2020 Official Archery Success thread!!!!

[Queets30#]

Might as well get this going. Heading out tomorrow to get eyes on a few things before heading into the backcountry Friday morning to set up camp and be ready for Saturday’s opener. Good luck to everyone, shoot straight and plz post stories , pictures and whatever else from your season here.

“I smell blood on the air”

Good luck ladies and gentlemen!!

[Eagleclaw]

Pending....


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[winterkill]

I successfully scouted this evening. Saw elk and 3 bucks. Packed my rifle in case I saw a bear but no luck (or sign) on that front.

Did some calling but didn't get a response. We'll will see what happens when bow season opens up.

Very excited for season. I've basically been working 2 full time jobs since March.

[Tightlip]

Nothing


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[slave4chrome]

Buddy was up first seeing he was out of meat. Nice freezer filler rosie

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[Tbhunter]

Freezer not empty now. Congrats.

[ol'wyatt]

Little brother got a nice one opening night, off one of the blinds we scouted this summer.

[Etonfish]

Got my first archery elk last evening! It was barely legal for the Saddle Mountain unit, but I'll take it.

[Newclear Fishin]

First elk hunt
First light opening morning
1 arrow(45lb bow)
Out in 1 piece!
Nice job River!

[duke1122]

Originally Posted by Newclear Fishin

First elk hunt
First light opening morning
1 arrow(45lb bow)
Out in 1 piece!
Nice job River!

Great job kid. Looks just like the decoy in the backround.

[wanafish]

Great job River!

[Umpquahntr]

Originally Posted by slave4chrome

Buddy was up first seeing he was out of meat. Nice freezer filler rosie

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Perfect! Hope the pack out wasn't brutal.

[BTA]

Originally Posted by Newclear Fishin

First elk hunt
First light opening morning
1 arrow(45lb bow)
Out in 1 piece!
Nice job River!

Awesome! He’s ruined though haha


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[Reel fortunate]

Congratulations to River! Wow that's awesome! That elk is a beauty!!

[Reel fortunate]

Nice start to the season.
Congratulations to the successful ones !

[DogZilla15]

What RF said.


Way to get 'er done guys.

[winterkill]

Good job, especially to River! Welcome to elk hunting! That is some good shooting!

I had a lot of chances this weekend. Just couldn't get a shot opportunity. Do you guys draw back even if a bull is looking right at you?

A couple of those opportunities involved a spike walking around some brush and all of a sudden staring at me < 15 yards away. I waited to draw back so I wouldn't spook them but they or other elk nearby winded me and I didn't get a shot.

My wife is bummed because she wants me to shoot a spike since the meat is so much more tender. Still lots of time but I plan on shooting the first legal bull I can get a shot at.

[tailchaser]

Originally Posted by winterkill

Good job, especially to River! Welcome to elk hunting! That is some good shooting!

I had a lot of chances this weekend. Just couldn't get a shot opportunity. Do you guys draw back even if a bull is looking right at you?

Just depends, if the gig is up and he's going to blow out then yes give yourself an opportunity. Sometimes they stand still just long enough. If they're walking by and stop to take a look then usually no. Watch the body language, if they start to get antsy get to full draw. Normally they will bolt when you draw, but a really quick cow chirp often times will get them to stop and look back. That's when you need to be on target and let it fly as you'll only have a couple seconds to seal the deal.

tc

[DogZilla15]

What Tailchaser said. Go for it. What's the worst that can happen?

[StrawberryMTN]

What a great weekend full of memories with my dad. Nothing beats it.

Headed up Friday night...saw around 200 head on a ranch right off the highway...Always a cool site to see.

Got up around 3:45 and headed out to my spot...Got to my glassing spot around 5:00. Around 5:30 heard them talking right below me...too dark. Waited and waited for shooting light. It's funny how sound travels...They weren't in the draw I thought they were...Saw a herd of about 27 roughly 1,000 yards West of me.

Busted my tail over a few ridges to get in front before they got ahead of me and out of site...one finally gave me a chance as they were grouped together pretty good. Let 'er rip...herd moved up hill 20 yards as the one I hit peeled off and down the hill 20 yards. Saw a tree shake...elk down. Gutted, skinned, quartered and out by around 10:30 and into a walk in cooler.

Did some walking around Sunday morning...Found two game bags full of meat and two elk sheds together at the bottom a steep draw near a creek...No hunter in site or any remains of an elk...I let it lay...would have helped if I could.

Took my elk into the meating place to get it processed. First time taking game there. Gartners is closed Sunday or I would have gone there.

Great job to those that have had success thus far and good luck to everyone else!

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by Etonfish

Got my first archery elk last evening! It was barely legal for the Saddle Mountain unit, but I'll take it.

any public land elk with a bow is a trophy. Good job Dave

[Gun Rod Bow]

Originally Posted by Newclear Fishin

First elk hunt
First light opening morning
1 arrow(45lb bow)
Out in 1 piece!
Nice job River!

Outstanding!

(edit to add: I always scratch my head when I see whole elk out of the woods, in all the years and pack outs I've been involved in I have taken 2 out whole. A couple split in half)

[QuazyQuinton]

Originally Posted by Gun Rod Bow

Outstanding!

(edit to add: I always scratch my head when I see whole elk out of the woods, in all the years and pack outs I've been involved in I have taken 2 out whole. A couple split in half)

I have been part of doing it 3 different ways:

1. Shoot it uphill from the road and roll it down onto the tailgate of a pickup.
2. A very long rope through a pass-block and pull it out with a pickup.
3. Chainsaw winch and pull it out 200 feet at a time.

It mostly depends on which toys you bring into the woods with you. Most of ours still come out in pieces.

QQ

[Etonfish]

Originally Posted by Gun Rod Bow

Outstanding!

(edit to add: I always scratch my head when I see whole elk out of the woods, in all the years and pack outs I've been involved in I have taken 2 out whole. A couple split in half)

I was pretty pleased with my pack out even though it wasn't whole. A few years ago I modified a bike trailer designed for kids as a pack trailer. This was my first chance to put it to the test. My elk died 15 feet off the logging rd. The trailer hauled a hind quarter and head while I had the loose meet in my back pack for the first trip (my brother hiked out with a front shoulder). My second trip with the bike trailer was a front and rear quarter. That was pretty much the limit of the trailer as the bike felt a little squirrely. Elk was mostly down hill (steep too) and 3/4 of a mile to the gate. Only took me 8 minutes to get down, but my disk brakes where sizzling hot (yes, I checked). The trailer allowed me to pack out an elk in 3 loads and not kill my knees and ankles.

[Kenamatic]

Not the biggest buck in the woods but the tag is filled and the orchardist is happy. Bow hunting orchard deer is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Lots of limbs in the shooting lanes.

[slave4chrome]

Originally Posted by Umpquahntr

Perfect! Hope the pack out wasn't brutal.

Not too bad. 2 Miles all up hill. But almost all road. We will take it

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[slave4chrome]

Originally Posted by winterkill

Good job, especially to River! Welcome to elk hunting! That is some good shooting!

I had a lot of chances this weekend. Just couldn't get a shot opportunity. Do you guys draw back even if a bull is looking right at you?

A couple of those opportunities involved a spike walking around some brush and all of a sudden staring at me < 15 yards away. I waited to draw back so I wouldn't spook them but they or other elk nearby winded me and I didn't get a shot.

My wife is bummed because she wants me to shoot a spike since the meat is so much more tender. Still lots of time but I plan on shooting the first legal bull I can get a shot at.

Yeah they almost always just watch you. Range them and shoot them. They seem to let you alot of times. Worked like a charm Saturday

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[StrawberryMTN]

Can't shoot the backyard bull...right?

[Reel fortunate]

Originally Posted by StrawberryMTN

Can't shoot the backyard bull...right?

I'd shoot strawberry!
Ask questions later! No need for game bags that close to home, he goes right in the frying pan with your salt and pepper....

[Newclear Fishin]

Rivers dad got one but not out in one piece. Crazy because he just had a couple rods and screws put in his leg this last November. I had to work in Alsea this morning, working in kings valley right now, not feeling like hunting tonight🥱
Nice shootin fellas!

[Reel fortunate]

Dang ! Nice bucks and bull right there. That bull could pull the age card .looks like a regressor! Love the fronts

[winterkill]

Originally Posted by slave4chrome

Yeah they almost always just watch you. Range them and shoot them. They seem to let you alot of times. Worked like a charm Saturday

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Thanks for the pro tip. Thanks to Dogzilla and Tailchaser as well.

[winterkill]

Originally Posted by Newclear Fishin

Rivers dad got one but not out in one piece. Crazy because he just had a couple rods and screws put in his leg this last November. I had to work in Alsea this morning, working in kings valley right now, not feeling like hunting tonight🥱
Nice shootin fellas!

That is awesome! He must have been really disciplined with his physical therapy.

[ol'wyatt]

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

[wildwood]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

That's impressive. Oregon?

[ol'wyatt]

Originally Posted by wildwood

That's impressive. Oregon?

Yes, general archery.

[wildwood]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

Yes, general archery.

Excellent. Private or public?

Btw. Excellent shot placement. Looks like a hard quarter away from you.

[fishinpox]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

Dang! Congrats!

[StrawberryMTN]

Nice Buck! Tell us more...

[orarcher]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

Damn nice buck !!! Congrats !!!

[oregonmuley]

Heck of a buck ol'wyatt, you are having another stellar year collecting some super trophies

[TheRogue]

Hell of a buck in ANY state. Well done!

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[spey4steel]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

WOW!

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[ol'wyatt]

Thank you... Yes, public land, DIY general Oregon archery tag. All that good stuff &#x1f642;

[Pueblo]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

Thank you... Yes, public land, DIY general Oregon archery tag. All that good stuff &#x1f642;

I think someone is getting more than their share of COVID time-off!

[wildwood]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

Thank you... Yes, public land, DIY general Oregon archery tag. All that good stuff &#x1f642;

So awesome! Way to go.

[fergy61]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

Yes, general archery.

That is a buck of a lifetime. Outstanding, Wyatt!!!

[BarbDeep]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

Thank you... Yes, public land, DIY general Oregon archery tag. All that good stuff &#x1f642;

This needs a write up and it's own thread when you get time. I'd love to hear about the quest for that PIG. Freaking STUD buck!! Well done

[Bladdershy]

omg!! What a stud!!! Judging from entry and exit, looks like you got him from the ground... Niiiice!!

[Extrapale]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

Thank you... Yes, public land, DIY general Oregon archery tag. All that good stuff 🙂

WOW! Congrats man.

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[Reel fortunate]

That is awesome ol'wyatt! Tough to top for sure!

[Duck Slayer]

Got lucky Saturday evening! 18 yard shot and went about 15 before he piled up. Gonna be a tough blacktail to beat in the future...

[Gunaddict]

Awesome trophy!!!!!!

[Bladdershy]

Nice rack!! Slayer

[Kenamatic]

Originally Posted by jrock1975

Opening morning I found myself seated in my blind 1 hour before shooting light...... how did I end up here in this spot with high hopes and shaking with excitement?? rewind to March 2019... My friend and I (both long time archery blacktail hunters) decided that we would give archery mule deer hunting a try. We started to scout via google earth and decided on a spot! we ventured out in june 2019 and placed cameras and minerals with no idea of what we would see. We let the cameras sit for a month and headed over for our first camera check. We were stoked at what we found. Good deer activity and bucks like I've never seen. Mule bucks in velvet seemed giant compared to the blacktails we were used to seeing. We decided that our spot was good to go and made a plan on where to hang stands. Each camera check confirmed that we were in the right area and had multiple different bucks at each of our chosen locations. Camp was set and opening day was mere hours away. We each had so many good bucks in our spots that we started to have the conversation (i'm gonna pass on those medium size 4 points and wait for the big one!!!!) this was my first mistake. The amount of camera action in the daylight the day before the opener made me delusional with confidence. Opening morning I snuck into my stand quite as a mouse in the complete dark, every shrub was a massive bear to my poorly adjusted eyes. Nervous and excited i climbed up and settled in. I knew that the group of big bucks would come in an hour after daylight and again in the evening. This was as good as done in my eyes (over confident!!!!!) as light started to creep in I saw a doe making her way towards me, she made it within range and instantly looked right at me! I thought I had good concealment and was high enough/22 feet. But she had me pegged. I was frozen, she finally chilled out and fed for a bit before heading out. t-minus 30 minutes until the big boys show up! I glanced up and saw a very nice wide fork by three (bigger than any blacktail I have harvested) he was coming right in, I told myself that I was going to pass on him because the big bucks were on their way. I was so cocky that I took a selfie with the buck and let him walk. That buck was the last deer I saw on my entire hunt of 7 days. What the heck!!!! Camera check proved my worst fears, all bucks GONE. not even a night time pic. Was it the increased hunting pressure, bears in the area? ***... I learned my lesson last year. This year I came with a brand new attitude. I knew that these bucks summer in this spot but they are gone just about the same time archery season opens. 2020 is a new season and we have a new plan. This year ditch the stand and set up a blind. This year I will not pass a good buck in hopes of one of the "big ones"
Spring of 2020 was the same story, big bucks, lots of action and lots of anticipation. So there I was, opening day an hour before light, seated, quiet and ready. Dawn cracks over the trees and a deer moves in. Its a small fork, but I am stoked to see a buck and watch him feed. He sticks around for 30 minutes and then feeds off. I watch him slowly walk away with my binos and just try and appreciate the moment. I can see his little velvet antlers above the brush at about 60 yards. I continue to watch him when I notice that he snaps his head to the left and comes to full attention. I can see another set of velvet antlers over the brush right near the fork. He slowly walks in, step then stop-look around, step-stop-look, he is on edge. I can tell he is the 3x4 I have had on camera, not one of the giants, but a definite shooter for me. My heart is hitting like a jack hammer!!! He looks right at the blind from 21 yards, can he smell me??, can he hear my heart pounding??? Please, please let him settle and present a shot. He put his head down to feed and I draw back the prime, I have to lean just a bit to my right to clear the edge of the blind. I let it fly....right behind the shoulder, mid height, total pass through!!!!! My whole body shaking so violently I could not even hold up my binos to watch where he went. I know he ran out of sight, so at least 80 yards and I thought i heard a crash. I told myself to wait at least 30 minutes before looking for blood. I sent a text to my hunting partner and let him know the situation. I quietly got out of the blind and found my arrow. the first 10 or so inches of the arrow had great blood and the rest of the arrow GUTS??? fletch dripping with guts?? What the heck, I knew it was a great shot. I was devastated. walked back to the blind and sent out another text with the updated GUTS info. we decided to give it 2 hours before trying to track. We met up at my blind and started to track. A few small drops of blood right at the site of the shot and no other blood anywhere. We started to grid, no blood anywhere! I lifted my binos and started to scan and then BOOM there he is, 80 yards from the blind, straight away. Not at drop of blood on the way to where he lay. Such relief , such excitement, such confusion??? What had happened. On further inspection, the shot was right behind the should, must have deflected on bone. Arrow hit perfect, hit the right lung then took a hard turn and passed through the intestines. The initial crash I heard was him pilling up as he ran. high fives and pics. Also lucky to have a trail cam pic of him just after the shot as he bolted. I am so thankful for the opportunity to go on this hunt and to harvest my first mule deer. Opening day success. Thanks for reading this novel. Many lessons learned and memories made.

I had a similar situation a few years ago, looked like a perfect shot but green goo on the arrow. I also waited 2 hours and it went less than 100 yards. I was careful when gutting and found I sliced the esophagus and that is where the green came from. Sucked to make a good shot and have to deal with "gut smell" while field dressing. Congrats on a nice mulie buck

[Hun10-freak]

Fun opening weekend, time to look for a buck.

[Doublelung]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

Oh my God, an absolute brute!

[Hookset]

Originally Posted by Hun10-freak

Fun opening weekend, time to look for a buck.

Nice bull, congrats on a good hunt!!

Good luck with deer.

[Mossyhorn]

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross

That’s an awesome buck Wyatt. You get him out of a ground blind or stand? Chasing him for 4 years, there’s gotta be a good story to be told! Congrats.

[goodhunting]

Wow! Epic buck!!! 2nd pic my fave because you can see his kicker on the right with his head turned.

Originally Posted by ol'wyatt

A 4 year quest for a legendary buck ended on monday morning at 30 yards. 207 2/8 gross