My most memorable elk hunt in Texas happened just this past season—and it wasn’t even during a scheduled hunt. We had already tagged out with our hunters at Mellon Creek Outfitters, and I had my little boy and wife, Hanah, in camp for a few days to enjoy some quality family time in the outdoors. The weather gave us a perfect break, and with no hunters in the field, Dan—one of our seasoned guides—said, “Heck, why don’t we go see if we can get a bull for Hanah?”
With no real pre-scouting and just following a hunch, we headed out to a little honey hole not far from town for an afternoon glass. That’s the beauty of Texas elk hunting—you never know what you’ll see just over the next ridge. Within minutes, we spotted a great bull tending his herd of cows. Right away, we knew we had a solid plan for the morning. With the sun setting, we made the call not to push him and quietly backed out.
That night, none of us could sleep—too much anticipation. Like many of our guests at Mellon Creek Outfitters, we were up long before the alarm, packed up, and headed back into the hills. We got to the area about 20 minutes before first light. I let out a bugle, and Dan immediately picked up a reply echoing through the canyon. He pointed the direction, and we started closing the gap on foot.
After hiking around 800 to 900 yards and hearing that bull sound off a few more times, we picked what we thought would be a solid setup. I threw out a few cow calls—nothing. I waited a bit, then bugled again—and that did the trick.
He lit up. We could hear him thrashing trees, bugling back with aggression. That intense, heart-pounding moment is something we see often on our Texas elk hunts, but it never gets old. What felt like an hour was likely just two adrenaline-filled minutes as he charged across 300 yards.
At 45 yards, he stepped into range—and Hanah made a perfect shot.
It was a moment I’ll never forget—not just for the bull, but for the memories we made as a family. That’s what Mellon Creek Outfitters is all about. Whether you’re joining us for a guided Texas elk hunting trip, looking to share time outdoors with loved ones, or chasing a personal goal, we’re here to make sure your experience is unforgettable.
Book a Guided Elk Hunting Trip in Texas with Mellon Creek Outfitters
We believe hunting is more than just filling tags—it’s about connection, tradition, and the stories you take home. This guided hunting trip in Texas, with my wife and son at my side, will always be one of my favorites.
