Brambles 2019 Elk Season [Archive]

Brambles

05-19-2020, 10:20 AM

To say 2019 Elk season was a challenge would be an understatement.

Anticipation was high as I had prepped all year for a sheep hunt and was lean and mean (Covid has since fixed that). I spend quite a few days cutting trails into places we have hunted before as well as some new places. Countless hours on the brush saw and chain saw, also learning the importance of carrying a spare chain to your chainsaw when your 4km back on a trail and your chain gets pinched in a tree.....doh. This ordeal actually happened 3 times over the spring/summer and was getting old....slow learner I guess.

https://i.postimg.cc/8PsbDtRj/IMG-2233.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/3wQjXhPv/IMG-20190626-204330-454.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/xC0KZRjj/IMG-20190626-204330-423.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 10:47 AM

Last half of archery season and the 1st week of rifle season were really good. Bugles every day but couldn't connect. In fact I was on one bull with my brother and we had this bull absolutely pissed off and coming in hard, problem was darkness was setting in faster and we ran out of daylight before we could seal the deal.

The next morning we found ourselves on the same mountain trying to locate the bull before heading into the heavy timber after him. The bull never gave away his position so we started up the mountain to where he was the evening before hoping he was bedded there. We take one step into the timber and BANG......BANG.

Our jaws dropped...we stand there a few minutes in disbelief and this older fella walks past us. He says my partner just shot a monster 8x8 that walked out onto the road... but it ran off into the timber after he shot it...I puked in my mouth a little bit.

A minute later and we see a vehicle coming from up the road and it was the shooter...he was understandably vibrating. He said the bull came out of the timber and stood on the road looking at where we were calling from, he took a 150yd offhand shot at it, hit it and it ran to the timber edge where he threw another shot at its head but missed....he had already called some more buddies to help look for it....we wished them luck and went on our way with heavy hearts broken spirit....

I heard later that they never found the bull after searching for it for a week so its likely still alive.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 11:15 AM

One day I head out solo and find an elk held up in a shithole. He was screaming his head off but wouldn't come in, as I'm set up I hear noises from below me....the bull is still bugling in the distance so its not him.

I catch a glimpse of a tan body about 100 yds below me walk in behind some trees, it was an elk advancing on my position quietly but couldnt see it from its angle of approach. I get set up and about 80 yards away I start to see movement between the tree's. Still no confirmation it is a bull.

After a few more seconds I feel the wind swirl. The elk whirls and runs to my left across a shooting lane, it was a bull with a reasonable frame but no time to count or shoot....

With the wind changing I pull out. The bigger bull had gone quiet too and I didn't want him to wind me as well.

I decide to hike up higher on the mountain to see if I can see into the basin from other locations.

Glassing what I could I find a bull bedded in some deadfall about 800 yards away, he's alone and looks to be a few hundred meters away from where I was working the other bulls. He was a decent sized 5x5 so he was off the hit list but there were other bulls down there that just couldn't bee seen, I'll be back!!!

https://i.postimg.cc/8P5VGQXM/DSC-0070.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

After snapping some pics I pull out and check some other spots and make a plan for the next AM.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 11:39 AM

I call Rattler and tell him I got bulls located and make a plan for the AM.

We hike up and into the basin and start calling...sure enough the bull torches off. I call back and forth but he wont budge, he sounds good...likely has cows.

Sitting there glassing all of a sudden we hear from BEHIND us a loud GRRUuummpph. We are in tall Rhodo, and slowly stand and turn.

With velvet slippers this fella snuck through the deadfall and rhodo and was now 20ish yards away..amazing how quiet he was...he eventually got to 6 yards.

https://i.postimg.cc/sxHqxxHS/DSC-0088.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/HW6fBvWx/DSC-0091.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

After he started walking away and about 30 yds away I decided it would be a good idea to grunt at him....NOT a good decision...he came running back in to 6 yards and had us grabbing out rifles...thinking....oooohhh no this isn't gonna be fun explaining...

Luckily he finally realized what we were and slowly sauntered off.....oops

We head down into the basin further and Rattler says...I see some cows across the basin...

The bulls gotta be close, we can hear him bugling but he's
obstructed....finally he starts to show himself.....here we goo....how big is this monster heard bull held up in this shitty basin..????

FAACCCCKKK..ITS THAT GADDAMN 5 POINT....

Brambles

05-19-2020, 11:56 AM

Starting around the second week of rifle season the weather turns snotty, foggy, wet and cold. Rain gear and damp boots every day.

As the rut starts to rev up...soo does the full moon. We get mid day bugles most days but they will only torch off once or twice and never get fired up...the ones we find that will call back repeatedly are on the move and likely chasing cows and we couldn't keep up or head them off successfully.

The days drag on as we go through the paces.

Often while we are waiting out the rain, waiting for wind to switch or fog to lift...bush naps will happen...

https://i.postimg.cc/fW3Y3kPb/DSC-0093.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Spruce tree's are the best for dry naps FYI.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 11:59 AM

After hiking into a spot with Rattler we are sitting down having a mid day snack.

After sitting there for probably an hour, doing some intermittent calling, Rattler says....Did you hear that?

Brambles

05-19-2020, 12:05 PM

I say NO, what did you hear....he said he thought he heard an elk bugle in the distance...

I let a rip go and sure enough, got a response.

A few more back and forth an he's coming fast.

Rattler sets up and I peel off into the dense brush to continue calling.

I do my best....cow calling, bugling, raking and the bull is closing in fast and going nuts.

Rattlers got a good 80 yard shot window and I'm at least 50 yards behind him...bull sounds less than 100yds from me but being as im in the thick bush I can't see whats going on...

I'm super excited and can't wait for the magical sound of a rifle shot...

Brambles

05-19-2020, 12:18 PM

Anticipation is off the charts...what is HAPPENING.

Then I hear an Elk running towards me...gets to 20 yards and runs I to a window I can see him through. I alarm bark and he stops immediately.

Damn 5 point, walked in front of Rattler at 4 yards.

I played around with him For 5 minutes examining his bases and antlers for an extra point...but he was clean.

Go grow up little friend...

https://i.postimg.cc/90cw0FwW/IMG-3595.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 12:28 PM

As more days come and go, I called in 2 more moose and it seemed like 5 points were in abundance.

As we get into October I'm looking forward to seeing the second estrus starting. I do some quick math, check the calender....DAMN...second rut falls on the full moon too....

Bugles are far and few between and days grind away.

HarryToolips

05-19-2020, 12:36 PM

Brambles

05-19-2020, 12:39 PM

more is coming

Brambles

05-19-2020, 12:56 PM

Here are some random pics from over the season

Freak September snow storm.

https://i.postimg.cc/BbGZQhyH/20190927-135531.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 01:00 PM

Deadfall soo bad you wanna lip lock your gun barrel...

https://i.postimg.cc/sDsfkN5R/20190930-100113.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 01:04 PM

Possibly the world's most ambitious Elk rub

https://i.postimg.cc/FRXXjYZQ/20191004-072926.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

KimberKid

05-19-2020, 01:05 PM

Awesome pics and story so far! Keep it coming :razz:

adriaticum

05-19-2020, 01:31 PM

Cool, keep it coming.
It's amazing that anything can move through those woods.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 01:34 PM

October 11th

Rattler and I make a plan to hunt some country that we hadn't touched all year..we load the quads as the road into this area is aldered in and badley rehabbed.

We hunt some old cuts that we hoped the elk were feeding in. There was little sign but there was one switchback that offered good visibility of the mountain across the valley....

We started glassing the mountain and in one of the open spot Rattler says ELK...

charlie_horse

05-19-2020, 01:39 PM

Keep it coming!

Brambles

05-19-2020, 01:43 PM

Through our spotters we pick out 4 cows and one bull.

The back end on the bull was an easy 4, 5, 6 to count, but the front 3 were hard at almost 4 kilometers away.

We strain and over the course of 15 minutes ...we sort it out....OK I got a 3rd on his right....yup....3rd on his left too...Second point on his Left....yeah..I see a 1st on his Right...After more straining....YES..he's a full house 6x6....but MAN...is it me or does his front end look really short....no matter....2 more days left before Rattler needs to go back to work...and 4 more days before its my last day...any 6point is In trouble...

Brambles

05-19-2020, 01:46 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/wvn2tNch/DSC-0101.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 01:57 PM

We look at Google earth and use my GPS to estimate where he is and drop a thumbtack...we look for other roads that might get us close to him. Closest road was 2km away....let's go.

The elk feed into the timber and disappear. We make a plan to get above them and the wind should be going uphill by the time we bushwack our way to them.

It took us a few hours to drive to the trucks load the quads, find the other road and figure out the best place to jump in the timber

It just so happens that the thumbtack on Google earth was damn near spot on....we ended up hiking the slope and coming out right on top of where they went into the timber..fresh poop and stank everywhere.

We sit for 20min or so to listen and let things settle.

I start calling and after about 5 minutes the bull lites up about 150-200m below us....perfect.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 02:01 PM

After another 30 min or so of calling its clear he isn't going to leave his cows unattended.

We make a plan for Rattler to go Ninja and sneak in on him while I keep him busy.

The wind for the most part is reliable but it did have the occasional swirl that made you think that this was gonna be the end.

As Rattler closed the gap I continued to call....that is until I hear rustling below me...I see an elk come out of the timber to my right....Rattler is too my left...

walks with deer

05-19-2020, 02:07 PM

Brambles

05-19-2020, 02:21 PM

I freeze as this strung out panting cow elk walks up the slope to within 30 ft of me...she smelt great too...pure elk stank...

A couple times she would walk into the timber and I would cow call and she would come back out. After she left for the last time I concentrated back on Rattler.

It was clear that this bull was starting to pace back and forth below me, a couple time I though he was going to show himself....all the time wondering how close Rattler was.

After probably an hour and a half I hear Rattler cow calling, he's close to the bull and trying to seal the deal....The wind swirls and after that the bull is starting to sound further away. Rattler breaks off the chase and hikes back up to me.

He informs me he was 15 yards from him in his bedroom but it was so thick he could hear him screaming at me but couldnt see him...then the bull started running around all over the place below me but he couldn't keep up to him or his changes in direction.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 02:48 PM

October 12th

The next morning is full of anticipation...we offload the quads, drive up the opposite mountain, start glassing at first light.

It takes a bit of time for the light to be good enough to spot them, but eventually Rattler spots the elk, they have moved about another kilometer away from the road we hiked off of the day before....OH..FUN..

Probably 30 min after locating the bull, a 5 point and 9 or so cows they head off into the timber to bed.

We make new thumbtacks and head back down the mountain...load the quads...and find a new access point.

Turns out the shortest distance was to actually park on the mainline and hike straight up 2km.

We made a plan to circle to our right along side a deep canyon and get on the same elevation as them..

This was going well until we spooked another group of elk on the way up the hill and they bolted in the same direction of the other herd..

Once we got to the same elevation as the bull we settled down and let things get quiet.

I start calling...aannnnnddd...nothing...we slowly work our way in the direction we figured the bull was. A short distance later we hear crashing as something is running away...I call but nothing.

We don't want to mess the situation up any more so we back out and regroup for the AM.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 03:00 PM

October 13th

Rattlers last day

The morning starts out the same unload, drive, glass, spot, drive, load, drive, park, hike.

This time the bull had 18 cows...oh man thats a lot of eyes and noses we have to get through to find the bull.

We hike up with the same plan as the day before...hike up, circle to the right, get on the same elevation and try and get inside his comfort zone as long as we don't blow out the 18 cows first....

Well the latter is exactly what happened, the cows were spread out over a bench they were bedded on and when we bumped them, there was no amount of calling that would make him turn and fight...this shit is getting old...

We back out and hike back to the trucks.....and now I've gotta say goodbye to Rattler as he's gotta go to work..

Brambles

05-19-2020, 03:49 PM

October 14th

Get to the glassing spot and wait for glassing light.

Start picking out elk but no bull, after about 20min I see an elk with its head in the bushes feeding..and sure enough its him.

I wait for them to enter the timber and bed down.

So after the last 2 encounters they have bedded in the same spot and did the same thing...they are traveling along this timbered bench for about 200m-250m before bedding down.

This doesn't leave me with a lot of room to circle right because of the canyon on the right.

Today I'm circling to the left...its longer and an unknown route but I gotta mix things up.

I hike up and find a nice route and make good time, have to scale 1 rock bluff but it all worked out and I get to the bench where they headed into the timber.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 03:57 PM

I pick up an elk trail and slowly stalk along it. Visibility is about 40 yards. Things are going perfect...wind is in my face and I'm slowly sneaking along the bench...likely going to go another 75m and set up to call....i advance another 25m and I feel a breeze swirl on the back on my neck....i freeze.....nnnnnooooo...nnnooooo.....then 45 seconds later.....crash crash crash as over a dozen elk spook....i throw out some cow calls and bugles but nothing...they smelt me and ain't nothing gonna fix that....I pull out immediately and feeling like I'm gonna puke from disappointment. The plan... regroup for tomorrow...in the remote chance I can find them again after them winding me...

Brambles

05-19-2020, 04:10 PM

During the hike down and the drive out I have time to reflect on all the encounters over the last 4 days....wind is my biggest enemy...which means scent is my biggest problem.

These elk are behaving like 700lb whitetails. Time to pull out all the stops...tomorrow's the last day.

Back in town I go to the store and find the "dead down wind" de-scenting kit and a bottle of elk estrus (synthetic of course).

I wash all my clothes with unscented detergent and put them in a garbage bag. Spray my boots with the de-scenting spray and anything else that couldn't be washed.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 04:21 PM

October 15th Last Day

I wake up and take a shower with the "dead down wind" soap and shampoo.

Arriving at the lookout to my surprise the elk were in the same opening as yesterday. There were 12 cows, a spike and the bull.

While watching them the spike decides to get frisky with the bull and start dominating the bigger bull....

I'm thinking to myself...obviously the second rut is over and this boy has zero fight left in him. The spike mounts him countless times while I shake my head.

https://i.postimg.cc/5yhFqq6m/DSC-0131.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/k4ZVqFFd/DSC-0125.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 04:32 PM

Once I see where they entered the timber I start my trek over to the other side of the valley...

I get out of the truck and change into my hunting clothes that were freshly de-scented.

My plan is the same as yesterday, same route up and get on the bench.....the elk will travel the bench 200m-250m before bedding down and I'll do my best to go slow and get into position...i have to get close to push his comfort zone....If I bugle too early he will just grab his cows and leave.

I hike up the same route and get below the rock bluff...I strip off my clothes and spray everything down with de-scenting spray...spray my sweaty man bod..and put my clothes back on, Spray my pack, gloves, hat etc etc.

I then douse myself with the whole bottle of elk estrus...yup..the whole damn thing...

Brambles

05-19-2020, 04:38 PM

I continue hiking and my route up took me through a place they must have fed and bedded overnight because the place stank gooooood. I ran from bed to bed smelling each one until I found the stink hole.

I dropped my pack and rolled around in the elk bed doing snow angels and back strokes. Then I dragged my pack through it repeatedly and rubbed it all over my gloves and hat....NOW I smell like an elk.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 04:50 PM

I continue on to the bench and once there try and find the right trail to follow. I'm going slow...whitetail slow.

Im just up from the opening they had entered the bench from...great I'll go 125m-150m and set up.

Visibility again is 40m-50m....I advance maybe 15m more trying to break the bush apart with my binos.

Then I hear it...sounds of elk moving.....They didn't travel the 200m...they were right there and I fear I spooked them.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 04:54 PM

I grab my trusted grunt tube and blasted a challenge......

And

He hammers back.......I'M BACK IN THE GAME.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 05:00 PM

I let out some cow calls and more bugles to make it sound like I've got some of his girls.

He screams back

I can't see him inbehind some brush but I got a lock on his position 50m out.

I move to this dead tree, but its obstructing my shooting lane....I grab a dead branch off the ground and start smashing the dead tree and the brush in front of me to clear a shooting lane.

He goes ballistic and starts destroying the brush he is in behind...I can see the brush moving and thrashing around.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 05:02 PM

Gotta make dinner....doh.

Anybody actually reading this ?

tyreguy

05-19-2020, 05:06 PM

Order in...........:smile:
Gotta make dinner....doh.

Anybody actually reading this ?

tyreguy

05-19-2020, 05:08 PM

Reading this, heck its better than porn!!! (i must be getting old!!!)

Gotta make dinner....doh.

Anybody actually reading this ?

LBM

05-19-2020, 05:27 PM

Gotta make dinner....doh.

Anybody actually reading this ?
Yep reading it have a comment or 2 but will wait till your done
or maybe keep it quit.
Am interested in the sheep hunt though.

MB_Boy

05-19-2020, 05:31 PM

Order in...........:smile:

Good call.......everyone benefits. :wink:

RackStar

05-19-2020, 05:54 PM

Great story!

325

05-19-2020, 06:15 PM

Keep it coming!

Brambles

05-19-2020, 06:35 PM

MOMENT OF TRUTH:

The bull was responding very well to my calling and raking.
I can't remember the exact sequence of sounds I made but it was working.

He was being quite noisey.....then all of a sudden things went quiet. For a split second I was worried.

But if you listened hard you could hear a swoooshing sound...HE WAS WALKING THROUGH GRASS.

I took a half dozen steps back and half dozen side steps to my right....he was gonna come through the meadow.

I put my gun up and wait.

john-brennan

05-19-2020, 06:39 PM

Great story!

Hoffer

05-19-2020, 06:44 PM

Keep'er coming pal pedal to the metal!!!

Brambles

05-19-2020, 06:47 PM

I can hear the grass parting as he heads my way....all I'm thinking is " please be the 6 point and not the 5 point or the spike"

I'm at the back of a slight rise in the terrain and I can't see him yet...but I can hear him in stereo.

And then....i see ANTLER

He crests the hill like something out of a movie, something I replay in my mind and can't get enough of.

I would like to say I watched him for 10 minutes enjoying the site...but I know how fast luck can change.

At 25-30 yds...As soon as his chest clears the tall grass BOOM....

Confident in the shot but he runs to my right Quick cycle of the bolt BOOM quick shot on the run....he's now just standing there locked up. I put one to the head and he flops and tumbles down the hill 20 yards or so.

Finally after a long season its OVER...a cool hunt with lots of highs and lows.

I've never been soooo happy to shoot a small 6 point.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 06:54 PM

AS HE LAY

https://i.postimg.cc/gc7cJHXx/DSC-0138.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Stay tuned for more pics and the pack out.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 06:59 PM

Before I even walk up to him I'm calling buddies to come help...Rattler is able to get off work early and one of my co-workers who helped me pack out my 2017 archery bull was all in.

I sent them a Google pin and went to go get my hands on the bull.

Over the next couple hours I snap some solo pics and start breaking the bull down.

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:04 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/ZYvn6Qh8/20191015-134023.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:10 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/HxqpSpCQ/20191015-135300.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:14 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/yYz1cYjK/20191015-135330.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

RackStar

05-19-2020, 07:39 PM

Epic!

great bull. Hard work pays off!

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:42 PM

After taking far too much time to take crappy pictures, I finally put down the camera(phone) and picked up the knife.

I get half the bull broken down when I hear Rattler and Buddy honk on a loud cow call...they were climbing the last steep section.

With empty packs and a goal in site they blasted up the mountain in record pace.

After deboning everything I still had to cut the antlers off the skull..

I asked...
Hey do you guys mind loading my pack while I saw threw this skull plate.....

Reply...yeah sure no problem already started yours is gonna be the lightest one....I'm thinking to myself...sweet I'm getting off easy on the packing part....earn your keep lackies...lol

I finish the antlers and strap them on to the pack.

I then go to move the pack to a better spot to crawl into it and strap it on.....Uuuuummmm guys how come my pack feels like its nailed to the ground. You messin with me.

Rattler says....NOPE you got the lightest pack, I loaded all three....he says his is 90 ish pounds and mines lighter than that...

I'm thinking maybe tha antlers were just dug into the duff, so I sit down and strap the pack on. After repeated attempts to roll over on to my knees I finally got it done.

MAN I MUST BE WEAK AFTER LOSING WEIGHT FOR THE SHEEP HUNT.....THIS FEELS HEAVY.

After 15 min or so of packing I say...dude this feels heavier than when we packed out your bull last year and that was 140 ish lbs....nope you got the lightest pack.

After a while I got use to it and motored on just chocking it up to just not being as strong as I once was.

We got through the cliffs before it got too dark, but it was plenty dark when we got back to the trucks.

A teaching point for everyone.....Buddy stopped by the beer store on his way to meet Rattler and picked up a 6 pack and kept them on ice, didn't tell anyone, and when we got back he pulled them out.....nectar of the gods...man how good did that beer taste....good friends

When I got home I had to weigh the pack.....WELL...looks like Rattlers internal scale needs to be recalibrated...lol

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:50 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/0QFpcJQc/IMG-3671.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:50 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/MZf0XtP4/IMG-3674.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:55 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/YCLBs5bR/20191015-191736.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 07:58 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/KjpC9fTC/20191015-222052.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Brambles

05-19-2020, 08:01 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/sghbcpg0/20191015-221827.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Nothing like having 154 lbs in your pack when your told there's only 80 lbs...lol....glad it was that way and not me being a puss. Then add the 7lb rifle.

THE END

.

MB_Boy

05-19-2020, 08:34 PM

Awesome.....great story and thanks.

264mag

05-19-2020, 08:41 PM

Absolute great story, made my week.

Rattler

05-19-2020, 09:00 PM

Lol, yeah I’m still amazed at that pack weight, or was I just messing with you...hmmm... You are a beast to pack that and over steep unstable terrain to boot. I’m super glad your my hunting partner...lol.
Good times and can’t wait to do it all over again.

mpotzold

05-19-2020, 09:01 PM

Great story & photos. Congrats!

Never hunted elk:-( but maybe one day!
They say it's the best tasting of the deer family.

moosinaround

05-19-2020, 09:14 PM

Wicked story, as always!!! Bugling ba$tards!!! Can’t wait for September!!moosin

ydouask

05-19-2020, 09:22 PM

:razz: Great write-up Jeff.... ever notice how Ken's pack is always about the "same weight as yours", but his fish are reported to be consistently heavier? Best review the last part of the story... where Ken is loading your pack... yeah that chain is stuck again !
Kidding aside, great hunting strategies and persistence Jeff, Congrats.

HarryToolips

05-19-2020, 09:58 PM

Well done and great writeup congrats!

tomahawk

05-19-2020, 10:10 PM

Tremendous effort and perseverance capped off by a great story, thanks for sharing the adventure!!

tyreguy

05-19-2020, 10:10 PM

Awesome story and write-up, thank you.

What at did you have for dinner????

Brambles

05-19-2020, 10:14 PM

Bbq pork tenderloin, roasted baby potatos and Greek salad....

AlpineStalker

05-19-2020, 11:05 PM

Nicely done - great read!

Seth

05-20-2020, 05:44 AM

Awesome story! Congrats on the bull and thanks for posting. It was such a relief to read something on an actual hunt rather than Covid, Trump, Trudeau or natives.

charlie_horse

05-20-2020, 06:38 AM

Awesome hunt!

twoSevenO

05-20-2020, 06:43 AM

Congrats! Thanks for sharing!

That's an insane pack weight. I cant believe some of you can tackle that on.

I've done 120lbs for several hours, mostly downhill, and it was awful. Lol

325

05-20-2020, 06:46 AM

Great bull! Congratulations!!

KodiakHntr

05-20-2020, 06:56 AM

Great write up, really well done. Felt
like I was right there.

I have the same scale, definitely been an eye opener over the last few years to weigh everything that gets hung in the shop. (Although it always makes me laugh when guys are guessing how heavy their packs weigh - “damn that feels heavy. Gotta be 85lbs”... Scale Says...... 55, hahahahahah or “wow. 105. That carried better than I thought”)

Spy

05-20-2020, 07:09 AM

That’s awesome thanks for sharing.

spear

05-20-2020, 07:15 AM

Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Stayed home and sipped a second coffee. Wicked

Fella

05-20-2020, 07:15 AM

Great story! Such an awesome adventure you had too and the Bull makes it all the sweeter

Knute

05-20-2020, 08:03 AM

Great recount of an awesome hunt, thanks for taking the time to share.

Better get the other half of the human pinata's inner scale calibrated ;)

HighCountryBC

05-20-2020, 08:46 AM

This site was in desperate need of some hunting content. Thanks for the recant of your 2019 elk season and congratulations!

CheesyLimper

05-20-2020, 08:58 AM

Great story and pics, thanks for bringing us along.

jan.wi97

05-20-2020, 09:10 AM

The stuff dreams are made of!

todbartell

05-20-2020, 09:22 AM

good work Brambles

Ron.C

05-20-2020, 10:22 AM

Great story Brambles and perfect timing. Too much non hunting content on HBC these days, thanks for taking us along on your 2019 hunt.

Awesome!!!!!!

browningboy

05-20-2020, 10:58 AM

That was a great hunt and thanks for sharing! It was refreshing to see some pics and have a great read, as Ron C says nice to have hunting content to read in lieu of all the political and pandemic issues!
Great job Brambles!

Leaseman

05-20-2020, 11:03 AM

Enjoyed every damn word!

Jrax

05-20-2020, 11:11 AM

That was a great story! cant believe the grit and determination in what looks like thick country. Elk are hard enough in open country! My favorite part was when you used the pit the get the elk stank, crazy but sounds like it worked! I once took off my clothes and pack and rubbed them in stinky mud along a creek to get in close to elk. I got right in between two bulls, the big one was at about 100yrds with no shot and a small 3pt was bugling at about 8 yards behind me.

rocksteady

05-20-2020, 11:30 AM

Dang, you been sitting on this story so long and not sharing?

Good stuff

IronNoggin

05-20-2020, 11:48 AM

Awesome! Hell of a lot of persistence! Stick & Stay & Make It Pay!
You certainly did just that!
Congrats on such a well earned bull! https://www.tnof.ca/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/Pozitive.gif

And many thanks for sharing here!
Made my morning.
And may just prove to be the impetus I needed to craft another tale of my own.
Nothing nearly so tough though...

Cheers & have a Great Day!
Matt

pg83

05-20-2020, 04:09 PM

Great read, thank you for the thread Brambles.

A couple of questions/thoughts:

- I would love your opinion on whether you think it was the product or the elk piss that helped keep the herd from completely busting on you. Personally, I'm ranking piss > product

- Would you want to pack that much weight in an ultralight pack? As an owner of multiple packs, I'm asking for my #kuiunation friends.

- Your 'buddy' is a class act. If possible, can you describe how quick/good those beers went down?

- How much sweeter is it when the kill ends up the way it did? I finally killed my first bull last season on a major FSR while not really hunting after having put in many years/miles/dollars/sweat into backcountry hunts and it was a big letdown. Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked to have the meat in the freezer but it was not at all what I had envisioned and can't wait to do it again 'properly'.

Thanks again!

porthunter

05-20-2020, 04:47 PM

Awesome Story! Congrats!

- Would you want to pack that much weight in an ultralight pack? As an owner of multiple packs, I'm asking for my #kuiunation friends.

Be nice to your #kuiunation friends... you may just need them when your Sitka Rain Gear starts leaking through ;-) LOL

Bubbacanuck

05-20-2020, 05:20 PM

Best story this year on HBC. Thanks for sharing. If you ever need a hunting partner, hit me up!

nature girl

05-20-2020, 05:47 PM

Really enjoyed reading your story. A well earned elk for sure.

Brambles

05-20-2020, 06:00 PM

I tell you, this story took me a lot longer to write than I thought it would. I did it all from my phone, "autocorrect" was hacking it to pieces and I had to proof read and re edit when I found out it was changing a lot of the words...

I use to post a lot more when photobucket was around because it was easy...once they started charging a fortune I just didn't post anymore, pictures are the best part. I have since found a new host site.

The whole thing works better with an engaged audience, so thanks for being engaged.

- I would love your opinion on whether you think it was the product or the elk piss that helped keep the herd from completely busting on you. Personally, I'm ranking piss > product

I don't recall feeling the wind swirl, but I was pretty focused on the action. If I was a betting man....REAL ELK PISS for sure....I wasnt impressed with the "Elk Estrus"....ive had some that has smelt fairly realistic...but this one just didn't have the same punch....nothing beats the real thing...I'm going to start packing an empty bottle to harvest the piss from the bulls I shoot....

- Would you want to pack that much weight in an ultralight pack? As an owner of multiple packs, I'm asking for my #kuiunation friends.

I have something like 9 hunting packs...haven't found the perfect one, I was tempted to grab a kuiu 2300 and put it on my Icon Pro frame and give it a try....but I would be worried until I've tested it....The Mystery ranch weights a ton...like 9.5 - 10 lbs...but its amazing for hauling heavy loads and has proven itself time and time again.

I am currently looking at different pack options for this coming year.

- Your 'buddy' is a class act. If possible, can you describe how quick/good those beers went down?

You never remember the first one....tastebuds don't work that fast.....second one was real good...lol

- How much sweeter is it when the kill ends up the way it did? I finally killed my first bull last season on a major FSR while not really hunting after having put in many years/miles/dollars/sweat into backcountry hunts and it was a big letdown. Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked to have the meat in the freezer but it was not at all what I had envisioned and can't wait to do it again 'properly'.

I've shot bulls that were easy and bulls that were hard....hard ones are always more memorable....however we were hanging all the elk racks in the shop one day and my kids asked what bull was the most memorable....I couldn't answer them...they all have their own special story.

pg83

05-20-2020, 06:19 PM

Awesome Story! Congrats!

Be nice to your #kuiunation friends... you may just need them when your Sitka Rain Gear starts leaking through ;-) LOL

Hah! I couldn't resist. Somehow I made it through Kuiu tents and Sitka raingear without failure, and still use both. However, I was never brave enough to try out the Kuiu pack...

I have something like 9 hunting packs...haven't found the perfect one, I was tempted to grab a kuiu 2300 and put it on my Icon Pro frame and give it a try....but I would be worried until I've tested it....The Mystery ranch weights a ton...like 9.5 - 10 lbs...but its amazing for hauling heavy loads and has proven itself time and time again.

I am currently looking at different pack options for this coming year.

I run an MR and and an SG. For heavy weights it's MR hands down despite the almost 5lb weight difference between the two.

You never remember the first one....tastebuds don't work that fast.....second one was real good...lol.

Perfect answer.

I've shot bulls that were easy and bulls that were hard....hard ones are always more memorable....however we were hanging all the elk racks in the shop one day and my kids asked what bull was the most memorable....I couldn't answer them...they all have their own special story.

I'm the same for moose, not elk... I'll get there one day!

Brambles

05-20-2020, 07:23 PM

Well done on the story and pics so far (or is there more?)...you would have sealed the deal if you were lucky enough to count 6 on one antler on two occasions, so that is a success...lol too bad the bull moose wasn't legal where you were, though it looks like that would have been a miserable pack out...

The painful thing was that I had that moose draw a couple years ago with a retired co-worker and although I managed to get him his moose, after 60 days of hunting I couldn't fill my own tag....