LAST EDITED ON Jan-29-05 AT 09:02AM (MST)[p] Well,we were on bulls right off the bat on opening day(5ea. total),the smallest about 260 & the biggest about 360 P&Y.By the second evening,the two bigger bulls split off on their own(this bull that I shot,and a 7x7 -around 360).we finally located the biggest bull by mid-afternoon on the second afternoon,going to bed and belly crawled to within about 150 yards of him.We had assumed that this bull was with him also,as we hadn't spotted him yet,and figured that he'd already gone up the canyon to bed.There was a small tank at the end of the canyon rim which was about 1/4 mile from where these bulls were bedded,But it was also the only water within about two miles from them.We settled in behind a spruce tree about 40 yards from this tank (this was approx. 2:40 pm in the afternoon)and waited patiently,taking a chance on whether they would water before dropping out of this canyon.At approx. 5:35 pm,we caught movement in behind the thick spruce and junipers,it was this big 6x6 moving down the rim of the canyon,quartering towards the water hole! I watched impatiently,as he moved ever so cautious towards the tank and cut the distance to our set-up.All it took was one glance at his headgear to make up my mind that I was going to take him,if given the opportunnity! I said a prayer to the maker and looked away to gather my nerves(which were in my throat by now),and watched as he closed in on the tank.At the tank,he turned perfectly broadside and began to drink as I ranged him at 42 yards,drew back and tried to settle the pin in behind his shoulder(You noticed that I said TRIED - Because my pins were bouncing all over his body,I've NEVER had an animal shake my nerves as much as this guy did,it was Incredible!)I finally took in a deep breath,settled the pin and squeezed the release,and like to have fell out from behind the spruce,and down the canyon when I heard the familiar THWACK! and seen the fletching go out of sight behind his front shoulder.I bowed my head and gave thanks to the maker for such an Incredible animal that he truly blessed me with,and will remember this moment for the rest of my life as a true highlight of my hunting life.We never seen the 7x7 come back out,and it wouldn't have mattered anyway,because I would have NEVER passed on this guy anyways! This is by far,my best archery bull to date,but hey.....I'm not finished yet either!
No Guts...No Story!!!
