Nevada Bull

[CAelknuts]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-17-13 AT 01:29AM (MST)[p]

I posted about my Nevada elk hunt over on the Nevada forum, but figured I'd post up about it here too, since lots of elk aficionados don't check the state forums.

I drew an early rifle bull tag, and it was a heck of a good hunt, with some frustration thrown in for good measure. We scouted a total of four days, in October and again just before the hunt. Found lots of bulls, actually about 75% of the elk I saw were bulls, and most of those were mature bulls. Between scouting and hunting, I probably saw close to 80-90 elk total with about 60-70 being bulls. As you might imagine, broken antlers are fairly common with so many mature bulls.

I had my son and a good friend along for the first part of the hunt, which included 1 1/2 days of scouting and 6 days of hunting. After that, we all had to get back to work. During that time, we found a giant bull and I got a shot at him on the 3rd day. This was where the frustration came in as I did not get what I believe is the largest bull I've ever shot at. After working this week, I snuck away for a long weekend, only having 2 1/2 days that I could hunt and I was doing it without my son or buddy, so with a full moon, I was just looking for a bull that was 'good enough'. I managed to find a 'good enough' bull easily enough, but an old dude handling a big bull and packing him on his back to the truck was a bit more than I was in shape for. All in all, it worked out and I'm happy, very tired and sore from head to toe.

Here are some pictures of the hunt.

It was looking good for the start of a rifle hunt. Snow and cool temps. That wasn't to last, as the snow melted within 24 hours and temps reached 68 degrees before the first portion of the hunt ended.

 

[CAelknuts]

Elk camp

We had a nice 11x17 wall tent (thanks Jeff!) and a canopy out in front of that. The combination worked great!

And a fire at night sure is nice. This is something I miss on all my archery elk hunts, as I don't want the smell on my stuff when bowhunting. No worries when rifle hunting!

 

[CAelknuts]

When traveling around a hunting unit, it's always good to know where to go. This sign we found posted by another hunter is a classic!

And elk hunting is hard work. We had long days, early to rise, and early to bed. Even though he's only 25, my son was one tired elk hunter.

 

[CAelknuts]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-17-13 AT 01:18AM (MST)[p]


So ended the first portion of my hunt. For the second portion, I left work at 5:00 and headed straight for eastern Nevada. It is a 10 1/2 hour drive from where I live and work. With a couple naps in my driver's seat along the side of Highway 50, I made it to the hunting unit in 12 1/2 hours, just in time for first light. I damned near hit a bull on Highway 93 just before the turnoff, as three big bulls were crossing the road.

Since I only had 2 1/2 days that I could hunt, and had no help and a full moon to deal with, I was simply looking for a bull that was 'good enough'. I was not going to be picky and hold out for a giant and come home with my tag in my pocket, like I've done before too often.

It didn't take long to find elk as I knew right where I expected to find some, and even though the first bunch was just cows and raghorns, the second group was three mature bulls. I shot the biggest one of the three...

I'd say he was definitely 'good enough'!

 

[CAelknuts]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-17-13 AT 01:35AM (MST)[p]After spending 6 1/2 hours butchering and packing the bull to my pickup (where were my helpers, and the quads?) with a packframe, it was time to head back home along "The Loneliest Highway in America"...

After all the work, I was beat, and ended up sleeping alongside Highway 50 for a good portion of the night (I guess I was too stubborn/dumb to just get a room in Ely or Eureka?!?!)

I love elk hunting, and this was one of my best and most enjoyable elk hunts ever. Thanks Danny and Jeff, you guys were awesome and I can't wait to go elk hunting with you guys again as soon as one of us draws a good tag. Hunting with you guys beats the hell out of one old dude, a pack frame and a big bull!

 

[mntman]

Great write up and bull! congrats!
Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

 

[PleaseDear]

Way to go Dan!!

congrats

Robb

PS. with my 12 Nv. elk pts....it could be me next year!

 

[elkassassin]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-17-13 AT 05:19AM (MST)[p]
Nothin Wrong with that Bull!

That Tent Camp looks like a Place for some Good Eats also!

Did You stick the Rack up on Top where everybody could see it for the Ride Home?

Help woulda been Great but I'm Proud of you getting the Bull out with NO ATV's!

Nice Job!

Bet You don't forget that for a day or two!

EDIT: Gotta Love that American Flag!







I used to know of places worth Hiking in to for Elk & Deer!
Thanks to Illegal Bastards & the USFS not enforcing Rules you can Zing in to them Places on Wheelers now & not see a Damn thing!
But by GAWD it don't take long for them U-Tards to get there with all the Unethical BS and the New Technology!

 

[elkun]

way to go, nice bull,(a real hunter on a real hunt,) thanks,,,

 

[hangfire]

Great bull, and great story!

 

[eelgrass]

Awesome hunt Dan! Thanks for the story. You did good!

Eel

 

[HayZeus]

Looks like you ended up with an awesome bull. Great story and pics also. Congrats.

 

[eldorado]

Great bull. Congrats.

Eldorado

 

[bowhunt]

Way to go!
Looks like a great hunt. Glad you found fun and success!

 

[CAelknuts]

Robb, if you draw it, I'd happily come along if you need company. I still owe you for the advice you gave me way back when my son drew a youth any bull tag in Utah. That was a fun hunt in part because of your advice.

Bessy,

"Nothin Wrong with that Bull!" I'm very happy with him.

"That Tent Camp looks like a Place for some Good Eats also!" The food was fantastic. My buddy Jeff came along to play camp cook, and he did a fantastic job. Ate better than I often do at home.

"Did You stick the Rack up on Top where everybody could see it for the Ride Home?" Heck no, it was in the back of my bed inside the camper shell. As far as I know, only one person even noticed it on the way home, as he was honking and giving me a big thumbs up. Other than that, an uneventful drive home (other than the idiot who ran a stop sign right in front of me) which is how I like it.

"Help woulda been Great but I'm Proud of you getting the Bull out with NO ATV's!" I've never owned a quad, but did borrow one this time in case we needed it to pack a bull out. It sat in camp the entire time, only being used once when we all split up and went in different directions to scout. My son rode it about a mile to a lookout point. I've packed a bunch of bulls out on my back, only once with someone else's quad.

"Nice Job!" Thanks!

"Bet You don't forget that for a day or two!" -As tired and sore as I still am, I'd like to forget it for a moment but too much work to do with the meat and gear now so I guess the only football game I'll be watching much today is Chiefs vs. Broncos.

"EDIT: Gotta Love that American Flag!" Yes sir! That flag is right on top of Jeff's camp box and goes everywhere with him. I think one will be with me in all future camps.

Thanks for the kind comments, all!

 

[CAelknuts]

By the way, forgot to add some motivation for other 'challenged' hunters. If you want something bad enough, work for it. As some here know I have been dealing with a badly torn meniscus and sprained ACL/MCL lately. While I wondered how much it would limit me during this hunt, I never considered not going. I just cut way back on my walking and spent a lot more time looking. I also avoided hunting a lot of areas I was interested in because of the difficulty I'd have packing a bull out on a bad knee. In the end, I was able to find this bull in easy country and not very far from my truck. The pack job would have been relatively easy were it not for my knee but it was tolerable with a knee brace, lots of anti-inflammatory meds and taking it slow.

Point is, if there is enough of a will, you'll find a way. Now that the only thing left this winter is duck hunting, I can get more serious about whether to have knee surgery or not.

 

[HorseCreek]

CA needs to draw more elk tags! I enjoy your stories!
Bad knees? No prob, I haven't had ACL's in either of my knees for years. My right knee frequently dislocates. I can't find time between work and hunting to get them fixed.


Traditional >>>------->

 

[CAelknuts]

HorseCreek, I feel your pain. At least, I really did on Friday! Knee problems suck, I've got to get mine fixed as I expect to draw a Bighorn tag in Wyoming in 5 or 6 years, and I don't want knee problems to limit me on that hunt.

 

[sjhgraysage]

Congrats! and thanks for the great story and multiple pictures!

 

[Elmacho]

Congratulations on a great hunt and bull. Its a heck of a place, I look forward to getting back in the draw in 2015....maybe luck will strike again.

What part of Kali are you located? I am near Disneyland.

Mark

 

[CAelknuts]

Northern, near Sacramento. You know, where all the water is in this state!

 

[Zeke]

GREAT bull, story, photos etc!
Well done CAnuts. You da man!
Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. I loved it!

I have a knee issuse too (same thing) and it's no damn fun but I still packed out 3 elk this year.

Zeke

 

[foundation]

Great write up and pictures. Bummer you didn't end up getting your bull when your son and buddy was there, but still there is some kind of ultimate satisfaction of doing it all on your own.

That paper plate sign is classic.

 

[Dunezrunner]

So what unit were you hunting in?

Thanks

Thomas

 

[CAelknuts]

I drew early rifle bull in 223, 231, 241, 242.

 

[Calif_Mike]

Congrats! Great write up and pics. Love elk hunting, whether its my trip or reading about someone elses.

 

[littlebighorn]

Congrats CA,
Your stories are epic and surely more to come.
As for you "young bucks" with messed up joints, my left knee has been replaced twice. I can still get pretty much everywhere it is safe (for an old guy) to go, so don't give up.
CA is right...there is always a way, if there is a will!
Very nice CA!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bascketrack]

Nice bull and great write up! I feel your pain on the knee as I am dealing with a bad one myself this year which has severely limited hunting (very frustrating). I look forward to posts on your future hunts.

 

[Gator]

Great ending to a awesome hunt, Sometimes those alone elk are the most fun and the most work. Glad to see you get a good one.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

 

[kilowatt]

Congrats to you Dan and great write up and nice looking Bull too. KNEES....seems everyone is having problems lately.

Brian
http://i44.tinypic.com/es7x8z.jpg[/IMG]

 

[dogdoc]

Very nice and great story. Thanks for sharing

 

[hank4elk]

Great bull and write up CA!
I went thru the same thing a few years back with my knees,had both arthoscoped in alternate years....to avoid ruining hunting seasons. Took bucks both years taking it easy near cabin. Now at 58 I always take it easy ,but can go all day still.My knees never felt better.

 

[CAelknuts]

I think I'm gonna get my knee scoped in February, as soon as duck season ends. I was just checking our Wyoming points over the weekend, and my son has 15 moose points so I think we'll use them this year and draw him a moose tag, probably in unit 1. We've also got 6 antelope points each, so maybe we'll make it an unusual moose-antelope combo hunt. Of course, we'll hunt the antelope in southern Wyoming on our way to and from the moose hunt. Gotta have healthy knees to pack a moose out!

We've also got 15 sheep points each, so those tags should come in the next few years for both of us. I better start getting my old hide in better shape soon and it all starts with my knee.

 

[JB148]

Congrats great bull. JB

 

[Camper_A1]

Congrats on a good enough bull, and another good story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Camper_A1]

Good job on a "Good Enough Bull" and another good story. Thanks for sharing. Good luck with your knee. I had mine scoped a year ago and then 3 months later had to have the same knee done again. When I got back from this year's hunts same knee looked like a cantalope all swollen up. Guess there's no sure thing when it comes to surgery. Hope yours goes well.

 

[Packmule]

Great Bull and congrats!!

 

[TheKnack]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing with us.
Best,
Jerry

 

[cmbbulldog]

Great job Dan. Thats a heck of a bull.

 

[bigbull1]

Awesome bull and story, congrats!!!!!

Ed

 

[fin little]

Thats a dang nice bull. Your an inspiration to us older wore out elk hunters. congrats

 

[CAelknuts]

Sagebrush, you asked about the late rifle hunt, and I killed the bull that is the subject of this thread on the early rifle hunt last November. If you'd care to PM me, I'll be glad to give you more information about the late rifle hunt.