This year was my fourth year elk hunting and I`ve been lucky enough to take 2 bulls in a cow or branched bull area. The area we hunt is known for raghorns and I've never been close to a bull bigger than a raghorn 5 point. When I walked up on this bull after I shot it I was close to tears I was so surprised and pumped I can't describe it. Not a record breaker or a monster by most standards but for me he`s the bull of a lifetime. I wish I had an intense, dedicated story behind this bull but that wasn't the case. A week before hunting season my wife who's 7 months pregnant feel and broke bones in both of her ankles, and I didn't even think I was going to have a chance to hunt. Aftera week and a a couple days before the opener she says" if I can sit here on the couch I can sit around the fire at elk camp." ...... I knew I married a good woman. So we packed up and headed the hour south to camp. I drug her around in the back of our rig for the days while she sat in the back for hours at a time with a radio while my crew and I ran around the woods chasing elk. After a few close calls and putting many miles under my boots it was time for me to run her home so her mom could take her to the first doc apt. I would be missing. Took a shower, washed some clothes and headed back down to camp. Fast forward a couple hours . My Cousin and I are in the middle of a uneventful hunt when we get word from our crew that they saw the elk on a small piece of property we have permission to hunt just down the road. We beat feet it out of the woods and down to where they were last seen. My cousin goes into the timber after them and I go around and up the road on the other side of the timber, its a short hike up to the top of the hill that looks over a new cut that borders the timber. Just as I get to the top I can hear the the elk coming. The wind is blowing right in face, I creep to the edge of the draw between me and the timber just as the lead cow feeds out of the timber at 82 yards. They feed out of the timber right toward me and at this point I'm fixed on the huge lead cow.there was a long horn spike and a bunch of cows feeding out but I was focused on getting within range of the first cow, im gaining ground and almost within range with an arrow nocked when I reach the farthest point I can without completely exposing myself.I range the cow, 40 yards, I think to myself ok this is it. Right as I'm getting ready to draw this bull steps or on the ridge behind her quartering slightly away and looks at me!I range him at 62 yards, right at the end of my comfortable shooting range. The time between now and when I release my arrow is a complete blur. I don't remember drawing, settling in, or even what pin I used! Time stood still.as my arrow flew I had time to think " crap that's gonna be way high", just as I finish that though the arrow sinks riot into the sweet spot. I couldn't believe it. The bull disappears over the ridge. I back out and wait for my partners to meet up and calm me down cuz at this point I'm a wreck.I knew he was a good bull but didn't get a good look at him. He died just over the ridge about 40 yards from where I hit him. I needed a change of luck and boy did I get it. Without the help of my partners, cooperation and understanding from my wife and a little help from whoever is up there looking down on me this never could've happened and im forever thankful. I guess the sun shines on a dogs ass every once in awhile.
