Ok Guys,,,,,,,,,Here goes!!!! I’ll try not to make this too long (but not too short either)
First---Scouting.
I scouted 5 weekends plus a couple of days prior to the opener. I got good info from Bowunter (Ed), who got a super bull last year. I built onto his tips (and some from you guys) so by the opener I had patterns on 4 bachelor groups of bulls, 3 single bulls and several groups of cows (all in different areas). The main Tinemaha herd (fwy herd) had 200 plus cows, spikes, etc. I think a week or two prior to season a nice bull with a drop tine took over the big herd. The rut was later this year but getting started.
Start Hunting.
My brother (Joel) and a super close friend (Bill P.) were in the area with me for the whole hunt if necessary. They continued to scout and glass other areas while I was hunting. Bowunter stopped by on his way home from an antelope hunt to wish us well and share a beverage--life is good.
Day 1 morning I sat in a ground blind where I had watched 11 bulls (several shooters) cross thru an old fence numerous times. There was quite a bit of “other” activity out there starting the day before but I thought it was my best place to start. Well, the bulls didn’t come thru day one. When I checked in with my team they said they spotted a nice bull, bedded with 20 plus cows a few miles away. I joined them, formed a plan, and started a long stalk. By now another buddy (Jerry) had joined us and he followed on the stalk. By the way, I planned on “stalks” so I had good gloves, knee pads, and of course my LL Bean rubber bottom boots. Short version—I got in and got a longish (I struggle some past 40 yds) shot and went just over his back. Bummer,,,real nice bull. Rest of the day uneventful.
Day 2. Relocated to different blind. Had bulls around me but 20 minutes before legal shoot time. They moved off to bedding area and I decided not to disturb from their pattern. Low percentage chance of getting close where they bedded. We left to another area and spotted a single bull just as he bedded. I got dropped off and stalked back about a half mile and crawled to within 30 yards. This took over an hour and then I laid there for about an hour and a half waiting for him to get up. The bad part was the wind had come up plus there were very limited shooting lanes in the tall sage we were in. You’ve already guessed it. He stood up, turned the wrong way but I had a decent hole to shoot thru,,,,except, the wind moved my bow and a branch between us at a really bad time. Deflected just under his chest. I was thankful for a clean miss,,,another really nice bull(7x6). I was both disappointed and very excited from these two days. Fun Stuff.
Day 3 in the blind early again. Around shoot time bulls are a couple of hundred yards away and headed my way but then a vehicle stops right in front of them. End of that deal. Went north in the evening to look at another herd. They were really bugling and fighting there but no chance for a stalk/shot where they were at.
Day 4 slow till we moved and noticed the big herd was in a spot where I might get close. The drop tine bull was in a vulnerable area. I stalked to within 100 yards of him and had more room but a field worker rode out and moved the herd away and thru the trees. Another “end of deal”. We’re still high on determination though.
Day 5—My Day. Started very slow. I see no elk. I call my spotters and they see no elk either. We decide to return to the area of the single day two bull I missed hoping he returned to his normal pattern. We get there and see over a hundred elk in the area. We then spot the drop tine bull and the day 2 bull fighting and bugling their heads off. A turf war is on. I’m dropped off again and make a big circle to catch the wind right. I caught a break though as I went thru some familiar cover from my first stalk there. I worked thru and around several cows and got to around 100 yards. They stop fighting and split up. The 7x6 is crossing above me so I bugled at him once. He turns and starts towards me but then the drop tine bull bugles again and this bull turns and goes back around the hill toward him. I made a bold move to get to the hill, moved up a small gully and peeked over the edge. I was sort of between the bulls then. They bugled but I couldn’t see them and there were cows all around now. Suddenly a big cow is walking my way and turns down the hill. I see tips of antlers coming behind her. I’m ready as I see the drop tine bull come into an opening I can shoot thru. It all happened fast from there, I made a good shot (about 30 yards). After I hit the bull and he moved down the hill a bit all the cows and the other bull moved up the hill. It was then I realized how many animals I had managed to get around. I was very fortunate to pull that off. I had to sit for a while and let him have his time, and I needed some time too.
I am so fortunate to have experienced this hunt and these unique animals. This event is somewhat of a career “topper” for me. It was a real team effort with family and friends. Of course the hard work started when we finished the hugs and hand shakes. My bull is a 5x7 with that drop tine on the 7 side. His rack is smaller than either of the others I had chances at but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. I hope the picture I posted for you comes out. Thanks everyone for your support and well wishes.
Regards.
Dave S. aka “Tree”
[attachment=32565:attachment]
First---Scouting.
I scouted 5 weekends plus a couple of days prior to the opener. I got good info from Bowunter (Ed), who got a super bull last year. I built onto his tips (and some from you guys) so by the opener I had patterns on 4 bachelor groups of bulls, 3 single bulls and several groups of cows (all in different areas). The main Tinemaha herd (fwy herd) had 200 plus cows, spikes, etc. I think a week or two prior to season a nice bull with a drop tine took over the big herd. The rut was later this year but getting started.
Start Hunting.
My brother (Joel) and a super close friend (Bill P.) were in the area with me for the whole hunt if necessary. They continued to scout and glass other areas while I was hunting. Bowunter stopped by on his way home from an antelope hunt to wish us well and share a beverage--life is good.
Day 1 morning I sat in a ground blind where I had watched 11 bulls (several shooters) cross thru an old fence numerous times. There was quite a bit of “other” activity out there starting the day before but I thought it was my best place to start. Well, the bulls didn’t come thru day one. When I checked in with my team they said they spotted a nice bull, bedded with 20 plus cows a few miles away. I joined them, formed a plan, and started a long stalk. By now another buddy (Jerry) had joined us and he followed on the stalk. By the way, I planned on “stalks” so I had good gloves, knee pads, and of course my LL Bean rubber bottom boots. Short version—I got in and got a longish (I struggle some past 40 yds) shot and went just over his back. Bummer,,,real nice bull. Rest of the day uneventful.
Day 2. Relocated to different blind. Had bulls around me but 20 minutes before legal shoot time. They moved off to bedding area and I decided not to disturb from their pattern. Low percentage chance of getting close where they bedded. We left to another area and spotted a single bull just as he bedded. I got dropped off and stalked back about a half mile and crawled to within 30 yards. This took over an hour and then I laid there for about an hour and a half waiting for him to get up. The bad part was the wind had come up plus there were very limited shooting lanes in the tall sage we were in. You’ve already guessed it. He stood up, turned the wrong way but I had a decent hole to shoot thru,,,,except, the wind moved my bow and a branch between us at a really bad time. Deflected just under his chest. I was thankful for a clean miss,,,another really nice bull(7x6). I was both disappointed and very excited from these two days. Fun Stuff.
Day 3 in the blind early again. Around shoot time bulls are a couple of hundred yards away and headed my way but then a vehicle stops right in front of them. End of that deal. Went north in the evening to look at another herd. They were really bugling and fighting there but no chance for a stalk/shot where they were at.
Day 4 slow till we moved and noticed the big herd was in a spot where I might get close. The drop tine bull was in a vulnerable area. I stalked to within 100 yards of him and had more room but a field worker rode out and moved the herd away and thru the trees. Another “end of deal”. We’re still high on determination though.
Day 5—My Day. Started very slow. I see no elk. I call my spotters and they see no elk either. We decide to return to the area of the single day two bull I missed hoping he returned to his normal pattern. We get there and see over a hundred elk in the area. We then spot the drop tine bull and the day 2 bull fighting and bugling their heads off. A turf war is on. I’m dropped off again and make a big circle to catch the wind right. I caught a break though as I went thru some familiar cover from my first stalk there. I worked thru and around several cows and got to around 100 yards. They stop fighting and split up. The 7x6 is crossing above me so I bugled at him once. He turns and starts towards me but then the drop tine bull bugles again and this bull turns and goes back around the hill toward him. I made a bold move to get to the hill, moved up a small gully and peeked over the edge. I was sort of between the bulls then. They bugled but I couldn’t see them and there were cows all around now. Suddenly a big cow is walking my way and turns down the hill. I see tips of antlers coming behind her. I’m ready as I see the drop tine bull come into an opening I can shoot thru. It all happened fast from there, I made a good shot (about 30 yards). After I hit the bull and he moved down the hill a bit all the cows and the other bull moved up the hill. It was then I realized how many animals I had managed to get around. I was very fortunate to pull that off. I had to sit for a while and let him have his time, and I needed some time too.
I am so fortunate to have experienced this hunt and these unique animals. This event is somewhat of a career “topper” for me. It was a real team effort with family and friends. Of course the hard work started when we finished the hugs and hand shakes. My bull is a 5x7 with that drop tine on the 7 side. His rack is smaller than either of the others I had chances at but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. I hope the picture I posted for you comes out. Thanks everyone for your support and well wishes.
Regards.
Dave S. aka “Tree”
[attachment=32565:attachment]
