First Archery Bull!! More Pics!!

[Skinner]

As some of you may remember I drew a peaches ridge archery tag this fall (feels like summer).  Came over the hill from the "Wetside" a few times to do some scouting on horseback.  Me and my buddy went in 2 days early to set up camp and do a little scouting.  Opening morning brought a few bulls bugling but it didn't take me long to figure out that I couldn't keep up with them moving up the steep terrain because once they got bedded they shut up!  After two days of hiking our butts off with seeing minimal elk we decided to move camp and it proved to be our best move yet.  Our worst move however was letting the horses graze while we tore down camp because before we knew it it had been an hour and the horses were wondering around.  I went to catch one and they all bolted back towards the trail head which was MILES away.  One of those horror stories I have heard of was coming true.  All I could think about was hiking out of here, something I never wanted to do except on horseback!  We ran and ran and ran for 40 minutes easily 3-4 miles and there they were drinking out of a creek.  Luckily we caught them but we still had to walk back and pack up camp just to ride where the horses just ran.  The pack horses had the deckers on them so we jumped on them and ponied our riding horses back.  (Not recommended due to the rings on top of the pack saddle being in uncomfortable places)

After moving camp we were into multiple bulls every morning but just couldn't close the deal.  We were following a big bull and some cows when a huge 6x6 came in behind us.  I had just enough time to knock an arrow when he was head on at 10 yards, no shot, then he was gone.  Seemed like this was how it was going to go.  Was really wishing for my smokepole I am used to!  On the fourth day we tracked a big herd bull and 8 cows from a meadow for 2 hrs.  I figured if we could just find there bedding area we could hang out and maybe get a shot.  Evidently this is where all the bulls were hanging out because all of the sudden there were 9 bulls after this herd bulls cows.  Bulls bugling at 5 yards or less are really loud!!  We put the wind in our face?, it swirled all day, and went after one.  We would get close then the wind would change.  It was the nastiest thickest stuff there.  This went on for 2 and a half hours then they went silent.  So close but our spirits were at an all time high cause we were thinking it would just get better from there. 

Back at camp we met up with a buddy from high school that was restocking us with food and ice.  He was going to stay for the weekend then head out.  Day five took us right back to the "Case de Bugles" but there wasn't a noise made all day.  Talk about a let down.  We went to camp pissed and let down but couldn't wait till day six.  That night there were no bugles and we saw no elk at daylight.  I was running tons of things through my head on where they could be but decided to go back to that same canyon because I knew they had to be there.  We got on top of the ridge and I did my winey cow call.  BAM 4 bulls sound off and the hunt was on.  We went after the one making the most noise first.  Fifty yards off the trail and sticks are breaking.  We call and move towards the "bull" since they hadn't been coming to us yet.  More sticks break and I stop my buddies to listen.  I knew better than to move but for some reason took 2 more steps and the bull was 15 yards away and busted!  Talk about an all time low.  I was ready to go home.  I walked over to where he was standing and cow called and another bull sounded off 150 yards away.  We made our way up the hill (ran) and as soon as we crested the hill he was 50 yards away and coming fast.  Me and one buddy put our masks on and set up while the other took the montana decoy 30 yards to out right.  The bull was coming right at us until the buddy at the decoy cow called then he was on a mission to rape that decoy.  He walked by me broadside at 8 yards and I let the hammer down on that sucker.  It went from an all time high to an all time low.  What an awesome 8 days.  Here are some pics of the trip.  Hope you enjoy.

[mulehunter]

Good JOB! you deserve it! CONGT!!!

Mulehunter 

[Todd_ID]

Dang what a story!  Thanks for taking the time to write it up.  It sounds like all the hard work paid off in spades by the looks of the pictures!  Congrats on not letting the "second guessing" get the best of you.  I've been chasing elk for a long time and still those exact same thoughts go through my head every season.  Experience will teach you which to listen to and which to ignore.  It sounds like you picked the exact one that you should listen to and stuck with it.  Congrats on a great hunt and excellent experience.

[tlbradford]

Great work.  Way to stay after it.   

[Ridgerunner]

Awesome photos and stories, I think I need to switch to bowhunting for elk. 

[Jerome]

That is almost exactly like my hunt this year with the goose prairie permits.  Except for the part where you connected and i didnt.  Nice job.  That wind in that area is nasty.  Changes every other second. 

[Gutpile]

Awesome. What a great hunt. I'm envious.

[boneaddict]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Slider]

It looks like all the hard work paid off!!! Congrats on an Excellent Hunt and an Excellent Bull!!! 

[billythekidrock]

Great story. Congrats

[MuleySniper]

Nice bull!! Congrats!
MS

[MichaelJ]

Nice job skinner!  Glad all the scouting and what not paid off!  Got any pics of camp???

Michael

[demontang]

congrats and nice bull

[Skinner]

I wanted to say thanks to all the guys that helped me out!  I really appreciate it.  It was the best elk hunt I have ever been on.  Like Opportunist said, "You'll want to go back."  I do already!  I guess I have to get ready for the Selway pack trip next.  Two weeks and counting for that one.   Thanks again.  I will post some more of the pics after I get all my gear cleaned up and back in order.  I didn't do much when I got home last night at 3:00 am!
Matt

[LITTLEBUCK]

Another great hunting story, thanks for your post and pictures. Great bull, congratulations.