October 10th. Getting closer to the end of the archery season.
So we just came over the ridge and spotted the bulls walking underneath of us.
They got tired of getting in the sun. They are headed to the shade over here.
We are moving parallel to them. We're gonna see if we can get back on them where they bed.
So we spotted these elk. They're on the move fast, so were trying to hustle.
And get around in front of them and cut them off.
That's basically what we are doing. They're moving fast so we have to move fast too.
So we're just sitting on a bench here.
We worked our way up this morning, right at first light.
And got in front of this herd as they're headed back to bed.
It is the same group we hunted last week.
I can hear some calves coming our way right now.
I've got three shooting lanes.
We are going to hang tight and hold quiet.
Hit the Limb.
Son of a gun!
One little baby limb...
Here it's Southwestern Montana.
It is October 9th.
It is getting closer to the end of the archery season,
and we're out in the sagebrush country.
We just spotted two younger bulls; a couple five points.
They're out by themselves; just bedded.
They are both similar bulls.
It looks like it'll be perfect stocking opportunity, so
we're just gonna glass them up here for a minute;
pick our lines,
and come around in on behind him and see if we can get one in one.
I have to check the wind again.
But for the upper Bull,
if we came around and walked over, and got into that little slit,
and into those trees right behind him there,
we'd have a real close shot on him.
For this lower bull, I think we go to the rock
So we just came over the ridge and spotted the bulls walking underneath of us.
They got tired of getting in the sun so they're headed to the shade over here
We are parallel to them.
We're gonna see if we can get back on them where they bed.
You can see his body right there.
He is right behind those boulders.
Bull down!
He's no monster, but you know what, he's part of it and he's a beautiful bull.
I'm happy to take him.
Well here he is.
Montana 2013.
Man, I just figured archery or nothing and we had a few more days.
Dan had some time free up, so
we're gonna put in a bunch of time this weekend.
We actually came down and started hunting some small public pieces,
laced into some private back in this country
and found these two bulls.
The gloves are off. Man we're not not playing around.
So any nice Bull will do.
This bull is perfect!
Dan and Jordan just wrapped up filming Jordan's Montana elk hunt.
Now Dan has just a little bit of time for himself
and wants to try and strike while the iron's still hot by punching his own
Montana General Elk tag.
Let's keep working down the ridge.
We will post up and listen for a little bit.
Lets see if we can figure out where they are going.
This scenario can be a real exercise in patience and self-control,
as you have to just sit there and listen to them bugle.
Just remember too much calling can have the reverse effect
and shut a hot bull right down.
Dan's elk hunting experience pays off,
as he uses the rut craze bull's distraction against them
and finds himself right in the middle of a gnarly bull elk showdown.
If he would have just stopped in that opening!
The wind finally got us.
They are rutting hard. we could hear fighting.
They're moving this way on the mound
and we're trying to bring him up from the rear,
and trying to get on him in this thick stuff.
So we spotted these elk; they're on the move fast so we're trying to hustle,
get around in front of them and cut them off.
That's basically what we're trying to do.
They're moving fast, so we gotta move fast too.
Well we spotted some elk on the move.
They went over the hill.
But they're moving fast, so we dropped our packs up at the top,
and we're just hustling down this draw down here,
and just trying to get in front of these elk as they're moving.
They're a couple draws over,
so we're gonna keep on working down and hopefully get in front of them where they cross.
Well they're hung up on the hill. We are right above the crossing down here.
The wind is coming up the draw. It's perfect if they would come down but,
They're hung up, up there. And they are starting to lay down, so
We are just going to sit here, and they will move down here eventually.
Hopefully they will move where we get on them.
They are kinda bedded in a bowl.
There is no way we can sneak up and get close.
Its just a waiting game now.
It's been about an hour and they're just up there milling around and feeding.
It's the middle of October; the rut is pretty much over for the most part.
So they are starting to move.
They are starting to get up and feed across the hill above us.
They are about 250-300 yards.
So we're gonna use this terrain right here and try and get around and get in front of them.
They went over the hill, so we're gonna loop around and try and get in from them,
there is just not enough cover
Well we got around and in front of these elk, and we ran out of cover.
We're at this frog point above them and they're just milling around down here
and slowly starting to lay down, so there at 90 yards.
We can't do anything.
We're just gonna wait here and wait for them to get up and start moving again,
and hopefully they'll feed up below us under these rocks
and we get a shot.
Even though a cold front is quickly moving in
causing the temperatures to drop like a rock,
Dan proves that bull hunting is all about patience and fortitude.
We have been out here for a little over an hour, we don't have any other gear.
We dropped our packs back by the truck.We have nothing.
We are sitting out here and its getting pretty chili.
Hopefully I can draw my bow back.
He's up and feeding. He's coming up right below us. It's about go time!
So I'm going to get in position
I just poked a 300 bull! Yes!
We waited on him for an hour!
2013 Montana Bull
What an amazing season!
So many close calls.
We finally got this guy done.
Bow season ends in four days.
What a great feeling... Awesome animal!
Big old mature bull, all muddy, rutted up and had like 50 cows with him.
7 on the right, five on the left. Now he broke his third. Just a warrior!
What a great way to end 2013 bow season.
Thanks for watching this week's episode.
Remember Fair Chase is the only way to Hunt and Take Trophy Big Game.
We'll see you right here next week with more
Eastman's Hunting TV.