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Mike Rowley

@mountain_mike88

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Hunting Guide• Archery Addict• Hike• Ride• Shed Hunt• Fly Fish
Coach @elkbros Adventures

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I was gifted 20lbs of Axis deer meat by my friend @jsint03 back in December. It was my first time tasting Axis deer, and i was blown away by the quality of the meat. For anyone who hasn't tried it, it is absolutely phenomenal.

With an empty freezer, it became an immediate goal to harvest one for myself. I wasn't sure when or how, texas or hawaii, but i knew i wanted to make it happen.

When an opportunity to work in Hawaii presented itself, my only question was if i could bring my bow. The answer was a resounding "yes!"... I booked my flights for 5 days later.

My long time friend Jordan ( @poor_specimen ) put out some feelers for private land access and helped me to make some new friends.

Knowing that the rut should be about to start, and with my birthday just around the corner, i booked a flight to maui.

After two days of hunting and a few close calls, i managed to spot an axis buck in a huntable spot. With good wind, I snuck into 30 yards and was able to make it happen.

As stoked as I was, it was the next couple days that made the trip truly memorable. In between meat processing sessions, i got to enjoy a wonderful tea party with some great kiddos, an epic water ballon fight, and some great late night story sessions.

The biggest THANK YOU possible to @noahdavanb and @junggleman for allowing me to have this opportunity and for truly making me feel like family.

@poor_specimen @noahdavanb @junggleman ....you guys are absolute legends 🙌💪🔥

A birthday trip for the books.

#axisdeer #hawaii #archery #bowhunting #maui by @mountain_mike88

I didn't grow up in a hunting family and wasn't interested in it as a kid. 30 years, and several epic elk encounters later, I decided that I wanted to try and hunt a bull elk with a bow because a rifle didn't seem like enough of a challenge. I entered the NM big game lottery and ended up drawing a great elk tag in the famous Gila Wilderness. Americas 1st designated wilderness area. I couldn't afford to buy a nice bow, so I decided to spend my summer hunting for shed antlers in an attempt to build the funds to make it happen. I found LEAGUES more than I anticipated and was able to build an epic hunting bow, and basically fund my whole hunt with antler $$. "Great success" --Borat

I hiked over 600 miles in my unit over the summer, and felt fit enough and ready to chase elk.

The hunting was extremely difficult this year. Much hotter than normal temps had the elk bedded for almost all of the daytime hours. Wolves had them quiet and not bugling much. Hunter pressure was insane, but dropped significantly after 3 miles into any trail.

I spent a total of 19 days, and 148.3 miles chasing elk this Sept. I had several close calls with 3 different bulls, but got busted by cows or the swirling wind on each stalk.

The evening of Sept 21, Derek and I hiked to ridge and he screamed a bugle into the abyss. Immediately, we had several responses and started bombing off the ridge. We had 2 bulls coming at us and couldn't choose which to go after. Thankfully, we never had to choose. As we stood there, one of the bulls bugled, and he had closed the distance significantly since his last scream. He chose us. @ol_son_outdoors_nm set up and started raking trees and bugling at our bull, and man oh man did that piss him off. After what seemed like forever, he came through an opening at 26 yards. I had my bow drawn and sent my arrow. 10 seconds later, he was expired on the hillside,just 35 yards from me. An experience I'll never forget in my life.

Thank you so much, Derek @ol_son_outdoors_nm 🙏!!
#elkhunting #bowhunting #elk101 #hunting #shedhunting @hoytbowhunting @grimreaperbroadheads @hoyttaggedout @eastonarrows @spothoggarchery #newmexicoelk #kuiu #Sitka #gilaelk by @mountain_mike88

The ones that show up are the ones you show up for.

With a long overnight drive these 2 men joined on the ram hunt to share moments in the high country.

#highcountry
#brotherhood
#showup
#sharemoments
#livelifenenjoy by @mountain_mike88

Can anyone see my arrow flying in the 2nd pic??Good times sending 100y bombs with the bow ninja @cjm2314. Can't wait to do it again soon! Thanks for the photos, Cody!!!

#archery #targetpractice #100yards #hoyt #vtm34 #eastonarrows ##getoutside #seasonprep #hunting #bowhunting #mulestabilizer #fyp #didyoushootyourbowtoday by @mountain_mike88

It's PETA season!! People Eating Tasty Animals!!! Have you practiced with your bow today??

#archery #newmexico #Peta #PeopleEatingTastyAnimals #hunting #bowhunting #huntingseason #grouptherapy #elkhunting #muledeer #pronghorn #wildlife #fitness #practicemakesbetter #flowers #hoyt #eastonarrows #tattoo #hike #mountains #grouptherapy by @mountain_mike88

by @mountain_mike88

I am incredibly psyched that Bowhunter Magazine wanted to publish my 2023 elk hunt story. What a gift to receive this in the mail today. This was an absolutely epic first elk hunt, and hopefully, the story can get people psyched outta their minds for the upcoming elk season!! Thank you so much @bowhunter and @curt.wells.bowhunter!!

#bowhuntermagazine #bowhunter #elk #elkhunting #bowhunting #archery #gila #nmelk ##newmexico #gilawilderness #fyp #hunting #shedhunting #vanlife #nomad #publicland #rut #hoyt #firstelk #kuiu #sitka #wildlife #conservation #ethicalhunting #hiking #camping #backpacking #mountains by @mountain_mike88

Incredibly grateful to escape the NM heat for these views.

#travel #oregon #mthood #nature #sunset #hiking #exploreyourworld #snowinjuly #trees #fyp #breathtaking #hoodriver #colors #rockclimbing #flyfishing #4thofjuly by @mountain_mike88

Cold boat bottoms feel nice on tired, swollen feet. The sunsets down here aren't bad, either 😉.

#boating #riogranderiver #newmexico #evinrudeoutboards #sunset #floating #motorboatingsonofabitch #restdays #flyfishing #trout #therearentanyshedsouthere by @mountain_mike88

What an incredible few months in the mountains. 2 years ago, I would never have believed finding this many antlers was possible. The "Vantler" is going strong! **NOT SHOWN** 500lbs of chalk and hard white antlers that already found a new home 🤣

#vanlife #homeiswhereyouparkit #elksheds #shedhunting #shedaddict #waipitiwednesday #tinesup #tinesdown #browngold #hushin #milesforpiles #shedcrazy #vantler #antlers #hiking #wildlife #mountains #exomountaingear
#newmexico #mountainfit #tattoos #Ineedabiggervan #deer #elk #dirtbike #honda #crf300rally #Enduro #adventurerider #fyp by @mountain_mike88

One absolutely incredible sunset over the Chisos Mountains in TX, and did you even go to Big Bend if you didn't stop at the Prada store?? #Prada #marfa #bigbendnationalpark #vanlife #sunset #cactus #exploretx #hondacrf300l #dirtbike by @mountain_mike88

'Tis the season for desert shenanigans.

#rockclimbing #sportclimbing #hiking #desert #sunset #Limestone #cactus #exploreoutside #newmexico #bluebird #fyp #getoutside by @mountain_mike88