The Crossbow That Saved My Season: Real Elk Hunt Story. There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of hunting—whether it’s chasing Midwest whitetails, spot-and-stalk mule deer out West, or bugling in a big bull elk. But last year, I found myself on the sidelines, injured, discouraged, and wondering if I’d miss the entire archery season.
The Crossbow That Saved My Season
This is the story of how a crossbow didn’t just get me back in the woods—it completely changed the way I hunt, and brought with it some of the most unforgettable moments of my life.
A Season on the Brink
Hunting has always been a part of me. I shot my first compound bow when I was just four years old, and for as long as I can remember, the mountains have been my fall home. I live for those crisp mornings, glassing ridgelines and bugling into canyons.
But last year, disaster struck twice. I tore my ankle and knee, had surgery on the knee, and just six weeks later, completely tore my pec major tendon doing muscle-ups. I was limping and recovering from shoulder surgery at the same time. The pain was intense, but worse than that was the thought that I might have to give up hunting for the season.
With a moose trip to Alaska already canceled, I held out hope for my Idaho elk tags. I knew that using a compound bow was out of the question—but a crossbow? That just might work. After applying for and receiving special approval from the state, I started researching and landed on the Ravin R26X.
It turned out to be the best decision I could’ve made.
A Game-Changer in the Backcountry
The Ravin R26X was everything I didn’t know I needed. Its bullpup design and compact frame made it incredibly easy to strap to my pack and maneuver through tight backcountry brush. Even with my limited mobility, I could still move efficiently and hunt hard.
Western hunting is no joke—it’s physically and mentally demanding, and the terrain alone can make or break you. But with the R26X, I had a new kind of edge. I’d used crossbows before, but never for elk. Elk hunting with a crossbow requires a different rhythm: when to cock it, when to hold steady, and how to stay completely motionless when the bull steps into view.
On the day I finally connected with a bull, I was tucked behind a tree, crossbow up and ready. The shot was perfect—double-lunged him at 50 yards. The bull ran 100 yards and tipped over. It was one of the cleanest, most rewarding shots of my life.
Brotherhood and Big Bucks
This season wasn’t just about elk. It became a series of shared victories that made it even more meaningful.
While elk hunting early in the trip, I glassed a monster mule deer—but didn’t have a tag for that unit. So I called my buddy Matt Tillitson, a die-hard mule deer guy, and told him to drop everything and drive the six hours to get there. He arrived in the middle of the night, and by sunrise, we were hiking the ridge. That morning, Matt shot a stunning 188-class buck covered in stickers. He later made a full YouTube video of the hunt.
The very next day, Matt joined me and our friend Colton to go after elk together. We’d been seeing a bull filter through a small stand of aspens each morning. That day, I bugled up the draw—nothing. So we pushed deeper. After another call, I finally got a response, and the bull started coming.
I was hoping Colton, who was new to elk hunting, would get a shot. But as the bull closed in to 15–20 yards, Colton couldn’t get a clean angle. The bull turned broadside to me. With Matt filming over my shoulder, I whispered for a range—50 yards. I took the shot. The Ravin did its job.
Watching Colton witness an elk get called in up close for the first time, and being able to share that moment with my best friends, was something I’ll never forget.
One Crossbow, Three Stories
The impact of the Ravin R26X didn’t stop with my own hunt. A few weeks later, I took my young neighbor out for his first deer hunt, and he got it done with the same crossbow.
He’d been mowing my lawn while I was injured, always curious about the hunting gear in my garage. I promised to take him out when I could. We went to a property owned by my friend Dan, who had always supported getting newcomers into the sport. That day, the kid bagged his first buck—and his smile said it all.
What’s more, Dan’s story added another layer. Years ago, I helped him get into archery after he lost his parents. But chronic back issues eventually forced him to give up vertical bows. After watching me and the kid use the crossbow, he gave it a try. Within a week, he bought his own Ravin R26X. For the first time in years, he was shooting again. You could see the fire come back into his eyes.
Final Thoughts
A season that started with setbacks turned into one of the most meaningful of my life—all because I was willing to adapt, and because the right tool showed up at the right time.
The Ravin R26X didn’t just save my season. It helped me reconnect with the outdoors, with my friends, and with the reason I fell in love with hunting in the first place. If you’re facing physical limitations, or just looking for a more accessible way to get into archery hunting, don’t overlook what a good crossbow can do.
Because sometimes, one piece of gear doesn’t just change your hunt—it changes your life.