New Mexico Wapiti Wanderings

[beachbowhunter]

SOS, we were in Unit 52. Joe shot his bull on the south/southeast slope of the deepest valley in the Cruces Basin Wilderness which is a relatively small area within the Carson National Forrest.

Chris, it was fun to watch Joe squirm while we waited to follow up on his bull. While we were sitting in the aspens, Trey says "where would you rather be than in an aspen forrest on such a day" and a second later a group of elk runs by about 60 yards up slope of us. Several cows and a couple of spikes. Priceless!

[StephenR]

Congrats guys....

Now Norb....You didn't cut your finger on this trip but did you spill some      ?????

Stephen

[joe vt]

Very sweet hunting stories; sweet pics.

Congrats Joe!!

[beachbowhunter]

...near the base of the sheer cliff we found a nice little area that had lots of fresh sign. We had just worked our way up a moderatley steep bench and Joe stayed down lower tucked away while I moved up further to set up. The small breeze was dripping over the ridge top down toward Joe. Looking around I saw two trails to the east, one side-hilling and one going up. The rest of the bowl looked impossible so I set up looking for an elk to come from one of the trails. Joe's sweet calls didn't bring any action.

We decided to see where the upward trending trail would take us. It was steep, muddy and had very fresh hoof prints showing an upward climb. Maybe it was the bull we'd heard coming in...

[bohuntr]

Whip the quote below was what you posted on my thread last year when I took my first bull with a trad bow. I guess someday meant in one year. Way to go Whip!!!!
    Dan Fox


   "That is cool Dan! Way to go! The fact you did it your way, with your recurve and holding out for a good bull makes it even that much sweeter. I hope someday to feel what you must be feeling right now. Thanks for sharing."

[Whip]

I remember your thread well Dan - you were my hero last year!  Now if I can continue following in your footsteps I'd love to take an animal with the LDB someday!

[bentpole]

Wow That is a big Elk!!! Congrats! Great story and  great hunt! Thanks for sharing.

[Joseph]

Congratulations Joe!!  Looks like you guys had a really good time.  Joseph

[Glenn Carl]

Congratulations Whip!! That is my dream hunt someday, but today I got to live it threw your story and pictures. Thanks for sharing. Glenn

[Whip]

I think Norbert must have taken the wrong trail up the mountain - haven't seen him in awhile.  I hope he has his GPS and can find his way back to this thread pretty soon to finish his story    

In the meantime, here are some more pictures from our hunt.

Rain on the way


Didn't stop me from hunting though



And after it passes, the lighting was terrific!

[Whip]

Trey Wackman - aka "The Nuge"

 

Smiley
 

 


 

[vermonster13]

Great pics Joe. Norb is on that West Coast "California" time so.................LOL

[Ray Hammond]

Smiley looks absolutely "aspen-ish"- blends right into those quakies with that camo!!!!

[Whip]

Joe, Ohne, and Smiley

[Whip]

Yeah Ray, both he and Ohne really carry the camo stuff to extremes - frosting their hair grey to blend in with the aspens.

[Al Kidner]

Well Whip what can I say... other than job well done mate.

Thanks for the time spent telling the story and posting all the fine pics of that wonderful country side.

Hopefully that Tippit knife will get a work out here in Oz one day.


regards,

A.K.

[ChristopherO]

Just beautiful!  And a great story to boot.
Seems like elk like to die on the steepest slope.  Did the offal go sloshing down the hill when you finally cut it free?  Or did you debone with out distrubing it?

[Whip]

We did the gutless method - far less mess.  But as we were rolling him around to get the first hide quarter off I did notice some "elk pellets"  being squeezed out as we moved him.  When I took my boots off that night I found that one of them had found its way into my boot and was smeared all over my sock and the tongue of the boot.  

Even in death that bull got the last laugh!  :rolleyes:

[beachbowhunter]

Chris, we did the "gutless" method. We got everything except the internal tenderloins. The slope was a killer and it was hard to keep your footing while tugging on hide and holding legs!

.....anywho...Joe and I followed up the slick, steep trail, sometimes on all fours. There was fresh sign everywhere and the aroma of a bull snuck in and out on the breeze.

We got to the top of the ridge, probably around 10:30 or so. Sun was up strong. We stopped for a snack and to let our feet settle down. This late in the morning and after probably 3 or 4 miles of hunting we were thinking that the morning was about played out. For fun, we both let loose with our best bugles. I think I got you beat there Joe!    

We chose our return path to camp (one was steep, the other long). We chose the long way. We walked slowly along the ridgetop generally toward camp which was relatively open with some aspens and more spruce. We had the breeze in our favor and we'd walked a 100 yards or so and both stopped dead in our tracks. STRONG elk aroma filled our nostrils.

I set up about 30 yards ahead of Joe, kneeling at the base of a big spruce with juniper bushes at the base. There was an open passage that passed in front of me in both directions.  Joe let out a couple of estrus whines and within seconds the sound of galloping hooves came from my left.

I couldn't believe my eyes as a beautiful 6x6 came roaring in to about 15 yards and stopped with only his head and shoulders exposed behind a large spruce. His head was raised, eyes bugged out and nostrils flaring. He cautiously stepped out into an open shooting lane. I had about 5 yards of space before he would pass behind another tree. I made the slightest movement to try to bring my bow up from my knee as he neared broadside. He caught the movement and turned inside out and bolted back about 10 yards between two spruce trees. DAMN!

[sticshooter]

CONGRATS WHIPPER my friend. Great story and pics. Can't wait to hear it all in person.<><><>