Thank you for the kind words everyone. I do appreciate it.
Those who wanted more detail...use your imagination

If I listed all my failures who would believe my successes

We have both grown old and have the battle scars to prove it. He was a mature bull when we had our first encounter. We have had our opening day battles seven out of the last nine years. This would have been year ten. It would be fitting if this is the last evidence I have of him. His sheds still represent everything he ever was. Just the way I want to remember him...unique, but not perfect.
After the last few days watching the big arse white trucks muck up everything, stopping at every open ridge top and bugling from the front seat this area is losing it's mystique. Add to this the behavior of all the wannabe movie stars that have descended upon the area after a bull was killed by a newcomer last year. Obviously the word is out and the happy hunting grounds are no longer so happy.
He was always smart enough to bug out after the pressure of that opening day. I expect he has bugged out for good with all this mindless garbage on display. I'm beginning to feel as though I should do the same. A move much easier to swallow after receiving his parting gift!
I do have a multi-season tag this year. So one more opening day to come this year. It could still happen
