4 Photos
Bow Hunt for Elk
I am a bow hunting newbie. After my first trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters, I'm hooked for life.
As a Colorado native, I'm no stranger to the outdoors. I'm an avid hiker, mountain biker, and fly fisherman. I have always wanted to bow hunt for elk. So when my work schedule finally afforded me the opportunity to bow hunt for elk, I jumped at the opportunity. I trained hard, shot a lot, and read every article I could find about elk hunting. One thing I was lacking....experience. That's where Wapiti Outfitters comes in. We talked about my goals and expectations for a 5-day hunt. I wanted to learn. That was my main goal. How to find sign, where would elk move and bed down, playing the wind, when to draw, how to glass, when to call, how much to call, etc. Another goal was to hike and see beautiful new country. Lastly, I wanted the opportunity to harvest and field dress an elk. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.
We saw a lot of sign, scrapes, wallows, and glassed a ton of elk. We had the opportunity to locate a bull with a bugle. We stalked him and go into position in some dense brush. We needed him to come into a small open area under 30 yards. We called and he answered, repeatedly. He was screaming and barging through the brush. I could see small trees being knocked out of the way as he barreled through the hillside. At 38 yards I got a look at a nice bull. Only one problem, he wouldn't commit to the opening. Shortly thereafter the cow he was with spooked and they were gone. But what a great experience. Charlie and I put a game plan together for each day. Whether it was glassing, stalking, or staking out watering holes, I always felt confident our next opportunity was right around the corner for me to bow hunt for elk.
The last night of our hunt we hiked up a ridge to find a good spot to glass. We both felt it was a perfect night. The winds stopped swirling and we had perfect wind. As we set up to glass the surrounding hillsides, Charlie spotted a nice 5x5 with good mass bedded down in the aspens below. He was barely at 200 yards. Charlie advised us to hike back down so the wind was in our faces, and a nice ridge gave us an opportunity to close the distance. I hiked an area 100 yds from his location and set up. Charlie backed down from my position and cow called him. I got a range on a game trail (25 yds) and a tree in the distance (63 yds). Within a minute of Charlie calling I saw that beautiful bull walk out in the open. Just as he was getting in the open I came to full draw. What an exhilarating experience! He looked even with the tree I ranged, so I put my 60 yard pin on him and let it fly... I missed. I couldn't believe it. I trained hard, and shot a lot. I was sick to my stomach and devastated. Charlie came from his position and we ranged the spot I shot at him. 50 yards!!! How could I make that mistake? After hiking back down and having some dinner, Charlie and I talked about the evening. Why did I miss? When did I draw? Should I have been more patient? Why did I only range two objects?
Even though I went home with an empty freezer, I realized what I gained that evening. Experience. Even though it was painful and I would have loved to connect on that mature bull, I realized I met my primary goals. Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters gave me the experience of a lifetime. We located elk, hiked new country, and had an opportunity to harvest a nice bull. I am excited to come back and bow hunt for elk and put my experience to use next year.
On a side note, as an avid fly fisherman I brought along my rod. I was 100% committed to elk hunting on my trip but thought it couldn't hurt to wet my line during the heat of the day. The meandering creek in front of the cabin did not disappoint. It was some of the best fly-fishing I have ever experienced. I caught 30+ fish, with days full of cutthroat and rainbows. On the last day I caught a very nice 19' cutthroat.
If you want a great opportunity to see some new country, harvest an elk, and learn a lot in the process, don't hesitate to book a trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters. And don't forget your rod!
Bow Hunt for Elk
I am a bow hunting newbie. After my first trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters, I'm hooked for life.
As a Colorado native, I'm no stranger to the outdoors. I'm an avid hiker, mountain biker, and fly fisherman. I have always wanted to bow hunt for elk. So when my work schedule finally afforded me the opportunity to bow hunt for elk, I jumped at the opportunity. I trained hard, shot a lot, and read every article I could find about elk hunting. One thing I was lacking....experience. That's where Wapiti Outfitters comes in. We talked about my goals and expectations for a 5-day hunt. I wanted to learn. That was my main goal. How to find sign, where would elk move and bed down, playing the wind, when to draw, how to glass, when to call, how much to call, etc. Another goal was to hike and see beautiful new country. Lastly, I wanted the opportunity to harvest and field dress an elk. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.
We saw a lot of sign, scrapes, wallows, and glassed a ton of elk. We had the opportunity to locate a bull with a bugle. We stalked him and go into position in some dense brush. We needed him to come into a small open area under 30 yards. We called and he answered, repeatedly. He was screaming and barging through the brush. I could see small trees being knocked out of the way as he barreled through the hillside. At 38 yards I got a look at a nice bull. Only one problem, he wouldn't commit to the opening. Shortly thereafter the cow he was with spooked and they were gone. But what a great experience. Charlie and I put a game plan together for each day. Whether it was glassing, stalking, or staking out watering holes, I always felt confident our next opportunity was right around the corner for me to bow hunt for elk.
The last night of our hunt we hiked up a ridge to find a good spot to glass. We both felt it was a perfect night. The winds stopped swirling and we had perfect wind. As we set up to glass the surrounding hillsides, Charlie spotted a nice 5x5 with good mass bedded down in the aspens below. He was barely at 200 yards. Charlie advised us to hike back down so the wind was in our faces, and a nice ridge gave us an opportunity to close the distance. I hiked an area 100 yds from his location and set up. Charlie backed down from my position and cow called him. I got a range on a game trail (25 yds) and a tree in the distance (63 yds). Within a minute of Charlie calling I saw that beautiful bull walk out in the open. Just as he was getting in the open I came to full draw. What an exhilarating experience! He looked even with the tree I ranged, so I put my 60 yard pin on him and let it fly... I missed. I couldn't believe it. I trained hard, and shot a lot. I was sick to my stomach and devastated. Charlie came from his position and we ranged the spot I shot at him. 50 yards!!! How could I make that mistake? After hiking back down and having some dinner, Charlie and I talked about the evening. Why did I miss? When did I draw? Should I have been more patient? Why did I only range two objects?
Even though I went home with an empty freezer, I realized what I gained that evening. Experience. Even though it was painful and I would have loved to connect on that mature bull, I realized I met my primary goals. Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters gave me the experience of a lifetime. We located elk, hiked new country, and had an opportunity to harvest a nice bull. I am excited to come back and bow hunt for elk and put my experience to use next year.
On a side note, as an avid fly fisherman I brought along my rod. I was 100% committed to elk hunting on my trip but thought it couldn't hurt to wet my line during the heat of the day. The meandering creek in front of the cabin did not disappoint. It was some of the best fly-fishing I have ever experienced. I caught 30+ fish, with days full of cutthroat and rainbows. On the last day I caught a very nice 19' cutthroat.
If you want a great opportunity to see some new country, harvest an elk, and learn a lot in the process, don't hesitate to book a trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters. And don't forget your rod!
Bow Hunt for Elk
I am a bow hunting newbie. After my first trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters, I'm hooked for life.
As a Colorado native, I'm no stranger to the outdoors. I'm an avid hiker, mountain biker, and fly fisherman. I have always wanted to bow hunt for elk. So when my work schedule finally afforded me the opportunity to bow hunt for elk, I jumped at the opportunity. I trained hard, shot a lot, and read every article I could find about elk hunting. One thing I was lacking....experience. That's where Wapiti Outfitters comes in. We talked about my goals and expectations for a 5-day hunt. I wanted to learn. That was my main goal. How to find sign, where would elk move and bed down, playing the wind, when to draw, how to glass, when to call, how much to call, etc. Another goal was to hike and see beautiful new country. Lastly, I wanted the opportunity to harvest and field dress an elk. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.
We saw a lot of sign, scrapes, wallows, and glassed a ton of elk. We had the opportunity to locate a bull with a bugle. We stalked him and go into position in some dense brush. We needed him to come into a small open area under 30 yards. We called and he answered, repeatedly. He was screaming and barging through the brush. I could see small trees being knocked out of the way as he barreled through the hillside. At 38 yards I got a look at a nice bull. Only one problem, he wouldn't commit to the opening. Shortly thereafter the cow he was with spooked and they were gone. But what a great experience. Charlie and I put a game plan together for each day. Whether it was glassing, stalking, or staking out watering holes, I always felt confident our next opportunity was right around the corner for me to bow hunt for elk.
The last night of our hunt we hiked up a ridge to find a good spot to glass. We both felt it was a perfect night. The winds stopped swirling and we had perfect wind. As we set up to glass the surrounding hillsides, Charlie spotted a nice 5x5 with good mass bedded down in the aspens below. He was barely at 200 yards. Charlie advised us to hike back down so the wind was in our faces, and a nice ridge gave us an opportunity to close the distance. I hiked an area 100 yds from his location and set up. Charlie backed down from my position and cow called him. I got a range on a game trail (25 yds) and a tree in the distance (63 yds). Within a minute of Charlie calling I saw that beautiful bull walk out in the open. Just as he was getting in the open I came to full draw. What an exhilarating experience! He looked even with the tree I ranged, so I put my 60 yard pin on him and let it fly... I missed. I couldn't believe it. I trained hard, and shot a lot. I was sick to my stomach and devastated. Charlie came from his position and we ranged the spot I shot at him. 50 yards!!! How could I make that mistake? After hiking back down and having some dinner, Charlie and I talked about the evening. Why did I miss? When did I draw? Should I have been more patient? Why did I only range two objects?
Even though I went home with an empty freezer, I realized what I gained that evening. Experience. Even though it was painful and I would have loved to connect on that mature bull, I realized I met my primary goals. Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters gave me the experience of a lifetime. We located elk, hiked new country, and had an opportunity to harvest a nice bull. I am excited to come back and bow hunt for elk and put my experience to use next year.
On a side note, as an avid fly fisherman I brought along my rod. I was 100% committed to elk hunting on my trip but thought it couldn't hurt to wet my line during the heat of the day. The meandering creek in front of the cabin did not disappoint. It was some of the best fly-fishing I have ever experienced. I caught 30+ fish, with days full of cutthroat and rainbows. On the last day I caught a very nice 19' cutthroat.
If you want a great opportunity to see some new country, harvest an elk, and learn a lot in the process, don't hesitate to book a trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters. And don't forget your rod!
Bow Hunt for Elk
I am a bow hunting newbie. After my first trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters, I'm hooked for life.
As a Colorado native, I'm no stranger to the outdoors. I'm an avid hiker, mountain biker, and fly fisherman. I have always wanted to bow hunt for elk. So when my work schedule finally afforded me the opportunity to bow hunt for elk, I jumped at the opportunity. I trained hard, shot a lot, and read every article I could find about elk hunting. One thing I was lacking....experience. That's where Wapiti Outfitters comes in. We talked about my goals and expectations for a 5-day hunt. I wanted to learn. That was my main goal. How to find sign, where would elk move and bed down, playing the wind, when to draw, how to glass, when to call, how much to call, etc. Another goal was to hike and see beautiful new country. Lastly, I wanted the opportunity to harvest and field dress an elk. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.
We saw a lot of sign, scrapes, wallows, and glassed a ton of elk. We had the opportunity to locate a bull with a bugle. We stalked him and go into position in some dense brush. We needed him to come into a small open area under 30 yards. We called and he answered, repeatedly. He was screaming and barging through the brush. I could see small trees being knocked out of the way as he barreled through the hillside. At 38 yards I got a look at a nice bull. Only one problem, he wouldn't commit to the opening. Shortly thereafter the cow he was with spooked and they were gone. But what a great experience. Charlie and I put a game plan together for each day. Whether it was glassing, stalking, or staking out watering holes, I always felt confident our next opportunity was right around the corner for me to bow hunt for elk.
The last night of our hunt we hiked up a ridge to find a good spot to glass. We both felt it was a perfect night. The winds stopped swirling and we had perfect wind. As we set up to glass the surrounding hillsides, Charlie spotted a nice 5x5 with good mass bedded down in the aspens below. He was barely at 200 yards. Charlie advised us to hike back down so the wind was in our faces, and a nice ridge gave us an opportunity to close the distance. I hiked an area 100 yds from his location and set up. Charlie backed down from my position and cow called him. I got a range on a game trail (25 yds) and a tree in the distance (63 yds). Within a minute of Charlie calling I saw that beautiful bull walk out in the open. Just as he was getting in the open I came to full draw. What an exhilarating experience! He looked even with the tree I ranged, so I put my 60 yard pin on him and let it fly... I missed. I couldn't believe it. I trained hard, and shot a lot. I was sick to my stomach and devastated. Charlie came from his position and we ranged the spot I shot at him. 50 yards!!! How could I make that mistake? After hiking back down and having some dinner, Charlie and I talked about the evening. Why did I miss? When did I draw? Should I have been more patient? Why did I only range two objects?
Even though I went home with an empty freezer, I realized what I gained that evening. Experience. Even though it was painful and I would have loved to connect on that mature bull, I realized I met my primary goals. Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters gave me the experience of a lifetime. We located elk, hiked new country, and had an opportunity to harvest a nice bull. I am excited to come back and bow hunt for elk and put my experience to use next year.
On a side note, as an avid fly fisherman I brought along my rod. I was 100% committed to elk hunting on my trip but thought it couldn't hurt to wet my line during the heat of the day. The meandering creek in front of the cabin did not disappoint. It was some of the best fly-fishing I have ever experienced. I caught 30+ fish, with days full of cutthroat and rainbows. On the last day I caught a very nice 19' cutthroat.
If you want a great opportunity to see some new country, harvest an elk, and learn a lot in the process, don't hesitate to book a trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters. And don't forget your rod!
Bow Hunt for Elk
I am a bow hunting newbie. After my first trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters, I'm hooked for life.
As a Colorado native, I'm no stranger to the outdoors. I'm an avid hiker, mountain biker, and fly fisherman. I have always wanted to bow hunt for elk. So when my work schedule finally afforded me the opportunity to bow hunt for elk, I jumped at the opportunity. I trained hard, shot a lot, and read every article I could find about elk hunting. One thing I was lacking....experience. That's where Wapiti Outfitters comes in. We talked about my goals and expectations for a 5-day hunt. I wanted to learn. That was my main goal. How to find sign, where would elk move and bed down, playing the wind, when to draw, how to glass, when to call, how much to call, etc. Another goal was to hike and see beautiful new country. Lastly, I wanted the opportunity to harvest and field dress an elk. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed.
We saw a lot of sign, scrapes, wallows, and glassed a ton of elk. We had the opportunity to locate a bull with a bugle. We stalked him and go into position in some dense brush. We needed him to come into a small open area under 30 yards. We called and he answered, repeatedly. He was screaming and barging through the brush. I could see small trees being knocked out of the way as he barreled through the hillside. At 38 yards I got a look at a nice bull. Only one problem, he wouldn't commit to the opening. Shortly thereafter the cow he was with spooked and they were gone. But what a great experience. Charlie and I put a game plan together for each day. Whether it was glassing, stalking, or staking out watering holes, I always felt confident our next opportunity was right around the corner for me to bow hunt for elk.
The last night of our hunt we hiked up a ridge to find a good spot to glass. We both felt it was a perfect night. The winds stopped swirling and we had perfect wind. As we set up to glass the surrounding hillsides, Charlie spotted a nice 5x5 with good mass bedded down in the aspens below. He was barely at 200 yards. Charlie advised us to hike back down so the wind was in our faces, and a nice ridge gave us an opportunity to close the distance. I hiked an area 100 yds from his location and set up. Charlie backed down from my position and cow called him. I got a range on a game trail (25 yds) and a tree in the distance (63 yds). Within a minute of Charlie calling I saw that beautiful bull walk out in the open. Just as he was getting in the open I came to full draw. What an exhilarating experience! He looked even with the tree I ranged, so I put my 60 yard pin on him and let it fly... I missed. I couldn't believe it. I trained hard, and shot a lot. I was sick to my stomach and devastated. Charlie came from his position and we ranged the spot I shot at him. 50 yards!!! How could I make that mistake? After hiking back down and having some dinner, Charlie and I talked about the evening. Why did I miss? When did I draw? Should I have been more patient? Why did I only range two objects?
Even though I went home with an empty freezer, I realized what I gained that evening. Experience. Even though it was painful and I would have loved to connect on that mature bull, I realized I met my primary goals. Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters gave me the experience of a lifetime. We located elk, hiked new country, and had an opportunity to harvest a nice bull. I am excited to come back and bow hunt for elk and put my experience to use next year.
On a side note, as an avid fly fisherman I brought along my rod. I was 100% committed to elk hunting on my trip but thought it couldn't hurt to wet my line during the heat of the day. The meandering creek in front of the cabin did not disappoint. It was some of the best fly-fishing I have ever experienced. I caught 30+ fish, with days full of cutthroat and rainbows. On the last day I caught a very nice 19' cutthroat.
If you want a great opportunity to see some new country, harvest an elk, and learn a lot in the process, don't hesitate to book a trip with Charlie and Wapiti Outfitters. And don't forget your rod!
