DAD’S FIRST ELK
The crisp morning air, filled with the scent of pine and damp earth, was charged with anticipation as I prepared for a special day in the mountains—my dad’s first elk hunt. We had been planning this moment for a while, and today was the day we would embark on a spot-and-stalk bowhunt. Given my dad’s bad back and knees, we knew we had to take it easy, but the excitement of the hunt was a palpable energy between us. We were ready to apply some of our best tracking methods to make this a successful day.
As we settled into our surroundings, the quiet of the wilderness was broken by the distant bugles of elk echoing through the woods. “We’ve heard at least two or three different bugles back off in these woods right here,” I whispered to my dad, who was already scanning the area with eager eyes, his breath misting in the cool air. Just moments before, we had spotted a nice bull skirt the edge of a field, but he had vanished into the thick timber like a ghost. “It’s been kind of quiet for about the last 15-20 minutes,” I noted, contemplating our next move. “I think we should head down toward where we think those animals are, using the terrain to our advantage.”
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With a plan in mind, we navigated the unfamiliar terrain, relying on an aerial photograph that showed a couple of openings where elk might be feeding or bedding down for the day. “Let’s see what we can spot,” I said, leading the way as we crept through the underbrush, careful to avoid snapping any twigs underfoot. This is one of the most important elk hunting tips: move slowly and silently.
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After a short walk, we found a promising spot to sit and wait, concealed by a thicket of bushes. “I’m not going to take that shot,” my dad said, his voice a low whisper, as he eyed a spike that had wandered into view. “It’s too risky.” I agreed; patience was key in hunting, and we wanted to make sure we had a good opportunity when it presented itself.
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Suddenly, my heart raced as I spotted movement in the dense trees. “There’s a big boy right there!” I whispered excitedly, my voice trembling slightly. My dad’s eyes widened as he caught sight of the majestic elk. “How did he see us?” he asked, bewildered by the elk’s keen senses. We remained still, hoping he would come closer, our hearts pounding in our chests.
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As we waited, my dad shared stories of his past hunts, reminiscing about the smaller deer he had taken over the years. “I shot a little four-point buck down in Florida once,” he chuckled softly. “He wasn’t even half as big as this one!” The thrill of the moment was infectious, and I could see the excitement building in him, a youthful glint in his eyes.
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Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my dad got ready to take his shot. “This is the biggest thing I’ve ever shot in my life!” he exclaimed, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He steadied his bow, his knuckles white as he focused on the target, drawing back the string with a smooth, practiced motion. “Remember to follow through,” I reminded him, watching intently as he released the arrow.
The arrow flew true, a silent streak through the air, and I could see blood immediately pouring from the elk’s side. “We’re going to have to get a tractor to haul this thing out,” I said, excitement bubbling over as we realized that my dad had successfully taken his first elk. “I can’t believe it!” he shouted, disbelief and joy mixing in his voice, his triumphant cry echoing through the mountains.
As we approached the fallen elk, a magnificent creature, my dad couldn’t help but smile ear to ear. “This is what it’s all about,” he said, taking in the moment, his hand resting on the elk’s flank in a gesture of respect. We shared high-fives and laughter, knowing that this experience would be one we would cherish forever.
The journey back to camp was filled with stories and plans for how we would prepare the meat. “We can’t wait to share this with family and friends,” I said, already dreaming of the delicious meals to come. This hunt had not only brought us closer but had also created memories that would last a lifetime.
Check out this unforgettable adventure of my dad’s first elk here:
