Western Hunt 2011- Archery
 

Here is how things went for 2011. I left home on August 14 and returned home on October 19

Archery cow elk hunt

The weather on the Manti La Sal at 9K feet was wonderful . I got my camp set up in the same place as last year and the evening before opening day I found a large herd of elk. I quit counting at 80 animals!
Opening morning all elk had disappeared but around 8:00 I had three cows drinking water at 83 yards. I used my shooting stick to brace the bow and made the shot. Arrow went about 3-6 inches left and hit the shoulder bone of the cow and buried up about ½ inch in the bone. The cow shook her leg and the arrow dropped out. The only other shot I tried was at 40 yards and I managed to wound a 10 inch aspen and lose a $6 broad head to the aspen. I saw elk most days and just never seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
I also had a archery deer tag and shot over a small buck at 30 yards being as I have no pin set for 30 yards and never practice at those kinds of close ranges!
I had a lot of fun and will certainly do it again next year

Funny part was I pitched the tent under a tree with a hornets nest in it.

Lots of Fall flowers in bloom

Family of Kestrels hunted the meadow.

Sheepherders camp was across the road.