
We then started running up the mountain to try and get in front of the herd. I did my best to keep up, but Jason is 23 and part mountain goat. We climbed several hundred vertical feet, but the herd went over the top. We then heard another bull bugling below us. We ran over to the aspen draw and Jason started calling. Almost immediately a half dozen cows showed up followed by a 6x6 bull. One of the cows stopped in an opening and I ranged her. The bull then stepped into the same spot and stopped broadside. I was able to make a good double lung hit and we watched him go down.
I would like to thank all the members here who gave me advice on where to find elk. It really helped. I especially have to thank Rick and Jason. Jason did a great job calling and Rick even came up the mountain and helped pack my elk down to camp?..even though he told me he didn't pack!
In closing I had a great time. I saw some beautiful country, lots of wildlife, and got to spend time with some new friends. This hunt was everything I hoped for and more.
