Buffalo, Wyoming. That is where I was heading to hopefully take my first bull elk. I had built up points over the years, and it was time to cash them in. My buddy, Tanner Kolb, would be guiding me on this hunt. Tanner was guiding for Bear Track Outfitters, which had just retained a prime new elk lease. Tanner put me in touch with TJ, the owner, and we set the wheels in motion for an archery hunt in 2019. September came quickly, and before I knew it, I was on a plane to Gillette where TJ and his dad greeted me. We loaded up my gear and headed to Buffalo.
Once at the lodge, I met up with Tanner and we headed out to a cabin that was on the lease where we would be staying. After getting settled, we headed out for the afternoon to see if we could spot some elk. We weren’t out an hour when we spotted some bulls bedded on a hillside. One was a shooter for sure. We put on a stalk and got to about 60 yards or so, but we ended up getting busted by a smaller satellite bull. It was a great start to the week.
Over the next few days, we came across a number of bulls, passing on some and putting stalks on others. It seemed this lease had nothing but bulls, which was just fine with me. On the third afternoon, we had a bull bugling like mad. Tanner had this guy fired up, and he was coming in. We were losing light fast when all of a sudden I heard Tanner hollering. I turned to see him waving his arms, and then he started throwing rocks just behind me. I looked behind me to see a mountain lion perched on a rock, peering down at me. Tanner had spotted this cat putting a sneak on me and was quick to put an end to it. Needless to say, we were out of there quick, neat, and in a hurry.
On the fifth day, Tanner had to go into town for his son, Sauer’s, birthday and TJ came up for the day. We headed out for the afternoon and came across the one, a big herd bull tending cows. This guy was a toad, a perfect 6x6. We put a stalk on him, but we were cut off by a satellite bull. Losing light, we turned and snuck out of there.
The next day, Tanner and I headed out to where TJ and I had left the big bull. After some calling, three bulls responded and at least one was coming in fast. We got set up, and here came a bull from a draw. I was set and ready to draw, but it was a small raghorn. As we let him pass, I spotted another set of horns behind him, coming up. At first glance, he looked small, but as he stepped out, Tanner said, “Good bull! Draw back now!” He called out 50 yards. The bull came to a stop, and I came to full draw. I put my pin on him and let it fly. The bull ducked, and my arrow went right over him. It was game over for today. The next afternoon, we found the big herd bull tending his cows, but we just couldn’t get on him.
The afternoon of my last day, we found the big bull. He had moved clear around from where we had left him the night before and was in?another set of timber. Tanner started calling,?and the hillsides erupted?with bugles from multiple?directions. It seemed like?multiple satellite bulls?were working to bust the cows away from the big bull. Light was fading fast. The only way to him was to cross an open area. I did my best, but we lost the light and this archery hunt was over, or was it? I had made a deal with TJ that if I was unsuccessful I could come back in a few weeks and hunt the rifle season. I left there with renewed hope of returning to seal the deal. I had my return flights booked before I made it home.
Two weeks later, I was back on a plane to Gillette. Unfortunately, the weather was about to turn, so we stayed at the lodge. I had no complaints, mind you. TJ has a beautiful lodge. It’s very comfortable, has warm, home-cooked meals, and the staff is great!
The first morning was a rude awakening as a winter storm rolled in overnight to include rain, sleet, snow, fog, and cold. We geared up and headed to the lease. The next two days were brutal as the temperatures dropped to 7 degrees.
On the third day, the storm broke, dropping over a foot of snow. We headed up to the lease and were greeted by a winter wonderland. It was too cold for bugling, so we headed to glass some timber. While glassing, I spotted one side of a horn sticking out from behind some trees. I pointed it out to Tanner, and I could tell by his reaction that we had found the bull. Tanner didn’t hesitate, “That’s our bull. Get ready!”
Tanner called out 400 yards. I got him in my scope and squeezed off a round. It missed, going just above him. He moved down a bit and stopped perfectly. I sent another round, and this one found its mark. He was hit and headed down the timber. We lost sight of him for a second and then spotted him peeking out from behind a tree. I could see blood behind his left shoulder, but he wasn’t dropping. I started sending rounds through the branches, hoping another found its mark, another three to be exact. He was still standing and then moved out of sight. Tanner said that if I saw any part of him to send it. I replied I would if I could, but I was out of ammo. Tanner used some words I won’t repeat. My additional ammo was in the side-by-side about 1,000 yards back.
Tanner bolted to a better position while I glassed to see if the bull came out. After about 10 minutes or so, there was no movement, so I double-timed it back to the side-by-side to retrieve my ammo. I got back and loaded up, and Tanner popped out, waving at me to get to him. When I got to him, he had a God-awful look on his face. My heart started to sink as he said, “First, I just want to say... congratulations! Your bull is lying right over there.” Tanner pointed him out in the timber across from us, and the emotions took over. Tanner and I were confident this was the herd bull we had chased during archery season. What an amazing adventure!
I want to thank my buddy, Tanner, for busting his hump to help me fulfill my dream of going after elk. Also, a big thank you to TJ and his staff at Bear Track Outfitters for an awesome experience. TJ runs a great outfit, and I would highly recommend these guys.
Wyoming Elk