yesterday was day 1 for me. I usually hunt solo but decided to hunt with my buddy to try and get him one. Riding in on bikes we got busted by a bull and 3 cows. We gave them some time and went in and called, no results. Later in the day we got in on 3 cows, no bulls around.

On a last ditch effort before dark, I decided to go check a small clear cut. We got there and it appeared to be no elk but, I glassed a cows face. Glassed right and found a bulls head facing away, a 5x5. My buddy had left his bow on his bike expecting that maybe I get a chance since I had called for him all day but, I said "you shot my bow at the range, go kill him".

We were 105yds when he started his stalk. I watched from my stump. He got about 60yds in my eyes from the bull and the bull stood up looking for him. I cow called and got his attention. My buddy was in a hole and the bull couldn't see down below. As my buddy approached a little more, I deployed my elk decoy and cow called. The bull was torn on where to look. In the end, the bull and cows left scene unharmed. My friend was 51yds and had a small branch in the way of his quartering away shot, so he passed.

At 8:40pm I received a msg with another guys stating he killed a bull where I showed him to hunt 2yrs ago and needed help. I drove over, hiked in with another guy to see he killed a descent 5x5, his first elk. They had already began quartering the bull when we got there so, knowing I was getting up again at 5am, I loaded a qtr and hiked out solo. Got home and in bed at 12:30... Fun 1st day I guess, other than my legs are sore.

Up this morning with my buddy for an a.m. hunt. No elk! I did see 3 blacktail forkys so, I made a move on them. Terrain was steep and ground cover was too loud so I bailed only about 20yds from where I wanted to be. Plus, I didn't feel like packing a deer out. Nap time now and off with my boy tonight, unless he bails, then I'll go solo.

Awesome! I always get excited when your elk season starts. Keep em coming and good luck!

Good luck! Take some pics to share.

I know its hard work and takes skill, but man that sounds amazing. Something I hope to do one day!

A lil rub we found
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My buddy making his play on the bull

I always enjoy your annual archery hunt thread.

Good luck. We want to see elk blud!

Good luck!

Good luck and keep us posted. Have always enjoyed reading your posts. Living vicariously thru you until we can hunt something as well!

Tonight was a bust. Went to a spot just to check things out and wont be in there again. Next hunt, Saturday. Talked to the son so, we just gonna hunt and make it home in time for the Bama game. Friday's out, picking up my wife and daughter from the airport in Portland after their ONE MONTH vacation to Mobile with a 2 week stint in an Orange Beach condo. She needs to get home and cook.

Couple little reviews from some new items I picked up this year

*Swarovski 10x42 SLC, sweet. Clear, gather light well and well worth the money.

*KUIU Teton pants. Very comfortable hiking and biking. I got both patterns and really like both. I really like the size of the pockets and the zippers on them as well. They came with a 34 inseam, I had them cut to 31. The Verde camo blends really well with the green vegetation. The Vias looked good in timber as well as the clearcuts with the brown grass.

Core4Element light weight shirts from Camofire. Very comfy and breath well. I like the arm sleeve pocket for keeping a couple reeds in.

After picking the girls up at the airport last night, I went on a morning hunt today. Hikes up a huge timbered hill so I could save 3 miles of biking. Worked great. Once on top, I enjoyed the great views and began glassing. I spotted a "blonde" body on a logging road and knew it was "male". I then spotted 6 or 7 cows. After getting some good views, he looked like a small 5x5. I decided the time and effort required to hike over was not worth it today since I needed to spend a little time at home tonight (BAMA GAME too). About 45 minutes after first spotting the elk, I saw 2 hunters trying to make a play. They didn't realize the elk had already started over the hill and they struck out. My way out vwas a hill from hell, heavily timbered, with wet 6ft ferns most of the way down, prolly an 8-900ft decent.

Under armour bozman boot, waterproof my butt. Soaked going through wet grass.

The teton pants are doing well. Hit a few briars today with no snags yet. Very comfortable hiking, even during my 800 to 1000ft ascent. While wearing the VIAS CAMO pants, my buddy said he couldn't see my legs

Thanks, nice reading.

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The rd in the middle Y's, the bull is the bright spot following the y to the left. The cows are over the top of the Y
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Tuesday, RAIN. I made my rounds running and gunning in the rain for a couple hours in the morning, notta!
Dried out and went back out in the afternoon, notta!