Back From CO
 

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

RE: Back From CO
 

Sounds like you had a ton of fun even tho you didn't get a shot off.

You will next time for sure now that you have learnt a few lessons;)

It was real nice of the others to share their meat.

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Sounds like a good time! Congrats to your buds kills! I sure would love to do a Elk hunt traditional style one of these days!

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Sounds great Chad. I had a ML tag this year and sent it back. Glad you had a good time and your back safe. I am dieing to go out with my longbow.

Shocked a 135gr head went thru a shoulder blade.

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Sounds like you had a great trip Chad. It sounds like the longbow did the trick on that elk. Your not kidding about the eating either. Elk is one of my favorite meats. Glad your back.

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That jumped out at me too. Any idea what head it was?

Was it a single bevel? :)

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Wow, sounds like a great hunt. Tell us more. Did you pack in with horses or hike?

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I have hit deer with 125gr magnus and not penetrated more than one lung. But that was a downward shot from a treestand.

I would like to see more about this guys setup. It would build my confidense with my selfbows on deer. I have been taking out my fancy R/D longbows this year, and still haven't built up the confidense that my 155fps 460gr cedar can get the job done from my osage bow.

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He was shooting a Crusader longbow, pulls around 27", Dynaflight '97 string, 2018 XX75 arrow, 135 grain Zwicky broadhead--nothing outstanding or extreme about his set-up. The shot was about 15 yds. He has his set-up tuned and his broadheads sharp.

Honestly I don't understand why so many folks have penetration problems. A friend in TN kills lots of deer with his selfbows--he has a short draw, doesn't shoot extreme weights (around 55# if I remember correctly), and doesn't shoot super heavy arrows or broadheads. Fred Bear killed an elephant pulling 75# and used a Razorhead broadhead. I don't remember the arrow weight, but I don't recall it being super heavy either.

Bob (the fellow that killed the elk) didn't hit dead-center of the shoulderblade, but the shoulderblade was penetrated at least a couple of inches in from the edge. I'll try to remember to get more details the next time I talk to him. No doubt he would have gotten a pass-through, or at thevery least full penetration (broadhead sticking out the far side--dang near did that anyway)if the shot had been a few inches further back.

Chad

RE: Back From CO
 

Hey big country, my set up is as follows> Chekmate Crusader. 62" 53# at my 27" draw. One of Chad's D97 strings. XX75 2018 cut to 30". !35gr zwickey delta with tanto point and razor sharp. Hope this helps, I know it's nothing special on the set up but it seems to work for me. Did you ever sell your takedown crusader that you had for sell. That was one nice looking bow. Good luck
BOB

RE: Back From CO
 

Yep, I sold it, I had it shooting well. I didn't particularly like the huge grip and really wanted one tillered 3 under. Somebody got a good deal.

I shoot a savannah also with 2018's. Glad to hear it would do the job on elk. I have been shooting magnus 125grs.

Hope Chad didn't think I was callin him a liar. Just wanted to hear more about the hit. I will be taking out my osage bow this year for deer. It only shoots like 155fps with 460gr cedars. But dad gone accurate.

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I forgot to add that total arrow weight is 555 gr and I believe if I remember right that speed was around 170fps
BOB

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I'd sure like to hear about the hunts, the camp, the elevation, the weather etc, etc, etc.

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No problem at all BC--always better to get it straight from the horse's mouth--I'm liable to get something crossed up.

Bob knows more of the details than I do, but I'll give it a shot.

The hunts were lots of walking and calling. The rut hadn't started yet, but we did get a few bugles in reply to calling and I think a few curious cows came to check out calls. My main mistakes were moving too fast (didn't think that was possible for me, especially with the thin air), not hiding well enough (move from one hiding spot to the next, don't just stand in the open regardless if you can breath or not!), not calling enough, and not looking hard enough (Bruce got within 10 yds or so of two cows and didn't see them until they busted from their bed). Up a mountain or ridge in the morning (ideally you would get up before daylight and try to beat the elk to the top where they bedded after feeding in the meadows at night), but we never managed to do that--needed a good breakfast to tackle that climb!

Trails and sign was very good--too good--couldn't decide what to follow most of the time.

Elevation at the camp was.....around 7,000-7,500 feet, I think? I went to well over 8,000 feet one day (top of a small mountain), dang near killed me.

Temps were mid 60's during the day, low-mid 30's at night--just right for a sleeping bag.

Weather was beautiful, got a small sprinkle once or twice, got rained on once, but not a hard rain.

We couldn't have asked for a nice campsite--had a spot where the ground was almost level to pitch our tents, a nice (COLD) stream close by to get water, wash our clothes, and bathe (try taking a bath in 48 degree water--SHEW!), plenty of trees to tie up the horse and plenty of grass for him to eat on (plus the 50# sack of feed we had to take in for him--he was an eating machine!).

We parked at the trailhead, where a lot of folks camp, got our horse, loaded him and our packs, and headed out. Took a long time to get there, but that was because we didn't know the exact trail to take (or missed it--I forget--whichever it was, I blame it on Bob:D;)). Coming out (they knew the trail then) took about 3.5 hours, mostly up-hill. Bob and Ed took the meat to the cooler before we packed out, and I think it took them about 3 hours coming in (more downhill than up).

We carried in food (instand oatmeal, ramin noodles, individually packs of tuna, trail mix, instandcoffee,etc.) 3 small tents (two men per tent, one extra to keep gear out of the weather), a few pots (only needed two), a cup and "spork" each (the "spork" is a camping utinsel--spoon on one end, fork on the other), rain gear, tarps, water containers, water filters, sleeping bags and pads......quite a list of things. It was all we could get on the horse and on our packs. A good pack frame is a MUST (I didn't have a good one, used a military ALICE pack frame--not the best choice). We could have eliminated some things--you want to be sure to take everything you need, but nothing extra--more stuff = more weight.

Besides what I learned about hunting elk, I also learned two VERY important things. MONTHS before you leave, start walking. Walk, walk, then walk some more. All uphill if possible. Start walking with a pack. Build up to the point where you can walk several miles with a 50# pack, and maybe you'll only feel like you are having 1/2 a heart attack going in. Bob, Bruce, and Ed were all in MUCH better shape than me, and it was all to obvious before we'd gone a half-mile. The second is be sure to take a good water filter/pump--do NOT drink straight from the stream, no matter how cold and clear the water is. We heard of one fellow who took one drink from a stream and spent the next three days in the hospital.

I have to give these three guys I went witha LOT of credit--they really took care of me, waited on me (when I was hunched over on the trail, trying to breathe and looking for my lungs which I was sure had fallen out of my chest a ways back), and they never fussed or complained--they only encouraged me, which really made a difference.

I'm not in the worst shape--39 years old, still pretty strong, overweight but carry it pretty well. Before I left I was able to walk with 80# in my pack for 1-1.5 miles without passing out (well, not completely pass out anyway), so I thought I had it under control--NOT! I know for sure that if I get another chance to go, I WILL be in better shape! I didn't get my legs under me until Friday, on the way out--and it still wasn't easy by any stretch.

I've tromped around Northern Ontario for moose (rocky, rough walking, but didn't have to deal with the elevation), sloshed through swamps for hogs in GA (I thought walking through "sucking" mud all day was tough), and covered various other terrains--elk in CO was by far the toughest hunting I've ever done. Hope I get to do it again!

Chad

RE: Back From CO
 

No shock to me at all. My dad and his hunting buddy's did It for many years shooting 135 grain Satellite II BH's. A few of there elk they caught the shoulder blade and went right through It and out the other side. There setups were (2216's 135 grain Satellite II BH's shot from Big Horn Take Down Recurve's all pulling 60lbs and 65lbs).


I'm glad you guys had some success there Chad!! Elk hunting Is a work out that's for sure. You were fortunate you had a horse for packing In and out, It could of been worse for ya. The last time I went elk hunting I had 95lbs on my back and we packed In 7 miles. I was dead to the world when we finally hit camp. It took till the last few days of a 10 day hunt before my legs finally started to cooperate with me without me having to stop and rest. Horses would be nice though. I'd do It with horses If I had some. Good to see you back in one piece!! Glad you had fun and learned a thing or 2, that's what It's all about!

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Ok, thats fine. But it still begs the question. Why are you shooting such a high weight bow?

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Why am I? If your asking why I am the reason Is I like knocking something on It's ass when I hit It.;)

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I know that exact feeling. I felt I was in great shape when I went. But my lungs just could not handle the altitude well. Hunched over gasping if I didn't take it slow and easy. It's a very strange feeling for me knowing my muscles were not giving out, it was my lungs. We made camp on top of the mountain though at 11,000 feet. Morning hunts were a little easier for us. :)

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Ain't that the truth! I thought I was plenty strong enough--and I was--but my lungs weren't! No way to describe that feeling--it's just weird! Made me thankful I don't smoke!

Chad

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Here's a picture of Bob (ArkyBob) with his cow. Notice the small dark spot on the rear of the right shoulder; that's the entry wound.
We did have a great time. We ALL were worn out but still excited to be there.

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Here are just a couple of my favorite pictures from the hunt.





L to R: Bruce(PowDuck), Chad(LBR), Bob(ArkyBob), Ed, Leroy (has a gas problem)[:'(]

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Great pics duck!!! Looks like a blast!!

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Awesome trip guys! Elk hunting is about as good as it gets.
Bob,
congrats on the cow man! this is Ryan that made the bow trade over on trad gang.

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Hey Ryan, how's it going? Yes, we did have a great time. The bonus for me is to be able to take an elk. The trip was successful in so many other ways, it nearly outweighs the taking of the cow. I won't pretend that it is not exciting to take one with trad gear, because it is one of the most exciting things I've ever done while hunting. And I know that aslongas I can draw a longbowthat's what I'll be shooting. But, just having the opportunity to spend time with great friends in such a beautiful place is enough in itself. The taking of an animal is just a small part of what this hunt meant to me. Bruce, Chad, Ed, and even stinky Leroy are as much a part of the "success" of the hunt as me taking an elk. I hope everyone has such good friends to share the sweat, pain, laughter, tears, and joy as these guys are to me. Hope everyone has a "successful" season, what ever that season is. BOB

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That Is right on!! I also am the same way when I go out on hunting trips with friends and family. Getting an animal Is nice but the time you share with friends and family Is a treasure Itself!!

Well said Arky!! Respect!!:)

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Words can't describe the experience--heck, I rarely remember it when I dream, but I've been dreaming about that hunt lately! Maybe a few nightmares about Leroy (the horse) and his gas problem......man alive, I bet T. Boone Pickens would pay a fortune for him![:'(]

Chad

RE: Back From CO
 

I'm glad you got to go Chad ....... where in Colorado did you go? I was in the southern part, Weminuche, Pagosa Springs, South San Juans and just found very little elk in all the miles we walked .........

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Great pics duck, thanks for posting. I still have yet to get a chance to elk hunt. All I have are dreams of one day going.;)

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We hunted Routt National Forest near Steamboat Springs. I reckon the Good Lord was smiling on us--although we saw a big rack in the back of a truck in town, seems that everyone we talked to hadn't seen squat. We were in a great spot--if I'd known a little more about elk hunting (and maybe had an oxygen tank), I believe I'd have gotten a shot (busted out several I never saw, just heard them crashing off). Bruce had some close encounters, just bad luck. Dang sheepherders didn't help us any--I wasted an entire day on one mountain (actually made it to the top) just to find nothing but sheep trails, crap, etc. I kept thinking if I went higher, I'd get above the sheep and into elk (this was the mountain Bruce and I saw elk on the first day). Not so--there was sheep crap on top of that mountain! Oh well....I learned a lot, just hope to one day get a chance to use what I learned!

Chad