4Falls

On my last couple of hunts Ive been using my phone with google maps. But obviously a tablet would be the ticket.

He scores exactly... AWESOME and 5/8"

I was hunting solo as usual. Due to work and family obligations I had no time to scout. My plan A and B spots were occupied. Opening morning found me still hunting around randomly. I checked a tank I had been to years ago and found it to have alot of sign. I sat there Friday night and again Saturday morning. Something just told me that this wasnt the place to be so I drug up and blasted out to some country Ive always wanted to hunt. After hiking in to multiple locations and finding nothing but old sign I returned to the four-wheeler a bit discouraged. I started looking over my maps and a certain spot kept attracting my eye. Its kind of an old burn with a large tank. I looked at my phone it was 2:30, if I could make it there in 30 minutes I could hunt there tonite. I arrived at the location got set up and was in the blind by 3:05. Promptly at 3:10 a herd of cattle showed up. After they stared at the blind for a while they all took drinks and to my surprise moved on. The wind was blowing pretty good and I was doubtful my hasty blind set-up was going to last. Due to the wind I wasnt able to hear the herd approach, they just magically appeared. A spike was first to the water, and though I had not set my goals real high for this hunt I waited a bit to see if maybe there was a raghorn in the group. After 8 more cows and calves and one more spike all came into view I made the decision to shoot the first spike. He was at 50 yards and presenting a perfect shot. I drew back, settled the sight and let the arrow do the rest. I heard the arrow hit him, then hit the dirt. He bounced out another 20 yards and all the other elk gathered around him. His head went down he coughed up blood and I knew he was done. His butt hit the ground then the rest of him followed. The other elk just looked at him then went back to their normal routine. I looked at my phone it was 4:10. As I approached him the other elk jogged away. The arrow had hit right where I had hoped just back of his shoulder and had passed completely through exiting through the back part of his off shoulder blade. I texted my wife and a couple buddies, took some pictures and got to work. I got all the meat back to camp and hung and decided then to have a cocktail and go back for the rest of my gear in the morning. It was a short but sweet hunt and I couldn't be happier. The family and I enjoyed his delicious tenderloins last night. Just to add, as I was quartering him up his herd came back to the tank twice. Also another two herds followed later. Bulls were even bugling just out of sight and a fox came by to see what I was up to.

sweet.

Nice bucks, happy kids and a proud dad. What more could you want.

See? You need a clicker counter. Well done.

Saturday evening unit 8.

Eating some breakfast in Ashfork and drooling on those pics.

8

Just about got everything loaded. Enjoying a cup of coffee and cruising CWT.com. Will drop the kids at school and be on my way.

Dang 10 bulls! You should be done early. Have a good one gents.

Just wondering if anyone here has heard of these? Website has them based out of Montana.

Thanks. I really need a good laugh this morning.

So can I purchase some eastern whitetails from a game ranch and turn them out on my lease and then conduct hunts? There has to be some sort of legal issue here.

I tend to pick a random area and just stumble around aimlessly till I bump into some elk. The elk then promptly leave the unit I'm hunting. My other tried and true method is to sit a pre determined water hole that is only being used by cattle, mule deer does or turkeys. You will need to sit all day and think only of how the elk are swimming around in that other tank you scouted. You know the one with NO sign on it at all. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but obviously I'm not very good at these late season archery hunts.

I think someones found a cool loophole here. Buy some bison, graze them on public or state trust land lease, have hunters come out and "manage" your herd for a fee. I would bet you could charge way more for a free range bison tag than an elk tag.

Great story!!

Cool bull. Looks like you have a great spot in what can be a very tough hunt. Good work.

If I buy both.... nothing. Maybe I'll save my money.

Go every chance you get.

I have a late archery elk hunt coming up next week. I have a feeling I should buy a bear tag. Just checked the info line and my unit is still open.

The nocam looks interestin

+1 on what bonecollector said.

Good Job!!! That thing is a stud. Congrats to the young man!

That is a gorgeous mount. I've always wanted one like that.