Date: September 28th, 2023
This week has had some good days and slow days. Early in the week we had some elk come into one of the alfalfa fields with a nice 6x6 with a kicker making him a 7x6 walk by one of the hunters at 53 yards. Two other bigger bulls entered the field so he was hoping for one of the bigger bulls to get closer. So far that herds been either out early or a no show until after dark. Really hit or miss but hunting the field in the evening and thicker riverbottom in the AM is the game plan to catch them slipping up one day. They're still not as active as we normally see them this time of year which is odd but I assume it's because they're not all concentrated together so there isn't as much competition to make it a intense rut like we're used too.
I had one hunter out in the AM and we set up and fortunately the wind was in our favor when a nice 5x5 come up from below us through the timber and let out a bugle. He was in a perfect spot and a few cow calls later had him coming in bugling stright at me and the hunter. The bull got within 20-25 yards and luckily turned behind some small pines and gave the hunter a opportunity to draw his bow. He caught a branch with his bow limb while drawing and the bull looked and bolted up the hill. I cow called several times and stopped him broadside at about 35 yards. The arrow impacted the bull high shoulder. We're still trying to find him looking for birds.
Another hunter had some close calls with a spike yesterday evening at 6 steps and then another bull at 30 yards this morning but no shot with some small branches in the way. Some coyotes got between the hunters and a herd of elk yesterday morning and spoiled that stalk. This morning some cows followed by a big 6x6 crossing the river stright at the one guys stand and the wind must have swirled and the elk busted out of there. The trail they where on leads 18 yards in front of the stand. With how "slow" the action has been the guys are still getting some close encounters.
