OUTDOORS: The hunt for the perfect bull elk proves difficult

Archery hunting is a test of patience, skill, accuracy and determination. It requires one to quietly stalk its prey – luring it in, the closer the better.

Although not quite as popular as rifle season, archery season is a time for hunters in the area to get out into the woods and explore the surrounding areas. And with that comes plenty of wildlife.

As my first archery hunt began, I dressed in borrowed camouflage. Never having worn camo before I felt quite ridiculous in the head to toe gear and refused to get out of the truck anywhere other then the designated hunting spot.

As we all know, hunting locations are sacred and are never to be released to anyone – Monte Turner once told me that in these parts, hunting locations are more sacred than wedding vows, something the community has almost convinced me of. Like always, this adventure started obnoxiously early, the sun still hidden behind the mountains of Sanders County. The goal was to reach the destination at sunrise, allowing plenty of opportunity to get to the coveted location.

As the hike began in almost pitch darkness, stumbling over twigs and branches was inevitable in my sleepy stupor. However, I found out that during archery season being quiet is not as important as rifle season. My guide explained to me that during this type of hunt, you are trying to trick the bull elk into believing that you are either a cow elk or another bull in search of the same mate, so it is not particularly important to tip toe throughout the hunt.

With a sigh of relief, I continued trudging through the branches until we reached an uphill trek. Here we tucked ourselves away and pulled out the bugles – one depicting a cow in heat, while the other sounded like a male bull.

As the bugle sounded off, I waited patiently for a response. After yet another bugle, I heard a sound that was very foreign to me - the majestic sound of a bull elk looking for his mate.

The sound resonated through my body and stopped me quite literally where I sat. It’s a sound like none other I’ve heard. Unique in its own way and almost indescribable to a person who has yet to hear the beautiful noise.

As the bugle came to an end, we responded, trying to get the animal in closer to us. As I patiently waited for a response, none came. To my disappointment the wind had shifted and that one bugle was the last we heard of the great bull elk.

As our journey continued up hill, we would stop at numerous spots to sound the call once again and try to get something stirred up – but those efforts were not successful.

Signs were evident that elk were in the area – both tree rubbings and scat could be seen along our trail.

Even with a few fresh tree rubbings, there was no further sign of the herd animal. Reluctantly, the hunt was called off and we packed our gear back into the truck.

As we were headed home, I was somewhat happy that we didn’t run into the elk. With no hunting experience in my life, I have never seen anything die and I’m sure my reaction would have startled the men I was with, undoubtedly embarrassing me to a point of having to relocate.

This would not be the last of my archery hunts. Since I heard the bugle, I have been on a mission to find another bull elk to respond to our call.

I’ve been deemed a bad curse, an unlucky charm – someone the elk made sure to stay far away from. In my next hunting experience, I would fall asleep in the truck on the way to the hunting location and could not be awakened – no matter how much I was poked and prodded. If there was any doubt, this was proof that I am the worst morning person. There’s a reason I’ve always avoided early mornings like the plague – I just don’t function properly before the afternoon hours. I slept in that truck until my hunting guide also fell asleep and was awakened by a heavy rain, thwarting any other chance to go out that day.

Since then, I have decided that evening hunts are more my style. But even with the pleasure of being fully rested, I have yet to hear another bugle like the one that graced me before.

As silly as it must sound to those who grew up hearing those noises, it’s an incredible thing to experience for a newbie to this hunting world that western Montana holds so dearly to their hearts.

And as a personal vow to myself, I will be there to hear another bugle and hopefully to finally encounter the animal – experiencing a successful hunt for the first time since I stepped foot in Sanders County and in my life, for that matter.