It was a late night, complete with Victory Beers all around!
Short story is I shot a cow elk that came into the watering hole right at 7:15. I was tucked behind a natural brush blind when I spotted her coming up the hill at about 100 yards. I hit record on the camera and waited. She came in, stopped for a few seconds just before the water hole to check things out, and then stepped forward for a drink. I drew back, elbow hitting a limb behind me. She looked up, but the arrow was on its way!
It was a 20 yard chip shot and the Jak Hammer found its mark. Blood began pumping out immediately. She ran up the hill and behind a stand of new growth pines so I listened for a crash. There was quite a ruckus and then I saw her come back around the other side of the pines running right at me, and then she fell and skidded to a halt about 75 yards away!
The exhilaration set in! It’s been a grind all week after two blown opportunities early. With the weather and lack of vocalizations from the elk, I felt like still hunting and sitting water holes were the best options. It finally paid off!
I tried to move her around to set up for proper LDPs, but she was too heavy for one man!
I sent a message via Inreach to Roy and Adam. Then the work began. By the time Roy navigated his way up the mountain with a 4 wheeler, I had her broken down and on a cheap tarp that I had in my pack.
We loaded the quarters on the 4 wheeler (great luxury!) but I put the straps, tenders and heart in a meat bag and strapped it to my pack for the hike down.
It was a “hairy” ride for Roy around and especially down the steep slope back to my pickup, but we eventually made it. We loaded the quarters in my pickup and then made the 40 minute drive back to celebrate with Adam, the guides.
We spent the morning getting all of our meet packed into coolers and gear cleaned up before setting in for an update and a nice brunch here at our camp!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Short story is I shot a cow elk that came into the watering hole right at 7:15. I was tucked behind a natural brush blind when I spotted her coming up the hill at about 100 yards. I hit record on the camera and waited. She came in, stopped for a few seconds just before the water hole to check things out, and then stepped forward for a drink. I drew back, elbow hitting a limb behind me. She looked up, but the arrow was on its way!
It was a 20 yard chip shot and the Jak Hammer found its mark. Blood began pumping out immediately. She ran up the hill and behind a stand of new growth pines so I listened for a crash. There was quite a ruckus and then I saw her come back around the other side of the pines running right at me, and then she fell and skidded to a halt about 75 yards away!
The exhilaration set in! It’s been a grind all week after two blown opportunities early. With the weather and lack of vocalizations from the elk, I felt like still hunting and sitting water holes were the best options. It finally paid off!
I tried to move her around to set up for proper LDPs, but she was too heavy for one man!
I sent a message via Inreach to Roy and Adam. Then the work began. By the time Roy navigated his way up the mountain with a 4 wheeler, I had her broken down and on a cheap tarp that I had in my pack.
We loaded the quarters on the 4 wheeler (great luxury!) but I put the straps, tenders and heart in a meat bag and strapped it to my pack for the hike down.
It was a “hairy” ride for Roy around and especially down the steep slope back to my pickup, but we eventually made it. We loaded the quarters in my pickup and then made the 40 minute drive back to celebrate with Adam, the guides.
We spent the morning getting all of our meet packed into coolers and gear cleaned up before setting in for an update and a nice brunch here at our camp!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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