As a Georgia resident, my bowhunting endeavors have revolved around whitetail deer. Western hunting seemed like a far-off dream but over the years I began to dedicate copious amounts of time, training and research to accomplish the goal of harvesting an archery bull elk. In 2023, I set out to drive from Georgia to Colorado for a solo, OTC, archery elk hunt. The trip was a wake-up call full of adventure, an encounter with mountain lions, backcountry bivy hunting, and elk encounters. I had two great opportunities I passed on cows and on the last day I failed my stalk to seal the deal on a raghorn bull. With a head full of lessons I returned to Georgia with the mission of dedicating the year to stack the chips in my favor for the 2024 season.
I drew a Montana general tag for 2024 and the preparation continued to ramp up. I set up a new Hoyt RX8 with the 3-pin Dialed ARXOS and continued to dial in my gear through the off season. I shot two 3D archery events to challenge my abilities and grow comfortable with the new setup. Long distance shots became much easier with the ARXOS and my confidence was at a peak through daily repetition. Shooting, Running, rucking, lifting weights and e-scouting the public lands of Montana became a daily routine as September lurked in the near future.
I was ready, the truck packed down with all the gear I would need, and I drove the 34 hours to Montana to set out on my second archery elk hunt, determined not to return home empty handed. The first piece of public I hunted had six other trucks in the parking area on opening day, but I hiked in anyway and had a great day seeing five cows, several mule deer, several hunters, and a black bear. With the pressure in the area, I relocated to the mountains and backpacked in several miles. On day three I woke up to bulls screaming in the night, very close to my camp. The next couple days were blown attempts to get close to any of the bulls. Eventually, I ran out of food and hiked back to the truck. A solo packout from where I ended up would have been next to impossible and with warmer temps, I knew I needed to try a different plan. My good friend, a resident of Montana, told me to return to the place I hunted on opening day. “There will be hunting pressure but it’s where the elk like to be, they will come back.” he said.
I returned to the property and was able to glass 200 heads from the road, mostly on private land but bordering the public. The forecast was not good, and rainstorms were coming in. I was tempted to take the afternoon off but packed up my gear and headed 2 miles to where I could get a better look at the elk. I was the only truck in the lot this time. As I neared the top of the ridge the rain began, and I spent the next several hours under a clump of trees trying to stay dry. With an hour of light left the rain broke and I raced to the glassing knob to see the most incredible display through my spotter. Huge bulls were ripping up the ground with their antlers and running cows around. It was only a matter of time before they came onto the public. I packed up and started my hike back with the plan to return in the morning. As light was getting low, I was only a few hundred yards on my way back to the truck when I heard a bugle very close behind me. A bull had come over! I immediately turned around and as I was about to crest the first hill between us two cows popped over and I knelt down in the grass, hoping they wouldn’t see me. They didn’t and moments later the bulls antlers crested the hill. I knocked an arrow, ranged the bull at 50 yards and slowly stood up.
I didn’t need to adjust the 3-pin ARXOS as my pins were shooting 20, 35 & 50 yards. I drew back and rested the 3rd pin on the broadsided bull and released an arrow. I heard the thud of the arrow behind the shoulder and knew it was a good shot. The bull turned and went back down the hill. I jogged in pursuit, knocking another arrow for a follow up shot. I relocated the bull and made another 50-yard shot, slightly forward, but in the vitals. He stumbled his way to some trees and bedded down. I backed out as light disappeared feeling confident that he would be dead where I left him.
After a restless night’s sleep, I hiked back in and recovered the bull where he bedded the night before. I finally did it. All the work, preparation and training finally paid off. I thanked God for the ability and opportunity and began breaking the bull down. A full day of butchering and three round trips to the truck, completed my solo packout. The next day I woke up sore but already daydreaming of my next archery elk hunt in September.
Written by Stephen Cordaro
