Story of an archery hunt written by one of our 2014 drop camp hunters … Deadwood Outfitters is a serious bow hunters dream. Tom and Dawn Carter definitely know there stuff! Hunting out of a Deadwood drop camp positioned strategically in the backcountry is a treat. You will find no litter, not see or hear another hunter and immediately start to enjoy the rhythm of the forest as your week begins to unfold. They offer a no nonsense approach to the pursuit of an archery bull. Tom will put you into populated elk country and the rest will be up to you. Show up ready to hunt hard and your reward awaits. If you get up early, stay out late, cover ground, aren’t afraid to spend the night away from the wall tent, know how to make cow/calf elk sounds I can almost guarantee you will come to full draw on an amazing animal. I came to full draw twice on 300+ elk before I finally loosed my arrow and harvested a 5X5 bull on top of a ridge at 11:30 a.m. My successful hunt started as I climbed and weaved my way up a drainage to a saddle Tom recommended I pay attention to. There was a bull bugling behind me as I climbed and I called to him thinking my hunting partner, after we split up, might be able to stalk him and get an arrow into his vitals. I found out later that is exactly what almost happened but the bull pinned him at 60 yards and never presented an ethical shot. Almost to my destination, I filled my 100 ounce water bladder with cold crisp water from a spring that I soon enjoyed when I finally arrived up in the saddle. I sat down and ate some homemade trail mix, rested from the climb and enjoyed the views of the Deadwood River 1900 vertical feet below. Rejuvenated I stood, checked the wind and made one cow chirp. Instantly I had a return call from the distance and decided to make a few more calls. Turning my head away from the direction of the answering elk I tried to disguise my position on the hill with a few more faint cow sounds. It worked as the forest lit up with sounds and they were approaching fast. The wind was in my face as I saw the first cow approach out of the trees to my right and in front. She was followed by four more cows all trying to find what had made the elk sounds. Then I saw the horns approaching with a spike in tow and they were almost running anxious to find their new found friends. I thought he was going to go left however he changed directions to join the cows and stood at 30 yards quartering to me ever so slightly as he stopped naturally. I was at full draw and turns out put my arrow 2 inches off his shoulder and then heard the sweet sound of an arrow hitting and entering your chosen target. All of this happened in less than a minute and I was shaking as I made calf sounds to calm the injured bull. He stopped in the shade of a few trees not 70 yards from me and the spike joined him offering my needed distraction. I took my boots off and snuck around for one final shot that finished him very quickly. Full of emotion I finally stood over my impressive archery bull and yelled to the forest what a great elk I thought he was and thanked him for the meat he would provide my family this winter. My hunting partner joined me finally in the saddle and I filled him in on what happened as I pulled out my camera, game bags, rope and knife. We had him hanging in a tree in 2 ½ hours and enjoyed one of his tenderloins that evening sautéed up with one of our Mountain House freeze dried back pack meals. Sleep did not find me easy that night as I enjoyed the warm September night gazing at the intense stars with no moon reliving my successful hunt. Finally I climbed into my tent at mid night not 100 yards from where my bull took his last breath. Tom came up the following morning and assisted in cutting out the ivories and horns and we loaded him up on the mules and that was that. This was my first year hunting with Deadwood Outfitters and I must say I was completely impressed. A drop camp in quality remote elk country is what I crave, enjoy and I’m already looking forward to heading back to the Boise Forest next year. Jae Pregill
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 22:34:42 +0000
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