Shoot? Or Pass?

[ktc]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-19-08 AT 09:47AM (MST) by browtine (moderator)[p]MulePacker has started some fun. My buddy WARBIRDUM took these pictures in 2005. There is a rest o' the story on this one. Please tell me what you think? The bull is is tight quarters and not giving a real good look. 'BIRDUM is calling for an archer. Based on what you see, do you shoot, pass, or wait for another day?

 

[WARBIRDUM]

This bull was not killed in 2005 the archery hunter was set up in front of me the bull was about 50 yards from the hunter.He never did get a good look or shot at this bull.I told him I thought he would have not been happy with him until I started looking at my footage back at camp.Just by looking at what you see of this bull do you shoot or let him walk if you have a clear opening and a good vital shot with bow,rifle or muzz?

 

[elk_horn]

By looking at the picture I wouldnt shoot unless the bull presented a better shot .

 

[FishlakeElkHunter]

You really need just a little better look. I can not say that I would shoot based on these pictures alone. It looks like he has some real promise. If you have him at 50 yards I would wait until you can get a better look at him.

I learned my lesson this year on shooting too quickly. I got frustrated and shot without getting a total look at all aspects. So I learned a tough lesson. So, no I would not shoot from these pictures!

 

[WARBIRDUM]

There are so many times when hunting elk you do not get enough time to judge the entire rack.FishLakeHunter you are not alone I will admit I did not get to judge my bull last year on his top end real well and was also frustrated on the muzz hunt and shot once my bull hit an opening.It can be a difficult decision without getting a good look at bulls in tight cover once they hit an opening you have to decide yes or no before the bull moves and your shot is gone.
In these pictures if the bull presents himself for a good vital shot but you do not get to judge his rack any better than this do you shoot or let the bull live another day is what ktc is asking I think?

 

[ismith]

Id shoot him.
ismith

 

[muzzhunter]

I'd shoot him, but then again I've never shot a bull before so that would be an easy one for me.

 

[antlerrick]

There are a lot of other considerations to make before making the final decision. Is it early in the hunt, or near the end? Have you been hunting the Dutton and has it nearly kicked your butt, or is this unit and area easy to get to? How many other elk have you been seeing? How many other hunters are pushing these elk? Have you ever taken a nice bull with archery equipment? How much help is CLOSE?????

These are a lot of things that would sway my decision one way or another. If some of these things came into play, and the bull gave me a clear broadside shot, I'd consider taking him. Again, lots of factors to consider. Without seeing a lot of the bulls antlers, he appears to have a good spread, some decent mass and with a bow would be very respectable.
Hunting this thick cedar/pinon kind of area makes it tough to get a good look at most of the animals you happen to see, so that is another thing to consider...If you decide to shoot, be prepared to accept whatever it is...

 

[ktc]

WARBIRDUM is right. I am wondering who thinks he is a shooter based on what you see of the horns. He definitely needs to present a better shot than what the pictures are giving. Hunting the cedars with a bow or rifle can make for quick and tough decisions.

 

[mntman]

he is heavy, so he is a mature bull, 3rd on left looks long. Once he turns his head and I get a open shot to his chest, boooommmm, that is if it's near the end of the season
Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

 

[creamofthecrop]

on the pavhant no way lol jk ktc

 

[peakfreak]

I'm assuming this is my once in a lifetime LE tag? Looks like a stud bull to me. Good main frame, heavy, wide, beamy, and solid fronts. Maybe has an inline extra? Could also be broke in a few places? Would have to see alot more before I could pull the trigger. I've seen to many bulls in this situation that have a busted sword or beam on one side. Show us more!!!

 

[schmalts]

can't say if i would pass or not because i can't see him... so pass until i get a better look. but i like what i see

 

[ktc]

pf,

I will get more up when I can find a picture poster for me and fill in the story. I know the pictures show very little, but this is what WARBIRDUM was facing. Also, I had this encounter with him. I rode in on him on the horse. He was 40 yards away and we had a stare off! I stayed off the trigger for the reason I say below.

schmalts,

Lots of times in my experience in Utah in the cedars, this kind of thing happens quite often. They are hard to see in these trees and you have to make decisions like this one. Based on what I see, I am waiting for another day with a Utah OIL elk permit. You cannot chance busted antlers on a tag like this.

 

[swbuckmaster]

Pass no shot for a bow dosent matter what unit it is in!

I believe this is a big bull or better than average bull if he is not broken on the right side.

This is probably a bull that has a story that goes ?if that bull only gave me a shot.?

Hope it turned out well for the hunter!


Archery is a year round commitment!!

 

[ktc]

I am going to send bt a few pictures to post.

This bull as I said above gave me a look without seeing his horns well at 40 yards or so in 2006. His cows broke and ran the only way that was trouble for them and good for me. I chose to shoot when I got a better look. I am not telling score here. I have told a few people. You guys decide for yourself and that is good enough for me.

WARBIRDUM's film that the stills from above were taken from gives a couple of better looks that show this is the same bull. He is 10 years old in the pictures above and 11 when I killed him if the DWR's aging process is correct. Here are a couple of pics from 2006 and 2007. (Paul Pennie did the awesome taxidermy work!)

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Remember these stills from my video camera top pictures are the year 2005 during the archery hunt.swbuckmaster that year the archery hunter had some close encounters but he never did punch his permit. I dont think anyone could have hunted any harder for a bull that year.Anyway I filmed this bull on the last day of his archery hunt that year and would be guiding a guy on the early any weapon hunt which would open the very next day after showing my hunter this bull he wanted him but we never did see this bull again he moved off in the thick stuff and we could not turn him up during the rifle hunt.I filmed this bull again the day after my hunter left for home after filling his tag on another bull.Ktc and I do alot of talking about this unit we have shared many areas and stories about bulls we have seen on this unit.This is where it gets kind of crazy about the bull in the upper photos in 2005 during the archery hunt.

Let ktc tell the rest of the story about the bull in the top 4 pictures now it would be one year later opening day of the any weapon hunt.

 

[WARBIRDUM]

ktc,
Post the pictures of your bull that was taken in 2006 its the same bull that I filmed in 2005 on the archery hunt.ktc killed the bull one year later within 1000 yards of where I filmed him the year before.We started looking at the video clips and decided it was him.I think the bull put on some mass and was a little bigger when ktc killed the bull one year later.
The bull in the open I was told was killed in 2006 also by a guy using a local guide.

 

[WARBIRDUM]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-08 AT 10:28AM (MST)[p]http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/User_files/479382a313ffbc3e.jpg

This is the same bull just one year later.I think the bull put on some mass and length.

 

[ktc]

2006 started with hopes of killing the bull in post #16. I could not find him! That is a sweet bull and I would have shot and not passed on him either!

Hopefully my 13 year old can draw a Dutton early this year? Not likely, but we can dream. She is the only one left with a chance to go back. This September is going to be pretty quiet around this household!

 

[WARBIRDUM]

 

[WARBIRDUM]

 

[c3]

You guys are mean :0

You can't see anything in those pics above. I'd have passed for sure. I'm also not so sure you're looking at the same bull. Ty's is way to small. I can't believe you settled for such a dink

Cheers,
pete

 

[ktc]

I settled for the dinkiest one I could find!;-)

 

[WARBIRDUM]

Ktc,
At least you saved a good bull for your wifes hunt in 2007 that was supposed to be my bull on the muzz hunt.HA
I cant wait to see her mounted bull at the expo this year.

 

[cmbbulldog]

Excellent bull guys, congrats.

 

[rock5150]

I would not have shot with a bow, I would have with a muzz or a rifle at that range and angle. A very good bull the next year. I would shoot him. The hunt is more than a score.
Rock5150

 

[eelgrass]

I've never shot an elk, so I would be very happy to take that one! Especially if he was an amputee, you know what I mean ktc?

Eel

 

[swbuckmaster]

That is an awesome bull!

I believe it is the same bull in the picture also.
Love the mass and fronts on that bull. I also love to hear story?s about people that have become kind of intimate with a certain bull or buck, instead of just lucking into one. I can really appreciate the work that goes into videoing a bull several years in a row and finally getting the chance to take it.

Hunting the way it should be!


Archery is a year round commitment!!

 

[ktc]

Thanks swb. That was a nice compliment.

I will say this about score. I am kind of an inch freak in my old age. I really wanted to hit the book minimums because I have had a goal to make book with a deer, elk, and antelope. I have hit those marks with an antelope and elk. I also hit the minimum with my cougar, but I never had him officially done. It is not that I need my name in any book, rather a personal "validation" of sorts? I do not think that score is the most important factor in any way. I have had lots of great hunts that I was no where near hitting any score marks. It is all about the deer right now.

Good luck in the draws. Utah elk hunting is an amazing experience regardless of the chatter on MM.

 

[MulePacker]

If either bull presents an open shot,I beleive they are shooters, with my Utah OIL elk tag I am probably a little slower to pull the trigger. Once I know they are not broken shooting anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

 

[IdahoBigGameHunter]

shooter

 

[bowhunt]

No question with a bow I would shoot based on the antlers I could see in the photo.
KTC, If your family kills one more big bull you are going to have to open a museum. You and your wife have both killed smokers!
Now quit rubbing it in our noses...lol

 

[muleyhunter413]

I agree with passing on the archery and being safe to shoot with a muzz or rifle. As far as size if all I get is the top photos I think I would have to pass, I just can't see it good enough. Got some good lookin bulls there, congrats.