[Mallrdkiller2]

Good call outs. Part of my above statement is from others telling me when they’d focus and also with rifle buck opening 10/1. It’ll get a lot busier up there once rifle opens.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

Heading back tomorrow for the week.

 

[BarbDeep]

Just remember they are Premium tags. Not canned hunts. Stay at it, enjoy the grind, you'll find one!! Good luck!

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

Just remember they are Premium tags. Not canned hunts. Stay at it, enjoy the grind, you'll find one!! Good luck!

BarbDeep you are spot on.

it’s still very hot here. I got a flat today. When I scouted in July I also got a flat. Fun times…

Spoke to a rancher today who has a large number of elk coming into his pivots daily. Only cows and spikes.

I’ve been sitting on a draw the past 2+ hours looking at elk bedded in the junipers. At this point I’ve only ID’ed cows. They should all need to re-bed here shortly as the sun is almost straight overhead. I’m betting it’s all cows but we’ll see.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

They’re in those junipers

 

[blackdog]

Love the play by play. Good luck.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

Love the play by play. Good luck.

Generally speaking I haven’t been getting cell service. But sitting on the opposite side of the draw - peeking through the junipers at the elk in the junipers - I have some cell service. Gives me something to do as I wait for them to move

 

[StrawberryMTN]

You're seeing elk so that's a plus!

 

[RJBender]

Did the rancher give you permission to hunt the ranch?

 

[DogZilla15]

It’s awfully early to find decent bulls with cows. If you can find thick timber on north slopes, high elevation, you’re on third base.
Really enjoy your updates.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

Did the rancher give you permission to hunt the ranch?

No. He’s the ranch manager. Owner lives in Mollala. Really nice guy. He was checking on the cattle up top.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

I ended up putting a stalk on them. I watched them for going on 4 hours and I didn’t think I could continue in the heat.
I got within 25 yards of the first cow - wind was perfect. It was 11 cows/calves and 1 spike. All left to live another day. I now need to hike up from the bottom of the drainage back to my truck. Looking forward to a cold drink when I get back.

 

[the-next-one]

Find those cows in a month.....the spike will be gone and daddy will be home!

 

[raised2hunt]

You're running out of time! Take the spike! You can't eat antlers!

Joking of course. Thanks for the updates. You'll find a big one eventually.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

When I went the first weekend in August I vowed not to go back until September due to the heat. The bad thing about this tag (I’m not complaining) is I have it and want to hunt so I didn’t follow my own advice.

I climbed out of that canyon this afternoon and frankly I was in bad shape. Half of the climb had no shade and it was mid 90s.

My next update likely won’t come until mid/latter part of September

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

Heading back. First time back since end of August (had started out east last Friday but we were affected by the power outage and I turned around to avoid the fam running solo without power).

Just hunting the weekend and then heading back next weekend for 9 straight days.

 

[RJBender]

It's about to get real exciting!

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

Saturday update. Today was quite a day. After a fit and a start at where I would hunt for the day I doubled back and hiked into the sage. It was a good idea.

I think I’ve seen 75-100 elk today. 3-4 herds within half a mile of one another. Although I couldn’t make out the bulls in the further herds, I could hear them bugling. The closest herd had a 6x6 herd bull, 2 additional branch antlered bulls and 2-3 spikes.They spent most of their time approx 400 yards inside the fence of some private property.

I did call a 5x5 within 15-20 yards. He came in silent. I’ll post pics of him later. I passed on him.

About 15 mins later two spikes came within 30 yards and bedded down. I did a few cow calls and got them within 15 feet.

about 15 more mins later all of a sudden I hear hooves. I stand up (sitting in front of a sage brush) and I see the butt and branch antlered of another bull high tailing it. He came in from above and winded me. He looked like a rag horn.

I then had another spike come within 150 yards before he went the other direction.

pretty exciting day to say the least. Looking forward to coming back next weekend with two buddies. It would have been nice to share the experience with them today.

 

[Mallrdkiller2]

 

[sprigdog]

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Thank you for letting me live vicariously through your hunt. Honest sincerity there. Neat!
I would of tipped that bull over though. I'm just hungry!