As the title mentioned this was quite the journey in the making and all started when I moved back to Laramie in May of 17. So last year I had to wait my year. Fast forward to Oct and I am extremely excited to finally get our and hunt elk. A huge front came in for the opener and dropped temps down to near zero in Laramie so I decided to hold off. I really can't get away for days at a time but I can leave for a half day sometimes with some planning so I primarily do afternoon hunts. I waited until Wednesday and headed for the mountains. After about 3 hours of walking I was on a herd of around 40 elk with a nice 6x6. I waited until things were clear and took a shot. Elk started moving and I really could not see exactly what happened after the shot. I sat there watching them closely trying to find my elk. Unsure if I had hit him I was not comfortable doing any more shooting so after watching for a while I stood up and walked over eventually spooking them. Upon arrival I found no elk, and no blood. I sat and watched the herd on the other side of the drainage for about 30 minutes until they finally worked over the hill. I then followed their trail to where they had sat to make sure there was no blood. Nothing. By this time It's late and I have a long and frustrating walk back cussing myself for messing up a perfect opportunity for my first elk.
Friday I am back out covering the same ground. Unfortunately no elk this time and not much sign other than the tracks from my encounter earlier in the week.
Fast forward to last Wednesday and I am back out for my third afternoon of hunting. This time I decide to try a new drainage and immediately find sign. But strangely it's not a herd but just a few tracks and droppings scattered. Makes me think there it a bull or two in the drainage. I walked around glassing all afternoon and evening and saw no elk. Decided to try a different way down on my way back to the truck. About halfway down and I am bumping deer right and left. I catch move movement and bring my binos up expecting to see deer, no this is an elk with antlers. I have no time as I drop to my knees and use my hand to hold my rifle against a tree. I find the only opening in the direction he is headed in the scope and on cue he steps through, boom. This all happened in about 3 seconds. I sat there listening for noise and taking in the moment as I know the shot felt good and was only 70 yards I found out after this happened. After hearing no noise I walk up to the spot and see tracks, follow them a few feet and I can see an elk!
Got it prepped that night and hauled the rest out in the morning with my daughter who picked the wrong day to be out of school, lol It was truly a special experience I will never forget. Got it cleaned up and hung today.
From completely screwing up my first opportunity to making the most of a very quick opportunity it was a great hunt. I can't wait to do it all over again next year.
Friday I am back out covering the same ground. Unfortunately no elk this time and not much sign other than the tracks from my encounter earlier in the week.
Fast forward to last Wednesday and I am back out for my third afternoon of hunting. This time I decide to try a new drainage and immediately find sign. But strangely it's not a herd but just a few tracks and droppings scattered. Makes me think there it a bull or two in the drainage. I walked around glassing all afternoon and evening and saw no elk. Decided to try a different way down on my way back to the truck. About halfway down and I am bumping deer right and left. I catch move movement and bring my binos up expecting to see deer, no this is an elk with antlers. I have no time as I drop to my knees and use my hand to hold my rifle against a tree. I find the only opening in the direction he is headed in the scope and on cue he steps through, boom. This all happened in about 3 seconds. I sat there listening for noise and taking in the moment as I know the shot felt good and was only 70 yards I found out after this happened. After hearing no noise I walk up to the spot and see tracks, follow them a few feet and I can see an elk!
Got it prepped that night and hauled the rest out in the morning with my daughter who picked the wrong day to be out of school, lol It was truly a special experience I will never forget. Got it cleaned up and hung today.
From completely screwing up my first opportunity to making the most of a very quick opportunity it was a great hunt. I can't wait to do it all over again next year.
