09/07/2026
6-POINT BULL DOWN!!!
That happened fast.
I had to finish up work for most of the first week of archery season, but as soon as I was done, it was off to the woods.
It had been nothing but downpouring rain and fog, so I had no choice but to hunt in it.
On my first official day elk hunting, I made it pretty far back but didn’t hear a single bugle. On my way off the mountain that evening, I spotted a canyon way off in the distance. I threw a bugle into it, knowing it was far enough away that there was a chance I wouldn’t hear anything back.
Then a bull screamed at the head of the canyon and just went absolutely nuts.
It was too close to dark to make a move, so I knew exactly what the plan was for the next day. That night, I pulled up OnX Maps and found a better way to get into the drainage.
The next morning, I navigated through steep terrain, using onX Hunt to avoid the alder brush and get above where I had heard that bull the night before.
Rain and fog again.
I got above the drainage and bugled in his direction. Nothing.
I cow called.
He screamed.
I could already tell he was on his way.
I set up the camera, got ready, and waited.
He came all the way in to 15 yards.
I put an arrow behind the shoulder, and he ran about 60 yards before stopping and laying down.
The rest is history.
Thankfully, by the time I got him broken down and into game bags, I had help arriving to pack him out. It was an absolute blast of a hunt, and I couldn’t be more thankful for how it all came together.
And thankfully, I’ve still got a second elk tag in my pocket… so it’s not over just yet. 🏹
Gear List:
• Hoyt RX-10
• KUIU Clothes / Rain Gear
• Hoffman Boots (Scout)
• Sheep Feet — code: RUT
• Peax Trekking Poles / Flashlight — code: RUT
• OnX Maps
• Phelps Game Calls — code: RUT10
• Predator Decoys
• Caribou Gear Game Bags
• Squatch Juice — code: RUT