I spent all summer scouting with great results. My buddy calls me and we head off to an area I couldn't get to because access roads were closed for fires during the weeks prior.
I was ok with checking it out but some concern on keeping up with these guys, It had me nervous but they were great at waiting on me.
Got a call from Chuck to come up and lets see if Luke can call one in for you. I jumped at the chance.
He worked hard for me calling, Cutting and packing. what a buddy. He even brought along his buddy Matt to help. ( Chuck had his son to help )
the 3 of us worked at it but it was a memory for ever.
Started out on a walk up hill on a closed road to get around the mountain and working the saddles and ridge tops. Looking in different pockets of trees and sage. awesome scenery up there.
After a long walk (my lungs) we come to a spot he wanted to call. waiting for sometime we spot a cow working towards us. waiting she moves off so did we. after another ridge we call again and move. a couple of these short breaks we finally hear a bugle down the hill from us. I ask what do we do now? my buddy says lets get down there so he wont have to come up so far.
Down we go..to a bench with pine trees. Luke calls again to hear an answer then turns to me and says stand by this little tree he will come right up this trail. Im thinking yeah right but Im game. Luke sets a decoy behind me to my left and calls. I nock an arrow and wait....Antler tips coming up the trail. Im about to freak..its a bull and coming like Luke told him the plan already. I draw before his eyes come up to see and he walks right in front of me on a rope..Here is a freight train with antlers looking up at a decoy and Im telling my self don't look at the points. afraid I wouldn't be able to handle it. I aim a little back from the shoulder to not catch it and center of body. 22 yards and puff I missed...1 inch right and about 1 inch above the hair I was aiming at. lol. Almost perfect. I could write two pages on the rest but will spare the packing out sorrows. Luke and Matt worked hard and saved my health. Greatest feeling ever was reaching the truck the last trip. Even better then the actual hunt I think. I really owe thanks to Luke, Matt and Chuck for getting this going for me. Great guys!!
Here he is..My first branched antler bull. 9 years of trying for a permit and 11 years Archery hunting Elk.
