10/20/2015
We're excited to get see this image. Jahna Davis-Jurenka aka Bow Chic took this great bull after, in her words, more than 140 miles of hiking. Missouri River Breaks bull with a string-gun! Congratulations Jahna!
Here's the entire story! Thank you Jahna Davis-Jurenka aka Bow Chic
My dad introduced me to Elk hunting as soon as I was old enough to hunt, which is age 12 in the state of MT. I have been Bow hunting elk for 22 years... Yes, it may have been put on the back burner thru some college years and pregnancies. But in my heart, harvesting an elk with my bow has always been my dream.
I made a decision at the beginning of this season that I was going to give it everything I had and I was never going to miss an opportunity. Over 140 miles on foot proved that I was serious about that statement.
The Extreme emotional highs and lows of this bow season were enough to mentally cripple any person alive. Telling myself over and over that this was MY year. This was MY time. Pushing... Mile after mile, day after day, never giving up.
THE STORY:
My husband, David, and I arrived to our "Spot" on Friday night (Saturday morning) at 1:00 am. We got very little sleep due to the anxious 6 hour drive that night. The alarm goes off at 5:00 am. This day was rough, we were exhausted... We saw a few elk but nothing we could make a successful stalk on.... So an early night back to the jeep, delicious Mountain House, ice cold beverages, and a plan for Sunday made and a good night sleep.
We started our hunt as usual at 5:00 am. Got to our spotting location right at day break. No elk to be seen. We decided to take a walk. Slowly creeping along and spotting as we went. All of the sudden David spotted 2 cows so we found a spot somewhat hidden by some sage brush to sit and watch. 5 more cows and then the Bull. All I could think was, "man, he is beautiful."
They finally go out of sight into a small draw... Time to go. Down the mountain, over a ridge...sneak up, spot... Nope, They are over the next ridge. Down again we go, and up the other side. David sneaks up over the top to see if they were there. YEP! Eye to eye with 2 cows. "I don't think they saw me" He whispered. I smile... Take a deep breath. "Let's go." We sneak to down to where we can get a good look at the bull. Bedded down, quartered away, down hill, we Ranged him at 55 yards. David said, "you want to take the shot?" "Yes." Trembling... I draw, stand up, aim... CRAP!!! Let down, and back down the ridge. "What happened?" David Asked. "He tipped his rack back and covered his vitals!" Shaking my head. "I'm going again" I said. This time half squatted down, I draw my 67 lb, Hoyt Spyder 30. I stand up. A previously bedded cow is now standing looking right at me. The previously bedded bull is now alerted. He spins around and stands up. After a few steps he stops, my 60 yard pin right where I wanted... Release. For a moment time stopped. I didn't see the arrow fly, I didn't hear anything. The bull jerks and turns. There's my arrow. I see it! Lethal shot.
Hardly able to breathe, I watch them go over the ridge and into the next coulee. The cows come up the other side... No bull. YES!!! We walk to the top of the ridge and there he is, laying in the bottom of the drainage. He is hit hard, but these animals are tough. He stands up and goes to the edge of the river, swims across the channel and dies on the bank of the river! Completely submerged in 35 degree water, we knew the meat would be safe.
Hmmmm.... Now what? Time to make some phone calls. Thanks to an incredibly sweet gentleman named Ken, from Malta MT who offered to let us use his phone as ours had zero service, we were able to call my dad and David's dad. My dad to bring his flat bottom duck boat, and his muscle, and David's dad to bring his support, and muscle. Both more than willing to help in any and all capacity they could.
So my parents drove 5 hours and then my dad and David took the boat 30 miles down river to get to my elk. They drug him across the channel to where I could get to him. My mom and I drove and were followed by David's dad to get to a place where we could hike in.
After what seemed to be forever, we finally made it to where I could lay my hands on my elk. This was the most emotionally exhausting time I can remember. Not only being able to harvest and retrieve this amazing animal, but to share this entire season with my husband and to be able to retrieve him with my dad; the man who introduced me to bow hunting over 20 years ago, my father-in-law and my mom.
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel to have everyone involved in this. From the friends and fans that gave me encouragement along the way, my mother-in-law who dropped everything to watch our kids for us whenever we needed her, my husband who selflessly gave up his hunting season so that I could harvest my elk, my parents who offered endless support throughout the season and my sponsors who always provide me with the best equipment in the world that gives me the confidence to make a shot like this one. Finally, thank you to God for providing this beautiful animal to harvest that will feed my family for the next year.
# leupold
