opening day started at 4 AM. I had everything loaded up so all I had to do was jump in the truck and head up the mtn. parked my truck, went to unload my wheeler out of the back of the truck and a ramp slipped off the tailgate and almost put the wheeler on top of me. Really dont know why it didnt... So feeling lucky I headed to the end of a very rough road. Got my gps out to take me to my treestand and I guess it doesnt know where its going in the dark either. I had to sit down and wait for the sun to start coming up. While I was waiting with actual shooting hours being questionable. I let 5 bucks that walked by all go for lack of antlers/age. They moved off unaware I was even there and it was light enough I could find my treestand. Got into my stand and all setup ready for a buck or bull to come walking by. I hear some crashing and 2 cows and 2 calves go running under my stand. I sit there for about another 5 minutes and here comes a cow and a calf, hear some more twigs break and 2 more cows and calves, they are all standing around the water. I am standing there shaking from all the excitement even though they are cows, They are talking and playing and splashing in the water, out of the corner of my eye I see another elk coming in, Its a bull!! a spike but still a bull!! comes in and runs the cows off. I have to wait for him to turn for a shot, He finally turns and I try to draw my bow but I have too much adrenaline going and cant. I try again and get a little farther but not to full draw, one more time and finally get it.. Trying to settle my pin and tell myself to calm down and make the shot, "calm down... concen WHACK trate. he jumps and kicks and takes off, jumps over/into a big piece of deadfall about 3 foot off the ground and makes it into a small spot of jack pines that I cannot see into. I can hear him snorting. then quiet. I call my wife, still sitting in the stand and tell her I got one. while on the phone 3 small spikes, a 4x5 raghorn, and another cow come in, while I'm on the phone, I hung up and took a couple pictures. the 4x5 actually licked the arrow sticking in the dirt with the blood from the spike I just shot all over it. My bull only went about 60 yards and expired. I was shooting almost straight down on him so I only caught one lung but the muzzy went right down through the heart. great hunt and my first bull with a bow!
My bull
The 4x5 if only I was more patient!
couple more elk, sorry the picture is blurry.
My bull
The 4x5 if only I was more patient!
couple more elk, sorry the picture is blurry.
