Just got back from an elk hunt

I took my wife (Kaleen) )and my long time friend guy.
This a five night hunt in roundup MT ( middle of the state). Guy and I had cow tags wife pulling the only bull tag. Camp was good, food was great.

The weather was unusually warm for MT. About 30 in the morning and 65 in the afternoon.

This area produces only mediocre bucks (that’s 4 points for you western boys) but large bull elk.

First three days showed us nothing special to shoot at and no elk.

Day 4 and 5 we went to a different ranch (about 9000 acres) and came across 3 royals (6x), 2 rag horns (immature bulls) 1 spike ( with small forks) and one double tine with a drop bulb (this bull would have been the bull of your wet dreams if it hadn’t broken 3 ft of antler off of one side). His head leaned to the left due to the weight of the double tines on that side.

We were told the ranch owner wanted the double tine so we left him alone.

The herd (27) were not scared of us and let my wife scope them at 80-150 yards for about 15 minutes. I’m not really sure why she didn’t pull the trigger but we watched them slowly walk away.

Believe it or not but I wasn’t stressed at all that she didn’t drop one. However I was ready on a big cow if/when she did pull the trigger.

The last day we came across a herd (30 or so) antelope at about 800 yards. I had an antelope tag so we walked 100 yards to a rocky knob to watch them. They ran straight at us at what seemed like a Comic book speed. I thought about shooting at 80 yards as they ran past but I am Not near good enough with a rifle to make that shot.

They passed us and stopped 100 yards on the other side of my truck (200 yards away). Not wanting to shoot my truck I ran 20 yards to the side, threw my backpack down and went prone. This was an easy broadside chipshot. Rock solid rest I aimed 1 inch above his back and hit EXACTLY where I aimed. Ahhhh. What a rookie mistake.

Yep. I hit 1 inch over his back. I’m still kicking myself.

I counted the trip as a total success. We saw some incredible county. Met some new friends/ family. Missed a lot of big animals (I’m not even going to talk about the big bucks I missed). I’m at the age that drawing blood is no longer the only sign of a successful hunt.

I thank god I am still able to hunt this country.