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The year 2020 will go down as one of the most memorable hunting seasons ever. It all started with the usual gathering of the family for our yearly get together and hunting trip. I was fortunate enough to be drawn for early season antlerless elk in WMU 360. My son and nephew had antlered general tags for elk.
The season opened on Thursday, September 17. My wife and I pulled our trailer up that afternoon and set up camp. Our son and nephew both had to work, and were unable to join us until the following night.
The evening of the 17th, my wife and I went for a cruise through the back trails and fields to scout out a spot I had in mind to set up and sit for the evening.
We pulled up to within 50 yards of a field. I grabbed my rifle out of the machine, pushed home the magazine, and started walking up the line when a bull elk walked into my view, 75 yards away. The rut was going hard, so I made myself as inconspicuous as possible and waited to see if a cow was with him. He finally saw me and decided I wasn't to his liking so he spooked and bolted—time to go for broke!
I ran hard to the field edge and there was a 3x4 bull with two cows and a calf milling about, all within 100 yards. I loaded a round in the chamber and blew my cow call; they all stopped and looked. I picked the nice fat 1 1/2- year-old dry cow and dropped her in her tracks. The rifle I used was an HS Precision Pro Hunter in 300 WSM.
The next evening, my son Raymond and his new bride, along with my nephew Dawson and his girlfriend Melanie arrived at camp. We sat down to make plans for the morning hunt. I knew there was at least one bull where I took the cow, so I suggested we split into two parties. Raymond and I would come in from the east and set up on a ridge overlooking the field bottom where most of the elk were feeding. Dawson and Mel would come in to the field bottom from the north. My job was to call.
I set up back and off to the side from Raymond. Whichever of the boys had a good broadside shot at a reasonable range would take the shot.
Both groups arrived to the sound of two bulls bugling in the light of dawn. Everything was going to plan. The cows were in the field but the bulls weren’t. I let out a bugle and got an immediate reply. I would cow call, and then bugle again. The more aggressive of the two bulls was beating the crap out of some willows but wasn’t offering a good shot for either of the boys. The other bull never did show himself. So, I decided to get aggressive as well. I bugled and started breaking limbs and beating the brush around me. This did the trick. The large 5x5 came into the open and started making his way towards us. Dawson had the broadside angle, but the bull was constantly moving, so he wisely held his fire. The bull came to within 250 yards of Raymond, and he turned. Boom! Down he went. Raymond was using a Tikka Model 658 in 338 Win Mag.
Now it was time for Dawson to fill his tag. I knew the 3x4 bull was still around the same spot. I advised him on how he should set up, and where. There’s was large rock pile with weeds and grass growing through it in the middle of the same field. I suggested that he and Mel go set up there, and only to cow call. I told him bugling and aggressive calling would likely not bring in the smaller bull. He did as I suggested while the rest of us sat in camp swapping stories. Dawson was a good two miles from camp but we heard the shots clearly.
I texted him, “Well, are we skinning again?”
“Hell Ya!” was his reply.
The bull came in quiet and by himself, and gave Dawson a shot at 150 yards. Dawson was using my 300 WSM.
The 2020 elk season was one of if not the most gratifying and fulfilling for me. I mentored and took both boys hunting from an early age and their abilities and knowledge show it, as does their respect for the animals we harvest every year. My most gratifying fact is that I am able to share their experience and success.
This year, I became the proud grandfather to a grandson. God willing, I’ll be around to share in his outdoor adventures and hunts too. ■
For previous Reader Stories click here.
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