1st Elk, Lost Elk (long story)

[ORsouthpaw]

After months of preparation and practice we had finally left for our 7-day hunt in Eastern Oregon's Blue Mountain Range. We arrived to find extremely hot days and exceptionally warm nights. There had been a lot of recent fire activity in the area so we spent the first 3 days hunting in and out of smoke filled basins and draws which showed very little sign of anything that even resembled recent game animal activity. Everyone in our party had tags for both buck deer and elk. We saw a few bucks here and there but it was usually while we were driving to and from our hunting spots. Mostly what we saw were only glimpses of small bucks in the headlights and it was too dark to try to pursue them even if we had wanted to. Our main goal here was to find the elk. For 3 days there was nothing but some long hikes to report. Finally on the forth day the weather started to change a bit. We actually had some cloud cover and even some light rain. We finally began to find some animals while we were wandering about. A couple of the guys even saw elk over the next couple of days along with a decent buck. Things were looking up.

On the sixth day I ended up hunting in a spot that had always wanted to try but that I had never actually been in before. As usual I was up before everyone else that was hunting and I left camp well before daylight. Originally the area that I was headed for didn't work out. I wanted to park at the bottom of a ridge and go up and over the top. After about an hour of walking I ended up cutting a well traveled road. Turns out the road that I had parked off of had circled all the way around. Thinking to myself that there was no where else to go up on top without running into yet another road or worse the same road again. I headed back down to the truck. Upon reaching my truck I reviewed my map for a short time then I decided that I definitely needed to move. I arrived at my new destination via a rough road that is bordered by a designated road less area. I started hunting again around 8am, even though I had pretty much written the morning off because of wasting the first couple of hours of daylight on that worthless ridge. After walking for an hour and half I came to one of the most beautiful little draws that I had ever seen. It was actually a series of draws that came together to form a sort of natural funnel with a small saddle right in the middle. The sun had peaked over the eastern horizon earlier in the morning but I was now down a little lower in the valley so the sun was just hitting this place that I had found. The dampness that was on ground from the thunderstorm the night before began to rise from the heat of the sunlight and it created an almost surreal picture. I felt as though I had found the perfect spot. I even told myself that even if I don’t see an elk on this day that just being in this spot at this time makes it all worth while.

Since up until a couple of days ago it had been extremely dry, I was having a little trouble being especially stealthy going in. This was even with the moisture that was on the ground. I slowly crept along stepping carefully and cow calling every once and a while and when I reached the small saddle towards the bottom I came upon a small clearing which looked like a good place to set up. As I stood there pondering exactly where I wanted to set up I noticed movement right out in front of me. A lone calf decided to walk directly in on me. Probably because the calls that I made as I came down the hill. I was nowhere close to being ready for a shot yet. My heart starting beating faster.

I was still looking for my first animal with a bow on this trip. In fact my first animal period. I wanted to take her and she looked like a trophy six point to me. As I nocked an arrow she noticed me. I began to pull back on my string and when I reached full draw my arrow fell off my rest. I always have practiced slow controlled draws but for some reason I don’t think this was one of them as she was the first elk I had ever drew upon.

She quickly moved out, back the way she had come in but not really running. Rookie! I thought to myself. I moved back in between some small trees. Then got down on my knees. I kept calling and after what seemed like just a few minutes, two cows came strolling into the clearing. This time I was ready! The area that I set up in would limit my range to 30-yard shots. At this point in my bow hunting life that is my "comfort range" on an animal even though I can usually hold my own on a target out to 50 yards.

Initially the two cows started right towards me, thinking that there was no way that I wanted to take a frontal shot, I quickly made some soft cow calls off to my left side and hoped for the best. It actually worked! They both turned and veered off to my left side. I had ranged a log when I set up and now had them moving slowly at just 18 yards away. Broadside and totally oblivious to my presence, the lead cow went behind a small tree and I began to pull back. It was strange because the nervousness that I felt during my draw on the calf was gone and I felt almost calm as my arm slid back. When I reached full draw the second cow looked in my direction and they both froze. By this time though the lead cow had cleared the tree and I had a "perfect shot" opportunity. My aim was well behind the shoulder close to the heart and lung area. I let my arrow fly.

As I released, she turned quickly into the shot and I ended up hitting right around the rear area of the front shoulder but still just a left of where I had aimed. Even though it was further forward then I had wanted I thought it was still a good shot and probably hit the front of the heart. My arrow stuck and appeared to be in the crease just behind the front shoulder but it had not penetrated very deep. After the hit she turned away from me, then her and the other cow ran off very close to where they had entered the clearing. I quickly cow called a few times and they both finally stopped at about 85-90 yards away. Thinking that it was a good hit I didn't try to push them or try to get another shot. I continued to make light cow calls every once and a while just to try to keep them calm as they were not moving at all. They were just standing there. I was expecting her to fall over at anytime, so I waited.

After 20 minutes or so the calf that had surprised me before was now coming back into the clearing and was meandering and looking around. The calf started up a trail that I had set up just off of. She paused and seemed to look right though me. She continued on and passed within a mere 3 feet of me. I was in total awe. Even the little ones look big at that distance. It’s a strange feeling to be so blended with your surroundings and know that not even the keenest of an animal’s senses are detecting your presence. I felt like a true predator. After she was about 2 or 3 yards past me I slowly turned to see where she was headed. She then saw me move. Again she didn't run but she did change directions quickly and she headed off the trail and up and around one of the feeder draws then back towards the other two cows, which were still standing out in front of me. When she reached them all three then slowly moved off the small ridge and finally they went out of sight. It had only been 35 minutes since I made the shot so I decided to stay put.

After the absolute longest hour of my entire hunting life I couldn't take it any longer and I began looking for signs of blood. I walked over to where the cow had stood when I shot. There was nothing at the point of impact. I followed the path that I believed that she had taken and found my arrow which had been broken off just behind the broad head. Blood and hair about 8 to 9 inches down the shaft is all that I found. I went back and marked where I had shot from, then where I made the hit and finally where I had found my arrow.
I then proceeded to look for almost 2 hours and couldn't find a single drop of blood anywhere! I finally made my way over to where they were standing and I couldn’t believe what I didn’t see. There was nothing on the ground, not even a small drop. She had stood there for quite a while. I began to question myself and the shot that I had made. Having never had to track a wounded animal I was getting concerned.

At that point I knew I needed help, so marked a trail out and I headed back to camp to round up the guys. After grabbing the frame packs we all headed back up the mountain and returned to the draw about 3-1/2 hours after the initial shot. We now had five people looking for any signs of blood, making circles, kicking over rocks, etc. After about an hour or so the thunderheads began rolling in and the lighting started to flash, still we continued to search. Then the worst thing happened, it began to pour down rain. Not just a light mist but a rain that was harder then any rain that I had ever seen in Eastern Oregon before. I've been going over there for more then 20 years and had yet to have been caught in such a downpour. I guess I’ve just been lucky. The blood and hair that was on my arrow shaft was all but washed away in a just a matter of minutes. I was starting to panic and was getting upset that I was loosing my first bow elk. After continuing to search for couple of hours or so the entire group concluded that the rain had likely washed away any chance that we may of had of finding any sign. I continued to search. Eventually we somberly left the area and headed back to camp. The drive back to camp seemed to take twice as long this time.

The next day was our last morning of hunting. I went right back in and looked for another 3 hours. At times even crawling on my hands and knees, I searched for blood. I looked for scavengers like coyotes, ravens, crows and any others that may be attracted to a downed animal. As luck would have it, I would have no luck at all this day. It was time to go back to camp, pack and then head for home. Before I left I sat in that most pristine little clearing for a while second-guessing my decision to shoot that elk and even asking myself; “Why do I hunt?” “What is it about hunting that makes me return year after year?” I keep thinking, "What could I have done differently?” “What should I have done differently?” When I break it down I really feel I did everything right leading up to and after that shot but I can't stop replaying it in my mind. Even though I feel it was good shot perhaps, just maybe I hit too far forward making contact with something solid and missing any vitals all together. This would certainly explain why I didn't get a lot of penetration. Still why no blood at all? Why not just a drop of hope? I will never know for sure. I punched my tag in almost the same exact spot that I had taken the shot from. My elk hunt was over.

On our way home we had troubles with my truck which left us stranded in the 90-degree sun for close to 7 hours. Maybe it was simply payback to me for not finding that cow. Maybe I couldn't find that cow because the meat would have surely been spoiled sitting there in the hot sun with no place to keep it cool. Either way I feel like there's something that I have left undone in that beautiful draw that I discovered that day. The thought of that elk whether she has survived or if she has become food for the creatures of the forest will haunt me for as long as I have a single breath to breathe.

[ehunter]

Man great story I felt like I was right there with you the whole time. We call this the highs and the lows and you experienced both of them. It happens sounds like a decent hit. I have seen and witnesed elk that are with other elk that are hard hit run with them till they died on their feet and rolled of the trail. Elk that are by them selves seem to bed down sooner. One other thing some times elk hit back a little seem to head to water.

I am sorry and I know how bad you feel.

[younggun20]

First of all, great story. One of the most well written stories I have read. I can really feel your pain and anguish. It really sucks to hit and lose an animal, because you know that you most likely killed it. However, it sounds like you did everything you could, and then some. In your heart you know you did your best, and that's all you can do. Hopefully this experience will not keep you from hunting, because it shouldn't. Good luck with the seasons to come.

[RidgeRunner]

Great story, sorry you did not find your elk. Sounds like you did everything right. I was in the same situation 20 years ago. Lost a cow with a great shot, no blood to follow. We found her the next day spoiled, due to the 85 degrees. We searched forever. I have not bow hunted since. But I am itching to get back into it.

[PGJPJ]

Very cool story. Funny how sometimes you can find those magic spots that can be like Alice in Wonderland.

Sorry you didn’t find her. It just happens some times.

[JIMBOUY]

NICE STORY - Sorry about losing it, but well written. Excellent attempt to recover it.

[ORsouthpaw]

Thanks for the comments. It's a tough situation to be in that's for sure. I hope I don't have to go though it ever again but I also know it will always be a risk that I take as long as hunt. I just wish it wouldn't have happened to the first elk that I shot.

ORsouthpaw

[waterfowlin101]

Excellent account of an outdoor adventure!!! A truly great read.

Jon

[FiHuFun]

Sorry you did not find the elk. A little solice may be that you did not get a fatal hit. I have a rancher friend that frequently sees elk with very severe wounds that survive. In fact, he has shown me pictures of bulls that have been badly wounded during rut fighting that survive...and I am talking servere wounds.

I can also tell you that many hunters have found broadheads, arrows and bullet wounds in animals from previous years...they are very tough animals.

You did all that you could do, including feeling remorse for the possible mistake...signs of a true hunter.

[SadLittleMan]

When I first started hunting with a recurve in Pennsylvania (home state) about twelve years ago... I hit a buck right behind the shoulder, from 10 yards, quartering away. I waited an hour, then started following a heavy trail that included several large pools of blood where it had laid down. 200 yds later....POOOF, blood just up and disapeared. My buds and I spent hours circling to no avail....was like a helicopter picked it up. Two months later, my neighbor shot the buck with my broadhead neatly lodged in the jointof the shoulder and scapula. He said it wasn't even limping! Like a lot of your fellow iFishers said ...."it happens..." Great story southpaw...sorry for the loss!

[Blacktail Slayer]

Great story. It sounds like you did everything that you could do. Im sure that the elk will be fine. They are incedible animals. I hope you have better luck next year.

[nwsteelheader]

Thanks for the story,

sounds to me like the broadhead found it's way into the front leg bone perhaps shoulder. That would explain the short penetration.

At the end of the day, If you don't cut a major artery, lung, heart, liver, etc... that animal has a good chance of surviving. Especially with woulds that are purely in muscle and bone (involve no guts or vitals).

elk are tough animals. I've heard of many broadheads pulled out of elk from past hits.

Shawn

[Yeti]

Sorry for your loss. I hope you realize that it is possible that she will live on.

I lost a cow that was hit with what I thought was a good hit during a rifle hunt. I found one small spot of blood 20 yards from where she was shot then nothing. I kept searching until the birds found her for me. She had run 200 yards up a small draw then turned down hill and died in a thicket of oak under a tree. I was sick that she was right there and I completely missed her. The thoughts that creep into your mind when this happens are really troubling.

My reconciliation was that I knew that I had done everything in my power to find her. I also know that I have become a better hunter and tracker due to the lessons learned from this experience.

Yeti

[ORsouthpaw]

You're Right Yeti! I think I will be a better hunter because of this. I can tell you one thing is that I will be focusing more on the tracking aspect between now and next season. I have hunted for quite a while in general but this was only my second season for archery elk. Last season we got close but I never had a shot oppourtunity. I learned a lot from not getting a shot. I practice several times a week to be accurate with my shots but I never really assumed I would have much trouble tracking as I was thinking there would be some evidence to follow. I'm usually pretty good at paying attention to the details but I guess I have a long way go before I become a good tracker. I think I may of had a chance if we didn't get dumped on during the thunderstorm. Thanks again for all the comments.

ORsouthpaw

[jmg]

I shot a forked horn 7 years ago in the Paulina unit that when we were cutting it up I found a broadhead with about 12 inches of arrow attached to it laying right against the backbone. It was starting to heal over the arrow but what a pain it must have been. Sorry for your loss. Keep it up and you will be rewarded.

[Rank Amateur]

I'm thinking you got the shoulder blade too. Sometimes with the leg back it will cover the vitals, you said she moved quickly at the shot, she may have pulled that leg back. Sounds like you did all that you could.

[Radke]

Thanksgiving week 2003 I had an almost exact story to tell as you did, even to the point of watching her stand there for about 15 minutes after the shot waiting for her to drop. She never did, eventually wandered off. This was in the Wilson unit, it had been raining all morning and she walked off into a thicket of alders and waist high sword ferns. She could have laid down in the sword ferns and you wouldn't have seen her, and like in your situation, the rain washed away any sign. It's been three years, and I'm still not over it. In my heart I feel she died, yet I also know she may have survived. I passed on a shot at a 3 point buck and a spike elk last year because I wasn't totally comfortable with the shot, and felt my bow hunting career could not stand another lost animal.

I feel I'm a better hunter as a result, and after reading your story, I think you will be one too.

Good story by the way. And sorry about the loss.

[crabbait]

I have spent plenty of time around archery killed elk. Here is what I know from your story:

You didn't hit the lung. Even with a single entry wound, no exit, a lung hit would have left blood where the animals stood for twenty plus minutes.

You didn't hit arterial vessels or the heart or you would have had massive blood at the stand-around site and very likely she would have gone down right there.

You didn't hit the gut or liver from your description of the hit (you would have had deep or through-and through penetration) and from the fact that she would have laid down when not pressed. A gut shot often does not bleed or bleeds very little but I have never known a gutshot/liver shot animal not to lay-up as soon as they are able.

If you had buried the arrow through the animals ribs and stuck a rib on the off side, the arrow would have broken off where it exited the near side, generally as the leg moves forward and back or from hitting brush if the shot is behind the arc of the leg. Generally this will show the depth of penetration. Six and even 4-5 inches of penetration has yielded very dead animals an extremely low hit in the chest cavity is quickly fatal and bleeds profusely.

From your description of the events, you hit the shoulder blade, socket or first leg bone. The arrow buried broadhead deep and broke off. I have sen this happen and have witnessed the animal feeding with the herd days after the shot.

If she didn't bleed or die in the amount of time that she stood in the same spot she likely survived. It happens.

[Fishstix]

Great story! Sorry you didn't find your Elk.

[ORsouthpaw]

Crabait- I think that your right on with your assesment in that I hit something solid. I don't believe it would have been the shoulder blade though because my arrow was just in the crease behind it plus I had almost 9 inches of penetration. I'll never know for sure but I'm sure hope that she makes it.

ORsouthpaw

[Fish Slayer]

Maybe you hit a rib? I would have to agree with Crabbait though on the fact that it would make sense that you hit the shoulder. With 8 or 9 inches of penetration, I would have to think that you hit something pretty solid to slow the arrow down that much. Just a thought , but I am sorry you lost your elk. There's nothin' you can do if they move when you cut loose that arrow. Don't take it too hard man. Better luck next time.