Well, I didn't get a shot, but didn't come back empty handed. Out of the four of us, two guys got a cow each (one with a longbow, one with a compound--the compound shot was about 10 yds). We were in a great place--just a little bad luck and a lot of stupid mistakes (I learned a LOT about elk hunting) kept me from getting a shot. Busted several out, got a few bugles when I called, and had an excellent hunt. The rut hadn't started yet, or I believe all four of us would have tagged out. When we went back to town, folks were suprised to hear we had any luck--with bows at that. Most folks hadn't seen a thing, although we did see one BIG rack in the back of a truck in town. The scenery was awesome, the company was great, the hunting was the hardest I've ever done (they forget to pump in any oxygen in them dang mountains--shew!). Hope I get to do it again! The two guys that filled their tag shared their meat--great guys to say the least!

The other guy who didn't fill his tag had some close calls, including two cows jumping up out of their beds at about 10 yds in front of him, and a close call or two with bulls, but it just didn't work out for him. Three of us were using longbows. The guy that scored with a longbow made a really quick shot (all he had a chance for) at about 15 yds. He was pulling around 56@27 I think, using 2018 arrows and a 135 grain broadhead. His shot was a bit forward, going clean through the shoulderblade into both lungs--a good 16" or so of penetration. I think his broadhead hit the far shoulder and stopped--no doubt he would have gotten a pass-through if not for the shoulderblade. At any rate, it only went maybe 100 yds--a nice mature cow, around 350 lbs. The other fellow got a pass-through (perfect shot placement) on a yearling cow, around 200 lbs (that's the meat I got some of--FINE eating!), and it went about the same distance.

Got home yesterday afternoon, still exausted with a lot of things to catch up on, but wanted to give an update.

Chad