2015 Elk and Mule Deer Hunt
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:52 am
Well I made the journey to Crawford, Colorado last week for my first elk and mule deer hunt. We went with Saddle Mountain Outfitters and I can't say enough great things for them. These guys have it figured out. They know how to work for their hunters and make everybody feel at home. I am 150% hooked on the elk hunting with a bow during rut and will be go back every year. This was my first trip to Colorado and the landscape was absolutely beautiful. I can say that the good lord amazes me more and more every day. How he created this area to be so beautiful is so awesome. Here are a few pictures of the scenery:
On to the elk. I was lucky enough to get a bull on my second afternoon. He came into the watering hole with about 30 cows and two other bulls. I can tell you that I have always heard that if a bull bugles and chuckles close to you that every hair on your body will stand up. Well it is true. This guy stopped about 10 yards from my stand and was behind a big group of oak bushes and started bugling. He bugled 6 times trying to get a cow that was held up in the woods to come on out. Once he got her, he stepped out in the watering hole and the Mathews Z7 with QAD Exodus did the job at 26 yards. He ran 15 yards and I watched him ball up on the pond levee. The guys at Saddle Mountain told us how bad this year has been so far for the elk, so I am extremely proud of this guy for my first elk.
The mule deer was a last minute hunt. The owner had a few landowner vouchers that allowed me to get an archery tag. We saw this guy the day before and I decided to go after him. We spotted him from about 100 yards and was able to walk in the tall grass and get within 30 yards of him. I only had a quartering shot and the QAD Exodus didn't let me down either. I am starting to love these broadheads. This guy ended up scoring 172 3/8.
I have told everybody that if you ever get a chance to go elk hunting with a bow during rut, do it!!! Can't wait till next year.
On to the elk. I was lucky enough to get a bull on my second afternoon. He came into the watering hole with about 30 cows and two other bulls. I can tell you that I have always heard that if a bull bugles and chuckles close to you that every hair on your body will stand up. Well it is true. This guy stopped about 10 yards from my stand and was behind a big group of oak bushes and started bugling. He bugled 6 times trying to get a cow that was held up in the woods to come on out. Once he got her, he stepped out in the watering hole and the Mathews Z7 with QAD Exodus did the job at 26 yards. He ran 15 yards and I watched him ball up on the pond levee. The guys at Saddle Mountain told us how bad this year has been so far for the elk, so I am extremely proud of this guy for my first elk.
The mule deer was a last minute hunt. The owner had a few landowner vouchers that allowed me to get an archery tag. We saw this guy the day before and I decided to go after him. We spotted him from about 100 yards and was able to walk in the tall grass and get within 30 yards of him. I only had a quartering shot and the QAD Exodus didn't let me down either. I am starting to love these broadheads. This guy ended up scoring 172 3/8.
I have told everybody that if you ever get a chance to go elk hunting with a bow during rut, do it!!! Can't wait till next year.
