First off, I have to thank my friend Troy, and his whole family for having me out. They are truly good hearted people. The really short version is that we had an incredible time, got into elk and whitetails very often and on several occasions I came as close to killing an elk as can be done without actually killing one. The more exciting version:The 1st full day of hunting produced a spike bull and young cow we called across a wide open clear cut from over 500 yards to a mere 74 yards. They got a little nervous and moved off, but still continued to feed down in the bottoms. The next time we were heavy into elk, we walked up on a spike cruising a logging road. We were right in amongst these elk at times yet they would refuse to speak up. He moved off and I followed up the road, catching movement to the side, a cow was headed right for the road. With no cover, I came to full draw and she stopped 2 steps short of stepping on to the road at 40 yds. With only the base of her neck up clear, I had no shot as she eventually turned and ran. The ensuing 30 minutes had me right in among more cows and in a bugling battle with a herd bull. The ruckus pulled in a second herd bull. Eventually things played out with20no shot opps, the elk were within 50-60 yds, but the heavy brush made it impossible. As I played my elk, Troy had a spike in to 15 yds, but again the heavy brush squashed any chance for a clean shot. Later that evening were found our way to an isolated clear cut & spotted 4 bucks feeding that went between 120-145”. They were too far off to make any chance for a shot. Despite our cow calling, the herd of elk that were present, didn’t make a sound and spotted us about the same time we spotted them. Game over. There was a real nice bull, a spike and about a dozen cows. After snapping some pix of the bucks, we circled around to try and head off the elk. They made it too the meadow first and despite our best attempts as stealth, they again picked us out the moment we spotted them. All the while we had this action, we heard a very vocal bull across a canyon and we filed this away for later. The next morning we headed off to some very remote country. Not 20 minutes into our hunt(after an hour hike in) the unmistakable footsteps of elk came thru the timber. Getting into place it was a short time before a spike bull stepped into an opening broadside. Calm, relaxed and at full draw I held my 45 yd pin on his vitals and touched off the trigger. A dull thunk left us a little hesitant that the shot found its mark. Investigation showed my arrow buried deep in a large sapling and well off the flight path, a victim of an unseen branch and deflection. The elk tracks to where I stood ranged at 48 yds. Failing to find any more sign of elk in the area, we left to target the vocal bull from the previous evening. The plan was for Troy to fire up the bull from across the canyon, while I would make my way to him. And it started out right on cue. But in the half mile I had to close, I found elk of my own. 1st a few cows that got very close to me in the heavy brush, and eventually spooked out. Moving on, I quickly & quietly made my way towards the bugling bull. Glimpses of elk here and there let me know I was in the thick of it. They figured me for another cow and although not spooking, they paid me no mind to investigate and give me a shot. As I cut the distance to the main bull, just seconds after having cow called, in rushed a nice 5x5. He was on me in a heartbeat. Drawing as he angled away he started to quicken his step. A cow call stopped him at 14 yds, but again some thin brush separated us. Spotting an opening I shifted my weight to lean and make a shot thru a small opening. As I did so a dry branch under foot cracked with the sound of a gunshot and off went the bull and my hopes. Staying diligent I pressed on trying to find the now silent herd bull. Finally shortly before dark the bull fired up and started making his way to an accessible area. I hiked out to cut him off. Fearing he would not make it to me bef
Here's the clearcut we called the spike and cow across A little midday shooting A couple nice North Idaho Bucks My only solid hit of the trip Troy doing some glassing Big rubs = big elk
Good stuff Ryan! Sounds like you had a blast and some awesome encounters. Hopefully I can make it out that way next fall!
Great trip Ryan, welcome home. I know exactly what all that it is like and it really get's it's teeth in ya doesn't it. Again, welcome home safe, time to switch gears with our season opening up next weekend. Thanks for sharing the story and pics with us.
Sounds like you got a few adrenaline rushes in on the trip. Those elk can really get the blood boiling. I may be chasing them again myself in the near future.
Though it didn't yield some of that tasty elk meat, it still sounds like a nice hunt, and some BEAUTIFUL country to enjoy. Next year for me I hope.
Glad your back safe, Been keeping up with your hunt on the Junkie forum with Troys posts. We all go with the hopes and expectations of a kill, when in reality it is the encounters of the hunt that lures us back. It sounds like you had a good time, great story and photos. The arrow in the tree, and the killer look on Troys face shooting is priceless! Good people.
I agree Sliver!! That was priceless!! Great story and photo's Ryan. Sorry about not getting your elk, that's elk hunting for ya In many ways!! Good to see ya back!!:d
Ryan, great times we have had bud, I can honestly say I leave this past weeks efforts with no regrets. Several elk have no idea how closely they cheated death. I really enjoy your company from shooting our bows to putting the sneak on bugling bulls and the good laughs we shared. I look forward to many more elk hunts together. The time passed too quickly as it always does. Kill a good buck or two I'm looking forward to seeing those pix. On a side note, I had the big white tipped herd bull (out on the point) feeding above me this evening with his cows.. 'bout 100-130 yards out. He might be the most call shy bull I have been around. I hope to get one more shot at him before tuesdays closure.
That sounds like a great time and a great hunt. Too bad that they didn't quite cooperate, but close calls sure do make for some great memories. I wish you had taken one of those monsters, but I am happy that you had fun and made it back safe and sound.
Ryan Man do I envy you !! It sounded like a trip of a life time. Heck just spending time with Troy is as good as it gets. Hopefully the bucks back home aren't so lucky as the bulls. Looking forward to seeing how your season goes. Tim
