A Wholelotta No Bull !

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Sep 29, 2006

We filled the last elk tag yesterday and my elk season is over. I had a great time as usual and even got to have Prism along for some of the hunts. As far as my bull goes, I had some close calls on big bulls and passed on some 300-320 class bulls but I came away empty handed. Yes I was going for horns but I had a great time and learned a lot. I figure I will be 60 the next time I draw a Utah elk tag but I don't regret anything I did on that hunt.

It's always an adventure!!!

lifeisgood · Sep 29, 2006

Glad you had a great hunt, and even more glad on your lack of "regrets" Some people will say eating that tag is "the price you pay" for hunting selectively, but I never felt it was a "price" at all. Congrats on your determination and your "success" Glad to see somone out there still has the determination to let those young bulls grow up.

life IS good

ktc · Sep 30, 2006

WLB,

I am kind of speechless here. Not sure what to say? I give you a pat on the back though and say good job!

You set your goal and things did not come together. I do not hear you complaining either! Usually it is always someone else's fault, but you had a great hunt! Sounds like you had a goal to meet and you did not kill a lesser bull just to say you killed one. In Utah, all we hear is 380+ or whatever, then the hammer falls on something less than that and they are disappointed, mad, pissed off, put blame somewhere else, and then the should have/would have stories come out.

I say congrats on a great hunt! Your post is as good as any bull I have seen on here.

WARBIRDUM · Sep 30, 2006

It sounds like you had a great hunt and stuck to the size of bull you wanted to harvest alot of people think huge bulls 390 plus are all over every great unit in Utah but that is far from the truth it is still a very tough goal to harvest bulls 370 or bigger if you ask me.Congrats on your hunt and thanks for not complaining or making excuses why you did not kill the bull of your dreams and reflecting on how great your hunt was no matter the outcome.I am so tired of guys blaming everything imaginable on why they did not kill a 400 plus bull and ripping the much lesser bull apart once they have it on the ground.If you dont like the score or how big it is dont shoot and piss and moan.Every hunter should be proud of the animal they harvest regardless of score the animals we hunt deserve alot more credit than alot of hunters give them.If you want a huge trophy animal and can stick with that so be it and if you come home empty and not complain that is a true hunter if you ask me.
Good job WLB you were successful no matter what the outcome was.

deadI · Sep 30, 2006

Way to not be upset about eating a tag. Glad to hear that you were able to tag out on your guided hunts. Are any of them going to be on Prisms videos. Do we get to see some photos here on this site.

Jared.

caelkhnter · Sep 30, 2006

I am glad to see so many hunters understand and appreciate that a successful hunt does not mean you have to harvest. I did the same thing last year(after waiting 8 years to draw my Az elk tag) and come to think of it I eat my tags more often as not nowadays, but my hunts are by and large sucessful. Like my good buddy always says "you will never shoot a big one if you keep on shooting the little ones!" Congrats on having a fun and successful hunt. Jim

proutdoors · Sep 30, 2006

Jim, to bad you didnt get the bull of your dreams. Having said that it's good to see you have the big picture in front of you. Having high(trophy) standards does not make you a bad hunter, but a selective one. The fact that you are willing to not harvest an animal not meeting YOUR standards and still call it a success is awesome. Then add in knowing that you probably will never draw another tag in Utah makes it even better. I'm proud to call you a true sportsman with priorities that your children will benifit from.

bowhunt · Sep 30, 2006

AWHOLELOTTABULL,

I thought I saw your truck driving on the freeway in Orem with a bull in the back. I think that was Thursday or Friday. It looked like a great bull...I guess it was for someone else.

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Sep 30, 2006

Thanks guys! One of the experiences that made the whole thing worth while was having a 370 class bull at 10 yards bugling right in front of me. The only thing that was between me and my bull was a rather large oak bush. I was at full draw for what seemed like an hour waiting for him to take 3 more steps. He was so close it smelt like he was pissing right up my nose. Then he just knew something wasn't quite right and turned and walked away. What a cool experience. I walked away from that one with a smile on my face. As for the guided hunts, I think that Prism got some good footage on 2 of the last hunts and will be on "Never Enough Vol. 3". You can see one of the bulls on Pauls site @ www.neverenoughbiggame.com under the elk forum.

BH - you did see my truck in Orem on Thursday. That was the last bull we harvested. We are guessing him around a 320 bull. What he lacked in length he made up for in mass. If any of you guys see my truck or trailer stop by and introduce yourselves. I always carry a few hats in that dirty thing just for those occasions.

It's always an adventure!!!