So I have an area of a Utah any bull unit that I have hunted for years. I usually only see one other hunter hunting the canyon. Last year I didn't hunt it because I had a Wasatch archery tag. This year, for some reason every time I go in there are 3-4 other trucks in their hunting the same canyon. I don't know what happened, but it seems almost overnight too many people know about it.
So this morning we head in and get where we wanted to be as it starts to get light. Shortly after getting in we hear a bugle just around 100 yards above us, which is great since the wind in going down the canyon. We set up a cow decoy and space ourselves and make a few cow calls. Wouldn't you know that bull starts heading for us. I had great cover with two good shooting lanes to both sides of me and can hear the bull moving closer. He gets to about 30 yards and I can hear him snorting, breathing and can see parts of his body through the trees. But that was as close as he got because some other hunting starts moving in from below us and up canyon from us tooting on his hoochie mama trying to get in front of the bull. The bull stops, turns around and heads back to where he came from then circles waay down around below us (and the other hunter). At this point I know the bull is done with us as he is now 200 yards or so below us and heading away. I meander over the edge of the hill and sure enough there is another hunter 50 yards below me waving at me like I just screwed him over! Sucks. I was hoping this would be a bull down thread, but maybe next time.
Now, I'm really not complaining (too much), more just venting. I understand that is hunting, especially public lands hunting. From his point of view I am sure he is telling everybody how I screwed up his hunt. Honestly, I am more bothered that in a couple years a great elk hunting hole is now overcrowded!
Anyways here's to all the missed opportunities that come with archery hunting!
So this morning we head in and get where we wanted to be as it starts to get light. Shortly after getting in we hear a bugle just around 100 yards above us, which is great since the wind in going down the canyon. We set up a cow decoy and space ourselves and make a few cow calls. Wouldn't you know that bull starts heading for us. I had great cover with two good shooting lanes to both sides of me and can hear the bull moving closer. He gets to about 30 yards and I can hear him snorting, breathing and can see parts of his body through the trees. But that was as close as he got because some other hunting starts moving in from below us and up canyon from us tooting on his hoochie mama trying to get in front of the bull. The bull stops, turns around and heads back to where he came from then circles waay down around below us (and the other hunter). At this point I know the bull is done with us as he is now 200 yards or so below us and heading away. I meander over the edge of the hill and sure enough there is another hunter 50 yards below me waving at me like I just screwed him over! Sucks. I was hoping this would be a bull down thread, but maybe next time.
Now, I'm really not complaining (too much), more just venting. I understand that is hunting, especially public lands hunting. From his point of view I am sure he is telling everybody how I screwed up his hunt. Honestly, I am more bothered that in a couple years a great elk hunting hole is now overcrowded!
Anyways here's to all the missed opportunities that come with archery hunting!
