ORsouthpaw
Active Member
- Messages
- 226
I have spent several years rifle hunting elk, This year I decided to give bow hunting for elk a try. I actually have been shooting a bow for many years but not with any real conviction until the spring of this year. I practiced all spring, summer and right up until we left for our hunt typically 5 days a week.
After talking with many bowhunters and hearing the stories I had find out what this was all about. At the end of the hunt I came home without my elk and nothing to put in the freezer except my tag but I have been pretty much in la-la land since my hunt.
The first couple of days of our hunt were spent trying to locate any elk. The last 4 days were the most amazing that I have ever experienced hunting. Not because we tagged out or made a great shots on a trophy bulls but because of how up close and personal we were able to get. For those 4 days we worked our way in and around some good sized herds. I called in my first bull ever(A nice 5x5), I talked cow and did almost everything right: scent control, not over calling, going slow and being patient all were being exercised.
It was challenging because we had 4 guys in our party and none of us has ever bowhunted. It safe to say that we were all pretty green. We all felt fortunate to even see one elk let alone the herds and bands of elk we chased for 4 days. At one point I had 12-16 elk(2 branch bulls) within 20-40 yards but in the end I just wasn't willing to chance a marginally acceptable shot, not that the idea didn't run through my head. The biggest problem was the density of the area. When I set-up in a spot where I had good shooting lanes they never crossed in them. When I was still hunting they never gave me an opening either. As much as I hated not filling my tag I'm even more grateful for being able to be as close to our quarry as we were able to get so consistently. If any of you experinced bowhunters have any advise I'm all ears. Next season I want to get it right.
Thanks,
ORsouthpaw
After talking with many bowhunters and hearing the stories I had find out what this was all about. At the end of the hunt I came home without my elk and nothing to put in the freezer except my tag but I have been pretty much in la-la land since my hunt.
The first couple of days of our hunt were spent trying to locate any elk. The last 4 days were the most amazing that I have ever experienced hunting. Not because we tagged out or made a great shots on a trophy bulls but because of how up close and personal we were able to get. For those 4 days we worked our way in and around some good sized herds. I called in my first bull ever(A nice 5x5), I talked cow and did almost everything right: scent control, not over calling, going slow and being patient all were being exercised.
It was challenging because we had 4 guys in our party and none of us has ever bowhunted. It safe to say that we were all pretty green. We all felt fortunate to even see one elk let alone the herds and bands of elk we chased for 4 days. At one point I had 12-16 elk(2 branch bulls) within 20-40 yards but in the end I just wasn't willing to chance a marginally acceptable shot, not that the idea didn't run through my head. The biggest problem was the density of the area. When I set-up in a spot where I had good shooting lanes they never crossed in them. When I was still hunting they never gave me an opening either. As much as I hated not filling my tag I'm even more grateful for being able to be as close to our quarry as we were able to get so consistently. If any of you experinced bowhunters have any advise I'm all ears. Next season I want to get it right.
Thanks,
ORsouthpaw
