FFBowhunter
Lil-Rokslider
I will finally do my write up on here for my first bull. It has almost been 2 months and I relive the hunt daily. This hunt truly proves that hard work, percervieance, and dedication always pay off. As a firefighter I am blessed to have a flexible schedule, I work two days on and four days off. During my four days off I would go scout at least one day. The best part about this is my three year old son came with me almost every time, those memories we made together I will never forget. I hope he takes up hunting later in life, so we can to make these memories together.
After all summer I finally secured access to two private properties that butted up to State land. I knew this unit held big bulls however, without ever have harvesting an elk in the past, I couldn't be picky. The day before opening day I did a bit of scouting to see if I could hear any bulls, sure enough they were VERY active. I saw my bull for the first time that morning and knew he would be the one. I kept telling myself he wouldn't be there but luckily my caller and father inlaw told me "as long as you didn't pressure him he will be there."
We get into the woods while it is still dark, we hiked to the first ridge and decided to sit and wait for day light due to elk being down in a meadow below us before and we didn't want to get busted. Right at first light we heard a bugle down to our right, then all hell broke loose. We seemed to be surrounded by bulls, there was no possibility of it being hunters because I was the only one with access. We formulated what ended up being a great plan. We moved to our right towards the bull about 100 yards and posted up. My buddy Stephen who was calling began to call. We could hear my bull coming fast from right to left below us. He ended up on a nob to our left and was held up. I grew impatient and wanted to go after him but my father in law wouldn't let me...thankful he didn't.
Our patience paid off, here he comes. I first saw him about 100 yards out coming dead at me. I personally am not comfortable with a shot like that with my bow. At about 50 yards I drew when he went behind a tree. He was hung up looking straight at me at 30 yards and let out a bugle I will never forget. He then started off to my left, I knew this was it. I waited until he was perfectly broad side which ended up being 10 yards or so. I let my arrow fly, I knew once I hit him it was game over. I could see the blood spewing out. 30 yards later he piled up, the feeling I had at that moment was pure calm. It was like me being on a critical call as a paramedic or fighting a fire. It is something you cannot describe.
When I got to him I was in amazement, prior to shooting him I knew he looked big but not that big! At this moment I knew I was forever ruined, I just shot a bull others only dream of and go a lifetime without shooting. It was great being able to enjoy the experience with a good friend and my father in law. The bull green scored gross 376. It looks like from now on I will be hunting out of state for bulls!
After all summer I finally secured access to two private properties that butted up to State land. I knew this unit held big bulls however, without ever have harvesting an elk in the past, I couldn't be picky. The day before opening day I did a bit of scouting to see if I could hear any bulls, sure enough they were VERY active. I saw my bull for the first time that morning and knew he would be the one. I kept telling myself he wouldn't be there but luckily my caller and father inlaw told me "as long as you didn't pressure him he will be there."
We get into the woods while it is still dark, we hiked to the first ridge and decided to sit and wait for day light due to elk being down in a meadow below us before and we didn't want to get busted. Right at first light we heard a bugle down to our right, then all hell broke loose. We seemed to be surrounded by bulls, there was no possibility of it being hunters because I was the only one with access. We formulated what ended up being a great plan. We moved to our right towards the bull about 100 yards and posted up. My buddy Stephen who was calling began to call. We could hear my bull coming fast from right to left below us. He ended up on a nob to our left and was held up. I grew impatient and wanted to go after him but my father in law wouldn't let me...thankful he didn't.
Our patience paid off, here he comes. I first saw him about 100 yards out coming dead at me. I personally am not comfortable with a shot like that with my bow. At about 50 yards I drew when he went behind a tree. He was hung up looking straight at me at 30 yards and let out a bugle I will never forget. He then started off to my left, I knew this was it. I waited until he was perfectly broad side which ended up being 10 yards or so. I let my arrow fly, I knew once I hit him it was game over. I could see the blood spewing out. 30 yards later he piled up, the feeling I had at that moment was pure calm. It was like me being on a critical call as a paramedic or fighting a fire. It is something you cannot describe.
When I got to him I was in amazement, prior to shooting him I knew he looked big but not that big! At this moment I knew I was forever ruined, I just shot a bull others only dream of and go a lifetime without shooting. It was great being able to enjoy the experience with a good friend and my father in law. The bull green scored gross 376. It looks like from now on I will be hunting out of state for bulls!
