2012 Colorado elk hunt

[Deleted]

2012 Colorado elk hunt. The hunt only lasted approximately 2 hours. We got lucky and got on a herd immediately and after working the herd bull without being able to get him into range and spooking a satellite bull that snuck in behind me at less than 15 yards unknowingly, this cow presented a 26 yard shot so I decided it was meat on the table and I would fish for the rest of the trip and call for my cousin. He as well ended up taking a nice cow 2 days later so we both fished and relaxed, good trip overall.
(Bowtech Destroyer 340, 30 in. and 70 lbs draw, 26 yard shot, complete pass thru and she traveled about 40 yards after the shot.)

[Dave W]

For the life of me, I can't see the tire tracks where you ran over it with the truck. ;D ;D

[DHinMN]

Any elk with a bow is a trophy. What kind of broadhead? Did you get any fish?

[Deleted]

To be honest I can't even remember what kind of broadheads they are, I've had them for years, they were marketed by Realtree (made by someone else but can't remember who), they were just cheap expandables I bought years ago at walmart. I didn't feel like spending the money for replacement blades for my Rocket broadheads or buying new ones, so I still had these old cheap ones in the packages so I got them out and tuned everything and away I went. They have a razor tip and a 1- 3/4 cut. Worked perfectly, pass thru, huge exit hole, no damage to broadhead and a short blood trail.
Yes, we caught a ton of cutthroat trout. It was fun and they are good eating.

[Deleted]

Funny Dave, you need to get off your A.. and go. At a minimum I could use your knife and some help packing. 2 things you've been proven good on.

[kralik4jr]

Great job. I have the same bow and am yet to shoot something without a complete pass thru and then some.

[deadeye]

ohioguy-you make it sound easy! ;D if that is what it takes to get our ole buddy dave to the forest!

where do you hunt approx(public ?) i hunt public near steamboat springs in 161.

i bet those trout over a fire with lemon & butter!

congratz!

[Deleted]

deadeye, we always hunt public, normally units 42, 421. (Normally) It's not easy by any means as you are probably well aware of, this year we decided we weren't passing anything legal up and we were gonna be more aggressive than even ever, we just got plain lucky running into the heard mine was in, unfortunately we couldn't get the herd bull and spooked a satellite but managed to call her close enough, on my cousins we got aggressive and put the hike on... we had fun, made some mistakes and spooked a few but still managed to get in on another heard and take a cow. It was a much easier year than normal I believe that to be 50% luck and 50% hard work. As normal, since I tagged out the first day, I had to watch a nice 5x5 walk away from a mere 25 yards while I was calling for my cousin, it came directly to the calls and didn't even attempt to get downwind of me like usual, so he didn't get a shot and I cursed myself. All in all, it was a good year and hunt. Our freezers are full. Thanks

[Deleted]

Heading back to CO in a couple of weeks to try and do it again, this time hold out for some horns, at least for a while.

[quillen52]

I guided bow hunts for elk for a number of years and I have taken more cows than bulls with a bow. I have taken some nice bulls with a rifle but the last few years I have tried to take a big dry cow - they sure taste good! Good luck and enjoy yourself and there is nothing wrong with taking a cow. Elk hunting should be enjoyed no matter how you do it!

[ET]

Ohioguy

Congrats on a successful hunt.

It’s nice to have a set of horns on your quarry but I prefer a full stomach over pride for horns.
To have time to catch and savor some trout is a bonus. Definitely butter in the frying pan
as Deadeye suggested but my preference is home fries for an accompaniment. Then a little salt and lemon pepper is the finishing touch.

Good Hunting in round 2.

Ed

[Deleted]

Thanks fellas. Really looking forward to getting back to the rockies. Can't wait to chase elk and catch some trout. Always a great time. Always been a dream to kill a big bull with a bow, killed a raghorn 4 point a few years ago and have came close to killing a few nice ones but something always goes wrong, typical elk hunting. But don't get me wrong, nothing beats the taste of elk so later in my hunt I will take a cow if I can. Just holding out for several days for the hopes of filling the dream of a big bull.

[pposey]

Good luck! Would be awsome to be back in the rockies and even better to be after elk! Can you get over the counter tags there or is it draw only? Been 20 years since I've been in that country and get the itch every fall.

[Deleted]

Yes, there are many units you can hunt in and by over the counter archery tags. That's what we do, diy hunts with over the counter tags. It's awesome and I live to hunt elk as much as big horned whitetails. It's an addiction. I hope you get back out there soon.

[Deleted]

Here is a pic of my current rig that I'll be taking to chase elk next week. It's a Darton 3800, 70# @ 30in. Montana Black Gold sight, QAD rest, G5 quiver, Black Eagle Arrows (Carnivore 350's), Carbon Express Torrid expandable 1 1/2 cut heads, speeds are somewhere in the mid 340's with this set up. Should get it done if I can do my part.

[quillen52]

I guarantee it will do the job. I have taken elk with outfits that we thought were smoking hot shooting in the 250 range. What area are you hunting in? I guided for a few years in the Meeker/Craig area. I also had an early Darton bow that has accounted for several elk.

[Deleted]

Couple areas, From Silt to Steamboat. Can't get here soon enough...LOL

[quillen52]

I am familiar with the area. Used to be some good mule deer in those areas too. Do you have a mulie tag?

[Dave W]

Nice setup except that camo sight.
Leave the Chargemaster at my house and then I'll trade sights. I'll break that thing in while you're out west.

[Deleted]

No just strictly after Elk. We have seen a couple dandy mulies over the years tho.

[Deleted]

I'll pass on that Dave. Camo sight will be fine. Lol Buy me a box of MH's and we may be able to work something out. Lol

[Deleted]

Back from Colorado trip. No elk this time. Weather was crazy from one extreme to the other and had a full moon most of the trip, so the hunting wasn't too good. All in all it was good just to be sneaking around the rockies again. Now time to shoot the new 700ML and get after some whitetails.

[pposey]

Well at least you got to go,,,, back to your huge Ohio deer!

[Deleted]

Yeah for sure. Love going out west. Haven't even been in the woods yet here in Ohio this year, 0 scouting this year. May be interesting, always a few good ones roaming around so ya never know what will show up.