-
- Species
- Whitetails
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
Print
Email
Share
Big Game Hunting
First bull elk
Uploaded on July 31, 2009I recently visited a friend in Mississippi who had an impressive wide bull elk mount on his wall. I first met the fellow about a year ago and knew that he was a bow hunter exclusively. I remarked that the bull probably went 340 or so B & C to which he confirmed that it was 347. Now comes the rest of the story. He freely admitted that he knew absolutely nothing about elk hunting when he applied for a bull elk tag in the Missouri Breaks country of Montana three years ago. In fact he said he still knows very little. Anyway he went to Montana and climbed up a ladder into a treestand on the first day of the hunt near a large creek. Less than an hour passed when he spotted a good bull cross the creek to the other side out of range. A few minutes passed when it came walking back across the creek and directly to his stand. It stood beneath him rubbing its butt on the ladder. He slowly raised his boot for fear the antlers would contact his foot and make the animal aware of his presence just inches above it. He drew his Mathews and let fly straight down. The bull walked away for about 10 yards when he put another arrow into its chest. It dropped on the spot and the hunt was over.
Today on Field & Stream
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Enthusiast | Kiteboarding | QUAD | SKI | Skiing | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding, | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | WakeBoarding | WaterSki | Warren Miller Entertainment | WindSurfing |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel & Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Meeting Traveler | Resorts & Great Hotels |
| Lifestyle & Shelter | Florida Travel & Life | Garden Design | Home Ft. Lauderdale | Home Miami |
| Luxury | SNOW | Spa |
| Marine | Boating Life | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Power Cruising | Marlin | Motor Boating | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting | NewBoats.com | UsedBoats.com | YachtBroker.com |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting |
| Science | Popular Science | Science Illustrated |
| Saveur | Saveur |
| Working Mother Media | Working Mother |
| Entertainment / Events | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
FieldandStream.com is part of the Bonnier Outdoor Group Network
Copyright © 2009 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
I'd say he capitalized on his opportunity.
I love it when things come together like that!
Great story!
Love it! A trophy elk ... from a treestand ... by a bow ... on his first hunt. How is he going to top that?
He can count his blessings! I had the same experience happen to me, then I went with nothing for the next 12 years. Cherish that moment Mississippi! It may be a long time before it comes together again for you.
Interesting, never heard of a tree stand for elk in Montana. Where do I sign up?
Happy, if you are familiar with the Missouri Breaks area who will understand the possibilities for utilization of a tree stand. Frankly, having never hunted that area for elk due to lack of drawing a tag, I never considered a stand as a practical application for that species until my friend mentioned it. Since he is a southern whitetail bowhunter first and foremost, admits to knowing nothing about elk, it certainly was the first idea that entered his mind when the time arrived to fill his initial elk tag. Apparently the tags are difficult to draw even for a non-resident. Land access ranges from public to pay for private use. Perhaps Rezavoir Dog can add to these comments as he most likely knows more about the area than me.
Ishawooa, Thanks for the comments. I've unsuccessfully put in for a tag up in the Breaks a few times. I guess I wouldn't know what to do if I did not have to travel across some tough country hunting elk. Your friend is a lucky fellow, good for him!
Ishawooa, Thanks for the comments. I've unsuccessfully put in for a tag up in the Breaks a few times. I guess I wouldn't know what to do if I did not have to travel across some tough country hunting elk. Your friend is a lucky fellow, good for him!
Additionally this Christian guy and his wife just adopted a Russian infant after three trips to Moscow. Carson is a fantastic kid being almost two years old and of Mongolian descent. Luke, the dad, will bowhunt for antelope near Forsyth, MT next month. I'm betting the goat will not be as easy as the elk.
Ish
I don't think archery tags for the Breaks are hard to draw. What is hard is the Non-Resident Combo License to be able to apply for the archery tag. At least that was the case a couple of years ago. I think I want to go to the Breaks or NE Montana deer hunting next year. I last went to MT in 2003 and have been going to CO since then (and hunting WA). Never shot a speed goat, but may try that in MT next year since the deer and antelope season overlap, unlike CO. So much to hunt, so little time.
WA Mtnhunter
You are correct about the license draw in Montana and I probably should have made that clear up front. The lack of a Combo License has prevented me from hunting Montana more than once.
I'm hoping to hang onto my job for another year and then go part time to have some more time to hunt. Maybe CO, WY, and MT in the same year if I could afford it and draw tags.
Neat story..that memory will last a lifetime!
that is a good story of someone being in the right place at the right time its realy impresive that the bull didnt hear him draw the bow or hear him move his foot
jtboles, the hunter agreed with your observations. He was totally surprised that the big bull was taken so easily and was never aware of his presence. Having no previous time spent hunting elk but a tremendous amount killing whitetails I suspect he was careful with his movements and draw as obviously he is used to shooting close in the dense woodlands of the south.
Post a Reply
Love it! A trophy elk ... from a treestand ... by a bow ... on his first hunt. How is he going to top that?
Additionally this Christian guy and his wife just adopted a Russian infant after three trips to Moscow. Carson is a fantastic kid being almost two years old and of Mongolian descent. Luke, the dad, will bowhunt for antelope near Forsyth, MT next month. I'm betting the goat will not be as easy as the elk.
I'd say he capitalized on his opportunity.
I love it when things come together like that!
Great story!
He can count his blessings! I had the same experience happen to me, then I went with nothing for the next 12 years. Cherish that moment Mississippi! It may be a long time before it comes together again for you.
Interesting, never heard of a tree stand for elk in Montana. Where do I sign up?
Happy, if you are familiar with the Missouri Breaks area who will understand the possibilities for utilization of a tree stand. Frankly, having never hunted that area for elk due to lack of drawing a tag, I never considered a stand as a practical application for that species until my friend mentioned it. Since he is a southern whitetail bowhunter first and foremost, admits to knowing nothing about elk, it certainly was the first idea that entered his mind when the time arrived to fill his initial elk tag. Apparently the tags are difficult to draw even for a non-resident. Land access ranges from public to pay for private use. Perhaps Rezavoir Dog can add to these comments as he most likely knows more about the area than me.
Ishawooa, Thanks for the comments. I've unsuccessfully put in for a tag up in the Breaks a few times. I guess I wouldn't know what to do if I did not have to travel across some tough country hunting elk. Your friend is a lucky fellow, good for him!
Ishawooa, Thanks for the comments. I've unsuccessfully put in for a tag up in the Breaks a few times. I guess I wouldn't know what to do if I did not have to travel across some tough country hunting elk. Your friend is a lucky fellow, good for him!
Ish
I don't think archery tags for the Breaks are hard to draw. What is hard is the Non-Resident Combo License to be able to apply for the archery tag. At least that was the case a couple of years ago. I think I want to go to the Breaks or NE Montana deer hunting next year. I last went to MT in 2003 and have been going to CO since then (and hunting WA). Never shot a speed goat, but may try that in MT next year since the deer and antelope season overlap, unlike CO. So much to hunt, so little time.
WA Mtnhunter
You are correct about the license draw in Montana and I probably should have made that clear up front. The lack of a Combo License has prevented me from hunting Montana more than once.
I'm hoping to hang onto my job for another year and then go part time to have some more time to hunt. Maybe CO, WY, and MT in the same year if I could afford it and draw tags.
Neat story..that memory will last a lifetime!
that is a good story of someone being in the right place at the right time its realy impresive that the bull didnt hear him draw the bow or hear him move his foot
jtboles, the hunter agreed with your observations. He was totally surprised that the big bull was taken so easily and was never aware of his presence. Having no previous time spent hunting elk but a tremendous amount killing whitetails I suspect he was careful with his movements and draw as obviously he is used to shooting close in the dense woodlands of the south.
Post a Reply