Time Well Spent.

A REFLECTION ON MY FIRST ARCHERY SEASON

- COLLIN GRUIN

The end of September marked the final days of my first archery elk season in the brutal and unforgiving Coast Range of Oregon. My adversary was Roosevelt Elk, the stockier and more elusive cousin of the Rocky Mountain Elk. While it is incredible to see a GOO pound or more animal at any time, it is even more incredible that they can move through the dense, blackberry bush-ridden forests of coastal Oregon. Many times surrendered my pursuit of this majestic after battling brier bushes, stabbing spruce trees, and hidden holes in the fallen timber after an hour's trek only took me 100 yards.

Although was unsuccessful in harvesting an elk this season, it was my favorite hunting season yet. Archery elk season is almost a month long, and made sure to end the season knowing there was nothing more could do. Having hiked or biked 170 miles during 21 days of hunting, had more than a few firsts”. As a still-learning adult-onset hunter, am positive that the encounters had with the natural world are commonplace for the lifelong outdoorsman. However, despite an empty freezer glaring at me, these experiences were well worth it.

OW... THEY ACTUALLY DO COUND LIKE THAT

Archery season often leads up to and includes the rut, where they make sounds that are beautiful, bone-chilling, and adrenaline-spiking all at once. While preparing for this hunt, spent a considerable amount of time practicing my cow calls, bugles, and chuckles, reading tips on various apps and watching countless videos of these noises in action by elk hunters.

However, it wasn't until the first day of the rut where really understood what it all meant.