WrongWay and myself took a friend of ours son out for his first muzzle loader hunt last weekend. We called in some beautiful bulls in the morning. He just could not make it happen. We had 3 nice bulls with in 50 yds, one nice 6 point. We picked lots of mushrooms in the afternoon. Used all of our bags, we even took the empty subway sandwich bag and filled it. We had seen some fresh sign that afternoon in a different area. Later that afternoon we gave it a try along the river. We had found a road that dead ended at the timber. I pulled the truck over and waited about 10 minutes to let things settle down. I got out of the truck and gave a bugle. We got an answer right away,about 200 yds up the hill from us. We set up and before we could call again the bull had cut the distance in half. I took Ryan up in the timber and bugled again. The bull responded immediately. We set up and I gave a small bugle, The bull screamed again but had moved off about 100 yds. We moved forward and called again, The bull screamed,Ryan got ready for the shot. Again the bull moved off. We climbed about another 100 yds. We came to a creek bottom that was very open and would make a great place for a set-up. I put Ryan in front of me a few feet and called again. The bull screamed right away,But this time I cut him off and gave him one right in the face. That was all it took. As the bull came down the hill through the timber we could see he was a nice one. He entered the opening at about 50 yds and headed right at us. Ryan had a good shot at that point. I wanted to make this a really good experience, I told Ryan wait not yet, The bull kept coming ,I said not yet again. The bull was only 20 yds at this point. When he got to the creek and was leveling off I told Ryan SMOKE HIM. He made a great shot. After being hit the bull came straight at us and crossed the creek to our side. He stumbled and went down at about 10 yds. He got up and I told Ryan RELOAD. The bull stopped and stood still in a small depression. Ryan reloaded and moved to his left a few feet and put the finishing touch on a great bull. I have known Ryan and his father since Ryan was a baby. I grew up with his father. We have hunted many places together. Waiting for this bull to get that close and putting the whole scenario together was one of the best experiences I have ever had with a young hunter. I will remember this hunt vividly for many years to come. I believe Ryan will have the same memory.As much yelling as we did when his father made it up to us I am quite certain no more bulls will be killed on that whole side of the mountain for the rest of the season. Wrong way and his father waited at the road and got to listen to the entire battle. Wrongway and Brian brought the pack frames and we completely boned out the elk. It was a short pack down hill about 200 yds through the timber. We made up a pack for Ryan that consisted of a LOT of bone out meat and the head. It was quite an experience. A beautiful day with friends in gods country, and a great ending to another successful hunt.
I would rather be in the woods thinking about GOD than in church thinking about the woods.
