2011 Archery Reports

Again we let our archers tell you about their hunt with us. The stats this year for archery were as follows: we had seven clients; one of them wounded a bull; one of them missed two bulls (we count horn shots as a miss); two of them killed bulls; and three had no viable shot opportunities.

September 3-September 9

Idaho

Jeff Null New Oxford PA717-476-3158 guided by Jason Anderson
This was my third hunt with Wayne Hill Outfitting and it was top notch. From the accommodations to the food to the camaraderie, oh yeah a great time too! I was not sure I would be able to go on the hunt this year but Annette and Wayne made it possible to book a hunt in Idaho due to my late booking. Jason (a.k.a. Smiley) and his sidekick Paul (a.k.a. taillight) were my guides. Other than the first day, (but we did hear one bugle) we saw or had opportunities at bulls. I missed two, both cleanly and we set up or passed on four other occasions. It was a great time and the “fun bunch” will return, hopefully in full capacity in two years. Thanks again.

Todd Perrine Snowshoe PA 814-353-4306 guided by Wayne Hill
This was my 12th hunt with Wayne and Annette. I have never not had an opportunity and this week was no different. Saw multiple bulls. Big bull on day one but he was too far. Wayne said I needed the “blonde bomber” and we would be done. I hunted one evening with Paul and had a bull close but no shot. Day six Wayne called in a six-point bull and I shot at 35 yards. Great blood trail to start but never recovered him. Great food as always. Thanks.

Dan Trimmer, Hanover PA 717-637-8514 guided by James Harvey,
This was my third trip with Wayne Hill and he did not disappoint. Weather was hot and bulls were not active but my guide, James, worked hard all week and got us into elk on a number of occasions. Had two close encounters with big bulls that with any luck could have ended in kills, but both times the elk spooked. That's hunting. Wayne knows the mountains and runs a great operation. All the guides are hard working and know what they are doing. The food and accommodations are great, thanks to Annette. Get in shape, be ready to work hard and listen to your guide and Wayne Hill Outfitting will give you a first-rate fair chase elk hunt.

September 11 - September 17

Brian Warfel Willow Street PA 717-464-1364 guided by Jason Anderson
It was my first time with Wayne Hill and it won't be my last. On the first day of the hunt my guide Jason (a.k.a. Smiley) hunted hard and saw a spike bull and got to within 4 to 5 yards. Great encounter. The second day heard bugles from two different bulls. We went chasing up the mountain after him but when we got close to where we were heading the bull was slipping towards us. I spotted him at 30 yards below us. But he had already seen movement and it was only a small bull 3 x 3 on the second day not worth trying anything crazy. No shot. Their day was a long quiet walk in the words. Fourth day we heard the bulls bugle early and played with these two bulls all morning. We had one bull within 60 to 70 yards but could not see him to shoot then he would just bugle as he went further down the ridge away from us. Fifth day was my day. Heard bulls early in the morning and got close to one about 100 yards. Then heard what we thought was a bigger bull and decided to go across canyon after him. Then when we got over there he was quiet. But the one we left him for was still bugling a lot so we went after him again. Had him to within 30 yards but got a little downwind and he caught our scent and he whirled out of there. This part is where Smiley earns his money. He told me to stay on him close and run after him and he answers to Smiley's bugle. I heard Smiley say we’re back in the game. The bull was 60 to 70 yards just bugling and chuckling back at us but wouldn't come closer. Smiley looked at me and says this could be tricky; we could be heroes or zeroes. He grabbed his elk decoy so we both could creep closer to the spot we needed to be in. Smiley bugled once and the bull started to side-hill towards us at 60 yards and then closed within 40 yards. That's when I asked Smiley to stop him and when he did the bull’s vitals were behind a tree, all I had to do was take one step left and it was a good lung shot as it started to rain. Smiley says to me “nice shot but we have to get to where the bull was to mark blood”. We found a little blood but could not find enough to follow. So we started to search in half circles to try to find more sign for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then while we were looking for more sign Smiley says Brian did you hear that? I said yes and Smiley told me that was the bull breathing blood, just as he came crashing out of the brush above us and came rolling down the mountain to the trail we were standing on. Smiley turns and says, “You got him!” It was the most fun you can have with your pants on. I had a nice 5 x 5 on the ground. My trip to Wayne Hill Outfitting was just as I was told. Fair chase, hard hunting. Every day you are treated to great food in a super clean place thanks to Annette Hill. Thank you.

Kevin Gordon Frederick M D 301-674-3494 guided by Paul Ahlin
This was my second hunt with Wayne and although I didn't get to put my tag on an elk, my guide Paul's enthusiasm sustained me through a few slow days during the week. I almost got it done right out of the gate on the first morning, but unfortunately this would wind up being my only legitimate opportunity of the week. While working across a ridge we had a nice 6 x 6 come in silent to Paul's cow calls. I nocked an arrow while Paul dropped down and lured him into easy bow range but as luck would have it he stopped five paces short of my shooting lane. I was fortunate enough to be able to watch my buddy drop a 5 x 5 on day 5 as Wayne and Paul brought him in on a string to our double set up. I find accommodations, Annette's culinary expertise, and the unique brand of entertainment provided by Wayne and company will have me looking forward to my next hunt with Wayne Hill Outfitting.

Jim DePowell  Bala Cynwyd PA  610-664-3306
I heard distant bugles on at least half the days we hunted, but we could not get close. They just shut down when we approached. Bumped a bull on the fourth day, but he did not bugle and ran off with his cows. Got within 80 yards of a larger bugling herd bull on the last day, but he would not play, and also ran off with his cows. As always, the food, accommodation, and professionalism of the staff were top notch. Wayne Hill provides an ultimate bow hunt experience.

Scott Stiger Darnestown MD 301-869-8154 guided by Wayne Hill
Both of my archery hunts with Wayne Hill Outfitting have been outstanding. This year I was guided by the man himself. The hunt did not feature multiple setups per day on bugling bull like my last, but hunting with Wayne made it exciting, memorable, and fun. He covers the ground with purpose. You get the feeling that you are hunting the elk not just trashing aimlessly around calling. On day five, Wayne agreed to team up with Paul, who was guiding my friend Kevin, for a “buddy hunt”. Wayne led the way with both guys sharing the calling duties. Two bulls responded to Wayne's bugle at first light and the game was on. The bull that we went after quickly shut up. Once in the timber, the sign was prolific. We sneaked along game trails that were lined with fresh rubs and carpeted in dung. A little after 9 AM, Wayne bugled with no response. He told Paul to cow call and a bull answered. We had just started up hill to close the distance when the wind changed. We quickly retreated to side-hill and then hurried to gain elevation. Minutes later the bull responded again to our guides call and Wayne whispered, ” He’s close”. He directed Kevin and I to set up, so we scrambled up the hill and took our posts, Kevin 30 yards to my right. Wayne didn't like where I was and signaled me further up the hill. We could hear the bull as it angled its way down the mountain. I watched the animal first pass by Kevin at 40 yards with no shot opportunity. I came to full draw at what I thought was the appropriate time. The bull paused behind a tree on a game trail that I later ranged to be 32 yards, up the steep slope. While waiting for the shot, the bow string tried to get away from me on two occasions but I never let down. The bull finally took a few steps and Wayne stopped him in the open. I held for 35 yards, and when I was relatively steady on my spot, let the arrow go. The bull dropped immediately and barrel-rolled down the hill, headed straight for me. I sidestepped the bull as it tumbled by me at 5 yards away, fumbling to nock another arrow, on wobbly legs I hurried down the slope and arrowed him again. Wayne waved me off as the bull continued to thrash and tumble, finally coming to rest another 200+ yards down the mountain. All four of us met at the bull and recounted the spectacle that we had just witnessed. We watched him die, and by then my legs had finally stopped shaking. My first archery elk was a five point and my hunting buddy of 23 years was there to share the experience. Awesome. Thank you Wayne and Annette for a great week and the hunt of a lifetime.

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Wayne Hill Outfitting
Montana & Idaho Hunt Guides
P.O. Box 1487
Noxon, Montana 59853
(406) 847-5563
E-Mail: information@waynehilloutfitting.com

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