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Got back last night from a Townsend MT archery trip with Kelly Flynn of Hidden Hollow Hideaway. A great trip with a first class guy and a true steward of the land he watches over. Elk were thick all over the low country and I had more than one opportunity at very good bulls that didn't quite work out. As my bad luck would have it I did unfortunately get a 50 yd broadside shot at a very nice 6 x 6 who turned away as I released and the arrow hit way back...we spent the next two days tracking / searching for that bull with a negative result.

The rule in his camp is you wound a bull and your down to killing a cow which I did on Thursday afternoon at 40 yds while a nice 5 x 5 stood at 10 yds broadside oblivious to what was happening . All in all a great trip with a good bunch of guys....I hope to book it again next year.

Congratulations

Nice honest hunt and report from someone whom admits to a mistake. Unlike another 24hr poster whom hunts in a pen and killed a "livestock" bull with a price tag on it's ear.

Thanks Hector, trust me, if there was any way to change the outcome of that event it would be done. We spent two days much of it on our hands and knees searching for sign to continue the track. I can't for the life of me understand how good a blood trail just suddenly stops...I mean right after a bedding area is found pooled with blood !! A heartbreaker for certain that I more than likely mortally wounded that bull and did not find him.

EQ,very few bowhunters can say they have never lost an animal,it happens.Sux ,but it happens.
anywho,you redeemed yourself with the cow.
Well done.Should fill the freezer nicely

Congrats on your hunt. We live just up the road from there, about 10 miles.

Nice to see you got one and more elk than I ever got. A bow is a lesser weapon and that is why bow hunters wound animals. I was pulling back on a little bud last year and I made a noise when I was ready to shoot. It looked around and was a bit surprised with its head up. Just a split second before I shot it took a step, moving its head and body forward. That split second made him move a foot forward and a gut shot as a result. So, dont feel so bad about your elk, it happens. How much was the hunt if you dont mind me asking?

Sorry about the bull it happens
Congrats on the cow!

Thanks Dan, At least I did pick the largest cow in the bunch. The better news is that a buddy of mine driving out and is rifle hunting with the same Outfitter in a couple of weeks. He built a large cooler on his trailer (4' x 8' plywood insulated) and will drive it back to Calicoon NY where I will pick it up.

Is that an illuminated nock?

I am archery hunting in Montana now and would use one if it is legal?

Congratulations on the cow!

U might be surprised the bull may still be alive.........if they don't bleed to death it's hard for an arrow to kill. Not much energy in an arrow to cause tissue damage, the damaged tissue gets avascular and gangrene sets in. Arrow wounds do not exhibit this much at all.

Yes it is, apparently now legal in Montana...You might be right about the bull but my gut says it was a mortal wound,

Guts lie! Blood not so much, it can though. You admittedly say you hit it far back. There is no traumatic impact with a bow, just slicing. The thing about slicing is it clots and heals really well.

He would want to bed down for sure. Knowing I made a bad shot, I would have pulled out of there immediately! Let him bed and don't push him. If he isn't their in the morning he is more than likely going to make it.

I think most of us have made a bad shot like this. It sucks, it haunts you, and you never forget it. If it doesn't you aren't an ethical man.

Congrats on the cow.
On 50 yard shots, lots of room for things to go wrong.
Most places I’ve hunted, you hit a bull or cow in what the guide considers fatal, you are done.

Thanks dale06....Hey Montana Thanks....we did in fact, as per your suggestion pull back and left him alone overnight...found his bed the next day(soaked with blood). I hope you are correct and he lives on...I know stuff happens but for me it's a bitter pill to swallow.

It is never an easy pill to swallow for sure.

Yes Sir !

Congrat. very nice.

Sorry you missed your bull, EQFD193. But, glad you got the cow and the experience. Seeing the other bulls had to be exhilarating, too.

Nice cow.

It sure was a great trip Greg in spite of the lost bull...into the elk everyday. Thanks ribka !