Possible Target for Archery Quality Bull Tag

[Sunbkpk]

My hunting partner and I both drew Quality Archery Tags this year and I just found this guy on my camera. It is going to be a great September. We intend to hunt hard both weeks out of a base and spike camps. Just wished I still had a mule for packing out.

Here are couple photos to enjoy. He is in a spot we may have to eat him there.

[bowhunterforever]

Dandy bull and good luck on your hunt.

[MtnMuley]

Although he might be a little weak on the backs, that third is impressive. Quality archery tag, I'd let fly.

[Watimberghost]

That bull is a stud! Thirds like that are hard to find. I'm sure your nights will be sleepless and your work days will be grossly unproductive due to dreaming about this guy. Good luck on your hunt!

[haugenna]

Although he might be a little weak on the backs, that third is impressive. Quality archery tag, I'd let fly.

His backs and that huge 3rd is still growing.  Shooter for sure.

[MtnMuley]

His backs and that huge 3rd is still growing.
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I disagree. None the less, like I said, I'd let fly

[BOWHUNTER45]

Those 3rds are sweet ..If he gets a little more on the top he will be a dandy 

[pd]

Trail cameras are simultaneously a blessing and a curse.  The OP--having identified this monster--will spend the whole season looking for this one stud.  I truly wish him well, and look forward to the story.  This is exactly why we have quality tags.  Best of luck to you!

[haugenna]

His backs and that huge 3rd is still growing.

I disagree. None the less, like I said, I'd let fly
[/quote]

The black bulbs at the end of the antlers mean the antlers are still producing.  Look at the bottoms.  Fully encapsulated with velvet on the tips of the fronts.  They are done growing.  May not be a lot more coming but they are no doubt still in a growth stage.

[huntnphool]

Nice bull for sure and the RG3 is long but it's also close to the camera, so don't forget about the distortion.

[MLBowhunting]

Great bull.

[washelkhunter]

Dude I know right where this is at!

[huntnnw]

I would not pass on this bull with an archery tag in a LE unit

[RadSav]

Looks like someone shot a little high and a bit too far forward during rifle or muzzy season last year   Bet someone has been living a nightmare thinking they killed a nice bull and couldn't find him!

Definitely a shattered shoulder blade on that right side.  That left side antler is probably going to get smaller and more out of balance to the right side as years go by.  Better put an arrow through him while he is still somewhat balanced and put him out of his misery.  I'd probably target him because of that alone!  And, because he's probably not going to run too fast or far

[Sunbkpk]

I have had concentration problems at work even before I got drawn. Always nice to dream.

We already knew the potential in the area as we have hunted it before. The game camera addiction is just over a year old now and this is some photographic proof. This hole he is in is option B till we get to the end of summer and all the scouting planned. This will likely be a spike camp hunt for us. We are planning base camp a few miles away.

With 2 tags we are not planning to be too picky with the first. Any decent bull will go down. After that it will be time to pass on lesser bulls. The hunting and anticipation is the fun part and it doesn't get much better than calling bulls in close.

[Sunbkpk]

Dude I know right where this is at!

Do you want to help pack him out then? He appears to be following the snow up the ridge spine. He drop in the wrong spot in there it would be steep up before a long hike out or a hell of a bushwhack down. Most of it I would not take a horse into even if I had one. Some I would not have even taken my mule and he was a mtn. goat. Without animals now it will be on our backs to a trail even if the local guide is free to pack out from there.

Beautiful area though and I only worry about the pack out after the shot. Glad I am still fit enough to get into such areas God created. A friend told me I was getting over the hill when I reached 40 to which I responded you are never over the hill while you can still climb the hill.

[RadSav]

A friend told me I was getting over the hill when I reached 40 to which I responded you are never over the hill while you can still climb the hill.

My contention is that you are never over the hill.  That would assume life gets easier   The hill just gets steeper with every passing year until it becomes a vertical wall where you lay down and ask the good Lord, "Take me now.  I'm exhausted!"

[Sunbkpk]

A friend told me I was getting over the hill when I reached 40 to which I responded you are never over the hill while you can still climb the hill.

My contention is that you are never over the hill.  That would assume life gets easier   The hill just gets steeper with every passing year until it becomes a vertical wall where you lay down and ask the good Lord, "Take me now.  I'm exhausted!"

Yeah life can seem to be a heavy burden at times. That is why I escape to the wilderness and smell the wildflowers. Helps put things in to perspective. I think that is why God made such places.

[wlandrum]

Nice bull, good luck. 

[jasnt]

  thanks for sharing

[teanawayslayer]

great bull the backs are a little weak but I like everything else on him.  It would be a tough decision.  What tag do you have?

[Natures Way]

Nice Bull, good luck to both of you.

[washelkhunter]

Looks like someone shot a little high and a bit too far forward during rifle or muzzy season last year  

Right, right couldnt have possibly been an arrow stopped by that shoulder blade.   

[Johnb317]

Drool.   Wow!

[RadSav]

Looks like someone shot a little high and a bit too far forward during rifle or muzzy season last year  

Right, right couldnt have possibly been an arrow stopped by that shoulder blade.   

I have never seen an arrow destroy 75-80% of a shoulder blade!  Seen a few get stuck there.  A few more that pounded a good sized hole through it.  But never shatter the majority of one to a point it no longer existed.  That would have to be one explosive broadhead

[jasnt]

This arrow would
http://www.racembac.com/our-products/bow-mag/

[RadSav]

 

[ELKBURGER]

Looks like someone shot a little high and a bit too far forward during rifle or muzzy season last year  

Right, right couldnt have possibly been an arrow stopped by that shoulder blade.   

I have never seen an arrow destroy 75-80% of a shoulder blade!  Seen a few get stuck there.  A few more that pounded a good sized hole through it.  But never shatter the majority of one to a point it no longer existed.  That would have to be one explosive broadhead

If this is on the westside then maybe its 'Scapula rot'

[washelkhunter]

Why would anyone think it's shattered. It could just be a big nasty abscess, yuk, caused by anything. Which of course means systemic septicemia.   

[D-Rock425]

Dang gun hunters wounding elk all the time its sickening.

[RadSav]

I suppose it's possible he was born with no shoulder blade

[huntingaddiction]

Those thirds are huge!

[Sunbkpk]

Looks like someone shot a little high and a bit too far forward during rifle or muzzy season last year  

Right, right couldnt have possibly been an arrow stopped by that shoulder blade.   

I have never seen an arrow destroy 75-80% of a shoulder blade!  Seen a few get stuck there.  A few more that pounded a good sized hole through it.  But never shatter the majority of one to a point it no longer existed.  That would have to be one explosive broadhead

If this is on the westside then maybe its 'Scapula rot'

There  are also plenty of spots for him to take a good fall in the area and break the shoulder. His back looks messed up as well. If I get the chance I will have to be merciful and  put him out of his misery.

The photo was July 1st so he may still have some growth left. I am no expert on big bulls however.

[RadSav]

There  are also plenty of spots for him to take a good fall in the area and break the shoulder. His back looks messed up as well. If I get the chance I will have to be merciful and  put him out of his misery.

The photo was July 1st so he may still have some growth left. I am no expert on big bulls however.

He's done growing in that picture.  I expect he will put on some pounds!  But as far as horn growth it looks like the velvet is tightening and any further length is doubtful.  I honestly believe this is the best he is ever going to be with that shoulder damage.  I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to stick an arrow through him!  Well unless a masher was standing beside him   But then gain I sort of like the freaks and unusual specimens over book size.

[family hunter]

can u say # 3s wow and to think he has time to grow . hope u get him

[HUNT-HARD]

He is done growing. love the third on that one side!!

[xXLojackXx]

Good looking bull. impressive bottoms -and he's done growing. But a shooter none the less and a wall hanger!

[Sunbkpk]

Well we did not get this guy. Partner took a 6x6 for his first elk but I do not have permission to post a photo.

The trip started Sunday night before season with us about 200 yards from our base camp site and spotting a large sow with cub. She had not seen us and ambled down the hill to the game trail we were following and turned down it towards us. When she got to 15 yards I thought she was more than close enough and I moved and started talking to her to let her know she was not alone. She took the hint and left rather quickly to my relief. The thought of her and her cub crossed my mind a few mornings before light when I would leave camp and evenings coming back after dark.

Best chance I had was a very nice 6x6 at 20 yards but he was face on or quartering to me for about 15 minutes tearing up the wallow and bugling to get the "cow" to come out to him and leave the small bull. Turned sideways as I came to a draw but immediately turned back to face me. Never gave me the last little bit I needed. Did see multiple branched antler bulls under a hundred yards. Called in others close  with no visual before getting busted.

Had a huge bull at least as big as this guy with better 5th and 6th at 70 yards opening evening but he had little interest in my cow calling. I heard him bugling and got in front of his path as best I could as he was moving from my left to right down hill of me. I gave a cow call and he stopped broadside and looked for about 15 seconds before continuing on. I am good to 70 yards at the range but no way hunting. He did look like a really big target though.

Did get into 1 bull's herd of 15 cows with him ripping up a tree out of sight 70 yards away. Finally a cow at a couple yards tensed and started walking away fast and took the rest with them.

Partner worked hard to get himself in the right place at the right time and had his bull follow a cow out for a 30 yard quartering away shot. went less than 100 yards.

Hunted hard all season and had a fantastic time. Passed easy shots on cows and spikes. Only saw 1 hunter in our area the whole time, I guess no one else was crazy enough to go in there this year. Packed out my partner's bull 6.5 miles. A successful year as our goal was to get a bull between us then go for a trophy. His bull is a trophy for Washington especially as his first elk. Came really close to going 2 for 2. Now I am either reliving the season or daydreaming about late season for a cow.