NW Colorado Archery / Muzzleloader 2018 Report

[Slugz]

Well its that time of the year again. Finalizing packing lists. Last minute shopping and temps dropping. Like the past two years I'll try to give the kinda live end of day reports on how it's going with a comedic take on the trials and tribulations. This year in camp we got 5 x archery either sex elk tags, 2 either sex archery deer tags, 1 muzzle loader buck tag and a sprinkling of bear rifle tags.

If you haven't seen it, BRO dudes did a pretty good broadhead test the other day. I like the cardboard layer penetration test. Gives a nice visual as the arrow goes in.

Elk101 also did a " what's in my pack video" for all the first timers or an old timer, good to watch to keep your pack from growing over the years. I'll put some links below.

To all those traveling be safe. In the woods be kind and helpful to the other hunter you meet and if able, get a kid in the woods.

God bless.

It's a great day for elk camp.

 

[Slugz]

https://youtu.be/FKM-Ug9vT-A

 

[Slugz]

https://youtu.be/BAyUmB-iA00

 

[MountainHigh]

Good info on the broadhead video, thanks for posting.

 

[bowrunner]

I think shooting the rage and a muzzy trocar into the 1/8" aluminum would be neat to see. Im curious to see if the tip would bend on the rage.

 

[Winchester]

Good luck this year Slugz!!
Looks like you'll have quite a few tags in camp, I hope you tear 'em up

 

[Slugz]

That's what happens when I call one in to 10 yards broadside and you don't get it done. Your very own picture downtown Denver for the summer.

 

[Catahoula12]

Haha, that’s funny stuff Slugz!!

 

[Slugz]

It's a great day for elk camp.

 

[Slugz]

Well still in stage 2 fire restrictions. Looks like I'll have to break out the propane heater and set the wood stove to the side. Maybe before muzzle loader opening they will lift them.

 

[Bonecollector]

Good luck to everyone in camp Slugz. Looking forward to hearing the stories and looking at the pictures!!

 

[Winchester]

Good luck!! There was a little chill in the air this morning, maybe that's a good sign for you

 

[Slugz]

Camp is set. No one else here at the trailhead. Went high and glassed up over 50 elk. 1 solid 6 x 6. The rest were 4x4 and small fives. Will finish with some camp chores and glass at first light in the am. Still pretty dry up here.

 

[Winchester]

Sounds like you're seeing some nice elk. Very cool!!

 

[ElkTrout]

Very cool! Good luck Slugz!


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[Slugz]

Evening day one from the field report. Alot greener than I would think in spots. Checked two trail cams this afternoon. Had a bear spin one cam around a tree. Fair amount of elk. No monsters but some respectable 5x5s and 2 sold 6x6. Deer cam had 3 good deer. For me that's main frame 4 typical, wider than the ears and good spread between points. I just spent the afternoon on some north facing cool timber. They were there, just not when I was. Sitting a small park now above a slide like travel corridor before I make the hike back to camp in the dark. With this moon they came out at the last visible light last night and went in this am very very quick. Still all good as we are seeing and smelling elk.

 

[Team Kabob]

In for the hunt! Good luck Slugz


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[Slugz]

Ugh......day 2 ends with one bugle in the am. He comes into a set up real quick silent. Circles the shooter downwind at 38 yards only to catch the wind and bust out.
We glass up over 35 and decide to put them to bed and go after them in the pm. 3.2 mile hike to get set up for the nap and wait em out game plan. Everything works as we sneak to the edge of the herd and get 3 cows at 45 yards. My buddy shoots calm broadside and the shot sends her crashing downhill. Arrow pass through but it's pink and thin. Not feeling good about the shot. We track hoof prints for 30 min and find her in the bottom of a creek standing up. Big gash on the entry side, little trickle of blood thought. She stands there for 45 minutes and we evaluate it's a high no man's land shot that may have clipped a lung. We all agree to get another arrow in her. I stay high to keep eyes on her. The other two put a sneak on only to get winded and see walks off never to be found. Long hike back and arrive at camp after dark. Bummer to say the least.
Only heard one bugle in the am yesterday.

Hydrate, eat, sleep, eat, hydrate and do it again in the am!

 

[Slugz]

Day 3. Glassed up a small bachelor herd and made a play go get in front of them but came up short and just watched them walk away. Another bull came into the call very quick today. Half heartedly bugleing was the soup of the day as all bulls seemed to be making noise for the sake of it vice for a purpose.

 

[Slugz]

Day 4. Oh boy.....down the trail at 530 and after the 1.5 mile hike we find em again in the same slide. This time though about 80 of em. So we beat feet around them and circle in from below so they feed to us......low and behold they move to one slide over. Dang lead cow. We put the sneak on them only to have to spikes come over to say hi and they wouldn't leave. Once they move on something spooks the herd and about 60 of them bolt. One big 6x6 and 10 cows stick around and he herds them cows up and keeps them out in the open. For some reason the cows just up and leave him and go the other way. I mew once and he barks at me. I follow it up with a challenge bugle that he immediately responds to. I step back and him and start to rake the trees. Just not enough cover to get it done though. I was by myself and he knew right where the sounds were coming from. He stops at 60 yards and surveys everything then takes off. Rest of the day is spent looking for a bull that my buddy shot. Really good red blood....tracked him for a mile then it's like someone turned off a switch and no blood. Real bummer. Will go look again for him in the morning with fresh eyes. Got a little colder last night so that got the bulging going this am till about 1000.....picked up again at 1500 as we heard them while looking for my buddy's animal. Wash rinse repeat and after em in the am.