Date: October 3rd, 2025
This last week of our 2 archery elk hunters here in late September, early October was a lot of fun! Still lots of bugling and plenty of action! The one bowhunter got 2 shots at a bull the first 15 minutes of his hunt after calling the bull into bow range. Unfortunately the bull wasn't recovered but appeared to be hit pretty hard twice. We even got permission from the neighboring landowner and still couldn't find it. These elk are super tough.
The other bowhunter got his money's worth after we hiked the first few days trying to get some open Country bulls to cooperate. The bugling and action was intense and we had a few really close calls. The one bull walking towards us in the pictures was broadside for a few minutes and once we stalked into range the hunter was full draw on him and before he could get a shot off it turned and walked over the hill. The 4th morning we finally capitalized on a pattern we've been seeing the first 3 days and went for it. After getting into our spot real early in the AM some super strong winds prevented any chance on taking a shot in the open terrain. That was also accompanied by some spitting rain. Lots of bugling but most of the elk stayed out at 250+ yards just under a hilltop appearing to stay just out of the worst of the wind. That didn't help us but finally one bull broke from the herd and come to the wallow we where watching at our location. The problem is there is no cover to sit over the wallow except a small pine tree 60-65 yards below it. So once we saw his antler tips coming over the hill it was full game on as he disappeared into the hole. As he started to step out luckily he come towards us to peer over the hill and offered a shot at 62 yards as I stopped him with a cow call broadside for the shot. The hunter drew his bow and was trying to settle the pin in the wind which was a little lighter than earlier in the morning. Before the hunter could release a arrow the bull bugled 3 times skylined on the hill at 62 yards, it was a sight neither of us will ever forget. The bull then turned into us and I heard the hunter say shit. A few monents later he turned quartering to us slightly as if to turn back over the hill so I stopped him again with another cow call and told the hunter 60 yards as I ranged him again. This time the hunter settled the pin and buried the arrow behind the shoulder. The bull took off and I told him you got him. The arrow I saw was a good hit and the bull ran 124 yards and laid down and died on the hill in front of us. It was a awesome experience!
In the one photo you can see the bull standing there with the arrow sticking out of him right before he laid down. I wish I could have got it all on video but it happened so quick and my hands where full ranging and focusing on making the calls at the right time for him to stop for a shot. The 3 bugles he did at 60 yards skylined was absolutely incredible to witness at that close. A hunt both of us will never forget.
Vince's last afternoon he harvested a beautiful Montana whitetail with a forked browetine. Just starting out bowhunting a few years ago Vince made the most of his week here in Big Sky Country killing a big 6x6 bull elk on Wednesday and his very first whitetail deer with a bow Friday evening. Conratulations!
That's a wrap for archery season. We didn't have many hunters this year for archery. 9 archery elk hunters and 8 shot at elk with 3 harvested, 1 missed, and 4 hit and not recovered. The one hunter who didn't get a shot had that one 6x7 at 70 yards and he had some cows in bow range early in the week. The only 3 deer hunters we had got some action. They got 1 deer, another hunter missed a buck and hit a buck and wasn't recovered. The 3rd deer hunter had some close encounters with a dandy 8 point and big 10 point but at 25 yards in the thicket could'nt get a clear shot. Rifle season is next in 3 more weeks and I'm sure more animals will be hitting the ground that first week and through November. I'll try to post pics when I can once rifle season starts. Thanks everyone for a memorable bow season! It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed everyones company!
