WYOMING ELK HUNT STORY FEATURE:

The hunt started with a hot hike. Temps were in the 80s, so we decided to wear shorts and make quick time heading back to our camp — the same one we’d left standing a few days prior. It was about a 5-mile hike in, and we made it in just around an hour.

We got into camp between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. The plan was to relax for a bit — change into pants, eat a quick snack, drink some water, and wait until the air cooled off before heading out for the evening hunt.

That plan didn’t last five minutes.

As soon as we dropped our packs, we heard a bugle. It sounded like it came from just a few hundred yards away. With the wind in our favor, we decided to head straight up the ridge behind camp to get a better look.

Parker let out a bugle to see if we could get the bull talking again, and sure enough, he fired back — closer this time. We crept forward, using the trees and taller grass for cover, staying low and trying to stay out of sight. Parker hit the call again. The bull responded, closing the gap with each bugle.

A few minutes later, we saw him.

He stepped up over a rise, and we locked eyes. We were crouched behind some brush, and I slowly loaded a round into the chamber. Then I stood just enough to get a clear view through the scope. From his chest up, he was fully exposed — staring straight at me.

I didn’t wait. I squeezed the trigger, and he dropped instantly.

That’s when the real work began. We quartered him out right there, packed out half the meat and our camp that night, and went back in the next morning for the rest. It was a long, hard haul — but absolutely worth it.

Takeaways

• Always be ready. You never know when things will go from quiet to go-time.

• Wind matters. We were able to move in fast because the wind was in our favor.

• Good calling makes the difference. Parker’s bugles kept the bull talking and helped us close the distance.

• The shot is just the beginning. Be ready for the pack-out — especially if you get one close to dark.

Gear Notes

• Rifle with a clean zero

• Game bags, knives, gloves

• Snacks and water ready to go

• Headlamps and pack frames — essential for nighttime hauls

• Pre-set camp helped us move fast when things kicked off

FALL 2025 Rifle | Elk TAG

Submitted by Dominic Gray