Had 4 located before the season... but elk move on and I was starting to doubt my luck...
Then I just stopped and thunk a bit. Tis hot.. they be up there.
So up I went... into the thick nasties
And.....
Then I finally got a distant reply.... long ways off so off I went.
Found ye ole elk highway...
So then... hike hike hike
Up up up....
Bumped into 3 cows on one side that milled about for 5 min before they figured I wasn’t and elk.... I felt pretty good at getting into these cows at least... but I wondered.. ‘where r da bulls?’
Then this fellow just graze wandered right up to me at about 25 yards.....
After a 3 minute stand off.... he jumped and ran 40 yards...
I looked around and then noticed this larger light brown rock across the stream in the alders. I raised my binos and sure enough.... broadside bull.... can see horns! This guy was staying stone still at 50 yards for the last 5 minutes or so till me and Lil spiker finished our encounter.
I side move walked 10 yards to my right and he exploded with a jump!!
Swapped ends and headed off! I could tell he had tall mains but couldn’t figure points. I chirped him and he halts broadside... antlers and head behind a big tree...
I raise my 30-06 get him in my scope... 5 seconds and he quarters away... I got a good shot at vitals and he’s walking. I can only count his points on the right side...
1,2.... 2.5......
1,2.... 2 and maybe point 6?
I pass on him.
What a great evening.