Timberstalker
Veteran member
I first started hunting elk in this area in 1990 even then seeing elk here was a rare occasion. It wasn't because there are no elk, just few and far between. Fast forward 19 years 2009, I decided that it was time to go all in. I know there are elk here I'm just not doing something right. I went to an elk calling seminar, I scouted, and for the first time ever I took time off work to hunt the spot that no one in their right mind would take time off work for. I hunted for 6 days and called in 7 different bulls, only problem was, the one I got a shot at I never found. He quit bleeding and I lost the trail, he was a nice 5x5. I was crushed, I actually thought I should quit bow hunting and just leave well enough alone.
I took a couple years away from this area and went elsewhere. I had some success but this spot kept haunting me, I know there are some nice bulls here, I have to try again. In 2012 I tried the rifle season, I hunted hard for 6 days straight and never saw an elk. Man, why do I hunt here?
This year I thought I will give it one more chance, I placed a trail cam on a water hole I know of in July. My first ever trail cam set up, 4.35 miles one way to the cam. I checked it once in August and had a few elk, one small 4 point bull and the rest cows. Here in Oregon the bow season starts late August so I dint bother to check the cam again till the opener, nothing but cows.
I hunted the first 2 weekends and saw a few cows and nothing was talking, not unusual. I decided to not hunt again till later in the season, so on 9/25 I decided to take the day off work and give it one last shot.
The morning started early, I was creeping up the hill well before daylight. I don't typically start hunting till I'm an hour in the woods. I sent out a few bugles on my way in as soon as the sun started to rise, it was very quiet. Once I arrived to where I really wanted to be I sent out another bugle, a reply! I waited about 10 min to see if he would bugle again before I sounded out, he was silent so I sent out another. Instant reply, he hasn't moved. I dropped down a little to get at his level, the wind was steady breeze down hill. I then decided to close the gap about 200 yards. Once I reached my desired distance I thought I would try an estrus cow call, the received a great response from the cows, not really what I was expecting. The bull didn't respond to the cow calling so I went back to the Bugle, instant reply. Only now the bugle was followed by a very aggressive chuckle. I instantly gave him back a chuckle and waited. It must have been about 5 to 7 minuted when I heard him coming. Where I was shooting lanes are narrow and if clear the shot is close, often I never get the shot.
I fully expected the bull to hang up before entering a shooting lane, he didn't, he just kept coming. I went to full draw as soon as I saw him, about 40 yards out. He decided to turn to my left, this was good, my left shooting lane was going to be a -25 yard shot. As soon as he stepped into my sights I let the arrow go. He ran about 30 yards, startled by the shot then stopped, I thought how did I miss? I knocked another arrow and drew back as he stood there bewildered, I didn't have a shot, his vitals were covered. He finally had enough and away he went into the thick timber.
After a few minutes I decided to search for my arrow, it was nowhere to be found. Realizing the arrow was history I decided to go look for blood where he was standing. BLOOD! I didn't miss! Knowing it was likely a good shot I started to ease my way toward where he busted. Looking out ahead of me I saw an antler sticking up, he only went about 70 yards. He's down!
As I approached him I was overwhelmed with gratification. I have tried for so many years here and have come so close, finally the stars lined up for me. He isn't the biggest bull I've ever taken, but he is my #1
I wasn't carrying a camera so the selfie will have to do. I know this isn't a contest winning story but one I wanted to share with you all.
Packing bull meat!
I had all but given up hunting here, I'm so glad I gave it that one last try.
I took a couple years away from this area and went elsewhere. I had some success but this spot kept haunting me, I know there are some nice bulls here, I have to try again. In 2012 I tried the rifle season, I hunted hard for 6 days straight and never saw an elk. Man, why do I hunt here?
This year I thought I will give it one more chance, I placed a trail cam on a water hole I know of in July. My first ever trail cam set up, 4.35 miles one way to the cam. I checked it once in August and had a few elk, one small 4 point bull and the rest cows. Here in Oregon the bow season starts late August so I dint bother to check the cam again till the opener, nothing but cows.
I hunted the first 2 weekends and saw a few cows and nothing was talking, not unusual. I decided to not hunt again till later in the season, so on 9/25 I decided to take the day off work and give it one last shot.
The morning started early, I was creeping up the hill well before daylight. I don't typically start hunting till I'm an hour in the woods. I sent out a few bugles on my way in as soon as the sun started to rise, it was very quiet. Once I arrived to where I really wanted to be I sent out another bugle, a reply! I waited about 10 min to see if he would bugle again before I sounded out, he was silent so I sent out another. Instant reply, he hasn't moved. I dropped down a little to get at his level, the wind was steady breeze down hill. I then decided to close the gap about 200 yards. Once I reached my desired distance I thought I would try an estrus cow call, the received a great response from the cows, not really what I was expecting. The bull didn't respond to the cow calling so I went back to the Bugle, instant reply. Only now the bugle was followed by a very aggressive chuckle. I instantly gave him back a chuckle and waited. It must have been about 5 to 7 minuted when I heard him coming. Where I was shooting lanes are narrow and if clear the shot is close, often I never get the shot.
I fully expected the bull to hang up before entering a shooting lane, he didn't, he just kept coming. I went to full draw as soon as I saw him, about 40 yards out. He decided to turn to my left, this was good, my left shooting lane was going to be a -25 yard shot. As soon as he stepped into my sights I let the arrow go. He ran about 30 yards, startled by the shot then stopped, I thought how did I miss? I knocked another arrow and drew back as he stood there bewildered, I didn't have a shot, his vitals were covered. He finally had enough and away he went into the thick timber.
After a few minutes I decided to search for my arrow, it was nowhere to be found. Realizing the arrow was history I decided to go look for blood where he was standing. BLOOD! I didn't miss! Knowing it was likely a good shot I started to ease my way toward where he busted. Looking out ahead of me I saw an antler sticking up, he only went about 70 yards. He's down!
As I approached him I was overwhelmed with gratification. I have tried for so many years here and have come so close, finally the stars lined up for me. He isn't the biggest bull I've ever taken, but he is my #1
I wasn't carrying a camera so the selfie will have to do. I know this isn't a contest winning story but one I wanted to share with you all.
Packing bull meat!
I had all but given up hunting here, I'm so glad I gave it that one last try.
