4 days, 4 bulls

birdhunter · 10-23-2002, 07:46 AM

Well this year the Cascade General Elk season was about as successful as you can hope for. 5 of us out hunting and we took 4 beautiful Roosevelt bulls. It was dry as can be up there which made sneaking quietly and tracking really difficult. Really thick brush and a full moon didn't help any. Somehow though, it worked out.

My Dad opened the season up by killing a massive 6x6 about 70 yards from the rig opening morning. He started walking up this skid road, heard a pop and out steps this bull. 10 yard shot, down he goes and one heck of an easy pack. Some people just live right. The next day on of my other buddies got a nice 5x5 near the same spot. I was working a herd over trying to find a bull in the bunch. We played cat and mouse most of the morning. I would sneak to within about 40 yards and try to pick out heads through the thick brush. Then they would spook and run about 200 yards and stop and we'd do the whole thing over again. I finally ended up pushing them out across an old road, hear a shot and one of the yellow-butts 30 yards in front of me goes down. Tender spike that one of my other friends got. It gets a little aggravating being able to get that close to them and still not being able to make out which one is a bull.

Monday I finally got my elk. I could hear some noise in this thinned patch and snuck over to it. Sure enough, this 4x5 bull steps out into this opening about 90 yards away and I dust him with my 7mm. Spent the better part of Tuesday trying to fill our last tag. The only one who didn't get an elk was my 75 year old grandfather. Kept trying to push elk to him, but I learned that they don't herd too well.

So all told it was a great trip. A 6x6, 5x5, 5x4 and a spike. I'll post the pictures as soon as I get them developed.

Really pretty area we were hunting. Saw tons of bears up there. 5 on opening day alone. Also saw a cougar and a few monster blacktail. Tons of grouse and of course a few of them went home. The best part about it was, I never even saw another hunter until tuesday.

One other interesting thing I noticed is that the elk had almost no fat on them. Even the spike was pretty lean. I don't know if it's just the feed or because it's been so dry or the late rut or what.

So all in all it was a great trip. We got some nice bulls and spent some quality time with my dad and grandpa. 3 generations of Millers out in the woods again. It will definately be something to remember.

Cast'n'Blast · 10-23-2002, 07:55 AM

Congrats, am anxious to see the pics. I didn't draw anything this year so I'm enjoying the stories of other hunters' success....etc.

skein · 10-23-2002, 07:57 AM

Now tell us the truth! Nobody has hunts like that - you were just dreamin'.

Kidding aside, great story of a great hunt. Nothing better than three generations of the same family still hunting together - and being successful. I suspect (and hope) this story gets told over many more generations of campfires. Congrats!

Skein

Bait O' Eggs · 10-23-2002, 08:27 AM

Nice Job Ben!!

You have got that area dialed in.

When packing elk on Saturday we came upon a spot that a photo opportunity existed and we put my son, me and my dad on a rock with a high peak in the near background. It was a 3 generation photo shot, definately meant more to me than the elk. :smile: I am hoping the photo turned out.

Firedog · 10-23-2002, 09:38 AM

Great Story BH, makes me even want our season to get here more. We have first Season Tioga tags. Hoping for at least half the chances you had. great job, looking forward ot the pictures.

Fish Hunter · 10-23-2002, 12:41 PM

You guys ROCK!
Congrats on another successful season. Good bear numbers over there too. I would love to hear how your Dad's bull scores out. Looking forward to seeing the pics.
It's great to hunt with family.
Especially your family!!!!

TheRogue · 10-23-2002, 01:16 PM

righteous!!!

See any wolves??

PS....I'm jealous!! :grin: