Not a trophy, but my biggest.

[need2huntmor]

I have talked for years about getting up into the Goat Rocks Wilderness hike around. After getting drawn for rifle permit this year, I couldn't just talk about it anymore. Having never been up there, it is a hard place to learn in just one year, due to the steep rugged country and the fact that you aren't even able to gert up there until usually into July. With online research, maps, a few backpacking trips,  and the help of some members on this site, I got a general understanding of the area by the opener. Due to family obligations, I knew that the season would series of hunt a few days, home a few days. I would get as many hunt days in as I could.

Long story short, the first few days that I could hunt, I passed on one 5 point at about 50 yards. I was hoping for better, even though it was bigger than any bull I have shot before. Heard a few far off bugles and had one more that I just couldn't get to come in for me to see. (Being a rifle hunter, bugling is also new to me. Never hunted them in the rut before.)

After being home a few days, I headed back up, to a different area. I got up there in the early afternoon and set up camp at the edge of a meadow. I hiked up the basin for an evening hunt. Right at dark I got a bugle, butit wouldn't move, and I didn't have enough light to go after him. I'd try tomorrow.

Next morning I'm hearing bugles before I'm even out of the tent. One is pretty close, but it's too dark to see yet. I wait til light and start up the basin. I get to the edge of the meadow and bugle. I get one response accross the caynon and then one right behind me. I cow call and the one right behind me bugles again. I decide to go after this one (big mistake). I don't get more than 20 yards and here he is, coming straight at me through the brush at about 40 yards. I never get a clear view of his antlers, but decide this one is big enough for me. Unfortunately he sees me and busts back up the hill where he came. I blew that one!

Later in the day, just before dark, I have one way up the basin, up above some cliffs, bugling almost nonstop. I can't figure out where he is, when through the fog, I finally spot 7-8 cows. I never see the bull, but figure this has got to be where he is. Again though, not enough time to get there tonight. It will be a good climb to get to his location.

My attitude is going down hill fast at this point. I'm thinking maybe I should have shot the 5 point on opening day. I blew another chance at a nice bull. I'm tired of putting on wet clothes every day. I'm tired. I decide I will try to make it up above the cliffs where that herd is in the morning. If that doesn't work out, I'm packing up and heading home.

Tthe next morning I head up the basin again. I figure a way to work my way up above the cliffs to where the herd was the night before. Nothing. I try calling. Nothing. I don't know where the went, but they aren't here anymore. On my way back to camp, I don't hear any bugles. I get to camp, have a little food and start taking camp down. since it's still raining, I do most my packing in the tent to keep things dry. All I have left to do is take the tent down and strap it to my pack and head for the truck. Just as I'm about to start taking the tent down, I hear a bugle from the meadow I'm camped next to. I can't believe it. I grab my rifle and my calls and head to the edge of the meadow. As I'm calling back and forth with this bull, I can tell he's getting closer. I know he's in the meadow (which has some trees) so I know he doesn't need to be too close for me to see him. After about 5 minutes of calling, he steps out in the open at about 200 yards. At this point, I don't care how big he is, I'm stooting him. After my first shot he disappears behind a tree. I start running out through the meadow to try to locate him. I finally see him slowly walking away from me. One more shot and he's down. I finally make my way to him (accross streams, marshes and bogs) and if I wasn't all wet before, I was now. He's is not a "trophy" like I had hoped for, but he is the biggest elk I have shot and I am happy with him.

With the help on modern technology I was able to notify a friend and with the help on three good friends, we had the whole elk and my camp back to the truck by 10 PM.

Thanks again to all the people who helped me along the way. It is greatly appreciated.

[HighCountryHunter88]

any elks a trophy! great story

[X-Force]

No shame in that bull. Congrats

[180-GRAIN]

6x6 is a good bull in my book! congrats on what sounded like a fun hunt.

[elkoholic1]

   there all trophy's if you ask me!!   

[724wd]

good stuff!!!!   

[PlateauNDN]

No shame in that bull, you earned him.

[boneaddict]

Sounds and looks like a trophy to me.

[Hockeyhunter]

Awesome!!!!

[Watimberghost]

That's a great bull! Congrats!

[deerhunter_98520]

I would be happy with that one congrats 

[MLBowhunting]

Awesome bull.   

[Eli346]

 Any elk is a good elk! Great story and great bull.

[BENCHLEG]

Great way to get it done.

[GUscottie]

Great story. Glad you got a nice bull.