John Dudley is an elite level archery coach and competitor, and he’s just as accomplished when it comes to bowhunting big game. In the 12-minute YouTube video below, Dudley is pursuing elk on Sept. 11, 2024. Although he doesn’t come out and say so directly, I believe he’s in Alberta.
Because the air temperature is 93 degrees and it’s early September, the elk rut isn’t rolling yet. Dudley has heard a few bugling bulls, but instead of attempting a “run and gun” calling approach, he makes the smart decision to sit and wait at an elk wallow.
Dudley’s whitetail-like tactics work when a massive 5x5 bull suddenly appears at high noon — and the bull announces his entrance with a screaming close-range bugle that catches hunter and cameraman by total surprise!
From that moment on, the action is fast and furious, with Dudley getting a broadside shot at only 13 yards. Gear note: Dudley is carrying a Hoyt RX-9 Ultra compound, and he sends the new G5 T2 two-blade expandable broadhead through both lungs of the big-bodied bull. This broadhead has a 2-inch cutting diameter, and as you’ll see, its performance is devastating on this massive elk.
