Just have to share my elk hunt this year. My uncle, cousin and I were hunting private land in southwest Colorado. This is the third time I've hunted this area and I took a dandy cow last year. The first year I hunted the area it was hot and dry and out of 5 hunters only 1 tagged out. This year was different though as early storms had moved some of the elk down and opening morning while walking in we could hear two different bulls bugling. Knowing the area we knew which draw they were using and hurried to a spot where we had a good view of it. Walking as carefully and quietly as possible on a frozen side hill we made our way to within 200 yards of the group which included a really nice bull. He was fun to see but we all had cow tags this year as luck would have it. We each picked a cow and my cousin shot first. It was obvious that his animal was well hit so I shot the animal I had pick and she dropped. This got the group stirred up and moving except for one cow, and my uncle put her down. I asked my cousin if his animal had fallen and he said it had. We watched the animals for a few minutes to make sure all were done and my cousin looked at his watch and said, "I can't believe we're done 9 minutes into the season"! Once I reached my animal I saw why she dropped so quick, I had hit her high just under the spine. No back straps were lost though thank goodness. Once the sun came up the grey in her main was obvious. I hope the straps and tenderloins are good and glad I like elk burger
