LAST EDITED ON Sep-10-13 AT 03:49PM (MST)[p]Thanks for all the kind words ya'll..... It was an AWESOME experience to take this bull. For sure probably the coolest hunting experience I've had yet, in my hunting career. Long-story short, We headed into a new area that I had only been into once earlier this season. Two buddy's of mine and I headed in on the Monday following opening weekend. We got into a bunch of elk and my buddy shot a spike. We didn't see any branch antlered bulls but as always I figured with time, the big stinky's would be showing up to chase tail.
Well on our way into the same area on Friday 09/06 at about 3:00 PM I spotted several cows as we were hiking in, right off one of the main trails, but up in the pines across the canyon. I watched as the cows and calves got up out of their beds and headed up the pine canyon. They weren't spooked, just basically walked further up towards the backbone of the ridge. After checking the wind and making a game plan, we heard a bugle up the same canyon, which sounded like it was 300-400 yards further up the canyon. We sat and listened for several minutes and the same bull bugled three or four more times.
We knew it was time to make a move and figured if this bull was willing to bugle for us at such a time in the afternoon, we had a chance to slip in on him. Well after going further up the trail we were on and then cutting up into the pines (making sure we could get the wind right), we were in the "elk haven" according to the thick "elk smell" in the pines. We continued to check the wind and make sure it was in our favor and the bull conitinued to bugle every three or four minutes. We made it to 100 yards or so below the backbone of the ridge and the bull bugled again. This time, he sounded MUCH closer. I turned around and informed my two buddies I felt we were within 100 yards of him.
Sure enough, we made it about 30 more yards and I was able to spot him and several of his cows as we came over a small hill. I indicated to my buddies that I had eyes on him and motioned to them to stay down. I could tell he was a good bull as he stood no more than 30 yards from me in the thick pines. I did not have a clear shot and did not dare try and punch and arrow through the pine brows he was standing behind. I crossed my fingers hoping for no switch in the wind and sat and waited for an opportunity. Wouldn't ya know, he decided to bed right there in that same spot as I watched at the 30 yard mark, while his cows continued to feed and walk all around the one side of us.
Several minutes went by and one of the "lead" cows could tell something was not right (like they always do), so she and her calf began to walk straight away from us and as they did the bull got up out of his bed and cleared the pine brows that concealed most of him. As he exited the pine I was at full draw but decided not to take the shot due to him being quartered pretty steep away from me.
He continued to follow the "lead" cow until my wise good buddy behind me sounded out a "weak bugle" which was just enough to piss the bull off enough to stop and take one last look. As he stopped he was broadside and was behind several quakies. I drew back once again and found a lane to shoot through. Guessed him to be 45 yards and settled the appropriate pin. I let the arrow fly and was rewarded with the wonderful "thwop" sound that we all know and watched as my arrow disappeared behind the bull's shoulder.
We sat and waited for nearly 45 minutes before reporting to the area where my bull stood during the shot. We found my arrow covered in "good blood" and continued to look for blood in the near surroundings of the direction he ran. A lot of stress and about an hour later we located my bull laying dead around 250 yards from where I had hit him. He didn't bleed as much as expected with a pass through, but enough to lead us to his final resting place... Man what an experience.. This is how we found him. I'm pretty sure he ran to his death. The G5 Striker didn't even slow down coming out of my new Prime Bow... And the haul out wasn't too bad on my Hornhunter Full Curl Backpack, but man, I forget how heavy these big bulls are!!!!
Sorry for the long windedness but figured those who wanted the story would enjoy....
Thanks again for all the comments...
