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Author Topic: Letting them go!  (Read 5746 times)

Offline HntnFsh

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Letting them go!
« on: November 06, 2016, 05:44:36 AM »
  Had to make a tough call last night. After getting completely soaked in the torrential downpours yesterday We were driving out just before dark. When I looked in a family friends field and saw about a dozen elk. 1 fantastic dark horned 6x6 with beautiful polished tips. We've always had permission to hunt his property in the past. But didn't think we really had a reason to pursue it this year because its more of a deer area than elk. Only seen elk there a couple times in a lot of years! :dunno: What a mistake. :bash: As we're trying to find his phone # the bull is standing broadside at 100 yards presenting a perfect shot. I was so tempted to pull the trigger. Never struggled so hard with the dilemma. I was 100% certain that he would say shoot it. Couldn't get an answer on the phone. Had probably a 3-5 minute window of opportunity. The ultimate decision was to let it walk. We didn't have specific permission. Even though it has always been given in the past. And was pretty much a standing "ok".
Long,long night last night picturing that bull in my head! :'( Hoping for another opportunity today! :) Adrenaline has been pretty high.
Here we go!

Offline jennabug

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2016, 06:25:16 AM »
 :tup:

Offline JLS

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2016, 06:27:22 AM »
Good for you, you made absolutely the right decision!


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Offline Killercolin

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2016, 06:27:48 AM »
We've always had permission to hunt his property in the past.
Key word here is "past". Things change with people every year. Without getting permission this year, I think you made the right choice. Better to be safe than sorry.  So go ahead and let us know the exact location so we can see if you would have made a good shot.  ;) Good luck with the rest of your season.

Offline buckcanyonlodge

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2016, 06:46:10 AM »
The number 1 complaint of land owners..Just because they give you permission once usually does not mean forever. Also the number 2 complaint from landowners is when the party they give permission to brings extra "guests". You did the right thing.
Thanks for all for your past support...We officially pulled the plug and have retired from the Biz. Still dabble a little in real estate.
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Offline Band

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2016, 11:36:06 AM »
In the long run a good character is FAR more important than an elk.  Good for you! :tup:

Offline Stumps

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2016, 07:59:17 PM »
Saw bulls Saturday and Sunday across the fence from where I was hunting. Got to play by the rules though.

Offline HntnFsh

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2016, 05:36:29 AM »
Got a call from the landowner last night. Thought we had just left him the message. First 2 words out of his mouth were "Shoot it". Exactly what we thought he would say. But we were a day late and a dollar short.
We know we made the right decision. We take a lot of pride in being ethical hunters. And like my sister said. We don't want our name being thrown around like some of the others in the area!

Hearts still fluttering as I'm constantly picturing that awesome bull with its nice dark rack and polished ivory tips standing broadside waiting for my bullet to hit him right behind the front shoulder!
 Thats a memory I can live with! :'(  I think :chuckle:

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #8 on: November 07, 2016, 05:42:30 AM »
You did right! And that's more impressive these days than a 6x6.   And you said we. That means someone else saw you do right.

Offline PlateauNDN

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #9 on: November 07, 2016, 07:32:45 AM »
 :yeah:
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Offline Rainier10

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #10 on: November 07, 2016, 08:05:36 AM »
Wow, way to do the right thing. Good on you, I hope you see him again and get a shot, that will really make for a great story.
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline jmscon

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #11 on: November 07, 2016, 08:08:06 AM »
You did the right thing! And who knows, might be a 7x next year!
My interpretation of the rules are open to interpretation.
Once I thought I was wrong but I was mistaken.

Offline The Gobble-stopper

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #12 on: November 07, 2016, 08:29:08 AM »
 I was so tempted to pull the trigger. [/quote]
So to save you the anguish. You would have missed anyway... Remember to always squeeze the trigger!  :chuckle: But seriously you did the ethical thing. Good job!!!!

Offline cavemann

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #13 on: November 07, 2016, 08:32:48 AM »
I have karma prediction...  You'll be rewarded with a shot on him this week or an even bigger bull.. 

Offline Old Man Yager

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Re: Letting them go!
« Reply #14 on: November 07, 2016, 02:26:12 PM »
Yup, Karma goes both ways, hope you get another chance at that bull.
My Dad always said, " Get a bigger hammer "

 


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