Idaho 2005 Archery Elk
IDHunter
1/25/07 4:42pm
I'm new to this website and thought I would introduce myself by sharing my 2005 elk hunt story and pictures. I'm sorry its a little long, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. I'll see what I can do about sharing a few others in the near future.
In 2005 my wife, my daughter and I moved from Utah to Idaho to be closer to her family. Because I would still be a resident of Utah when the hunts rolled around I made plans to hunt elk and deer in the usual areas I go to each year. I have only been hunting with a bow for a few years but it didn’t take me long to realize how exciting elk hunting can be in September. Through the summer my friend and I planned a backpacking trip where we could get away from other hunters for several days. The time couldn’t come fast enough.
In mid August my plans suddenly changed when I received a call that my grandpa had been rushed to the hospital and was put on life support. Not knowing how much time he had left I made the drive each weekend to spend as much time as I could with him. My grandpa wasn’t a hunter because he suffered from polio when he was a child and its effects made it impossible for him to hike around the mountains. However, he has always been excited about my hunting adventures and I looked forward every year to sharing them with him. It was very difficult for me to see him struggle the way that he was. These visits lasted several weeks until he passed away the first of September. His funeral was scheduled for the Saturday in the middle of my planned hunt, which was now the farthest thing from my mind. The elk would just have to wait until next year.
Once we were back home my wife mentioned that I should buy a nonresident tag and at least enjoy a weekend in the mountains. I had no idea where to even begin and the hunt was already half over. I made several phone calls to people I knew and finally came up with an area. Several days later I was on my way to an area I was very unfamiliar with. The only advantage I had is that I was willing to cover as much ground as necessary.
By the end of the first day I was able to locate the elk. The next day I had called in several bulls to within 20 yards but because of the thick cover I couldn’t close the deal. I knew that if I kept at it I would eventually get the opportunity I was looking for.
On the third evening I decided to slowly work along a ridge calling every few minutes until I found the elk again. The weather was starting to become a major factor. The wind was gusting so hard that I could hardly hear myself bugle let alone any elk. Every couple of minutes the wind would die just enough that I could do a little listening. Suddenly I could hear what I was looking for. There were several bulls directly off the ridge below me. As quickly as I could, I bailed into the brush and headed their way. It wasn’t long before the wind was ripping through the trees again and I couldn’t hear a thing. Because I didn’t want to walk right into the herd and bump them off the mountain, I had no choice but to sit down and wait again. Several minutes passed and the wind suddenly quit. Everything became absolutely calm. I grabbed my cow call and let out one soft mew. Instantly the silence was broken when two bulls screamed at me less than 50 yards away. My heart started to race when I could hear them working my way. I glanced around to look for a shooting lane and realized that the clearing I was sitting in was only 15 yards wide with a thick wall of brush on every side. I turned and ran to the top of the clearing where I tucked myself up under a tree. I could now see some brush moving just 20 yards away but still couldn’t see the bull. I quickly knocked an arrow and drew back seconds before the bull materialized from the brush walking straight at me. It took everything I had to calm my nerves that were now twirling frantically. The bull took two more steps and then turned broadside. I focused on a little spot behind his shoulder and let the arrow fly. As quickly as I released the arrow it disappeared right where I was aiming.
As I sat there with my elk, I soaked up the moment and everything that had transpired over the past few weeks. I realized that this would be my first hunt that I couldn’t relay to my grandpa. The emotions became overwhelming when I realized that I wouldn’t have to tell him the story, because he had already been with me through the whole experience. Thanks for everything Grandpa.
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Paul
In 2005 my wife, my daughter and I moved from Utah to Idaho to be closer to her family. Because I would still be a resident of Utah when the hunts rolled around I made plans to hunt elk and deer in the usual areas I go to each year. I have only been hunting with a bow for a few years but it didn’t take me long to realize how exciting elk hunting can be in September. Through the summer my friend and I planned a backpacking trip where we could get away from other hunters for several days. The time couldn’t come fast enough.
In mid August my plans suddenly changed when I received a call that my grandpa had been rushed to the hospital and was put on life support. Not knowing how much time he had left I made the drive each weekend to spend as much time as I could with him. My grandpa wasn’t a hunter because he suffered from polio when he was a child and its effects made it impossible for him to hike around the mountains. However, he has always been excited about my hunting adventures and I looked forward every year to sharing them with him. It was very difficult for me to see him struggle the way that he was. These visits lasted several weeks until he passed away the first of September. His funeral was scheduled for the Saturday in the middle of my planned hunt, which was now the farthest thing from my mind. The elk would just have to wait until next year.
Once we were back home my wife mentioned that I should buy a nonresident tag and at least enjoy a weekend in the mountains. I had no idea where to even begin and the hunt was already half over. I made several phone calls to people I knew and finally came up with an area. Several days later I was on my way to an area I was very unfamiliar with. The only advantage I had is that I was willing to cover as much ground as necessary.
By the end of the first day I was able to locate the elk. The next day I had called in several bulls to within 20 yards but because of the thick cover I couldn’t close the deal. I knew that if I kept at it I would eventually get the opportunity I was looking for.
On the third evening I decided to slowly work along a ridge calling every few minutes until I found the elk again. The weather was starting to become a major factor. The wind was gusting so hard that I could hardly hear myself bugle let alone any elk. Every couple of minutes the wind would die just enough that I could do a little listening. Suddenly I could hear what I was looking for. There were several bulls directly off the ridge below me. As quickly as I could, I bailed into the brush and headed their way. It wasn’t long before the wind was ripping through the trees again and I couldn’t hear a thing. Because I didn’t want to walk right into the herd and bump them off the mountain, I had no choice but to sit down and wait again. Several minutes passed and the wind suddenly quit. Everything became absolutely calm. I grabbed my cow call and let out one soft mew. Instantly the silence was broken when two bulls screamed at me less than 50 yards away. My heart started to race when I could hear them working my way. I glanced around to look for a shooting lane and realized that the clearing I was sitting in was only 15 yards wide with a thick wall of brush on every side. I turned and ran to the top of the clearing where I tucked myself up under a tree. I could now see some brush moving just 20 yards away but still couldn’t see the bull. I quickly knocked an arrow and drew back seconds before the bull materialized from the brush walking straight at me. It took everything I had to calm my nerves that were now twirling frantically. The bull took two more steps and then turned broadside. I focused on a little spot behind his shoulder and let the arrow fly. As quickly as I released the arrow it disappeared right where I was aiming.
As I sat there with my elk, I soaked up the moment and everything that had transpired over the past few weeks. I realized that this would be my first hunt that I couldn’t relay to my grandpa. The emotions became overwhelming when I realized that I wouldn’t have to tell him the story, because he had already been with me through the whole experience. Thanks for everything Grandpa.
Paul
11,438
You're obviously a great guy with your priorities in the right place...and have a supportive wife also.
Thanks for sharing and ::wel to MuleyMadness!
Welcome to MuleyMadness and I look forward to your future posts.
Welcome to Muleymadness and as AGCHAWK said..."I look forward to your future posts".
Eight years of college and over $100,000, and I can finally read and write on a seventh grade level. :))
You of all people should know the more stories I share the bigger chance I have of getting strung up by the masses. I might have to tread softly, but I'll share a few more.
However, before I can do anything else I have to finish these two 20 page papers that are due next week. :>/
Thanks for all of the nice comments. One of these days I'll sit down and post a few more stories from the last few years. I'm hoping that in three weeks I can tell you one about my first bear. However, The way the last few years have gone I wouldn't recommend that you hold your breath.