Missed my chance at a Virginia elk!

sprintflyer · 10-10-2004, 08:35 PM

I don't post much but I need to vent! Since Kentucky has been stocking elk they have been making there way into Virginia. We have an open season now and I have been chasing a good bull every day for a week.

I roll out of bed at 3:30 a.m. and head to the top of the mountain. Just after daylight I hear a bugel that stood my hair on end! It was as if he was under my stand! I slowly stand,get my cow call out of my pack, and DROP it 25 feet to the ground!

There were 3 does about 100 yards out so if I got down I would have spooked them in turn spooking my bull. I sat down and hoped for the best but did not get to see him.

The saying "I should have just s@#t in my hands and rubed it in my hair because it couldn't get any worse!" now has new meaning to me.

Invented · 10-10-2004, 09:18 PM

I've never seen a elk in the wild, i know they will never come as far east as where im located but someday I hope they are abundant in the western part of the state so I can take a trip to hunt them

Aught Six · 10-11-2004, 09:09 AM

I know that had to be frustrating, but not many hunters in Virginia ever have an encounter with elk. That's not much of a consolation, but I think I'd get a heck of a rush were I in your shoes. Good luck!

sprintflyer · 10-11-2004, 10:22 PM

Thanks guys, They are starting to get thick around here. I have some on video from my front porch.
I was in almost the same area today but only had a small doe under my stand. She stayed around for about 30 min and then slipped out never knowing I was in the world.
I hope to get back up on top of the ridge as soon as I can but it takes me around an hour to get there by foot. Work and my son's football take most of my time now so I can only hope for the late season.

dpv · 10-12-2004, 06:33 AM

As I understood it there were only 30-45 elk in virginia right now. Do you think that number is accurate?

David

270 win. · 10-12-2004, 03:49 PM

hey sprint. I live in Richlands va. about 45 minutes from pound. my uncle killed a 4 by 4 in grundy last year. I have never seen one here but i know they are here, you can find the tracks. I work for EMATS, maybe you have heard of them. Anyway i was at a gaswell one day and i heard a bugle. Good Luck!

dpv · 10-12-2004, 09:50 PM

HMMMM. My wife made a comment about us building our retirement house in the mountains....I didn't think she was listening all the times I've said it. Maybe I need to start looking for some land out that way.

David

mutt607 · 10-12-2004, 11:13 PM

270 win.,

I also live in Richlands.. How far east have you seen them? I got one of those free Pitston hunting permits and have been scouting around in Middle Creek. Have far east have the elk made it? Are they still west of Grundy, or have they made it into Tazewell county?

Allen Denton · 10-13-2004, 11:37 AM

That is awsome, I am far east of VA. and I do not expect them to make it my way but it is neat to hear stories of elk in VA.

270 win. · 10-18-2004, 07:54 PM

hey mutt,
Tazewell county is about as far as they have made it. Where do you live. P.M. me