Well can't believe I'm able to write this but as I posted before I tagged my first buck just over 2 weeks ago out here in Idaho on public land in a part of the unit I had never been to. Well 2 weeks later I was able to punch my tag for my cow elk hunt I drew in the same unit on a small chunk of state land.
I've hunted this area before but never had any luck. The elk move down from private and cross into this chunk of state land that is less than 100 acres and cross down into more private land down below to feed in the evening and cross back up in the morning so you have to catch them coming from or going to. I've had multiple sits out here over the last couple years but lots of other factors changed their habits.
Yesterday morning I headed out with my wifes uncle's best friend and his son who was trying to fill a bull tag. We got to a spot we call "The Knoll" and they left me there and carried on into a neighboring piece of private land he has access to. I got to the top of the knoll and positioned myself against and tree and waited 30 min for shooting light. 40 min had passed after shooting light and all was quiet then I look down to my right and see a cow elk feeding along working her way up. She was about 80yds or so down below. I have narrow windows because she is near a thick patch of timber. I put the scope on her and I send one between 2 trees and hit the back side of her shoulder. She takes a few steps and stands there. Im wondering if I did in fact hit her. I load another round and send another one but just as I do she spins around to start to take off and it hits her on her rear quarter. I see another cow taking off with her and they as they pass the thick patch of timber I see one just standing there but I wasn't 100% sure that was the one i shot so just watched it for a bit then I see her front shoulder buckle and she goes down. I give her some time but as I walk up closer to her she stands up but her front shoulder is preventing her from taking off. At this point in 20ft from her but I want to end her suffering so I load one more and take her heart and lung out with the final shot. These animals are damn tough. I call my wife to let her know then her uncle to come help with the recovery. We gut then drag her out with his ATV and winch it onto his trailer and take it back to his garage to skin and quater for tge processor.
Truly blessed to be able to tag out for the first time with my first deer and elk. Im going to need a bigger freezer!
I've hunted this area before but never had any luck. The elk move down from private and cross into this chunk of state land that is less than 100 acres and cross down into more private land down below to feed in the evening and cross back up in the morning so you have to catch them coming from or going to. I've had multiple sits out here over the last couple years but lots of other factors changed their habits.
Yesterday morning I headed out with my wifes uncle's best friend and his son who was trying to fill a bull tag. We got to a spot we call "The Knoll" and they left me there and carried on into a neighboring piece of private land he has access to. I got to the top of the knoll and positioned myself against and tree and waited 30 min for shooting light. 40 min had passed after shooting light and all was quiet then I look down to my right and see a cow elk feeding along working her way up. She was about 80yds or so down below. I have narrow windows because she is near a thick patch of timber. I put the scope on her and I send one between 2 trees and hit the back side of her shoulder. She takes a few steps and stands there. Im wondering if I did in fact hit her. I load another round and send another one but just as I do she spins around to start to take off and it hits her on her rear quarter. I see another cow taking off with her and they as they pass the thick patch of timber I see one just standing there but I wasn't 100% sure that was the one i shot so just watched it for a bit then I see her front shoulder buckle and she goes down. I give her some time but as I walk up closer to her she stands up but her front shoulder is preventing her from taking off. At this point in 20ft from her but I want to end her suffering so I load one more and take her heart and lung out with the final shot. These animals are damn tough. I call my wife to let her know then her uncle to come help with the recovery. We gut then drag her out with his ATV and winch it onto his trailer and take it back to his garage to skin and quater for tge processor.
Truly blessed to be able to tag out for the first time with my first deer and elk. Im going to need a bigger freezer!
