2nd Elk hunt, another learning experience. Went solo for 15 days up around 9,000ft in Idaho, south of Driggs for archery, 1-15 Sep. Any elk tag.
Day 2 got pics of this monster at a wallow I was targeting. Sat close over wallow for 4 days and only saw moose.
Day 3, tent was attacked by something. Whatever it was, broke a pole and pulled two guy lines down…No food in tent…no rips to the tent. Riggers tape from med kit, wrapped around a tent stake fixed the pole. My guess a deer, elk or moose hooked a guy wire and freaked out. Lesson Learned, riggers tape is a miracle tool.
Day 6 and 9, had cows at 25 and 30 yds but passed, hoping for a bull. Lesson Learned, cow meat in the freezer is better than eating a tag…
Day 7, the only day I heard any elk bugling in 15 days (1-15 Sept). Lesson Learned, the bulls there don’t bugle but soft cow calls will bring them in silent. It was a weekend so the bugles could have been other hunters.
Day 10, sitting 100yds from wallow on two approach trails in thick stuff, heard 2 bulls, 50yds away crashing horns. Saw a nice 5x5 run from the fight. Lesson learned, keep your cow call in your mouth or pocket. Had it in my pack and couldn’t get to it fast enough.
Day 13, the big 6x7 above, came in silent and fast on cow calls. Stopped at 30yds behind some trees with only antlers and nose showing. That nose got me and he bolted. Lesson Learned, archery elk is hard to put it all together.
Next year will be my 3rd try at archery elk. Maybe 3rd time is a charm.
.
Day 2 got pics of this monster at a wallow I was targeting. Sat close over wallow for 4 days and only saw moose.
Day 3, tent was attacked by something. Whatever it was, broke a pole and pulled two guy lines down…No food in tent…no rips to the tent. Riggers tape from med kit, wrapped around a tent stake fixed the pole. My guess a deer, elk or moose hooked a guy wire and freaked out. Lesson Learned, riggers tape is a miracle tool.
Day 6 and 9, had cows at 25 and 30 yds but passed, hoping for a bull. Lesson Learned, cow meat in the freezer is better than eating a tag…
Day 7, the only day I heard any elk bugling in 15 days (1-15 Sept). Lesson Learned, the bulls there don’t bugle but soft cow calls will bring them in silent. It was a weekend so the bugles could have been other hunters.
Day 10, sitting 100yds from wallow on two approach trails in thick stuff, heard 2 bulls, 50yds away crashing horns. Saw a nice 5x5 run from the fight. Lesson learned, keep your cow call in your mouth or pocket. Had it in my pack and couldn’t get to it fast enough.
Day 13, the big 6x7 above, came in silent and fast on cow calls. Stopped at 30yds behind some trees with only antlers and nose showing. That nose got me and he bolted. Lesson Learned, archery elk is hard to put it all together.
Next year will be my 3rd try at archery elk. Maybe 3rd time is a charm.
.
Last edited by a moderator:
