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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2017)
Just being able to see, I thought I caught a glimpse of tan-ish and orange-ish butts in the still-pretty-dark morning. As light was taking its time, I began to make out elk figures making their way up the steep mountain slope. I thought I saw a lash of antler but couldn’t be certain. Several cows and calves were making their way through the blowdowns, and in the frantic of elk moving at first light, I heard my first guttural bugle of the morning, immediately followed by six grunts. I threw my binos up in time to get a glimpse of a 340-ish six-by-six doing his best to push the herd of a dozen cows and calves up the steep slope to safety and bed for the day — that empty feeling when the elk are ahead of you and the steepest part of the mountain still has to be conquered! What’s a bowhunter to do but pump the brakes and throw out some cow calls as the race to the bedding area was won easily by the 340 class herd master and his harem, who by the way didn’t see the need of answering any of my recent cow calls. My, my, how dark it is before the dawn. As I was tossing out overly excited cow calls, it was my turn to learn a lesson about satellite bulls and stalking the main herd. Just as the nice bull and his harem were reaching their bedding area, a couple satellite bulls — a really nice five-by-five in the 300 class and a little better six-by-six 320 class with 20-plus-inch brow tines — were jousting to make a play for the lone cow that split off the herd without ol’ 340 knowing anything about it. Sometimes it just pays to be luckier than good. As the two satellite bulls were more interested in getting to the high-energy cow I was doing my best to portray — with an arrow nocked and ready for either bull to step in to a shooting lane — it was the 320’s time because the young six-by-six stepped in the clear at only 35 yards, and my Bowtech Tribute set at 94 pounds worked his magic like a few times before. My arrow placement was a little far back in the spleen area, but the youngin bedded up about 70 yards from where I shot him. Taking my time and crawling slow and easy, I managed a second arrow into the bull’s bedded chest area, and within two minutes, the young bull with jaw- dropping brow tines was mine! He was my fourth public land Pope and Younger at the time and most welcomed in my little trophy collection. Learning elk travels patterns, where they feed and where they bed up is paramount in filling that bow elk tag. Happy elkin’ in 2017! This is Greg Dyson’s 11th year as a Bowtech Pro-Staffer and first year as an ambassador. Greg Dyson poses with a trophy bull elk he killed bowhunting in 2015. ):0*<&73*7 Dayville & John Day www.rmls.com • www.eastoregonrealestate.com • www.farmseller.com • centraloregonrealtors.com • oregonranchandhomes.com/dukewarner LOP tags. River frontage, 205 ac, 50 irr, ranch home, shop, corrals, fenced. RMLS #17545834 RMLS #16466846 Borders NF, timber, fenced private, good access, camp trailer. RMLS #16278416 Off grid, 3/2, garage, shop, barn. Private, secluded, views, limited winter access. Panoramic views, cabin w/loft, storage. 1RUL-LFNHUVRQ 5ULQFLSDO'URNHU GRI 541-575-2617 ljh@ortelco.net 8DOO\0QRZOHV 'URNHUGRI 541-932-4493 sknowles@ortelco.net RMLS #16557352 RMLS #16108702 RMLS #15128485 54 Timbered acres, borders NF, w/high- end upgrades throughout. Views, LOP tags, seasonal spring, behind locked gate. 2 Story, 3/2, garage, shop w/apt. RMLS #17632371 RMLS #17161402 RMLS #14484773 MyEagleNews.com 'DEHWWH1DUVRQ 'URNHU GRI “Your professional 541-987-2363 Real Estate choice ddwr@ortelco.net in Grant County” GRANT COUNTY HUNTING JOURNAL 2017 • 7
