- Joined
- Jan 15, 2006
- Messages
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- Reaction score
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It has been 7 years since I took an elk and 4 years since I had hunted one with a muzzleloader. Hasn’t been a whole lot that changed, but the lack of supplies made it more difficult to shoot! Never felt confident past about 120 yards and because I didn’t want to use up all my powder/bullets ect, I wasn’t able to feel comfident beyond that. That and my eyesight! Now have to wear 0..75 reading glasses to see the front sight!
Brother and I were able to get bull tags for Colorado and the season opened last Saturday. Both of us had high hopes but the weather didn’t cooperate well. We were hunting between 6500-7500 ft and it was warm to say the least. Even with relatively cool clothing, we would hike to a spot to sit and be drenched in sweat. I literally untucked and unbuttoned my shirt after several hikes. It then started raining for about 2 days and that made things a challenge as well.
Confidence was starting to wane yesterday morning but it dawned clear and cool. We hoped for more activity! We started by walking a ridge of a small canyon that was about 800-1000 yds across. Pretty quickly we picked up 3 bulls on the far side. A small 5x5s, a medium 5x5x and a decent 6x6. We started cow calling and threw in a couple of bugles which were answered. It’s amazing how sound carries. A blow on a cow call would certainly get their attention. That had not been happening before yesterday. They seemed to be just working up the canyon to some bedding areas. But after about 10 min, here came the middle 5x5 down the canyon. The closest shot at the bottom would have been 150-160 yds and as he approached that I considered taking a shot if he stopped. But he didn’t. He was coming in totally silent. Never made a peep. We buttonhooked up the rim of the droppoff about where we saw him go in and he suddenly appeared about 40 yards away coming straight at me. I would have been confident to take that shot but there was a big rock In
the way. Only thing that I could see was upper neck and head. I needed him to take a few steps left or right. I wanted to try and move for a better shooting lane but at that distance I felt he would pick me off. So I remained very still with gun at the ready. Finally he turned to his left and started walking slowly. As soon as he cleared the rock I shot. As the smoke cleared I could tell it was a good hit. He was still walking slowly but weaving. He went down within 5 yards. The drought was over!
Knight LRH
95 gr BH 209
Federal BOR lock 350 gr lead
Remington STS primers.
The shot was a severe down angle and went thru the top of his shoulder blade, angled down thru the chest and was against the hide on the far side. Double lung with a chest full of blood. Bullet Mushroomed nicely was was probably 95% intact. I was pleased.
Tired but happy this morning.
Brother and I were able to get bull tags for Colorado and the season opened last Saturday. Both of us had high hopes but the weather didn’t cooperate well. We were hunting between 6500-7500 ft and it was warm to say the least. Even with relatively cool clothing, we would hike to a spot to sit and be drenched in sweat. I literally untucked and unbuttoned my shirt after several hikes. It then started raining for about 2 days and that made things a challenge as well.
Confidence was starting to wane yesterday morning but it dawned clear and cool. We hoped for more activity! We started by walking a ridge of a small canyon that was about 800-1000 yds across. Pretty quickly we picked up 3 bulls on the far side. A small 5x5s, a medium 5x5x and a decent 6x6. We started cow calling and threw in a couple of bugles which were answered. It’s amazing how sound carries. A blow on a cow call would certainly get their attention. That had not been happening before yesterday. They seemed to be just working up the canyon to some bedding areas. But after about 10 min, here came the middle 5x5 down the canyon. The closest shot at the bottom would have been 150-160 yds and as he approached that I considered taking a shot if he stopped. But he didn’t. He was coming in totally silent. Never made a peep. We buttonhooked up the rim of the droppoff about where we saw him go in and he suddenly appeared about 40 yards away coming straight at me. I would have been confident to take that shot but there was a big rock In
the way. Only thing that I could see was upper neck and head. I needed him to take a few steps left or right. I wanted to try and move for a better shooting lane but at that distance I felt he would pick me off. So I remained very still with gun at the ready. Finally he turned to his left and started walking slowly. As soon as he cleared the rock I shot. As the smoke cleared I could tell it was a good hit. He was still walking slowly but weaving. He went down within 5 yards. The drought was over! Knight LRH
95 gr BH 209
Federal BOR lock 350 gr lead
Remington STS primers.
The shot was a severe down angle and went thru the top of his shoulder blade, angled down thru the chest and was against the hide on the far side. Double lung with a chest full of blood. Bullet Mushroomed nicely was was probably 95% intact. I was pleased.
Tired but happy this morning.
