Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Colorado muzzleloader hunt

Well, my hunting partner up and moved out of state on me, so I had to hunt solo this year. I got to the hunting area on Friday, the day before the opener. The forecast was for a 50-60 percent chance of rain Saturday and Sunday, and my plan was to hunt out of a backpack. With all the rain in the forecast I decided to camp at the trailhead until there was a break in the weather. When all you have is what you can carry, it's easy to get all your stuff wet and I didn't want to do that right off the bat. I did day-hunts from the trailhead but was really itching to hike in to my spot. Finally the rain broke on Sunday afternoon so I packed in. The stars were out and I heard a few bugles around midnight, so things were looking good. At first light I started hunting along the mountainside, listening for bugles but not much was happening. At about 8:30 I heard the first bugle, ahead of me and slightly downhill. He was only 2-300 yards away. I did some cow calling, but got no response; he was just working his way up the mountain. So then I tried the bugle, and before my call was done he was screaming back at me. We traded a few bugles back and forth, with some cow calls thrown in too. He responded every time I bugled, but wouldn't come back down to me. He was about 300 yards away. So I cut the distance between us by about 75 yards and hit the bugle again. He bugled back, and threw in some chuckles and grunts, he sounded like he was starting to get agitated. But he didn't come down. So I moved in again, and cut the distance by another 75 yards and hid behind a small bunch of low-growing conifers. I hit the bugle again and he answered immediately, and sounded even more agitated. Next thing I knew, he was about 75 yards above me (wind was perfect) looking down, trying to find the bull. I had a head-on shot, but didn't try it. If he turned broadside, I was going to shoot. But he kept coming, and had to detour around the trees I was standing in. He passed me at 15 yards and hit an opening, quartering slightly away. The shot caught him just behind the shoulder, and exited on the point of the off-shoulder. He hunched over, and I could tell he was hit well. He ran about 60 yards, and crashed, dead before I got there:





I spent the next three days packing the meat, horns, and my camp off the mountain, sure was more fun before my hunting partner decided to bail on me. He loves packing stuff off the mountain. Seriously though, Thanks to my friend Mark for showing me how to call. I'm not the best caller around, but sometimes being lucky is better than being good.

Nicely played.

excellent post and pics. your is what a diy hunt should be. thanks

Great story! Congrats on a nice bull!

Good bull, buddy. After 3 days of packing, didja even bother to try to get a bear?

Very nice bull! Congrats Smokepole!!!!

Great job! Congrats!!!!

Nice bull Phil. I'll be going back to the muzzleloader next year after 1st rifle this year.

Man, you really know how to hurt a guy. When I was bringing out the last of the meat, I finally re-loaded the rifle and carried it. If I'd seen one from the trail, down near the trailhead, it would've been toast.

Need bear lard to fry elk steaks in....get back out there.

Very nice! If you ever need a partner let me know and I am on my way. I actually love humping elk loads out I have 3-weeks until first rifle here and can't hardly contain myself! Very nice bull!

Awesome, congrats

smokey:

Nice article. Thanks for sharing. Congratulations!

KC

Absolutely Terrific. Love hunting them in the Rut!!

Congrats, super bull!

Sweet bull. Thanks for sharing.

Nicely done

Sometimes it all works out. Good on you.

Well done Sir, thanks for sharing your hunt with us!

Well done! That's a nice bull, congrats.