1st published by RMEF: “My dad took me elk hunting to one of his favorite spots on public land. After a week of hard hiking and only seeing a couple elk, I wondered if we’d be successful. On our last day, we dropped off a ridge because we heard bugling down below. We got set up in some aspen trees behind some brush. My dad was calling behind me about 100 yards and before I knew it, the herd came to me. None of them were very interested in my dad’s calls except the herd bull – a nice 6-by-6. He started walking toward us, so I drew back.
Once I drew back, he spotted me and I had to wait about 60 seconds at full draw before he turned broadside. At 43 yards, I shot. He ran off about 20 yards and stopped all of a sudden and swayed back and forth before tipping over. When we checked my arrow, it had gone through both lungs.
It took about 12 hours to pack out all the meat. I was very excited to get my first elk ever with a bow. It made all that time practicing worth every minute.
Landon Duce
Age 13
Hamilton, Montana“