Ep 1. Bowhunting the Bulls of September Part 1

In the first episode of season 5 of Into High Country titled, "Bowhunting the Bulls of September Part 1," the show follows a group of hunters as they embark on their journey to bowhunt elk during the rutting season in the high country of Colorado.

The episode starts with the hunters discussing their plans and strategy for the upcoming hunt. They discuss various factors such as the weather, wind direction, and location to determine where they should set up their camp. They also talk about the challenging terrain they'll face and what precautions they need to take to avoid any injuries.

Once they set up their camp, they discuss their bowhunting gear and preparations. Each hunter shows their bows, arrows, and other necessary equipment. They also talk about the importance of staying in shape to climb the high elevation and trek through the dense forest.

The group splits into pairs and heads out to scout the area. They look for places with high elk activity, such as water sources and feeding grounds. They also lookout for signs of rutting, such as bugling, wallowing, and rubs. They take notes and mark places they think would be the best spots to hunt, so they can return there later.

The hunters return to camp to discuss their scouting findings. They share their observations and discuss where they should hunt the next day. They also talk about their hunting strategy during the rutting season and how to use the elk's behavior to their advantage. They plan to utilize a tactic called "calling," where they mimic the sounds of a cow elk to attract a bull elk.

The next day, the hunters wake up early and head out to their chosen spots. They hike through rugged terrain, climb steep slopes, and cross narrow ridges to reach their destination. Once they reach the high point, they set up their blinds and start calling.

Throughout the day, the hunters patiently wait for the bulls to respond to their calls. They hear distant bugling and move towards the sound to get closer. They keep a watchful eye and ears for any hint of an elk's presence and stealthily move through bushes and trees to avoid being detected.

As the day progresses, the hunters make small adjustments to their tactics and continue to move around to locate the elk. In the late afternoon, they hear a bull elk's response to a call. They quickly move towards the sound and see a huge bull elk. They carefully draw their bows to take a shot, but the bull elk senses their presence and moves off.

The group returns to camp in the evening with mixed emotions. While they were thrilled to see an elk, they were disappointed that they couldn't take the shot. However, they remain hopeful and discuss their plan for the next day.

Overall, the first episode of season 5 of Into High Country provides viewers with an exciting and realistic account of bowhunting elk during the rutting season. The episode highlights the challenges and preparation required for such a hunting trip and showcases the awe-inspiring beauty of the high country wilderness.