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
