Bowsite.com

DAY 4

Tuesday Morning

We were up very early to glass but were unable to locate any elk except a small group of spikes. The heat has really changed the typical feeding, traveling and bedding patterns here this week. This is what we know so far; There is no rut going on at the moment. The elk are in bachelor groups and still in their summer patterns. There is no talking either so unless we spot the elk we have no idea where they are. These behaviors can change overnight and that's what we're hoping for. Normally, during periods of high heat, sitting waterholes is a great tactic but there is a lot of water here. There is a river system along with dozens of cattle watering stations. This makes sitting a particular waterhole a longshot. If this was a high mountain ecosystem our tactics would be far different but we are not hunting high mountains. Just like in the mountains, elk are elk and they do as they please.

Tuesday Afternoon

Without spotting any elk during the morning we were left with no plan for this afternoon. Wes and I discussed options at length and we both opted to stay out of the woods. We had bumped two groups of bulls already and without knowing where they are we run the risk of blowing out more elk. We have three days left and I would rather play it safe than sorry. So we spent some time calling coyotes for Matt and glassing for mulies. In all honesty, while the elk hunting was tough today we had a great time and were busting a gut more times than I can count. Like when I started calling coyotes this horny toad came in. Not exactly the predator I was looking for... The toad then fell in love with Wes' Sitka gear. I guess that's why they call him 'horny.' No sense in cratering into a depression over a slow day.

This Bowhunting Adventure is sponsored by these fine companies..