Okay, here's the story for all those who might want it. I spent as much time this summer/spring up there as possible. I had knee surgery early in the year (my 5th) so it was touch and go on how hard I could hike and how much weight I could pack. I set some cams on my spots. Every week I'd check them I'd have anywhere from 5k-8k pics mostly elk, some beefers, a few deer, coyotes and a small bull moose. Never had anything real good until a week before the hunt I found a bachelor group of real good bulls.
The first weekend was slow and I only had spurratic days I could get out for a night away. Last week things heated up and bulls got talking early. A few close calls with a 320ish 6x6. I wanted him or this other bull I've been seeing that was a bit bigger.
Wednesday afternoon I left home and headed to camp. I ran up the trail and met my bro in law in our area. It was quiet so we split up. Around 6 a bull started sounding off up higher and a small canyon over. The wind was never right so I let him be the night. While I was making my way make to the trail head I heard a bull bugle ahead. I radioed my bro and told him I was muting him and was gonna move in. The bull was close. I knocked an arrow and crept slowly for the next 10 mins or so. I started seeing some cows ahead and knew he was there somewhere. I ranged the last cow at 80 yards. Then pulled up the bumps to scan the quakies. I heard a twig break to my right...there he was! He had me pegged from behind a pine 40 yards away. We did the stare down for a minor so...he calmed down and started feeding out to my left. I knew he was close enough I didn't need to range him. As soon as he hit the first clean shooting lane I drew and settled my 40 yard pin and let it fly. My arrow punched both lungs and lodged in the back side shoulder. He ran up the hill 60 yards and tipped over. It was over in less than 30 seconds. The other elk in the area never even lifted their heads from feeding. Even though I knew he was down I gave him ten mins.
While I was waiting another bull walked by to check him out. Never got a good look but he was a good one.
My goal before the hunt was to kill one if the big ones I'd seen. Especially cuz i have a Wyoming tag in my pocket too. But let's be honest, I'm not letting too many branch antlered Utah OTC bulls walk.
That's the third bull in three years I've killed. Last year was opening morning an hour after shooting light.
It's bitter sweet...Utah elk is over til next year. The hardest part about this hunt was letting a 200"+ typical and a 170"+ typical Muley walk cuz I don't have an archery tag for the unit.
Again a HUGE thanks to my bro in law for the help cutting and lacking out.
Traditional >>>------->