CharlieNC
11-26-2013, 06:45 PM
This morning took my best elk, a nice 5x6. Thousands of migrating elk to spot and stalk, huffing and puffing up the mtns at 8500 ft. Will post pics when return home.
First of all let me say the guiding outfit I used was excellent; they are the experts and I am the rookie! On the second morning we intercepted a large herd as it was starting to move and got into a nice hide on a ridge. Just as the leading edge of the herd got into range the wind swirled for a second and a couple of cows winded us and off they went behind a "hill" about 1500 yards away. After most of them cleared our sight we headed down the ridge and up the open"hill"; this was quite a run for a 64-yr old flatlander but I made it after a rest on the way up. Since we were now completely in the open we crawled the last 50 yards to the crest to look over, and sure enough they were happily grazing on the other side about 250 yards away. Immediately my guide glassed up a nice bull which was covered up with cows, but before the cows cleared he called me off for a couple of better bulls coming up in the rear of the herd. Finally the best one turned broadside with a clear shot, and the 300 Win Mag hit him hard! He continued to slowly follow the herd which was now easing off at a fast walk, and the last shot at 400 yards hit him in the heart and he finally fell. My best elk so far, and I will be satisfied if I never get another.
To top it off we met up with our old pheasant hunting crew in SD for a great hunt, and made it out just as the snowstorm hit. A great two week trip with my hunting buddy!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg544/CharlieNC/Elk2013.jpg?t=1386440126
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg544/CharlieNC/Pheas2013.jpg?t=1386440132
First of all let me say the guiding outfit I used was excellent; they are the experts and I am the rookie! On the second morning we intercepted a large herd as it was starting to move and got into a nice hide on a ridge. Just as the leading edge of the herd got into range the wind swirled for a second and a couple of cows winded us and off they went behind a "hill" about 1500 yards away. After most of them cleared our sight we headed down the ridge and up the open"hill"; this was quite a run for a 64-yr old flatlander but I made it after a rest on the way up. Since we were now completely in the open we crawled the last 50 yards to the crest to look over, and sure enough they were happily grazing on the other side about 250 yards away. Immediately my guide glassed up a nice bull which was covered up with cows, but before the cows cleared he called me off for a couple of better bulls coming up in the rear of the herd. Finally the best one turned broadside with a clear shot, and the 300 Win Mag hit him hard! He continued to slowly follow the herd which was now easing off at a fast walk, and the last shot at 400 yards hit him in the heart and he finally fell. My best elk so far, and I will be satisfied if I never get another.
To top it off we met up with our old pheasant hunting crew in SD for a great hunt, and made it out just as the snowstorm hit. A great two week trip with my hunting buddy!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg544/CharlieNC/Elk2013.jpg?t=1386440126
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg544/CharlieNC/Pheas2013.jpg?t=1386440132