SureShot
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Here is a bull I helped my friend put a tag on last week. Story first:
Opening morning of the muzzy hunt found us riding our horses along the top of a series of ridges where we had recently seen and heard several mature bulls. About 30 minutes into the ride, we saw some elk feeding on a hillside above us. We dismounted and tied up the horses. Then we snuck down the ridge a little ways and I let out some cow calls. The elk above us had fed into some trees, but we immediately heard another bull respond to our call just below us. I figured he was about 150-200 yards below us in some thick pine trees. We moved downhill a little closer and tried several more series of cow calls. Although he would answer, he would not budge.
We left him alone for a little while and tried a few more spots to see if we could find a more responsive bull. By late morning, we had called in a cow and a calf and had heard several more bulls on the opposite side of the bigger canyon we were in. By that time, we had worked our way down below the first bull and I suggested we head towards where we had heard him earlier and see if we could make something happen.
As we approached his bedroom, I cow called and immediately got another response. He hadn't moved all morning long. I knew he wasn't going to come to us, so I suggested we move in on him. The wind was all wrong for where we were, so we circled down into the bottom of the ravine and slowly made our way up to his level. Once we were in a good position I cow called again and got another immediate response! He was close now--maybe 60-80 yards away--but the trees made it impossible to see him. Even that close we couldn't get him to move.
We snuck in another 20 yards and tried again. Another bugle! And this was soon followed by the sound of crunching twigs! We got ready and some cows started to filter through the trees towards us. No wonder he wouldn't budge. He was obviously a herd bull with a harem of cows he didn't want to leave. Before the bull came into view, the lead cows got close enough to sense that something wasn't right and retreated a bit back into the trees. Then we saw him! We could just make out his head and antlers through the thick trees. After several tense minutes, we were able to verify that he was a keeper, but still had no shot opportunity. The herd started to move again and then the lead cows really got uneasy and led them down and out of sight.
Realizing the gig was about up, I suggested a quick plan B. I told my friend to circle down and below the herd while I worked my way up and around them from the other side. The plan was for me to keep cow calling and see if I could hold their attention while he moved in for a shot. Amazingly, the plan worked to perfection. The bull answered one more time, allowing my friend to pinpoint his position. Meanwhile, my cow calling kept their attention long enough for him to slip in for a shot.
After being separated for several minutes, I heard a big BOOM! Sweeet! I ran down the hill and found a very excited friend. He said the shot felt good and we soon found a nice blood trail. We followed it for about 100 yards and found the big guy piled up. What a fun hunt!
Now the pics. He meets all of the criteria my friend had and he is very happy with him. Any guesses on the score?
Opening morning of the muzzy hunt found us riding our horses along the top of a series of ridges where we had recently seen and heard several mature bulls. About 30 minutes into the ride, we saw some elk feeding on a hillside above us. We dismounted and tied up the horses. Then we snuck down the ridge a little ways and I let out some cow calls. The elk above us had fed into some trees, but we immediately heard another bull respond to our call just below us. I figured he was about 150-200 yards below us in some thick pine trees. We moved downhill a little closer and tried several more series of cow calls. Although he would answer, he would not budge.
We left him alone for a little while and tried a few more spots to see if we could find a more responsive bull. By late morning, we had called in a cow and a calf and had heard several more bulls on the opposite side of the bigger canyon we were in. By that time, we had worked our way down below the first bull and I suggested we head towards where we had heard him earlier and see if we could make something happen.
As we approached his bedroom, I cow called and immediately got another response. He hadn't moved all morning long. I knew he wasn't going to come to us, so I suggested we move in on him. The wind was all wrong for where we were, so we circled down into the bottom of the ravine and slowly made our way up to his level. Once we were in a good position I cow called again and got another immediate response! He was close now--maybe 60-80 yards away--but the trees made it impossible to see him. Even that close we couldn't get him to move.
We snuck in another 20 yards and tried again. Another bugle! And this was soon followed by the sound of crunching twigs! We got ready and some cows started to filter through the trees towards us. No wonder he wouldn't budge. He was obviously a herd bull with a harem of cows he didn't want to leave. Before the bull came into view, the lead cows got close enough to sense that something wasn't right and retreated a bit back into the trees. Then we saw him! We could just make out his head and antlers through the thick trees. After several tense minutes, we were able to verify that he was a keeper, but still had no shot opportunity. The herd started to move again and then the lead cows really got uneasy and led them down and out of sight.
Realizing the gig was about up, I suggested a quick plan B. I told my friend to circle down and below the herd while I worked my way up and around them from the other side. The plan was for me to keep cow calling and see if I could hold their attention while he moved in for a shot. Amazingly, the plan worked to perfection. The bull answered one more time, allowing my friend to pinpoint his position. Meanwhile, my cow calling kept their attention long enough for him to slip in for a shot.
After being separated for several minutes, I heard a big BOOM! Sweeet! I ran down the hill and found a very excited friend. He said the shot felt good and we soon found a nice blood trail. We followed it for about 100 yards and found the big guy piled up. What a fun hunt!
Now the pics. He meets all of the criteria my friend had and he is very happy with him. Any guesses on the score?
