It sounds like you are in some dense cover if you can't get a shot at 25 yrds. Try to pick a better set up spot. Give your self some room, or shooting lanes. Get into an area with partial clearcuts or even in plantation areas where the trees are in rows. These areas make for good shot selection, but still gives the bull cover to move toward you.

BM

...Rocky Mountain High...

Blue Moose Co, Thanks for the input. However during the past archery season, atleast in the area I was hunting in, the elk were in the thick timber. I was able to find a couple of shooting lanes, however just was not able to get them to take the extra step. It's a really good area to hunt and is tuff hunting because of the down timber and thickness of the timeber, but that is where the big boys are at, as I am sure you know. Again thanks for the input. Happy hunting!!

I had the same thing happen to me this year after my partner had fallen and broke his leg. After i started hunting by myself i called in a couple of bulls that got real close but never presented a good shot. I thought about what i might have done different, and decided it was just not my turn to win.

Sig, amen to that. Thanks for responding

Maybe sometimes we aquaite a string of bad luck with something we are doing that is wrong. If you are getting them in to twenty five yards then you are doing great. You must be hunting some really thick stuff but I don't know what more you can do.

MT HUNTER. Thanks for responding. you are right, sometimes we just have be reminded of that. Yep, it is some thick suff, but not so thick that it cann't be done. I just have to figure out how and have a whole lot of luck.

mcdontheplain - My first year I called in I think 7 bulls, and took two shots at the same bull before getting him. I do know that now, I am NOT afraid to move around and try to maneuver while the bull is coming in. That might help a bit - other than that, sounds like you're doing a lot of right things.

Stealthycat, got your message and if it is all possible I'll give it a try. Thanks

mcdontheplain, this is a terrible predicament you are facing! I think the answer to your problem would be this.
Me, sitting about 25yds. off to one side of you! One of us will probably get a shot that way.
Anyway, if you are doing that good getting them in range, its just a matter of time until you write the final chapter. Good Luck!

Big country, thanks for your response. I know that sooner or later, everything is going to fall into place. This is a new hunting area for me and its not real big, but it has a good population of elk. Plus I have not seen anyone else in there or even sign of anyone else. And it wouldn't hurt to have someone else in there with me.