Show Notes
On this episode of the Western Rookie Podcast, Dan welcomes Graham Cronin to share the story of his first elk hunt—a long-held dream for a Midwest bowhunter. Graham drew a Montana general tag with zero preference points and headed west for a hunt that would quickly become one of his most memorable.
Graham talks about getting ready for a new kind of hunt: building on gear from previous western deer trips, practicing his bow, and learning from an experienced friend who knew the area. The group covered mountain terrain, glassed for elk, and tried to read their movements, calls, wind and thermals. Even with elk around, getting them to respond—and closing the distance—wasn’t easy.
On the second evening, fresh sign led the hunters up a mountainside. After a bull finally answered, Graham got a close shot opportunity in thick evergreens. He shares the nerves of not seeing the arrow’s impact, following the bull through the timber, and the relief of finding him after a long tracking effort.
The hunt’s excitement continued with a late-night packout, processing the meat, and an unexpected truck breakdown in Billings. Graham reflects on finally living out a childhood dream and why the experience has him eager to hunt elk again.
