An unusually warm October left the high country without one of my favorite hunting ingredients – tracking snow. And with no lead on a big bull from my scouting efforts, I was left crossing my fingers and praying for good luck. Even so, I was exited for the opening day search for a western Montana bull elk.
I began my solo backpacking adventure the day prior to the opener with 4 days worth of food. Halfway to my anticipated destination, I sat down to glass. It appeared that my prayers were answered as I spotted four bull elk feeding together on a steep south-facing hillside. The largest of the group had a wide and heavy rack with a unique flare to his left antler. Weird-looking – no doubt! I quickly changed my plans and set up camp within view of the elk, which were over a mile away. Although it was a restless night, I was confident.
I awoke well before daylight, cooked a warm breakfast and started my bushwhacking trek to the bulls by headlamp. Shortly before daylight, I was within shooting range of the hillside the elk fed the previous evening. I unhooked my spotter and tripod from … READ MORE >
