KYHILLJACK
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2013
- Messages
- 117
Got back yesterday from hunting the third rifle season in Colorado. As always had a great trip to the mountains. Would like to share a (new) technique I stumbled upon while there.
Opening day Saturday was uneventful, as a quick passing high pressure system left the day sunny and there was little activity where I was hunting. Couple that with snow on the ground and my 4 wheeler's starter went out on me 5 miles from camp. Did manage to bump start it going down a hill though. From then on it seemed to have just enough life in it to continue hunting without a run into town.
Sunday. Decided to hunt a ridge that has produced a couple of bulls for me over the years. At first light I quarter up the ridge where I still hunt down the center occasionally going over to one side and looking down through the aspens. This area is called the 'bedding area'. I like to hunt it I guess because I use the same methods for hunting whitetails. Just as I had made the top, I stopped to lean on an aspen and 100 yards straight ahead, open small grassy area, drop off at the end, something caught my eye. It was black and appeared to be the top shape of an elk's head, looked like one ear was visible. Scoped it and saw no movement. It was before sunup so I continued to lean and watch and make my plan on how to proceed. Looked back at the spot and scoped it again. I figured it may be a cow, as I had an either sex tag and hunt for meat, I still could not positively make it out as a bedded elk. Lowered the rifle and 'boom' ! Huge bull jumps up and takes off. Tried my best to get the crosshairs on hair but he kept every aspen between us for 100 yards until he angled off down through the aspens. Looked like a 6x6. Decided not to dog him, as this would just push him off the ridge. Figured he would go down the ridge and cross over to the other side which is dark timber.
So I continued to still hunt down the ridge. Did cut some fresh track cutting over that may have been his. Ate lunch and decided to work the dark timber on the way back up the ridge. cold front was pushing through and the wind picked up but it was quiet and still in the east side dark timber. I usually work this timber with a diaphragm cow call. As I walk and stop, I occasionally cow call especially if I am noisy. Didn't need it much this time as there was snow and it was quiet except for the occasional fall on the rump stepping on a snow covered branch. Did jump 2 or 3 elk out of their beds, but could not see any of them.
1 pm, angled down to the road, and came out 500 yards from atv. Walked up and had lunch. About 1;30, nature calls. Atv was parked edge of woods, 50 yards from road. Two huge pines, 20 feet above looked like a great outdoor restroom. Rifle was leaning against an aspen next to atv. Proceeded to assume the squatting position. Then over my right shoulder I hear the unmistakable crashing of elk. 2 elk appear, and stop, about 25 yards. I jump up, yank up pants, and circle down to the rifle. Grab it, kneel down and look back uphill not expecting them to be there. Both are still there. I see the front is a bull. 40 yards, start looking to where I can squeeze one off and it walks forward 5 steps where I drop it with a neck shot. A good eating 4x4.
Now this is not the first time I have used this technique. I once had a doe about run me over and the buck chasing her stopped 15 yards from me as I shot him with pants around the ankles.
Just wondering if anyone else has ever used this 'technique' for harvesting elk.
As always I thanked God for the opportunity to be in the mountains, and the elk for letting me harvest it.
Opening day Saturday was uneventful, as a quick passing high pressure system left the day sunny and there was little activity where I was hunting. Couple that with snow on the ground and my 4 wheeler's starter went out on me 5 miles from camp. Did manage to bump start it going down a hill though. From then on it seemed to have just enough life in it to continue hunting without a run into town.
Sunday. Decided to hunt a ridge that has produced a couple of bulls for me over the years. At first light I quarter up the ridge where I still hunt down the center occasionally going over to one side and looking down through the aspens. This area is called the 'bedding area'. I like to hunt it I guess because I use the same methods for hunting whitetails. Just as I had made the top, I stopped to lean on an aspen and 100 yards straight ahead, open small grassy area, drop off at the end, something caught my eye. It was black and appeared to be the top shape of an elk's head, looked like one ear was visible. Scoped it and saw no movement. It was before sunup so I continued to lean and watch and make my plan on how to proceed. Looked back at the spot and scoped it again. I figured it may be a cow, as I had an either sex tag and hunt for meat, I still could not positively make it out as a bedded elk. Lowered the rifle and 'boom' ! Huge bull jumps up and takes off. Tried my best to get the crosshairs on hair but he kept every aspen between us for 100 yards until he angled off down through the aspens. Looked like a 6x6. Decided not to dog him, as this would just push him off the ridge. Figured he would go down the ridge and cross over to the other side which is dark timber.
So I continued to still hunt down the ridge. Did cut some fresh track cutting over that may have been his. Ate lunch and decided to work the dark timber on the way back up the ridge. cold front was pushing through and the wind picked up but it was quiet and still in the east side dark timber. I usually work this timber with a diaphragm cow call. As I walk and stop, I occasionally cow call especially if I am noisy. Didn't need it much this time as there was snow and it was quiet except for the occasional fall on the rump stepping on a snow covered branch. Did jump 2 or 3 elk out of their beds, but could not see any of them.
1 pm, angled down to the road, and came out 500 yards from atv. Walked up and had lunch. About 1;30, nature calls. Atv was parked edge of woods, 50 yards from road. Two huge pines, 20 feet above looked like a great outdoor restroom. Rifle was leaning against an aspen next to atv. Proceeded to assume the squatting position. Then over my right shoulder I hear the unmistakable crashing of elk. 2 elk appear, and stop, about 25 yards. I jump up, yank up pants, and circle down to the rifle. Grab it, kneel down and look back uphill not expecting them to be there. Both are still there. I see the front is a bull. 40 yards, start looking to where I can squeeze one off and it walks forward 5 steps where I drop it with a neck shot. A good eating 4x4.
Now this is not the first time I have used this technique. I once had a doe about run me over and the buck chasing her stopped 15 yards from me as I shot him with pants around the ankles.
Just wondering if anyone else has ever used this 'technique' for harvesting elk.
As always I thanked God for the opportunity to be in the mountains, and the elk for letting me harvest it.
