Thunderflights 2009 Idaho Elk Hunt

[Thunderflight]

SATURDAY/SUNDAY

Wow I can’t believe it. After talking about it for several years the Idaho elk hunt was actually going to happen. The ideal first came about in 2005 when I asked a friend of mine about going elk hunting with his in-laws who live in Blackfoot Idaho. Dirk and I grew up in the Marine Corps together, have shared many good and bad times, and have been friends for over 23 years. He doesn’t hunt as much as I do and would be his second trip.

After a long and pain full week in San Diego (jet lag and long conferences are always great) we finally hit the road Saturday night. The plan was to drive about an hour north of Vegas, spend the night, and finish the journey to Idaho on Sunday. We’d be hunting Unit 61 in an area close to the Montana border. The trip up wasn’t bad and we arrived at Dirks brother in-law’s (Scott) trailer around 1600 or so.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03038.jpg
SORRY ABOUT THE PHOTO, BUT THE SUN WAS IN MY EYES

After the standard greetings the bows were broken out so we could do some practice shooting before the next days hunt. I was VERY concerned because as some of you know I’ve been having issues with hitting about 12 to 16 inches high on my shots. I continued to have this problem in San Diego, but on Friday I realized that my anchor was the problem. Once I corrected this I was on track and shooting pretty darn good even out to 40 yards.

After shooting we got our gear ready and hit the rack. We’d be getting up early and would need our rest.

[geezer II]

and....................:rant::rant::rant::rant::ra nt:

[geezer II]

and....................:rant::rant::rant::rant::ra nt:

iz coon ghost writin dis fo ya :confused:

[Thunderflight]

MONDAY

Monday morning we awoke to temps in the low 30’s. I was a bit concerned because my jacket hadn’t arrived (I ordered a new bucksuede jacket from predator.com) in time and all I had was my fleece and cotton(more like denim) bowhunters jacket. I had planned to just suck it up, but not having a heavy coat turned out to be more of a blessing than anything. We found out very quickly that when it comes to distance and hiking time Scott (Dirk’s brother in-law) doesn’t exaggerate. Our first hike in to our starting point was about 40 minutes, but the terrain wasn’t bad so aside from being short of breath (The altitude was around 7000 feet) I warmed up nicely and felt really good.

About 10 minutes into the hike we heard our first bugle. Man talk about exciting. I had never heard an elk bugle and there were at least three different bulls sounding off about a ½ mile up the mountain. We didn’t call and continued to one of Scott’s favorite listening points. We stopped to cool off (yes even though it’s 30 degrees I’m sweating) and listen for any elk in the lower meadows. Scott cow called a few times, waited 10 minutes, tried it again, waited 15 more before we decided to head up the mountain. Scott has been hunting this mountain for 30 years and knows the elk and knows how they react to hunting pressure. He knows the elk love this area and two days earlier his wife killed a spike in this location. After hearing nothing he figured they must have blown them out to another draw and with that we picked up our gear and headed up the mountain.

As we approached a meadow I saw antlers! At first I thought it was a BIG mule deer, but quickly realized it was a very nice bull with his nose in the air trying to catch our wind. Apparently he had heard the calls, heard us walking up, and figured we were a small group of cows. After he realized that we weren’t he took off. Scott cow called and I’ll be darn if he didn’t come back. However his return wasn’t long because he circled around down wind and took off. WOW!!! An hour into the hunt and we’ve already seen a good bull. I think that life can’t get any better than this, but as the story continues I’ll quickly realize that it only gets better.

A quick note about the terrain we’re hunting. It’s a mix of rolling hills (big, BIG, BIG hills)/ mountains. Pines, Quaker Aspens, rocks, and sage brush flats. It’s VERY dry and noisy so stalking with three people is difficult. Despite being dry there is plenty of water supplied from springs, creeks, and wallows.

After blowing it on the first meadow we headed up the mountain after the herd that has been bugling it’s head off all morning. The wind had been finicky all and was shifting regularly. This made getting close to the herd difficult because they’d smell us and move further up the mountain.

BTW elk have NO TOLERANCE for human scent, noise, or hunting pressure. Unless they are with in 40 yards of you they will not hang around if they feel there is ANY chance of danger. This makes sense considering the area has a variety of predator species: Wolf, Grizzly, Black Bear, Mt Loin, Coyotes, and Badgers. However, once they are with in 40 yards they seem to get complacent and will stand there and look and try to figure out what you are (story about that coming up).

Up the mountain we go. Up, up, up, and up some more. Folks all I can say is that if your going elk hunting you had BETTER be in shape. The month of hiking up and down the volcano with a weighted pack REALLY paid off. My lungs ACHED from the thinner dryer air, but it was wasn’t bad. We always seemed to be about 150 yards from the elk and just couldn’t get caught up. At one point we thought we lost the herd. While standing around listening a $500 chicken (mountain grouse) jumped over a dead fall and started walking past us. I didn’t have a judo point with me so Dirk took a shot at it. He missed and the damn thing just walked off. Scott grabbed his judo point and was ready to shoot when a MONSTER bull bugles about 150 to 200 yards further up the mountain. With that we set up and began to call.

Scott called for about 30 minutes and I thought for sure that any moment a 400 inch bull would come walking out and they did. This was good because now I’m frozen stiff and the anticipation was the only thing keeping me warm. However, instead of coming down to Scotts calls they walked into the meadow at the top of the mountain. I didn’t see them, but Scott and Dirk both did. They said the herd bull was a hawg with the “whale tail” and everything. Eventually the bull took his harem of cows over the top of the mountain, but we were sure there had to be a few satellite bulls running around so UP and UP some more we went. By the time we hit the top of the tree line we all needed a break and a snack. Here are a few pictures of us chilling out.

Me

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03041.jpg

Dirk

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03039.jpg

Scott

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03040.jpg

OK so after about having a heart attack when I jumped a dozen, yes a dozen, mountain grouse while taking a leak we decided to hunt the top for a bit. Nothing answered so we decided to start heading back down. On the way down we ran into another bull and got set up with in 100 yards of him. The bad thing is we couldn’t pull him up the mountain and he obviously wanted us to come down to him. After a quick huddle we decided to Rambo down the mountain (BTW it’s pretty steep) though the cover and set up on the draw where the elk was calling from. On the way down we jumped a mule deer doe. We set up and started calling and received an answer from our bull. The bad thing is he had moved off (damn wind).

We decided to head back to the truck and get some lunch at the trailer. You’d think walking down hill would be a piece of cake, but after you’ve hiked a LEGIT 4 to 5 miles UP you’ve still got 4-5 back down and your stepping over dead falls, rocks, sage brush and other things that get in your way. On the way down we jumped some more deer. Dirk has a deer tag so we put him up front incase he got a shot, but it never worked out.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03042.jpg

Finally we get the truck and head back for some chow and a much needed rest. It’s 1400 now and we decide to head back in around 1630 or so.

1630 comes fast and it’s off to hit the mountain again. This time we hunted a lower area where the elk historically like to bed. We hiked up and down, set up and called, hiked some more, called some more, and hiked some more. It was GREAT!!!!! Around 1800 or so we started hearing bugles in a distant draw about ½ mile away. It was too late to go after them so we started to head back to the truck (BTW it’s at least 2 miles away).

At one point we stopped for a break along the edge of an open meadow that overlooked the sage brush flats, rolling hills, and mountain range. At that point it hit me that I was living the dream and standing in some of the most beautiful country I’d ever seen. It was almost like standing in a Primos or Real Tree video. Then it was back to reality and the hike back down the mountain to the truck.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03043.jpg


After a quick dinner, shower, and beer it was off to bed. Needless to say I slept VERY well and couldn’t wait for the next days adventure.

To be continued…………………..

[CritterGitter]

I am with Geezer on this one. TF the semi-live hunts ya done in the past were cool and everythang, but this trip is over so you can just give us the full run down and that would be cool. :D

Also, did ya hunt with the smoked up camo or the scent-free stuff. Come on man, we want the 411.

[Deehntr56]

Which 'one" of you forgot to tell me TF is this long winded.......:confused::whistle:;):biggrin:

[geezer II]

Uhm startin ta get a kick out of this - dang :bouncy:

[Deehntr56]

Was it Halloween last week in Idaho???:confused::confused:

[Cap't Ernie]

If I went to Idaho and didn't shoot an elk, I'd try to drag out my fame too. Nobody wants to read a boring thread that ends with tag soup ;)

Sorry, I get grumpy when I have to wait...............

[Thunderflight]

TUESDAY

Today we woke up to a WINDY and Cold morning. The temps were around 40, but the wind chill made it fell like 30. We headed out around 0600 and by 0630 the truck was parked and we were headed up some THICK and nasty terrain. Actually only the first 25 minutes sucked because after we reached the top it opened up into a sage brush flat. We skirted the flat and slipped into a Quaker Aspen thicket.

We slowly proceeded for about 10 minutes and jumped two mule deer. I have to tell ya that hunting muleys here would be difficult. Scott said most deer killed by archery are usually stumbled on while hunting for elk. The deer tend to tolerate you more easily than the elk do and sometimes it works out and you’ll get a shot. (BTW I forgot to mention that the night before we got to with in 60 yards of two OK muley bucks). I had previously considered buying a deer tag, but the $386 for the tag wasn’t in my budget.

We pressed on for about 40 minutes before we heard our first bugle and the chase was on. The cattle were a lot thicker in this area, but according to Scott the elk didn’t care about them. We followed the elk for a bit finding fresh tracks and droppings, but eventually lost them.

Bovine Cow

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03045.jpg

Around 1100 we decided to head back. Dirk was in front again in case we ran into some deer. About 30 minutes into the trip back five cows took off and gave us a nice show while they ran to the next county.

After lunch we headed out to a different area that was in some STEEP terrain. On the way there we saw a coyote staring at what we assumed to be a mouse hole. Scott stopped and asked if any of us thought he could hit it with his .22 pistol. I figured he was on crack because the yote was at least 150 yards out (143 to be exact). I about crapped when he hit it twice!!! And he shot it off hand to boot!!!!

It started getting warm and before long it was borderline t-shirt weather. This time we’d be starting out heading down vs up. You know there’s something to hunting down vs up. It’s amazing how much better you feel while you are in the prime hunting area….


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03046.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03048.jpg


This place was ATE up with elk sign. There were beds, droppings, fresh tracks, and rubs everywhere. After about an hour we came up to an open meadow that was on a bench overlooking the valley. Scott told us that his bear bait was on the adjacent ridge and that while bear hunting they would often see elk feeding on it.

Elk bed

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03049.jpg

Elk rub

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03051.jpg

The bench we sat on. You can't see them in the picture, but in the distance you could see the peaks of Yellow Stone National Park.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03050.jpg

We sat down and waited for the wind to settle when one of us noticed an elk on another ridge about a 1/3 mile away from us. Scott breaks out his bugle just to see if the elk will look up, which it does. As the time passes another elk appears and then another. We debated about heading over there, but it would be dark soon and it was at least a 60 minute hike to get there. Just then we hear foot steps and up walks a half rack bull! He had at least four points on one side and the other was deformed into a small club that kinda hung down the side of his head. He walks to with in 10 yards of us, stops, jumps back about five more yards and stands there broad side. My bow is on the ground to my left. Scotts is out of reach. Dirk doesn’t have his release on. By the time we got our crap together the bull WALKED off and out of bow range. Talk about funny!!! I guess that’ll teach us to get complacent……..

We hunted a bit more and hiked UP the mountain. It was STEEP, but manageable about about 40 minutes later we were back at the truck. We watched the three elk on the ridgeline feed for another 10 minutes or so before headed back.

To be continued

[chopiq]

Don't know about the rest of you but I like the whole story. It's like watching a hunting video, you don't want to watch the kill in the first minute and then show you how they got the deer.

[coonskinner]

Don't know about the rest of you but I like the whole story. It's like watching a hunting video, you don't want to watch the kill in the first minute and then show you how they got the deer.
i agree...it sure brings back memories of my elk hunt several years back.as he said you better be in shape!!!theres nothing that matches up to elk hunting!!!continue on youre doing great!!!:D

[cjd3]

"and now a brief word from our sponsors"

:D

[Thunderflight]

WEDNESDAY


After seeing all the elk sign in the place we hunted the night before I suggested we give it a shot in the morning. The ideal seemed logical, but turned out to be a long and slow morning. It had warmed up considerably (it only cooled down by 10 degrees from the evening before) and the elk were tight lipped. We hunted and hiked around all morning, but didn’t hear or see squat.

Around 1000 we started back up the mountain. When we got to the top Scott decided to set up for one last go at it before we headed back to the truck. For 30 minutes all we got was silence and we were just about to call it a day when we heard a close bugle about 100 yards in front of us. He was pretty darn close and I thought for sure we’d be seeing an elk come out of that dark timber, but nothing came out. At one point I thought I caught a glimpse of a large animal walking trough the tick stuff, but I shrugged it off and figured it had to have been a bird.

After 20 minutes or so we decided to move in closer. This area was fairly thick with a lot of dead falls. The good news was it was flat which was a nice change….. The area was torn up with very fresh elk sign, but nothing answered or came into our love sick calling. Looking back at it I’m guess that dark object I saw was probably the bull moving down wind to scent check us. It’s amazing how quite a large animal like that can be.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03047.jpg

After lunch we decided to hunt another area that has been a usual hot spot for Scott and his family. Before I go into detail I’d like to talk about Scott.

Scott is a police officer with the Blackfoot PD. He’s a dedicated outdoorsman and father and is probably one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. From the moment I arrived he treated me like I was part of the family. His wife Janet was just as friendly and is one hell of a great cook. Scott raised his family to hunt, shoot, and fish. The entire families has killed several elk, deer, and other critters and are just as enthusiastic about it as any of us. Bottom line they are great people who I look forward to being friends with for a long time.

OK, back to the hunt. That afternoon it was HOT. Like almost 80 degrees. We hunted a thick bedding area with plenty of elk and deer sign, but once again we didn’t see anything. Today was the first day we didn’t see any elk and we didn’t hear a single bugle that evening. With that we packed up and headed back to the trailer where we listened to the coyotes howl while we ate dinner.

Some more elk rubs

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03055.jpg

The land we were hunting is BLM land and is leased out to cattle ranchers. It wasn’t uncommon to have the road blocked by the cattle and you’d sometimes see them in the woods too.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03054.jpg

[geezer II]

Hold up a minute - gotta pee and get sum pop-corn - dang :mischeif: :whistle:

[coonskinner]

and:whistle:...:mischeif:

[Deehntr56]

Don't know about the rest of you but I like the whole story. It's like watching a hunting video, you don't want to watch the kill in the first minute and then show you how they got the deer.

Wre wayyyyy past the 1st "minute" here..I'm joining Geezer for some popcorn, and some "No-Doz" so I can stay awake for a few days!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[deerhunt45]

I'm hooked on Thunderflights elk hunting novel...:)

When you eat a hot fudge sundae, do you eat all the nuts and fudge off the top? Or do you try to dig down to get some of the ice cream in your spoon too...:D

I voted he killed a bull... :bouncy: :coolgleamA:

[geezer II]

I'm hooked on Thunderflights elk hunting novel...:)

When you eat a hot fudge sundae, do you eat all the nuts and fudge off the top? Or do you try to dig down to get some of the ice cream in your spoon too...:D

I voted he killed a bull... :bouncy: :coolgleamA:

me tooz :D

[Thunderflight]

THURSDAY

We woke up to a cool and fairly calm morning. After a hot cup of coffee and a peanut butter and jelly burrito (hunting camp breakfast of champions) we were off to hunt the same area he started with on our first day.

After hiking 40 minutes to Scotts listening point we started to become a bit concerned. Once again the woods were quite, but eventually I heard a distant bugle. The bugle was a long ways off so we decided to set up in the meadow that we saw our first bull at. 15 minutes into the set up we could tell the bull was moving our way. Scott rallied Dirk and I and had us move down about 100 yards to the edge of another meadow. The bull got closer and closer. We could hear his antlers smacking on overhanging branches and the crunch of fallen branches as he clambered through the forest. My heart started to race because he couldn’t have been more than 100 yards away. I fully expected to see him burst out into the open bugling like a rut crazed tyrannosaurus. After 10 minutes Scott moved us another 75 yards along a barbed wire fence line. The elk like to cross this area and the chips were quickly falling in place for them to pass right by our set up……

Cows, for the first time in the hunt I can hear the mews of the cows and they are CLOSE and even better yet coming our way!! I can’t help but be amazed at how an animal the size of a horse can stay so well hidden, but they manage it quite well.

-The elk bulges and more branches break.

-The cows mew and the bull answers.

-This is what everyone one hopes for in a hunt and I can’t believe it’s happening to me.

-Any moment I tell you.

-I’m ready to go. I’ve got trees ranged out so I know my shooting distance (40 yards was my max range).

-Then it happened……………………………

It started with a couple short mews and chirps from a cow and then another. The herd bull starts bugling and is blatantly obvious he’s rounding up his girls.

Slowly but surely the bugles and mews faded off into the distance leaving us standing there dejected, empty handed, and loving every minute of it. The wind was perfect, we had plenty of cover, and Scott is one hell of a caller so we were dumbfounded and couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong. Maybe our scent swirled a bit behind us and came up the opposite draw or maybe the lead cow decided it was time to go and took the clan to the opposite ridge for a nap. Only the elk know for sure and it’s obvious that they are winning this game.

As we sat there discussing out options we watched the entire herd enter a clearing on the other side of the valley (a good ¾ mile away) and right through the area we had hunted Monday evening. There were about 16 to 20 cows and two or three bulls. I didn’t see the herd bull, but Scott did and said he was pretty darn nice.

We decided not to pursue the elk because they had been hunted hard for close to three weeks and that area was where they ran when the hunting pressure increased. The wind was wrong for heading over there anyway so we just set up in the same draw and hoped a stray cow or satellite bull would come by.

15 minutes into the set I hear this clunk be hind me and see a small dark object speed past in the tall grass and sage brush. I figured Scott had been tossing rocks to make himself sound like a herd of elk, but I later found out it was a coyote! I guess ole Wiley was loping along and about crapped his pants when he saw me (he had been 15 yards away, ran past Scott, and I never heard him) and got the hell out of dodge by running through our set up. One thing for sure about this place is you never know what you see.

Around 1100 we decided to head back for lunch. On the way back we did some stump shooting and I posed for this picture.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03057.jpg
DISCLAIMER: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. NO CATTLE WERE INJURED DURING THE TAKING OF THIS PICTURE.

We hung out at the trailer and I caught a 2 hour knap before we heading back out. It was 1600 and HOT. Since the afternoons had been slow we decided to “Divide and Concur”. Scott and Dirk would hunt a beaver pond at the bottom of the draw where this morning’s elk went and I’d hunt a wallow on the opposite mountain.

After a 30 minute hike I found the wallow. Immediately I knew I had problems because it was very obvious it had not been hit in weeks. The water was green with algae, the tracks around it were dry and crusty, and the surrounding area was void of any elk sign. I decided to scout the area surrounding it and had the same results. The hour hand slowly ticked by and at sunset I headed back to the truck.

The area Dirk and Scott hunted. See that green stuff about two miles back. They hunted another 1/2 mile into that.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03059.jpg


15 or 20 minutes later Dirk and Scott came back. They didn’t make it to the beaver pond because there were two elk feeding near it and they didn’t want to spook them. The elk eventually fed off to another ridge.

We headed back to the hooch and got our gear ready for the next day. We knew it had potential to be good because we knew the elk were still there. Little did we know what kind of adventure awaited us……………………………..

To be continued….



Sorry for not taking many pictures. We were BUSY this morning and it was the last thing on my mind. The afternoon hunt wasn't much, but I do wish I had taken a few pictures of the wallow.

[Deehntr56]

ok..ok... I have my popcorn, and I'm ready.....

[Buckmaster]

ok..ok... I have my popcorn, and I'm ready.....

Popcorn and a beer here. I'm ready too. :whistle:

[coonskinner]

well i'm all excited here but got to hit the fart sack for work tomorrow,3 a.m comes too fast...i'll be back...:D

[Deehntr56]

Ok...I tapped the keg...we ARE ready now....

[Hoytmania]

OK I'm hooked now. I love an unpredictable story!

[Deehntr56]

To pass the time, maybe we should add some "visual aids".....to go with the beverages and the popcorn.:biggrin:


http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k269/Deerhntr56/ElkHunt2006_0163.jpg

[cjd3]

I can't stop following along now. "I gots ta know" :eek:

[Deehntr56]

I can't stop following along now. "I gots ta know" :eek:

Pull up a lounge chair there cjd3.....I have a cold one waiting to put in your cup holder.....

[Buckmaster]

THURSDAY

We headed back to the hooch and got our gear ready for the next day. Little did we know what kind of adventure awaited us……………………………..


.....Since the drama is keeping us in suspense let's continue on with or without TF. He can play catch up tomorrow......

"'We freshened up at base camp then headed into town to the local pub. After a couple shots of Jack and a couple local micro brews I looked across the bar at a hot blonde with a short mini skirt, fish net stockings, and go-go boots. We make eye contact and she abruptly approaches me. She asked, "I dig guys with no hair; you're not from around here are you?" TF replied, "No I'm not, why do you ask?" The young blonde girl said, "First you have a little green smug on your cheek, would that be camo?""

Ok guys, you finish the rest while TF leaves us in suspense.... :biggrin:

[Deehntr56]

.....Since the drama is keeping us in suspense let's continue on with or without TF. He can play catch up tomorrow......

"'We freshened up at base camp then headed into town to the local pub. After a couple shots of Jack and a couple local micro brews I looked across the bar at a hot blonde with a short mini skirt, fish net stockings, and go-go boots. We make eye contact and she abruptly approaches me. She asked, "I dig guys with no hair; you're not from around here are you?" TF replied, "No I'm not, why do you ask?" The young blonde girl said, "First you have a little green smug on your cheek, would that be camo?""



Secondly hot stuff........you have a very large "bulge" protruding from........

[cjd3]

Pull up a lounge chair there cjd3.....I have a cold one waiting to put in your cup holder.....


Thanks 56... :D

"are we there yet"

[cjd3]

Secondly hot stuff........you have a very large "bulge" protruding from........

... your cargo pants. Is that a elk bugle or are you just glad to see me........

[Deehntr56]

... your cargo pants. Is that a elk bugle or are you just glad to see me........

TF Signs and says, sweetheart....

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k269/Deerhntr56/ElkHunt2006_0182.jpg

I'm Elk hunting and that "large Bulge" is the Elk Droppings I found above and I put in my cargo pants to keep.......

[Buckmaster]

... your cargo pants. Is that a elk bugle or are you just glad to see me........

....and TF replied, "It's actually a roll of quarters for the pin ball machine. Would you like to play a game?".......and

[riverdude]

"I launched my ball up and into the bumpers, man did I score on that one!." "I then went into the rest room and on the wall I saw................................

[Thunderflight]

FRIDAY

This morning the plan was to hunt the same area Dirk and Scott hunted the night before. Before day break we cut out across the open sage brush flat. It was difficult to see the rocks, badger holes, and small dry bushes and there were quite a few times when I almost fell on my butt. We were just about to pass a small patch of pines and aspens when the tell tale musky smell of elk hit me. I was just about to tap Scott on the shoulder when two elk busted out of the thicket and headed up and over the hill. I thought we had blown it, but then heard a bugle and then another and the good news was that it was just over the ridge line in another open sage flat.

As we approached the draw on the opposite side we could hear two bulls fighting. It didn’t last long, but you could tell it was a fight. We set up in the draw and realized that we were in the middle of two separate herds. I had hoped that a satellite bull would come in to check out set up, but that didn’t happen. We could hear the cows mewing and knew they were close, but as the wind started to swirl the elk herd started to move off and eventually shut up.

Damn…. What are we going to do now? Did we blow the elk out of the draw or did they just bed down early? It’s only 0830. We discussed our options and Scott decided that since this was the next to the last day that we’d try something bold and march right into their bedding area.

We tried to be as quiet as possible, but the dry pine needles and leaves didn’t seem to want to cooperate. It wasn’t long before we started smelling elk and we jumped three cows. As they ran off Scott started bugling trying to imitate a satellite bull that just stole his ladies in hopes to piss off the herd bull and draw him in. I guess we had a wimpy herd bull because he didn’t seem to care for this group (maybe he was done with them). However, 10 minutes later we jumped the rest of his girls and now he definitely wasn’t happy…………..

This is where it got fun! The herd went crazy! The wind was swirling so much that they didn’t know for sure where we were at. The herd bull was bugling his head off trying to corral his harem. The cows where mewing in every direction and we had even manage to split the herd in half. Things were getting crazy really fast and we tried our best to get ahead of one of them.

Just then Scott points and whispers LOST CALF!! We booked it up the side of the mountain and started cow calling. At first I thought we were going to bring the whole herd in, but the damn wind was swirling and they knew what was up. The calf however didn’t smell us and came running right into our set up.

Do I want to shoot a calf?

Dang that sucker is big…..

The calf passes me and runs up by Dirk and I see him draw his bow. Man this might just work. Dirk’s a really good shot and that sucker can’t be 20 yards from him. I see Dirk let down…. Pause for a minute, draw again, then SMACK!

The calf jumps and starts to run, Scott mews and stops it 25 yards and broadside of me…..

I consider putting another arrow into it. 25 is definitely doable, but about half of it’s lower body is covered by sage brush. There is plenty of vital area to hit, but I’d have to be on my game with little room for error.

Do I really want to risk this for a calf? Besides Dirk’s already got an arrow in him so he’ll be dead soon. BTW I wonder why he’s not hunched up or starting to stagger yet….

Just then the calf starts to walk towards me and is 15 yards looking right at me. At this moment I actually thought about my Ohio Sportsman friends. I’d never live this one down. Only I could travel across the world and have a calf (probably a button bull) walk up to me.

I decide that since Dirk’s hit the elk that if he gives me another ethical shot I’ll take it, but when he turns and leaves he doesn’t wait around. This was when I noticed that there was no blood or arrow sticking out of his right side (the side Dirk shot him from).

We wait 30 minutes before going after the cow only to find Dirk had killed a pine tree…….. He must have undershot it and the SMACK we heard was the arrow driving into the tree. Oh man I’m going to hold this one over his head for a long time….

At one point I thought I should have taken the shot at the calf, but in the end I’m glad I didn’t.

After that we headed home and of course gave Dirk a lot of grief, but it was all in fun.

After lunch we decided to hunt the lower area that Dirk and Scott had hunted the previous evening. It was hot and windy and we didn’t see or hear any thing. I started to get this “feeling” that we were just about done here, but tomorrow was a whole new day and who knows what could happen…….

[geezer II]

I just woked up - wud happened - :confused: - dang :whistle: :mischeif:

[geezer II]

If I went to Idaho and didn't shoot an elk, I'd try to drag out my fame too. Nobody wants to read a boring thread that ends with tag soup ;)

Sorry, I get grumpy when I have to wait...............

Put it in your doggie bag cap't kidd - TF has wrung more saltwater out of his jock strap then you will ever sail over - dang - SEMPER FI :whistle: :shhh:

[Cap't Ernie]

geezer

I don't wish that anyone has to wring out saltwater out of their jock strap lol! Nice imagery.

I'm just as anxious as anyone. I figured that maybe heckling would speed up the process...nope.

[geezer II]

geezer

I don't wish that anyone has to wring out saltwater out of their jock strap lol! Nice imagery.

I'm just as anxious as anyone. I figured that maybe heckling would speed up the process...nope.

I know what happened :16suspect1: :16suspect1: :16suspect1: :biggrin::biggrin:

[cjd3]

Great story TF !

Its just like TV... But,I hate the commercial breaks.:D

[Deehntr56]

Speaking of commercial breaks....since we have one..I need to hit the "john" after all that popcorn and cold beer we drank the last 24 hours.....I just tapped another Keg...and made another batch of popcorn......

[Buckmaster]

"I launched my ball up and into the bumpers, man did I score on that one!." "I then went into the rest room and on the wall I saw................................

"For a good time, call Thunderflight at 803-776-2031".

[Thunderflight]

SATURDAY

Today is it. Tomorrow morning I’m headed to Quantico, VA for another meeting and then on Thursday home to bella Napoli. If it’s going to happen it’s going to be now or never….

The temperature was much cooler today and the plan was to hunt the same spot we did on yesterday. We weren’t to optimistic because of the way things when down the day before, but Scott was confident that we hadn’t blown all the elk out.

After the 40 minute hike in we waited, listened, waited, and listened some more..

NOTHING…. Not even the noise of birds or squirrels. It was even kind of spooky.

We hiked around trying to find some fresh sign or evidence that the elk were still in the area and to be honest it looked like they were long gone. While searching for elk we came across something weird. The tree pictured below was full of holes and was swarming with flies. At first we thought there might have been a dead elk, cow, or bear kill, but we couldn’t find anything and moved on.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03060.jpg


A few minutes later we finally found some fresh elk sign. This left a glimmer of hope and with any luck we’d be back into the elk and have one last go at them.

We hiked around trying to locate the elk when I noticed a cow elk standing on the sky line. She didn’t hang around long and was gone before any of the guys got a glimpse of her. We decided to set up and call for a bit, but nothing was interested.

While hiking around Scott stopped us and pointed out another $500 chicken. He loaned me a judo point so I could take a pot shot at it. I snuck up to about 10 yards, launched an arrow, and over shot him by about six inches (damn anchor point). The grouse flew up into a tree and then took off further into the canyon. 10 minutes later we jumped another and it landed in a pine tree. I decided to try and redeem my self so I climbed an adjacent hill to get level with him. I also positioned myself so that if I did miss my arrow would probably hit the tree vise headed down the draw. After positioning myself I drew, made sure I knocked correctly, picked a spot, and shot.

SMACK and feathers are a flying! However the smack was my arrow hitting the tree and the feathers were from the judo tip skimming the birds back….. Of course to make matters worse the damn grouse flew off like nothing was wrong too….. I had to climb about 20 foot up the tree to get my arrow back, but it made for good pictures and laughs.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03064.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03065.jpg



30 minutes later we decided to throw in the towel and head back to the truck. Scott had left his bugle tube at the base of the draw and while he went to retrieve it Dirk and I headed back to the truck. Along the way Scott bumped a cow elk and she ran past us about 100 yards away. She was HAULING butt and that pretty much confirmed that this area was done for.

Dirk and I hoofed it back and had pretty much decided that we’re done. We had to get up early the next day and the last thing I wanted to deal with was packing out an elk all night and then having to travel the next day.


After lunch Dirk’s nephew Byron came up to hunt. Byron decided to become one of the few and the proud and will soon be leaving for recruit training in San Diego, California.

Byron wanted to hunt the afternoon. I was hesitant until I found out that if I killed an elk all I had to do was tag it, fill out a proxy statement giving the elk to Scott, and they’d pack it out the next morning. With that bit of good news Byron and I hopped in the car and headed off to hunt the same place we hunted Tuesday morning.

The wind wasn’t in our favor so we hoofed it about a mile down and would hunt our way back to the car. Of course the first hill we hiked was the biggest and about half way up we heard a very sick sounding bugle. We set up in hopes that the bull would come our way, but after 15 minutes I realized that what we were hearing was a group of hunters camping along the road (I saw their camp and trucks). You see when they first bugled, Byron cow called back. They must have thought we were some cows and kept bugling back and forth. So just to mess with them Byron breaks out the BIG DADDY bugle and really lays it on. We did this three more times headed up and away from them. I bet they about crapped their pants when they heard it…..

On the way up the hill we walked up on a BIG muley doe, but of course I don’t have a deer tag so she was safe.

We hunted our way back to the car with no luck. I was beat down, hungry and exhausted and for the first time all week had to stop and take a break. I mean I was DEAD tired, but thankfully the car was at the bottom of the draw so getting back wasn’t a big ordeal.

On the way home three mule deer doe came out to the road to say good bye……

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03067.jpg

So that’s it. All in all it was a great adventure that I’ll remember for years. I can’t say enough good things about Scott and his family. Their hospitality really made the trip.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03058.jpg

I can honestly say I’m hooked on elk hunting and if the same conference goes in September of next year I’m hoping to give it another try. Only time will tell………

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/baughncr/DSC03053.jpg

THE END

[Deehntr56]

Great job on the day to day breakdown there TF.

Next time try to do it in a day!!!;):biggrin:

Elk hunting is definitely more challenging in some ways!!!

[geezer II]

Great story - glad ya had a great adventure - SEMPER FI

[Cap't Ernie]

Cool story and great pics. Thanks for sharing!

[coonskinner]

great story and it sounds like you got a great hunt and great time for the money...elk hunting is the ultimate...i'm ready to get back there...:D

[Buckmaster]

Nice story there TF and thanks for the "tag along" experience.

[sjastrz]

Awesome story and it sounds like you had a great time. That would be a lot of fun. Thanks for taking the time to write it all up. Hopefully you'll get to go back and take care of one next time!

[cjd3]

Nicely done TF.:coolgleamA:

Carry On.:D

[Thunderflight]

Well it was definitly pretty darn cool.

I must admit that I was surprised how many of you thought I didn't get skunked.....

[Deehntr56]

Why?

I always think Positive, and even though you didn't score, you were able to see country that is just tremendous!!

Would you do it again?

[cjd3]

Well it was definitly pretty darn cool.

I must admit that I was surprised how many of you thought I didn't get skunked.....


Dang... Maby if you had baited...:mischeif: :mischeif: :mischeif: :whistle: :whistle: :16suspect1:

( sorry...JK...)



I wish I could get out there. Its one of my "dream hunts"

[OhioHunter88]

Congrats on getting to hunt TF

I REALLY enjoyed the story. Thanks for sharing it, I will go elk hunting someday.lol

[coonskinner]

i knew your chances and elk hunting is tough hunting but its fantastic even if you dont bag one...i know the smell of elk,the bugles,the cow talk and getting close but not close enough,the high country and i drank water from mountain streams,gazed at far off mountain sides,slept at almost 10,000 ft. in a basecamp.its something everyone must experience to understand.and its something you definately want to do again...i loved your story,youre a very good writer of your adventures when you score and when you don't.and the pictures are perfect.grizzlies next,now that would be breathtaking i bet...:D

[Hawgleg]

Great Memories that will last you the rest of your life,what more could you ask for?? Great story felt like i was right next to you the whole time, thanks for sharing with us.:)

[hoot gibson]

your a regular mickey spillane thunderflux . and congrats . h

[Thunderflight]

Thanks for all the positive responses. It was pretty darn cool.

I was the only one who had any smoke on my clothes, but it wasn't much. No one else had any so it didn't make any difference. I'm telling you this though. Elk do not tolerate human scent. They won't even stop and sniff the air for a bit. If they smell you their GONE.

I'm going to mail Scott a scent smoker later so he can try it out.

I had Dirk mail my stuff back to Mom's house. I considered sending my Alpine to Italy, but decided against it. If I did come back next year I'd have to mail it two weeks out to ensure it would get there on time. With my luck they'd loose it.

[Alaskancoastie]

Great story TF.....sounds all to familiar to both my Elk hunts in Oregon....I can't wait to get back out there. Where in Idaho were you hunting? I have a good friend who lives out there.

[deerhunt45]

Great story and adventure Tf!!! Thanks :coolgleamA:

[antiqucycle]

Two questions
1. If you were toting a rifle, did you have any chance of shooting a bull, aka time to get it in the crosshairs? It sounds like you might have gotten a cow or the calf for sure.
2. Sounds like your hunting method was hiking and calling. Is there any other method that might have worked? My impression is that sitting in a treestand would be futile as they would never be in range.

[swantucky]

Great pics and write up Chuck!! Very good read!!

[CritterGitter]

Sounds like it was a great trip. You were into some elk and that is totally cool. I can't wait to get out west on an elk hunt. It probably won't happen for me for several years. Good stuff!

[bowhunter1023]

Glad to see you got to live out a dream Chuck! Thanks for sharing. Damn fine write up and pics. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you will be able to get back out there and let that stick bow of yours eat some elk!!!

[Thunderflight]

Two questions
1. If you were toting a rifle, did you have any chance of shooting a bull, aka time to get it in the crosshairs? It sounds like you might have gotten a cow or the calf for sure.
2. Sounds like your hunting method was hiking and calling. Is there any other method that might have worked? My impression is that sitting in a treestand would be futile as they would never be in range.

If I had had a rifle I probably could have shot the bull from the first day.

The half rack bull would have been toast. Three or four cow's would have had a really bad day. The calf would have been safe because I'd be tagged out....;)

[Deehntr56]

So...would you do it again?

[hunterforlife]

So...would you do it again?

and would you still use your bow or go to a rifle:)

[Thunderflight]

So...would you do it again?


HELL YES!!!

and would you still use your bow or go to a rifle:)

I think I'd prefer bowhunting over rifle hunting them. The rifle season isn't during the rut so you don't get the bugling action and excitment.

[Deehntr56]

HELL YES!!!



I think I'd prefer bowhunting over rifle hunting them. The rifle season isn't during the rut so you don't get the bugling action and excitment.

Your hooked then!:bouncy:

My friend said he was done, I'm going back for round #2, and possibly #3....and who knows.....

I loved the country and hunting the great wapiti.

Tough hunt too....

[Hiker]

TF, Thanks for sharing your hunt with us. Wapiti fever is a bad disease. :yikes: