2014 semi live elk hunt

S

Snowcrest 6

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Well kids, it's that time of year again!


Got the pickup loaded yesterday (mostly).  I need to go into work this morning for a few hours, and then vacation will officially start.  Gonna shoot a few grouse this afternoon, and then head for Montana in the morning.  I'll post updates and pics when I can.


Good luck everybody!


- B



 
Stopped for the night in Ashland, MT one more stop in bozeman to see FAM and then we head south.  Starting to look, feel, and smell like Montana.
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Day 2 of our trip started out good enough.  On the road at a decent time, nice little drive through southern Montana on I 90.  Stopped in Bozeman to see some family and spend the night....went to check into the hotel only to find out that my dog WILL NOT use stairs.  Got downright beligerant about the whole deal too, so I guess well try to stay in Alder tonight.....

 
First night of scouting has produced 4 bulls.  Still an hour to go.  Looking good
 
Kinda cool.....  Looking at a 5 and within about a 75 yd radius there's 7 mule deer and a pair of Angus cows....all just looking at each other.
 
Saw 8 bulls tonight but oddly enough we saw not one cow.
 
Different area this morning no elk no bugles yet tons of mule deer.  Very cold.....coffee tasted really good!
 
Thanks for bringing us along for the trip. Keep it coming!

Bulls will be coming to the calls. Silently for now.

Best of luck.
 
Since the forum is back up, here's an update:

Day 3 (the actual first day of hunting)  Saw exactly squat.  Had about 8 different rigs pull in to the general area on Friday (day before the opener) and the elk definitely took notice of all the activity and noise.  Didn't see or hear a single elk all day long.

Day 4 Had a group of three local guys come through camp this morning on their way up, said they were all the way to the top yesterday and saw a little elk sign, but it was all very old.  Spent the day walking the timber, no calling, just listening and glassing.  Decided to move down the valley a little and glass a few old hot spots.  Saw 2 really nice bulls. 

Day 5 Started out the day with an attempt at spot and stalk on the 2 bulls from yesterday.  One bugled just as I was leaving the truck at 6 am, already moving to bed before daylight.  Made the mistake of not even carrying a tube this morning.....oops.  Tried to cut them off but didn't work, it was the last I saw of them.  Did see a really nice moose this morning, trailing a cow/calf pair.  Also found a really nice, fresh, stinky pile of bear poo.  Since there's a known griz that hangs out in Coal creek, I called it a morning.  (as a side note, I found out on Wed that the spring bear hunter that got chewed up by a griz in this area earlier this year is still in a Seattle hospital.....).  Spent the afternoon cruising the aspen trees near camp looking for sign.  Found a HUGE, old moose in Pocket creek.  This guy will forever be my benchmark moose on judging the size of others....really wish I could have gotten a picture of him.  No elk sign at all, not even old sign.  Busted a connector pin on the front sway bar on my truck later in the afternoon.....looking at the weather forecast, we're supposed to get rain and snow on Wed/Thurs.
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Day 6 Went back for a try on the elk in Coal creek.  Beautiful morning, didn't see or hear them, just a lone short wolf howl from the south end of the Gravellies.  Checked the weather again on the way down, not looking any better.  Since the roads up here are exceptionally bad when they get wet, I decided to pull out ahead of it.  Didn't even get the opportunity to blow a setup this year but, honestly, tag soup never tasted so good!  I was in desperate need of some mountain-time.  Got to see a few really nice animals and spent a week in heaven.
 
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