Just got back last night from four wonderful days black powder elk hunting in the Colorado mountains. Got to our normal spot on Friday to discover a search and rescue effort under way for a bow hunter who was lost. Apparently, the noise of ATV's and airplaned flying over low disturbed the elk. It was slim pickings.

On Sunday afternoon, we moved down to some BLM lands at lower elevation. Spotted a herd at a couple miles away. After a long stalk, much of it on hands and knees through the tall sage brush, we got right up on them. My brother in law got a heavy 6 X 6 bull and I managed to drop a cow from the herd before they got into full retreat.

Both of us used the 410 Hornady Great Plains bullet ahead of a Ballistic Bridge Sub Base. His shot was quartering away - elk had his head down feeding at about 35 yards.- bullet went in the last rib and came out just behind the shoulder. The big bull lumbered about 50 yards, stopped, and paused for almost a minute before going down.

My shot was at about 150 yards broadside. The bullet hit the lungs and went clear through. Elk staggered about 30 yards and piled up. Both bullets, while not recovered, appeared to make a wound channel about the size of .25 cent piece through the lungs. On the way out, we ran into some other hunters who had been at it for three days without even seeing an animal. I guess we were lucky. Have the tenderloins marinating in olive oil and garlic for supper tonight. Life is good.