 |
|
|
|
|
Fort Hunter Liggett Tule Elk
The hunt started on Saturday, September 4th. I was assisted by my friend, Primos pro staffer, Jimmie Rizzo. I located some elk in Area 15 on the base and that's where we started Saturday morning. After hiking a short distance from the truck, we spotted a 5x5 bull and about 10 cows. The bull was not what we were after so we kept hiking. We stopped occasionally to do some calling and heard a bugle in the distance.
After crossing a creek where the elk had some wallows, we realized there were multiple bulls bugling and headed in that direction. After some glassing we spotted three nice bulls. Each bull had a group of cows with it. Rizzo started calling, trying to bring in one particularly nice bull. Instead of getting his attention, there were a group of 12 cows and another bull out on a flat area about 600 yards away that couldn't resist his calling. They ran across the flat and up the hill to within 10 feet of us. The bull was a 6-by-spike, his left main beam looked like it had been broken off in a fight. Because it was just opening morning, I let them all walk away as I had my sights set on something larger.
That group of elk joined up with the other bunch and we decided to reposition and do more calling. About 45 minutes later we had stalked to within about 80 yards of a 7x7. After Rizzo called him into 21 yards, we stood there for about three minutes as he bugled three times. He finally turned and presented me with a nice shot. I got complete pass through. He went 30 yards and dropped. My hunt ended at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
I was using a 70-pound PSE Quantum bow. My arrows were Vapor Blackhawk and the broadheads were 100-grain Wackums. I was told by a couple of different people my bull may make Pope and Young, but I have to wait 60 days and then have it scored.
Submitted by Dave Kiper
California
Copyright © 2005 J & D Outdoor Communications. All rights reserved.