In our area hunting season opens on the first of September for bow only and it lasts until the 9th, then rifle opens. So we decided to head out to an elk spot that is not accessible by vehicle. We backpacked in with all our stuff and man was it cold! There were patches of snow as went up the mountain and it was foggy.
Once we got to the top of the mountain to set up camp, the fog had cleared and the snow was about 2 inches deep. We had an awesome viewing area of the whole valley and a good vantage point to listen to any bugles. We got camp set and did some glassing before we decided to head down. We dumped the stuff we didn't need into the tent, grabbed our packs and bows then headed out. We walked the ridge, glassed and listened.
Pretty soon the weather started to change again. The temperature dropped and it started to snow. Kyle made the call to go back to camp and pack up. At this time my sleeping bag only went down to zero Celsius, and he was worried I would get too cold. (I'm a very cold person). We packed up camp and started to head down the mountain the opposite side we came up. It was a stupid idea at the same time it was a good idea. It was VERY steep but it dropped us into the valley that was full of bugling elk, as well as a grizzly sow.
We dropped into a bench that had a nice marshy area with TONS of elk sign. Tracks, feces, rubs and bugling. So we set up in an area to attempt to call in the bull. It took about half an hour to get him to come in. He came in hot and at a very rapid speed screaming the entire way. Kyle got set up, pulled back and waited. The elk was a mature 6-point. He came crashing in to 30 yards of us and stopped....his vitals covered by a tree. We gave a soft call and he took a couple steps forward...to another tree. While waiting the wind shifted, carrying our scent straight towards him. He spooked and took off. My heart was hammering in my chest. That was an unreal experience and I loved every minute of it.
Later on in the season Kyle went back up with his bow to try and get the same bull but was stopped short by the grizzly sow we had found signs of on opening day. He decided to not stick around!
Nikita & Kyle
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