First Elk - Nebraska Cow

[nexus]

Day One:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Arrived at the Upper 84 Ranch in Brady, Nebraska at noon and got the grand tour from Robert “Big Bob” Frederickson, the ranch manager. Unloaded all our gear and got a chance to stretch our legs after a grueling 18-hour drive. This would not be the only time our legs hurt on this trip.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
As a game ranch originally built by Jay Novacek, the ranch has many types of game on it including fallow deer, tahr goats, feral goats, Pere David deer, aoudad, coyotes, whitetail deer, mule deer, turkey, dove, and elk. However, we were here for elk and we were more than ready to spend the evening glassing up some elk and strategizing for the morning hunt.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
The terrain was not what I expected given the flat nature of Nebraska. The ranch is found in moderate to steep hills and gorges covered in thick strands of cedar trees. There are several ponds across the property and given the amount of rain this year, many open spots in the cedars are covered in grass. Glassing these openings in the trees indicated a good number of bulls and cow elk on the property. Of course, with over 4,000 acres of hilly country, one was lucky to glass anywhere from 500 to 1,000 acres from any one vantage point. Most of the property was obstructed from view due to cedars or ridges. This was going to be a true spot and stalk style of hunt. I just hope it was not going to be one of those “pay–n-slay” canned hunts we all have heard about. I sure would like a challenge. Who knows, we didn’t see that many elk tonight while glassing.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Day Two:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Woke early enough to try and beat the sun to the hills and get a good reading on the day’s weather. With a slight breeze from the west, the sun broke over the hills to reveal a maze of cedars and wandering/grazing elk. After glassing for an hour or so, my partner and I agreed to place a stalk on a group of cows (no bulls for us on this trip – this was a cow hunt only) to the west about ½-mile away. They appeared to be headed along the ridge to the north and could possibly be intercepted along a thick line of cedars that ran east to west ahead of them roughly ¼-mile. Of we went through the cedars and over hill, after hill, after hill…well, you get the idea. Checking the wind continuously, we arrived at what looked like a perfect ambush spot for the approaching herd of cows. Of course, when the cows were approximately 100 yards away, they all decided the next ridge over was a much better place to visit. No they were not spooked, they just decided to change course. We attempted to set up on them again, however they just kept playing leapfrog with us until they disappeared like ghosts. No problem, we will simply glass up some more. WRONG! The bedding call must have been made and all the elk we had seen an hour or two before were nowhere to be found. Have to come back in the evening. Good, it may actually require some imitation of a hunt.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Headed in to the barn, a nice 30,000 square foot model (27,500 main floor and 2,500 bunk house upstairs), and had some lunch at the local Dairy Queen. By the way, DQ appears to be the hub of all activity in Brady. Went back to the field around 3:00 p.m. for round two. This evening was very uneventful. Tons of glassing and no cows; however, if you want a bull they got ‘em. Returned to the bunkhouse and crashed for the night – lights out 11:30 p.m.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Day Three:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Slept a little harder – woke up a little slower. We decided to go to the same rise to start our glassing and see if the elk were staying in the same area of the ranch. Now I am no elk expert, but I can say after this hunt, elk are not creatures of habit. They appear to quickly adapt to the intrusion of a hunter in their area and make adjustments. I did not notice anything different about the morning and the day before, however the elk were nowhere to be found. We glassed one bull the whole morning. Decided to take a hike and see other parts of the ranch to plan for our evening hunt. After the fact it was a good idea, however, during the afternoon hike I can honestly say I was questioning my decision. The ranch just goes on and on. To this point in our hunt we had glassed or walked roughly 1/5 of the ranch in two full days of hunting. However, we did find a new area of the ranch that looked promising and decided to try it later in the afternoon.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Same routine (unlike elk, I am a creature of habit) back to the DQ and in the field at 3:00 p.m. Saw numerous bulls and cows on the western hills but could not get a good wind to save me. Wound up getting barked at and busted by several old cows at least three times that evening as a result of winds from the east. Wow, this could be a real hunt.

 

[nexus]

Day Four:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
I can feel it; this is going to be the day. We have the elk figured out with regards to movement up and down the hills, we know where a good size group of cows is on the ranch, and we are getting pretty good at reading the land to intercept their movements – 5:30 a.m., time to go get ‘em. WRONG! AGAIN! Where are the elk? We do not see our first elk until roughly 10:30 a.m. and it is a bull. The hills are not alive at all. When in doubt, start hiking. We cover another portion of the ranch and find some new ground, although we are still not seeing elk, just lots of sign (old beds and elk olives – don’t ask).
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
By now you should be able to guess where we went for lunch. If you said the City of North Platte and John’s Tacos you are correct. I was learning from the elk, you have to switch it up and keep everyone guessing. Anyways, had to make a Walmart run, the town of Brady is not quite to the population point needed to support a Walmart (Population - 371). After a fun time at Walmart, we were into the hills again. Taking a page from our eating habits, we decide to switch it up and head to the area of the ranch that we saw sign but no elk. Sure enough, on our way there a small group of cows bust from a strand of cedars and head towards the new area. We work for several hours trying to get a good wind and intercept point on the group, to no avail. After what seems like two miles of playing tag with the group, we finally get busted. However, the trek has led us into new territory and it is getting close to dark. As we are heading back across the ridge, my partner glimpses some movement on the next ridge over. A closer inspection with the binoculars shows a group of twenty-three elk (cows, yearlings, and bulls) moving along a line of trees, one after the other. They appear to be coming from a dense stand of cedars and moving along a ravine towards a large field of grass to graze. Sure enough, there are three elk already grazing in the field. Note to self – check this area out tomorrow morning!
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Day Five:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
There they are! Just like the night before, a large group of elk (18) is in the big clearing by one of the windmills. Problem is, there is no way to get within 100 yards of the nearest cow. Now this is a new twist for the hunt, let the hunter clearly see you, just make it impossible for him to get close enough for a shot with a bow. Not much I can do, they have me pinned down with the wind and the cover layout. Time to back out and check out some other areas of the ranch. “I’ll Be Back”. Found four great bulls beaded up a ridge with the largest being at the top. I did not have the camera, but what a sight, four bulls bedded in the open. Back to the DQ for brunch – only hunters know that the DQ serves brunch.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
O.K. – no more spot and stalk for me today. The feet are getting a workout and the legs can use a little rest. Plus, my success rate at spot and stalk has not really been that stellar – Me: 0 Elk – at least 50. Time to go sit the meadow and path we saw the elk using the night before. Leaving an hour earlier, 2:30 p.m., we quietly move into position and check the wind constantly. I cannot believe my luck, I have a great blind in the cedars, a clear view of the meadow, and the wind is blowing in my face at 20 m.p.h. This is the day! Guess the elk did not get the memo. Not one elk comes to graze.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Ignore the red face – probably just a sunburn- I’m really not frustrated. I mean it is only day five, right? And it is game ranch, how hard can it be – damn it?
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Day Six
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
It is very hard to get out of bed this morning. Last night I spoke with the butcher in North Platte, Doug Kelly, and he has assured me he can get an elk processed before I have to leave in two days if I can get him the elk no later than tomorrow morning. NO PRESSURE! We have decided it is time to run and gun. We are going to cover as many hills and glass as much property as possible before the elk all move and bed down. Sure sounds good. The wind has picked up and we are now somewhere between a tropical depression and a hurricane. The one good thing is that there is no way the elk can hear us or smell us up wind. Of course, the elk are also not moving; and when they are not moving, you are not seeing anything in the thick cedars. We did not see one elk this morning.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Getting a little nervous, the afternoon hunt is approaching and I do not have a clue what to do. The good news is the wind has calmed down a little and we can a least walk against the direction of the wind without feeling like we are going to leave our feet. The wind is now probably a comfortable 25-30 m.p.h. Here goes nothing.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
On our way to the first high spot we have been using to glass from, we notice a spike bull bedded in front of a small group of cedars 225 yards up a horseshoe shaped draw. Of course we cannot shoot a bull, including a spike. However, we have seen this guy several times before and he is always with a cow. She is nowhere to be found. Could it be this easy? Is she bedded also in the same group of cedars? We have nothing to loose, we decide to get down wind of the draw and use the topography to break the elk’s line of sight. If all goes well, they should not be able to see us until we are within 20 yards of the spike’s bed. But, where is she?
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Moving like one of the local sand turtles, we slowly make our way to the base of the ridge between the bedded elk and us. We decided to come over the ridge about half way down to give us the best possible shot if the cow sees us from the cedars. The wind is starting to let up and is now blowing about 15 m.p.h. with gusts to 20. Moving like a S.W.A.T. Team, my partner and I work together to move from tree to tree always keeping an eye on that next clump of cedars. This is going to be it, only 15 yards to the bedded spike! As I cross a small break in the cedars I can finally see the area the spike WAS bedded in. Where is he? He didn’t bust and we can see all escape routes from where we are. Are you kidding me – not again? Just then, I hear a weird snort sound from the cedar tree that I am standing next to – then it explodes! Evidently, the spike had moved from his bed and re-bedded in the cedar tree I was standing three feet from. In a true Three Stooges moment, I try and get my bow drawn before this thing eats me. As he comes clear of the tree, I see it is the spike and he is looking at my partner some 5 yards behind me and slightly to my left. He still does not know I am there. The temptation is great but I hold true and start to relax. Immediately the cedar tree explodes again and the cow comes running out and to the left. She also stops and is trying to figure what the hell my partner is – I get that sometimes also. Anyways, I again go all Jerry Lewis and try and get a pin on her. This is when it gets really good. My mind has been scrambled twice by exploding cedars, frustrated for days by ghost like elk, and my butcher is sitting by the phone with a stopwatch. She is the size of a house and it looks like it is going to be one of those tough perfectly broadside, 15 yard shots. I do some quick algebra, balance the Federal budget and solve world hunger, but while having everything in the world go through my mind, I have this idea that she is at 40 yards. I know, I know. What the hell was I thinking? I place the 40-yard pin on that sweet spot and let her rip – perfect………miss. I just competed the best stalk of my entire life and missed a shot that could have been lethal if I had just thrown the arrow at her. Here comes that feeling in my stomach. I also fail to see why my partner is finding so much humor in this. I hope he roles on a cactus while he is down there on the ground laughing. He probably got a clue when I told him to shut-up and let’s get going to our evening hunting area. Obviously, these elk are all laughed out.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
After my partners display of teammate support, I think maybe we should split up and hunt the grazing trail and meadow at separate locations. As I work my way up the hill, ALONE, I cannot shake the miss. It is going to be one of those hunts, and it gets better. The wind is coming from the opposite direction and my scent is going to be blown right over the elk as they approach the meadow. I need to find a new spot. Might as well go on up the hill.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Moving along the cedar trees adjacent to the meadow, I slowly work my way towards the upper third of the hill. I cannot believe this wind. It finally starts to break and it is going the wrong direction. What was that? It sounded like a cow elk calling. It also sounded pretty close but up the hill from me. I slowly duck behind a 4-foot cedar and position myself to view the meadow up ahead. There is a lone 3-foot cedar in the meadow ahead, so I use my range finder to get a reading just incase something comes out of the cedars, 37.5 yards to the cedar, no more guessing distance (not a good track record – see example above). I can hear something snorting or breathing heavy. STAY STILL. Within 30 seconds, a cow elk steps out of the cedars grazing not 30 yards away and makes her way directly to the cedar tree in the meadow. With the sun setting to the west, she is a silhouette grazing on the hill, roughly 40 yards away, uphill, and slightly quartering away. However, the small cedar appears to be blocking the vitals slightly. I need one more step. Just one step, is that too much to ask? As my head is racing (tends to happen to me in these situations, again see above example) a steer on the opposite side of the canyon decides this is a great time to let out a loud bellow. She immediately snaps to attention. Is this how my last evening is going to end: busted by a steer? She relaxes and starts to graze again. She moves forward one step. I draw my Katera back and go through my aiming routine step by step. I check and double-check the pin selection. The moment has finally come and the arrow is away. Then there is that sound, the one when you know you finally put it all together. She jerked forward on impact and bolted over the ridge to the nearest set of cedars. I did it, I shot my first elk and now it was just a matter of time. Call the butcher and let him know the pressure was now on him.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
After a couple hours, I decided to start looking for my arrow and see how good the hit was. Since the sun was setting right behind her, I could not see the absolute point of impact. However, it sure sounded good – like hitting Jell-O. After searching for an hour, I could not find any blood or arrow. Really? I started to expand the search and called my partner on the radio. We worked and worked for several hours and were joined by Big Bob and some others but still did not find any blood or elk. Just before midnight, I found a small pool of blood inside a cedar tree roughly 100 yards from where I shot her. We decided to back out and come back in the morning. Luckily the forecast was for low temperatures that night. Here comes that feeling in my stomach again.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Day Seven:
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
I did not sleep very well last night. I went over the shot and the scenario again and again. It just did not make any sense. When the alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. I knew it was time to get in the field and get ride of that sickening feeling in my stomach. My partner and I decided to start at the top of the hill and work our way down searching every tree between the two ravines in the area. Cedar trees are not that fun to search; you have to get in them to see anything. As we progressed, there was no sign of my elk. An hour into the search my partner had completed all of his trees and was starting to search the ravine when I heard a shout. He found her!!!
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
She was way back in the ravine and had been shot a little (6”) back of where I had hoped. However, the steep slope and her being quartering away resulted in me shooting her just through the tip of the gut, the liver, the diaphragm, and one lung. The arrow had broken a rib on each side, but she bled out internally. There was not even any blood on the ground where she died. Finally, a little luck had gone my way.

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
After gutting and getting her to the butcher, it was finally time to slow down and enjoy my first elk experience. I would like to thank Big Bob and his family for a great piece of land and hospitality that is unmatched. He and his family are truly Good People. I also, want to say a big thank you to Doug Kelly in North Platte. This man can flat process some game. He does a top quality job of cutting, vacuum packing, and freezing your elk at an unbelievably good price. Honestly, I do not know how he makes any money at it.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Lastly, I guess I should thank my hunting partner for sticking in there and not dying of a laugh-induced aneurysm. Maybe next time you’ll get one (feel the sting)!
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><o></o>
If anyone is interested in a great hunt on a great piece of property call Big Bob at 308-584-3873, tell him Chris sent you and let him set you up right.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Thanks for reading and take care,
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Chris

 

[ORElkBow]

Congrats on your cow hunt. Good story. Hey just between you and me, I missed at a doe one year at 15 yrds, when I shot her at my 30 yrd pin. At least you only had 1 buddy with you, I had to at the time and it sounded like two hyenas at camp.