I drew a type 6 elk tag in area 7 this year for cow/calf. Archery 9/1-9/30. I planned on going up where I was in a bunch of bulls two years ago to chase a cow in and amongst the action way up in the hills. I have not hunted deer with my bow in-earnest out here since archery deer is 9/1-9/30, and I've been opting to chase bugling bulls instead. I decided to go scout my best whitetail spot to see if I could spot a buck that would change my mind about chasing elk. When I arrived, there were elk in my whitetail river bottom field. I told a bud that I was leaning toward a combo whitetail/elk hunt with my bow from a tree come Sept 1, despite the fact that I'd rather chase elk in the backcountry for the camping, hiking, and brook trout fishing experience. He said, "why don't you go buy an OTC type 8 tag and shoot the one in the whitetail spot with your rifle?" Whaaaat? 6 years, and I still don't know and understand the seasons out here.
So, I want and bought the tag, and on the second afternoon, I made a nice 444 yard shot a touch high and forward on an ancient cow elk and a better 450 yard neck shot just below her head to turn the lights out. I did not want to leave the carcass in that spot, so I drove down to load her in my trailer to take to a rack to clean. When I pulled up, I could not believe what I was looking at. I pulled the trigger at 5:30 pm and was in the bed at 3:30 am. This was a freaking JOB.
After this experience, I now realize God knew exactly what He was doing when he gave me two very close encounters with giant bulls without giving me the shot. I can honestly say that I was not and I am not....in any way, shape, or form...man enough to do what it takes after killing an elk three miles deep in the backcountry solo. No freaking way. You can watch videos and hear first hand experiences...like you are reading now...and you simply can not understand the size of the animal and the size of the job until you experience it in person.
I have ordered a new 3 door commercial freezer, and this joker is going to take up a good bit of it. Hopefully it will be completely packed once all this year's seasons come to a close.
Its not a big bull to gawk at, but here she is...my first elk.
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