Yeah, all I knew was I was shooting the herd bull and he was clear of his cows. But I didn’t know the specifics of him. At that range all I could tell was mature bull and not the rag bull pestering the herd. They move so much rutting that pulling up Binos and switching back to gun seemed limited in value. Not even sure it would have mattered. Once we got the “shooter” message I never once considered questioning it. Never even crossed my mind “what if he isn’t?” From the message on I was a bull seeking missile. I didn’t stop to think critically.
That’s my biggest advice. “Know before you go” because once you’re in kill mode it’s hard to do all the things necessary to get into range of and execute an open sights muzzleloader shot AND be judging the details of a bull. Be sure before you engage or at least be sure you’re not sure as you move in. I never doubted the assessment, as silly as that may sound, it was message to kill mode instantly.
Sad thing is I had passed on going after several good bulls from a distance and when alone didn’t take a tight window shot on what turned out to be an actual shooter just because I was alone and didn’t get a great look at him. I was being careful of being sure just two hours before killing this bull. Even in bang bang situations, until I wasn’t, and then it was all done tag notched.
