Lost Archery Bull in the Books

inarcher · Sep 20, 2010

Never lost an elk before...and I realize this is a long shot, but thought it was worth a try.

I arrowed a bull last Tuesday evening in the Book Cliffs Bittercreek unit on the ridge between Railroad and Dry Canyon.
Shot placement looked good. Not a pass through, but penetration looked good. Never got a direction on the bull as he was off the crest of the ridge in two bounds. I didn't push him that evening.

Was back on the ridge early Wednesday morning with butchering gear, but never found the bull. Spent the better part of Wednesday and Thursday doing grid searches. Couldn't leave it alone due to the fact there were vultures circling the area.

Glassed the area at dawn Friday. Figured I might catch a bear or some coyotes moving on him....but nothing.

If anyone finds a bull on that ridge, I'd appreciate a PM. Honestly wish I would have just missed rather than the way this turned out.

Thanks,
Paul

sandsavage · Sep 20, 2010

I'm glad to see you are not giving up.Good ethics are getting hard to find these days. I hope you get the bull.
Another idea is to contact the local game warden and ask him to call you if they find one.Alot of times they get the call because people think it may be poached and left to rot.

BrowningRage · Sep 23, 2010

Thought I'd give you a bump back to the top of the threads... Hope someone can help you out...

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

tstewy · Sep 23, 2010

Ive Found two dead bulls in that area pm with specfics and i'll let you know if either one are them. I one of them is your bull.

Daxter · Sep 23, 2010

Archers have been hell on elk and deer out there this year.

Dax

PeterGriffin · Sep 23, 2010

Archers are hell on them every year in every unit.

Hope you find your bull. You didn't happen to be shooting Easton fmjs did you?

A rifle hunter shot a bull with one in it.

"Dear MacGuyver, Enclosed is a rubber band, a paper clip, and a drinking straw. Please save my dog." Peter Griffin aka The Family Guy

inarcher · Sep 23, 2010

>Hope you find your bull. You
>didn't happen to be shooting
>Easton fmjs did you?
>
>A rifle hunter shot a bull
>with one in it.

No, I shoot Gold Tip arrows, but thanks for the head's up.

inarcher · Sep 23, 2010

>Ive Found two dead bulls in
>that area pm with specfics
>and i'll let you know
>if either one are them.
>I one of them is
>your bull.

PM sent. Thanks.

Elkhunter96 · Sep 26, 2010

Agreed. Any luck yet Inarcher? I hope they find that bull for you. If needed, I can provide any evidence of what the bull looked like since I seen him once as well before you hit him...

Elkhunter96 · Sep 28, 2010

Spoke with Inarcher, sounds like they may have found his bull from the description. Sucks to lose the meat and have to come all the way back. He will have to fly back from Indiana to claim the head...

Bowdacious · Sep 28, 2010

>Archers are hell on them every
>year in every unit.
>

Sorry boss...but I think your post is unfair. I could say the same thing about rifle hunters and muzzy hunters as well.

Why is it that everyone has such a bad taste for archers?

gripit · Oct 1, 2010

its because archers, are more skilled at hunting; the stock, the acuracy, the nerves, the paitance, the practice, and people that cant hunt with a bow, are haters!

BrowningRage · Oct 4, 2010

Any follow up...??? I'd love to see pics of the bull... Hope it was found...

"Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" 2 Ne. 28: 24

inarcher · Oct 4, 2010

Based on location, timing and description, tstewy is confident he found my bull. He offered to bring the head out for me (what a guy)...but Utah F&G rules do not allow it.

The game warden contacted tstewy and got a location. He was on horseback patrol in the Roadless area last week, but is going in this week and attempt to retrieve the head.

I could have flown back last week, tagged and brought the head out myself, but my wife had surgery scheduled on Wednesday and is still recovering. So, I'm in "wait and see" mode for the time being.

I was very hesitant to post my plight online. Figure I'm partially to blame for some of the "wounding" threads since.
To be clear, I've been bowhunting for more than thirty years. Until this year, I've watched every bull I've arrowed fall dead to the ground.

I saw the arrow placement and penetration on this bull...and was very confident I had a dead elk on the mountain. Otherwise, I would not have posted the information.

I hate the fact I couldn't find the bull and the meat went to waste. I feel much better about the situation knowing the bull died from that arrow in the same area I shot him. Means he was likely down before I ever left the ridge that evening.

I'll post the results of this ordeal once it is settled. I want to thank tstewy for his assistance in this matter. His willingness to help a complete stranger speaks volumes about the guy. Sure hope he had a good hunt.

I also want to thank the folks I talked with at Utah F&G. Very professional people...and whether he finds the bull or not, the willingness of the game warden to even hike in and look goes above and beyond the call of duty.