wide open public land bull

[bullfisher]

There I was on my back staring at the ceiling with the most intense pain I've ever felt in my life coursing up my body! Back spasms!!
 I've had a sore back before, even a sharp pain or pulled muscle. But never breath taking pain like this. I feel bad for every back pain story I've ever heard and and blew off. Its as close to child birth as a man can get. The next couple weeks of rehab only solidified the reality of a lost hunting season.
 Over a month went by and i could finally touch my toes again and do normal movements, but it was sept. 13, well into the season and I hadn't touched my bow in quite a while. This was also the year I really wanted to get my son into the woods and hike around, and maybe talk to a bull or two. So that day I pulled out my bow and slung some arrows, so far so good, no pain. I told my wife and kids that I was going out this weekend to walk a road or two with the boy, just to see if we could get a response out of a bull in an easy little hole I new of. So off we went, sept. 15 second to the last day, me, my son, bow in hand. At the end of a gated road we sat and compared elk sounds, only to here a quiet roar from the basin below. Bingo!! that's all i wanted for my son. We exchanged bugles with the dragon for a little while when I decided we may as well head down the drainage and see how interested he was. I could see a small clearing below but the terrain was very steep and cumbersome for my son, let alone my healing back, but my son insisted we get closer. We did, and after I herd another bugle I really turned it on with raspy chuckles, and branch breaking while the boy turned on his best cow calls. CRUNCH, BOOM, CRASH! He was coming in on a frozen rope! WOW.. all i wanted was a bugle but if the boy could see a bull that would be awesome. Sure enough, here he comes. With my son looking over my shoulder at a dark mass of antlers I ranged the bulls path of travel, He was roaring and swinging his head.. I drew my bow and released. The 430grn, single bevel tipped simmons landshark, destroyed the bulls shoulder. Immediately folding him up on the ground, A first for me with a bow. My son was absolutely speechless.
 Though we were only a mile and a half from the truck, the rout was steep and treacherous for a nine year old and a slightly disabled dad. After a drive to cell service and a couple phone calls I realized my only help would be from my wife and our two daughters (one of whom is my sons twin sister). It was late, dark, and my kids were exhausted and scared when we got the last pack to the truck, and my back was PISSED OFF! But it was by far one of the most rewarding doses of reality I could give my family. 
 

[Kola16]

  Now that's a lot of bull 

[denali]

way to go, got everyone involved   nice bull

[wt]

Wow!, Great job!!. That must be an amazing experience with the family and all! Your son has been in on one intense experience at a ripe old age of nine. Great pictures of; the steep hole, a beautiful bull and a proud family effort! Truly an experience I would love to create with my family! Congratulations to you all!! PS I hope you back is forgiving.  Great pictures I've gotten skunked so far, bring on late season. wt

[hunting4sanity]

Great bull & some lifelong memories!

[Maligator]

Wow, nice bull and very cool that you got to share it with your son and the rest of your family! 

[cld40]

im speechless,

thats awesome.

how cool for you and your family!!!

[RB]

Nice Bull! 

[jamesjett]

Congrats!!  Nice bull!! 

[Austrian Hunter]

Awesome bull!!!!!  The whole family with that is priceless!!!!!   Wow, thanks for sharing!!!!    Now I can go to sleep :-)

[johnr060]

What a monster! Good job!

[RadSav]

Wow!  That is fantastic.  

Brings back an awful lot of memories of laying on the floor with my feet on the couch.  Hoping the pain meds would kick in or the ice would make me numb before I put a bullet through my head.  All the while asking myself, "What the heck was I thinking shooting that damn elk?"

That look of pride in your son I expect makes it all worth it.  What great pictures and a wonderful looking family.  Congratulations!

[Camp David]

Great story and Bull. Congrats 

[Eli346]

Wow, nice bull and a beautiful family. Just a word of caution; I always make my wife and daughter wear orange hats during bear season cuz their hair is black also. Good job!

[windygorge]

i would loved to see your boys face when the bull was coming in.  man, what a great story.  great bull to.