Orygun
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Messages
- 7,276
- Reaction score
- 68
A co-worker gave me a tip in a n area about an hour from home. Not a lot of elk but a place he's seen them. Got into the general area about 7am after a couple miles on trail. Overnight temps for the region dropped from the hig h40s to low 30s. My truck gauge read 24 at the trail head. Whole area is forest with a billion lodge pole blow-downs. The sun had just about popped up when I heard a bugle. Tried getting some elevation on him to keep the wind in my favor.
Thought it may have been some guys from one of the other rigs in the parking lot. Heard other bulls way off doing the same. Lost his position and ended up in a creek bottom. The cold morning must have got them in the mood.Was admiring some fresh rubs when I hear something big crashing through the brush. Gave a chirp and he let loose. Then he chirped, then he beat the brush with his rack. Gave a more aggressive chirp and he started in.
Then he hung up at 80 yds. We had a nice chat for about 20 minutes. Then some cows a ways down the ridge started in and he trotted on over to them. Talk about jilted. That sun of a gun bugled all the way over to them.
I scooted after but lost them. Them I thought, where's the trail? It's not that steep and there were few noticeable landmarks. I GPS'd the spot I left the trail and followed it back....to the middle of the woods. No trail.
Couldn't pull three satellites so I couldn't get a fix. Pulled out the map and compass and with the sun plotted a straight shot back to the rig. 3 miles of high stepping over downed timber.
Found lots more elk,sign and fresh bear sign and huge deer tracks on the way.
Anyway. the bull thing ways pretty damn exciting. I'm not an elk hunter but I can see why folks get addicted. Getting turned around not so much. May go back with the co-worker in the future since he knows the area. All I know is I'm tired and sore and that couch is calling.
Thought it may have been some guys from one of the other rigs in the parking lot. Heard other bulls way off doing the same. Lost his position and ended up in a creek bottom. The cold morning must have got them in the mood.Was admiring some fresh rubs when I hear something big crashing through the brush. Gave a chirp and he let loose. Then he chirped, then he beat the brush with his rack. Gave a more aggressive chirp and he started in.
Then he hung up at 80 yds. We had a nice chat for about 20 minutes. Then some cows a ways down the ridge started in and he trotted on over to them. Talk about jilted. That sun of a gun bugled all the way over to them.
I scooted after but lost them. Them I thought, where's the trail? It's not that steep and there were few noticeable landmarks. I GPS'd the spot I left the trail and followed it back....to the middle of the woods. No trail.
Couldn't pull three satellites so I couldn't get a fix. Pulled out the map and compass and with the sun plotted a straight shot back to the rig. 3 miles of high stepping over downed timber.
Found lots more elk,sign and fresh bear sign and huge deer tracks on the way.
Anyway. the bull thing ways pretty damn exciting. I'm not an elk hunter but I can see why folks get addicted. Getting turned around not so much. May go back with the co-worker in the future since he knows the area. All I know is I'm tired and sore and that couch is calling.
Last edited:
