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Barb & Darel's Elk Hunts
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Barb's Deer Hunt
October 2008
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After not drawing an elk in area 61 in 2007, Barb & Darel (Steve's son) both drew October anterless elk tags for 2008.
October 6th, Steve & Barb were treated to gorgeous fall colors as they drove up to the property for some scouting and to pre-position the ATV and trailers.
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We saw quite a few deer this year,
even a buck checking out our ATV.
(below left)
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As we hiked out in the evening we heard elk bugling and counted 35-40 across the road. We drove off into the sunset eager for our hunt to start Saturday morning!
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~ 1st SEASON - BARB's ELK ~
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5:30am Saturday we headed out. When we arrived at 6:30, it was extremely windy - which drowned out any bugling that might have been going on. We crept down to the seep area & stock pond to watch for elk coming down the hill.
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After a couple hours of seeing no elk, we walked over to check on the ATV and trailers to make sure the tarps were secure with the strong wind. Fighting the wind to stand up as we walked back to the stock pond, 4 cow elk & 2 calves suddenly appeared. Being out in the open with no cover, we had to just squat down and freeze. Barb slowly raised her rifle but she couldn't trust where her bullet would hit with a strong wind. Also, thinking it was the first morning of the season, she would have another, better chance at an elk. Unfortunately, we saw no more elk that day - except for 1 lone calf separated from the herd as we drove out!
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Sunday we were back up there at 6:30am. No wind today, but it was 18 degrees and cold! Today we heard a lot of bugling, but didn't see one elk on the property we were hunting, only on the private property to the west.
We spent 12 hours looking for elk though!
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That evening we hiked out under a big full moon. We knew that moon could cause us trouble since elk would feed at night in the moonlight. By sunrise the next morning, they often have moved back to cover.
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We gave the elk (& ourselves) Monday off, then returned Tuesday at 6:30am. As we drove in, one herd of about 25 were crossing the road in front of us onto the property and a 2nd herd of 15 was waiting to cross. We parked and jogged into position, but couldn't get in shooting range before all 40 had moved through.
Mid morning we spotted a bull & his harem in these trees over 800 yards away. We sucessfully stalked within 200 yards of the group. Full of excitement & adrenalin, Barb tried to steady her rifle on some oak brush & take a head-on shot at a cow. Darn, she missed!
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Wednesday - last day of the 1st season - we decided to arrive at 6:00am and position ourselves an hour before sunrise for a shot if the herd was crossing again.
We quietly crept in to the closest oak brush and waited anxiously for it to get light enough to see. Watching through our binoculars as the light slowly brightened, we only saw elk across the road walking away from us.
About 7:00am, suddenly, Steve exclaimed "there's an animal!"
It was that lone calf (who still hadn't found his herd) and no other mature animals anywhere in sight!
This animal was the only elk that showed up on our side of the road that morning.
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Although it wasn't anywhere near as much meat as a mature cow would yield, it will be extremely tender! It produced a roast, several steaks & stew meat, and 36 pounds of prime burger.
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~ 2nd SEASON - DAREL's ELK ~
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Darel & Steve headed up the next Saturday for the 2nd season. Arriving at 6:00am they heard bugling & mewing from across the road. Unfortunately, none from that herd moved onto the property Saturday or Sunday morning.
They only saw one mature bull above the stock pond during the day. Early evening they spotted a herd (around 150 head) across the road.
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Sunday evening, though, his luck changed. Darel took aim with his new Tikka 30.06 as 2 cows appeared above the seep. He waited until the 1st cow was within 130 yards. Then as she was quartering away, he shot ...
On his second day out, 12 hours later, Darel got a mature sunset elk.
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Although we didn't get to bed until 3:30 the next morning after his elk was hanging in the garage, the hard work paid off.
Darel shows off the great loin he processed.
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Steve called in help to process and package Darel's elk in time for him to return home Wednesday morning.
Thanks to JoAnne, Cathy & Sean for helping!
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~ 2nd SEASON - BARB's DEER ~
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Barb had a deer tag for the same season,
but in area 62.
Sunday, while Darel was hunting his elk in 61, Barb sat in the blind hoping for a nice buck. All she saw was a large 2x2 buck and a few does.
On Wednesday afternoon, and not seeing any bucks since Sunday, Barb saw the same buck come in around 4:00pm, took her shot and filled her tag.
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