#25 2019 Elk Ch 4 ”Reckless Precision”

2019 Archery Season Ch 4 "Reckless Precision"

It was September 24th now, the final full day of my final trip of the season. I was well aware of the circumstance- that this would be my last opportunity for archery success in 2019. Looking back I realize I'd been in this same position two years prior, just before taking my best bull (which is described in SKYLINES Episodes 2017 Rut Reports) Although in the moment, that specific recollection did not occur to me at time. My dear friend Ian had joined me for this trip, and the two of us has split up earlier in the morning. From a ridge top, we had each pointed in different directions at the sounds of bugling elk, and agreed we would investigate our respective leads individually. I dropped into a panel of timber I referred to as the Storm Front, where a great sounding bugle had earlier boomed out of. A few minutes into my descent I had a good bearing on where I thought the bull was located, and a powerful bugle followed by a sequence of chuckles confirmed that I was getting close. I slowed my pace to 90% creep and set my eyes to 100% scan as I carefully stepped my way through the thick timber and downfall. Minutes later I'd advanced a hundred or so yards and like an airliner coming in for landing, lowering it's flaps and landing gear, I reduced my speed even more and knocked an arrow. And bumped my eyes to 200% scan. My movement now resembled the pace of honey pouring from the freezer, and I paused at the slightest clues to analyze where I could expect to land my eyes on elk.