Team #10 Check In

[UntouchableNess]

Doing it now since come Friday, I won't have internet until Sept. 19. Looking forward to this fall. Talk later!

[RidgeRunner]

Consider me checked in as well!

[chaun demars]

Chaun is checked in. Looking to contribute. Bow hunting in southern IL this fall, and about 5-6 times a week for three months here in MN.

[RidgeRunner]

Chaun is checked in. Looking to contribute. Bow hunting in southern IL this fall, and about 5-6 times a week for three months here in MN.

With as much hunting as you're going to be doing we'll go ahead and forecast you for at least a 170"

[chaun demars]

That sure would be nice. Also going to NE, but that is rifle hunting. Showing some nice bucks onthe properties I hunt. Also the pictures the guide is sending me from IL are huge!!

[eddythejet]

I'm checking in! Did anyone pick a team name yet? These cool evenings and bucks on the camera is getting me pumped for november

[eddythejet]

has everyone signed in? What shall we use for a team name? When do we have to have the team name in by? How about the longshots?

[UntouchableNess]

Doing it now since come Friday, I won't have internet until Sept. 19.

Well, back sooner than I thought and I'm guessing it is worth points.

[Husky]

Husky checking in!! Sorry boys, I was trying but I missed a blacky arleady. Im hunting a few different states, so Im hoping to put some points on the board!

Good luck!!

[chaun demars]

This one is pretty unique looking. Biggest one so far on my 4 cameras on 4 properties.
Chaun. otsego2011 004.jpg

[RidgeRunner]

Well, back sooner than I thought and I'm guessing it is worth points.

Congrats on the elk!

[UntouchableNess]

Congrats on the elk!

Thanks!

[MuscleOnTheRidge]

Nice Elk!!! Consider me checked in, and ready for a great season. It looks like we have a damn good team that will be in contention at the end. Lets get this thing started by piling up a few opening weekend Doe!!

MOTR

[MuscleOnTheRidge]

"SocketShot"


MOTR

[UntouchableNess]

"SocketShot"

Team name is not real important to me, I'll go with anything people are comfortable with.

I promised an elk story, so here it is:

I left for NM Saturday, August 27, 2011, roughly an 18 hour drive. The AC in my car decided to die about a third of the way and I roasted across Kansas/Oklahoma/Texas. Luckily I left early enough before season started that I could visit a shop in Albuquerque to have it fixed and it didn't take away from hunting time. I actually went to my area on Sunday since the dealership wasn't open, then drove back Monday morning for the repair. Season opened Thursday, Sept. 1.

On Sunday, Aug 28, I was able to locate the Forest Service roads that I saw on Google Earth and USFS maps. I found the intersection of two that would be my jump off spot for the hunts. I did a fair amount of hiking in the area (there was a hiking trail right through the middle of the area) and located a herd of elk hanging out in an Aspen thicket.

Sunday through Wednesday, I never heard an elk vocalize. Thursday morning, I heard locator bugles, which I attributed to other hunters. None of them were answered that I heard. With the elk being quiet, I knew it was going to be tough. I also knew that the early season I applied for was pre-rut, which I hoped would have fewer applicants and thus improve my chance of drawing a tag. So I was happy to have a tag in hand in any event.

The elk were in Aspens that had two components: open where the elk saw you approach from a great distance or so thick you couldn't see them and they wouldn't come out. First day I had something sneak up behind me, must have hit my scent and blew out of there without me seeing it, only heard the clamoring. Then two elk busted me as I was trying to change set up. Rain set in and I stayed in camp in the afternoon.

Second day of season I thought I would try an ElkNuts strategy where you act like an elk that needs company, as this call is for times when elk aren't real vocal. I did a set and waited half an hour. When nothing showed, I thought I would move to the other side of the Aspen thicket. As I was coming to the top of the ridge, I heard a locator bugle then had elk busting out of the thicket heading my way. I'm guessing someone jumped the herd and was trying to "calm" them by calling with a locator bugle? Anyhow, I had the Mello Yello cow call in my cheek, so started to move it to my palette with my tongue as I was putting the release on the D loop and planning on a shooting lane to try to stop the elk in. When the lead cow went behind a tree, I drew back and gave a cow call. She locked her brakes, giving me a broadside shot at 9 yards. At first I wondered what pin to use, but they ALL were in the vitals, so I hit the release. She spun around and headed back as the arrow passed through both lungs. She didn't make it 70 yards and I heard her go down.

I immediately reached in my pocket and took a pic of my arrow that landed 5 yards the other side of the cow on the pass thru:

It was Friday, 9:30 am Mtn time, she was 0.59 miles and 329 feet (gentle slope) in elevation higher than my car. I had her boned out, packed to the car and had camp tore down my 3:30 pm. I hit I40 at 5 pm and pulled into Coralville, Iowa at 12:30 CST on Saturday, Sept. 3.

I'm happy with the way my hunt with, since it was my first elk trip and it was solo DIY. Maybe next year I'll hold out for that big bull..........

[chaun demars]

That is awesome. Must have been excitingwhen they came running right at you. God job. I think we are in the lead as of now. Only about a week to go. Hopefully it keeps getting fairly cold at night here in MN.
Chaun

[chaun demars]

Shot this ten pointer opening morning around 7:15 am. He came in with three other smaller bucks. They were pushing on each other and the spike in the group was even wokring on a scrape. Not the biggerst rack, but its really thick and cool looking. He is going on the wall. Plenty of time left to get a bigger one, and also multiple states to hunt yet. But its more points for Team 10!
Chaun


1 september 2011.jpg 2 september 2011.jpg

[UntouchableNess]

Congrats Chaun!

I'm still waiting for Oct. 1. Hung a stand this morning and pulled cam cards. Just killing time until the opener now.......

[chaun demars]

What state are you in? Oct first will come pretty fast now for you. Good luck. Keep us moving up.
Chaun

[eddythejet]

congrats on the grest start to the season guys! This weather really helps keep the interest high. Good luck and stay safe!