Due to a hectic school schedule plus too much deer hunting, I did not get
too much time to scout. However, from previous trips through Liggett, I knew the elk
were not hard to find. Wed. before the hunt I went down there first thing in the morning
for the base is only an hour and a half from my home in Monterey. Being fairly lost and
navigating by a poor photocopy of a map, I began to look for elk. Not ever actually
hunting elk, I was not too sure what to do, as pathetic as that sounds. Upon receiving my
tag, I knew what I was supposed to look for, but now this was real. I was finally elk
hunting. Regardless of my confusion, I stumbled into elk right away. Throughout the day I
found two different herds, each about 15 cows. Right at dusk, my buddy and I found a
large herd with nearly 100 animals. We watched as they lazily drank from a small resovoir
until the light finally gave way to darkness. What amazes me most about this large herd is
that there was only one bull. I imagine that since the rut was over, most of the bulls were
either in seclusion or running with other bulls. Regardless, sleep that night did not come
easy.
The next morning two hours before daylight, I could not stand it anymore. I
got up and dressed and drank coffee while studying maps and concocting plans for the
days hunt. We headed from camp to the meadow where I saw one of the herds of cows
the day before. Dawn was beautiful, but also taking forever. Of all the hundreds of
sunrises that I have endured, this one was the longest. However, once light did arrive, we
found the large meadow empty. We watched patiently for an hour with no results. I then
decided to check the pond again, for maybe they came back for a last drink before bedding
for the day (the wheather was uncomfortably mild). This bet paid off in a big way. Sure
enough, we spotted the herd from about 700 yards away, just as they were leaving the
water. We struck out on a path that we hoped would intercept them. About 30 min. later
with the video camera behind catching all the action, I slowly crawled to the top of a small
knoll and peeked over. Our plan could not have worked better. About 160 yds. below was
the whole herd of elk, comfortably grazing with some even lying down. Now, with all the
nerves firing, I had to attempt to pick an individual cow. One of the problems was that
they were so bunched up. I would hate to miss and hit one in the wrong area or even blow
through the ribs of one and hit another. Eventually I singled out a large cow near the end
of the herd.
The shot was answered by that wet, flummping sound. The elk
really didn't know what to do at first, many just standing or walking in circles. However,
the big bull (the same monster from the night before) soon busted out of there with the
rest of the stampede following him. During this pandemonium, I quickly lost track of
which elk I shot at. This loss of contact was quickly reversed for as the herd ran off, the
cow slowed to a walk, stopped and abruptly fell down. It was extremely exciting to
witness this, and yet sad. It seems for me that the bigger the animal, the more respect and
grievance I give to it. To see this cow die merely seconds after she was hit was a moving
moment, if I dare say.
As I walked to the fallen cow, any feeling of remorse
I had for this animal were quickly diminished, for I was beginning to realize just how much
meat this animal would provide. I have seen plenty of elk, but never from this close.
Although a cow and a tule elk for that matter (the smallest of the four elk sub-species), it
was still impressive. I proceeded to field dress the cow as well as snap numberous pictures
and a little more video. We had to use a come-along winch to get her into the back of my
partners suzuki. Hanging without hide, head, or feet she weighed in at 260 lbs, much
larger than even the mulies that I have taken.
I went to the butcher to pick
my elk up a week after the hunt, and now the rewards were really showing themselves. I
have a freezer in my garage now that is packed to the rim with elk steaks and burger. The
first three nights after getting the meat back I dined on elk. It has been a number of years
since I have eaten an elk steak, and I must admit that is the best meat that I have ever
eaten. Absolutely delicious. I think that the disease has sunk in. Just like what happened to
me with waterfowl 10 years ago, I have become addicted. I am already planning a CO.
bowhunt next fall, and will surely put in for special hunts in CA, Ut, Az, and Wy. This was
one of the greatest hunts I have ever been on, although in many ways too short. The
payoffs meatwise are uncomparable to any deer hunt.
