A lot of bull
bonehead
9/22/08 11:34am
Well to tell the truth it was short but sweet. We got on the mountain Friday night late, set up camp and started to anticipate the next day’s hunt. Just before bed I decided to hit a call and see what would answer. As I hit the call I immediately got a response. So I went in the trailer and got my friends and told them to come and listen. As I blew the call for the second time, I got the same response. So it looked like it would be a good few days of hunting.
We got up early the next morning set out to check a few spots that we had in mind, but really didn’t expect great things until the evening hunt. So as it started to get light I hit a few calls. We got some to respond way out but could not see them. We headed down the road as close as we could get to where we heard the bulls and hit another call. We got a response but the bulls had already made it in to the trees. For the rest of the morning found us driving around and checking for a few spots that might produce elk.
Along the way we had stopped and talked to a few camps that had been hunting the area, all of which were having no luck at all. One guy we talked to had been there for a week and had only seen two cows. We got a little down but still had high hopes of the evening hunt. So that after noon found us debating on were we should be for that evening. We had three places in mind, and decided to draw straws to see where we would end up “This turn out to be a good idea.”
We found are spot sitting over a nice size meadow, with a little pond in the middle of it. As we sat and waited a hour and a half or so, in unsettled weather getting a little wet from rain. A lot of thoughts ran through my mind,” The wind is wrong, will we see elk, can we get off a shot, Is Brian set up the right way”. All of which were soon answered. As the sun started to set I started my call series, trying to sound like a heard of elk coming to water and playing in the pond. After a few minutes we heard a bull then another, but still way out. “Will they make it in time?” Trying to sound more excited than the first set of calls I tried again. Then it happened, I heard something, not a call but a branch break. I knew in my heart “ELK.”I turned were the noise came from and spotted a cow and coming fast and right behind her the bull. A few short seconds, and “I mean short.” Bang the bull is on the ground. One shot from a 300 Ultra Mag in the chest did the trick.
We all started to scream like little school girls, and making fouls of our selves. Good thing the camera wasn’t recording,” That’s another story”. It was good to be there with a few of my best friends and make memories.
Not all the time can we be successful on open bull elk unit but to do it with the limited mobility of my friend makes it that much more rewarding. If you want it bad enough and keep your hopes up it can and will happen. Thanks Brain for having all the faith in my calls and being an inspiration to us all.
We got up early the next morning set out to check a few spots that we had in mind, but really didn’t expect great things until the evening hunt. So as it started to get light I hit a few calls. We got some to respond way out but could not see them. We headed down the road as close as we could get to where we heard the bulls and hit another call. We got a response but the bulls had already made it in to the trees. For the rest of the morning found us driving around and checking for a few spots that might produce elk.
Along the way we had stopped and talked to a few camps that had been hunting the area, all of which were having no luck at all. One guy we talked to had been there for a week and had only seen two cows. We got a little down but still had high hopes of the evening hunt. So that after noon found us debating on were we should be for that evening. We had three places in mind, and decided to draw straws to see where we would end up “This turn out to be a good idea.”
We found are spot sitting over a nice size meadow, with a little pond in the middle of it. As we sat and waited a hour and a half or so, in unsettled weather getting a little wet from rain. A lot of thoughts ran through my mind,” The wind is wrong, will we see elk, can we get off a shot, Is Brian set up the right way”. All of which were soon answered. As the sun started to set I started my call series, trying to sound like a heard of elk coming to water and playing in the pond. After a few minutes we heard a bull then another, but still way out. “Will they make it in time?” Trying to sound more excited than the first set of calls I tried again. Then it happened, I heard something, not a call but a branch break. I knew in my heart “ELK.”I turned were the noise came from and spotted a cow and coming fast and right behind her the bull. A few short seconds, and “I mean short.” Bang the bull is on the ground. One shot from a 300 Ultra Mag in the chest did the trick.
We all started to scream like little school girls, and making fouls of our selves. Good thing the camera wasn’t recording,” That’s another story”. It was good to be there with a few of my best friends and make memories.
Not all the time can we be successful on open bull elk unit but to do it with the limited mobility of my friend makes it that much more rewarding. If you want it bad enough and keep your hopes up it can and will happen. Thanks Brain for having all the faith in my calls and being an inspiration to us all.
9,963
Great story too...thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
I want to hear the camera story, would have been awesome to see it on film. :)
GREAT STUFF!! CONGRATS!!
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Thanks for the story. The condensed version. I'd give 2 twelve packs to be able to hear the story over a campfire, drinking beer with all your buddies.
CONGRAT's on a great friendship... and a great BULL!
When i was outfitting i had the OPPORTUNITY to help a few hunting that were disabled to one degree or another, it was a very rewrding experience and some of the most memorable hunts I had!!
Great job!
"I never shot a duck or caught a fish sitting on my couch"
What it means to me is despite the odds or conditions, get out there, buy a tag and you never know. You know for certain that bull can't wander into your living room (and a lung shot would make a mess indoors anyway).
I love stories about guys just getting out there, punched tag or not, the trips make memories we can carry everyday.
I asked a friend of mine who got me into the woods the first time if he wanted to go this weekend on a rifle elk hunt in CO. He said "no thanks - already been there, done that". I said , well it beats sitting ont he couch all weekend. He did not agree. What a shame. I love hearing the stillness of the night before the sun comes up and having the potential to pull back the trigger, all the way.. on my lever action.
Congrats again!
speedgoat