Tule cow success

[hank4elk]

I did fill a tag this year after all. A big Tule cow, in the Carrisa Plains area. PLM tag. 27,000 acre ranch a friend runs. Awesome wide open country. One of the hardest hunts of my life as far as stalking. First morning,snuck up a 2-3 ft. gulley a mile and a half to a 120 cow bedded herd ,wait a hour for a cow to move clear of the herd, and I miss a 275 yard shot. Can't believe it, they are gone in an instant. Find them again later in afternoon, but can't make a stalk because bad wind. Can't chance blowing the herd off ranch completely. 2nd morn, set up between them and waterhole after the same backbreaking duck walk hike. Perfect wind, they come to within 600 yrds, the noses came up, checked the wind had shifted again for a second and they're gone . Total frustration for me. My buddy says we still got a chance. We head to the far end of ranch and they are bedded across a grassy hillside in a series of undulations. Eyes in every direction . 2 bulls and a couple dozen spikes and a hundred cows watching. We sneak around downwind below them, but the main herd is 600+ yrds and facing us. See 2 cow heads pop up 300+ away behind little hill between us and the main herd. It's all on me now as I have to belly crawl 150-200 yrds up a rise, and get behind a 18 inch bush, no cover. I signal my buddy to cow call. The cows stand and I have a clear shot. I shot and I know I have a good hit, and they are all moving, and gone.I stand and start walking towards where they were, up on that hill and there below the spot the main herd had been is my cow down. 151 yrd shot, and she ran a couple more hundred yards. 165 Barnes, double lung clean. I have never had harder stalking on any animal. She is a big beautiful Tule cow. Photos as soon as I figure out how to get them to you.

 

[Kentuck]

Congrats. Had elk steak for dinner last night. Sounds like you will have lots of those to come.

 

[wmidbrook]

Sounds like it was a challenging hunt! Can't say I'm not a bit jealous. I'd like to get a Tule Elk one of these years too...Enjoy those good steaks.

 

[hatchet1]

awesome

no comment on the barnes bullet and the cow going a couple hundred more yards with a double lung shot

in case you have not heard,im not a big fan of the crapper,but hey,you bagged a tule and you had a great experience,nice work

 

[DEERSLAM]

Congrats on the Tule hank!
Can't wait to see some pics.

 

[Speckmisser]

Cool deal! Elk burgers for days!

 

[hank4elk]

I hear you on the copper Hatchet, they have been a costly impepiment to my hunting , but after dialing in the Rem. 700, I've taken two animals with them. My buck last year didn't go 15 yrds, and the cow was dead when I hit her. The 200 yrd spint after is a testament to the tenasity of elk. IMHO Thanks to all on JHO

 

[hatchet1]

AGREED HANK

THEM ELK ARE DARN SURE TENACIOUS AND SUCK UP THE LEAD AS WELL AS THE COPPER

by the way, what was the cost of the plm cow tag on your buddys place,you can p.m. me if its
more appropriate, thanks

 

[Vermonster]

Congrats!!!!

 

[dw33]

Great hunt by the sound of it, congratulations.

 

[elkguys]

nothing better then some good elk steaks

 

[deadducks]

Congrats Hank.

I will email you soon.

Dan

 

[BFR]

u da man, congrats

 

[Huntr Pat]

Good job! Elk burgers for the dinner.

 

[madhunter]

Congrats on your hunt.

 

[hank4elk]

Here's my 08 Tule cow.