I thought I’d share my 2 hour archery elk season. I had 3 weeks set aside to hunt elk this year. Woke up early on sept 5, had a “feeling” to try a new hill. My plan as to get parked a hour before daylight, 30 mins before light I was going to quietly get out of my truck and bugle down a valley, If no response I’d head down the road and hike this great ridge I found in the spring.
well about 5 seconds after my gentle location bugle I had a bull pipe up. Well looks like he wants to play. I load my pack and slowly head into the dark timber. The bull keeps bugling so I gave him a reply. Not wanting to get busted in the dark I hung back. Soon as legal light hit I let one go and he replied. He kept his distance but wanted to play. I had a 3 pt bull come in at 30 yards (legal), I had to hang tight and let him bugger off before heading after my target.
about 1.5 - 2 hours later I finally was close range to him. Solo Archery , ranging and calling I had to play it safe and slow.
he brought me into this little rut pit with many thrashed trees and a dry wallow pit.
soon as I made it here I knew he was going to get pissed. I trashed some bush and let out one last challenge bugle. After that last bugle he came charging in full speed to kick my ass. At 20 Yards I was about to let one rip, he saw me and spooked. I stopped him at 30 yards with a cow call and let one rip into his lungs. He ran off and fell down 30 yards away, go up and stumbled a few more yards out of sight.
while waiting the forest lit up with non stop bugles, one only 30 yards away. For some reason I thought my bull was alive. Turned out it was just another big one coming to play.
30 minutes later I walked up and found this decent 6x5. My first archery harvest. Was nice to pull out my bag of tricks i learnt over the last 5 years being obsessed with elk and make it happen.
The solo packout in 30 degree heat was brutal, definitely learnt lots about harvesting a big animal on hot days. When I finally closed the tail gate around 5pm the bulls lit up again all over the hill side. Looks like It was just one of those days.
Now for the long wait till whitetail rut , unfortunately in my area it takes 9 years to draw a mule deer buck tag.
Well done! So exciting calling them in that close during archery season. I gather you're in Alberta having to wait for a mulie draw. Good luck with the white tails.
Congratulations, must have been a blast to have to much action like that. Seems to be a huge amount of success with the long bow season out here. Its a long wait till the whitetail rut, till then its all over but the crying….lol
If the world is warming why are there so many new snowflakes?
If we are all equal why do you demand special treatment?
Congratulations, must have been a blast to have to much action like that. Seems to be a huge amount of success with the long bow season out here. Its a long wait till the whitetail rut, till then its all over but the crying….lol
Thanks , as you know those days are not often. How’s the season going for that big one you’re after? The forest must know I’m tagged out , I took my rifle out yesterday to round up my cameras for whitetail, had a big 6x6 causally walk by me at 100Y. Couldn’t believe my eyes. Good luck to you friend!
Thanks , as you know those days are not often. How’s the season going for that big one you’re after? The forest must know I’m tagged out , I took my rifle out yesterday to round up my cameras for whitetail, had a big 6x6 causally walk by me at 100Y. Couldn’t believe my eyes. Good luck to you friend!
Its been slow and quiet for me but my Cams say they're around somewhere. I have not only 1 but 2 of the biggest bull elk I have ever had the pleasure to hunt and dream about. I also have a moose draw and have a monster bull moose on Cam. The whitetail are also looking better than ever. We have had about 3-4 easy winters in a row and the number of mature animals is the best I have seen in the ten years I have been here.
Anticipation is high but I do have some competition this year as a group of interlopers have stumbled upon my honey hole.
If the world is warming why are there so many new snowflakes?
If we are all equal why do you demand special treatment?
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Originally Posted by Husky7mm
