Elkhunter1

It gets harder and harder every year to get him to put in for the tag. I think I will try to get him to put in for Bull Elk next year. At least up there the terrain isn't as rough. Thanks to all for your kind words and the opportunity post my memories.

As the clock wound down to B-day, "BOW Day," I found myself getting antsier and antsier to get out in the field with bow in hand. Every week I was out scouting and checking my trail cams, (see posts in trail cam pics). I was seeing nice bucks and a lot of them but I knew there was bigger bucks in the area. One week before the hunt I checked my cams one last time and got this shot, my jaw dropped as I reviewed the pics. The alarm goes off and I jump out of bed, rush to get ready and out in the field. I spent all day glassing and hiking only to find most of the "nice" bucks I had already found. As the sun started to set on my last glassing session before the start of the archery season my mouth not only dropped but it bounced, twice! I found the biggest Coues I had ever laid eyes on and he was in a good canyon that I hadn't seen many hunters in. I watched him bed down as the light of the day faded in to the night. That night was the most restless night since the opener of my bull Elk hunt back in 95. I looked at my clock at least two dozen times before I just got up and got on CWT.com. Two hours later I was pulling up to my spot and found another truck already there. After parking a little farther down the road I went back to talk to the other hunters. After talking to them I realized they were after a different buck on the other side of the canyon, satisfied that neither party would interfere with the other I returned to my truck, unloaded my gear and started the short hike to my first glassing spot. A short 10 minutes into glassing light I found the big boy with a small buck just 300 yards from where he bedded the night before. 20 minutes later I found myself sitting there with no buck in sight as he dropped down into the bottom where I couldn't see. During the rest of the morning as I moved from one spot to another I spotted 15 other bucks, none worthy of my arrow as I focused on the giant. After making it 3/4 the way up the canyon I stopped to glass. Glassing for over 45 minutes I finally located the little buck that accompanied "Big Boy." He was standing under a Mesquite tree all the way back at the entrance to the canyon, five minutes later I found the buck dreams are made of bedded under a tree. I formulated a tactical plan to get me next to a bush about fifty yards from Big Boy, it was 10:39 AM. My plan was to circle around to the left and drop into a ravine that would take me right to the bush I wanted to get next to. I finally made it to the bottom of the ravine and I find my self standing less than 80 yards from a feeding doe. I knelt down and waited about 20 minutes. When I stood up she was gone. I took four steps and she walked around the bend in the ravine and bedded under a bush 15 yards right in front of me, again I waited. After 10 minutes of this I started to toss pebbles at her in an effort to get her to walk off. I finally hit her in the head before she jumped up and trotted off up the canyon. Ten more yards and I stepped on the fawn that was with her. Finally I was at the big oak tree where the plan was to drop my pack and sneak in the final 100 yards. 15 minutes later I was in sight of my target spot with good wind and plenty of time to get the final 40 yards done. I knew once I got to that bush there was no going forward as the cover was no more, that spot was it and I had to make the shot count. As I reached the bush I could not see the buck, was he gone, did I spook him, or did he just move? The shall buck was still standing under the tree I found him under. I raised my binos up to look , was he still there? As I looked he raised his head, YES he was still there, now the waiting game started. As I waited I nervously ranged the bush in front and the tree behind him several times, he was at 55 yards. 12 minutes later I drew my bow as he stood up, he was slightly quartering towards my as I let the arrow flyit was 1:42 PM. The report and reaction of Big Boy told me the arrow found its mark. I heard him crash seconds later. It was the most painful 20 minutes of waiting before I could start the tracking. I found my arrow right under the tree he was under, it had blood on only four inches of it with no indication there was a lung hit or any other vital organ. With no blood trail to fallow, I tried to fallow his tracks. I was able to track him about 100 yards with absolutely NO BLOOD. I spent the rest of the day and the next looking for Big Boy with no success. I tried to get another shot at one of the other bucks without any luck. Every time I put a stalk on the smallest buck in the group would pick me off and the stalk was over. On the last day I could hunt I was in the same position as day one. I was in the back of the canyon and the bucks were in the front. After dropping my pack under the same Oak tree I started the final stalk, 20 yards into the final 100 yards it started to rain. I used it to my advantage to get about 30 yards from the small bush the two bucks were under. My eye glasses started to fog up when they bolted out from under it, in a flash they were gone and I was soaked. I hope August treated yo as well as it did me. I had several stalks with two very close calls and the one disappointing, heart breaking, and totally gut wrenching afternoon. I can't waite till December to do it all over again.

thanks for the kind words everybody always do have a blast out there. you know the old saying the worst day hunting is better than the best day at work. you can't get bucks like that if your boots aren't on the ground. I hope you all have much fun hunting as I do.

That would be great but that unit is closed in Dec. Have to head to another unit. They will waite until Jan.

Brad will be taken at least the first weekend off maybe we can get together then.

Thanks guys! I think the skull plate is cracked, we'll have to waite until he butchers the buckin about two weeks. The only thing wrong with this hunt is, it was just too short!

Bradley just got on the site. getting the write-up done as I write this.

I will be working on my buddies hunt from start to finnish, range time included.

I am not hunting, but I am guiding one of my buddies this weekend. Going out to make sure the rifle is good, then going for one last look before tomorrow.

That is idiotic. And we are all now a little dumber for reading it. You are obviously NOT a dog person. My wife and I have been "chosen" by several dogs that were in desperate situations and they all gave us a some of our happiest years by just being loyal loving companions. Firstcoueswas80 is spot on with this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you have the best birthday possible, looks like you have a good start huntin Moose.

I am guiding a buddy for his first deer hunt in Arizona. He has hunted back in New England states. I 've got a spot picked out for him. Hopefully he can make the 3 to 400 yrd shot he will see.

Great job Eric well done.

While "hunting" a minor can only carry a sidearm when accompanied by an adult! The key is while "hunting" I would call G&F to get their input on the subject.

Somebody please remind me of why he got elected, what policies he stated he was going to do? Did he do any of those? Did I miss this? DO I NEED TO MOVE TO CANADA?

OMG, you pulled me right into your trap, just like your cracked corn did that bear. YOU ARE the definition if integrity, I know the temptations one faces out there, you look over your shoulder and wonder "is anybody watching?" Lots of hunters would say "no," and shoot. NOT you and I hope NOT me if I am put in that situation. I can truly say if I find myself in that situation, I honestly know I will think of you and just how disappointed you and my father would be if I took the shot. THANK YOU TJ for putting this story out for all to learn from. Stephen

I could just see Omama riding a missle just like Slim Pickins did in that movie back in the 70's. Damb that would be a sight!!!!!!!!!!

NO. It would be 20 counts of misdemeanor petty theft. I just read this posting, here is my 1.5 cents worth. If you have 20 victims, you have 20 counts. Each count would depend on the total amount taken from each victim. Some counts could amount to class 1 misdemeanors or class 6 to 2 felonies. Class 1 mis. = less than $250, $250 to $1000 is a class 6F, $1000 to $2000 is a 5F, $2000 to $3000 is a 4F, $3000 to $25000 is a 3F and more than $25000 is class 2F These stats are taken from my Title 13 Criminal Codes book.

My dad and sister-in-law put in for the first Coues tag in 34A and got drawn for their second choice. The sticky point is there was leftover tags for the first hunt in that unit, HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?????? I understand you frustration!

I also take my birds home to clean them but I pick up empties as well. My dad and I reload all calibers we hunt or shoot with, so their left-overs becomes my shells for next year. Good job to all who clean-up after the @$$holes of the world.

I was laughing and having a good time just reading this, I am sure Lexie will be hunting in no time. Great story Tj.

I don't have a problem to a point with that Lance. But is the forest circus going to provide a means to help my uncle get game out of the field when he can't walk with a pack from war injuries but he still enjoys a good hunt. How is he to get game out of the field? Doesn't sound like he needs to drive off road, just needs some good friends and family to help pack it out. There should be exceptions to every rule. especially for those who served and was injured as a result of that selfless service...... PERIOD!!!

I thought flying rats was pigeons not Doves.

spotted this green Nissan headed south and I 19 looks like he's going to do some hunting.

As you know by my previous post about my pups, (that all stayed) I now have seven in my home. I would love to take them but seven is more than we can handle as five are pups with one being rescued from a major intersection by my wife about 8 weeks ago. Wish you guys luck in finding a good home.