Dad's first elk, Bethel Bull

[7mmfan]

Well my Dad finally did it, he killed his first elk. It took him 15 years of hunting eastern wa to get it done. It's not from lack of skill or effort, the guy never hunts near a road, and spends most of his time in the thick timber. One thing Dad has always been good at is finding big bulls. He's had 2 cow tags and usually spends his time hanging out with the bulls.

He drew the Bethel modern bull tag this year after 9 years of applying. We are pretty familiar with this unit, but the area that we always hunted was being logged and burned this year, so we had to branch out.

Monday was pretty uneventful for him, but Tuesday we found a lot of sign in a tucked away canyon a long ways from the nearest road. He passed on a spike and small bull that night, something I never thought he would do.

The next morning we were back in there still hunting up the canyon at daylight. At about 8:30 we were glassing the far side of the canyon when we heard a bugle ring out close by. We got set up and waited, and not 2 minutes later a cow stepped into the open. We waited patiently and suddenly he stepped out. It was just like you see on TV and like we all dream about so often. We didn't know how big he was, but knew that he was mature. I ranged him at just over 300 yards, dad took a deep breath and squeezed it off. The bull absolutely dropped in his tracks. We waited and watched for a minute while the rest of the herd took off, and he never twitched. Bull down! There was a few minutes of hugs, high-fives, and holy-$#&% that just happened, and then we started off across and up the other side to Dad's bull.

I hoped to get some good photos of him walking up on his bull so I hustled up the other side as fast as I could to get set up, boy was it steep! I'll never forget the look of awe and appreciation for the animal when he walked up, photos don't do it justice.

Now the works starts. We were right at 4 miles from the truck. I had my frame and game bags, but dad did not. I left my stuff with him so he could get to work quartering, and took off back to the truck to get his frame and a couple more bags. About this time, the rain started, and ohhhhh did it rain! We loaded heavy and worked hard, managing to get all the meat and head out in two trips. The last load hit the bed of the truck at 7:00 pm. Soaked and completely spent we ate some elk spaghetti (fitting) and hit the hay.

The next morning we slept in and then cleaned and prepped the meat and dried our gear out.

It was a very hard earned bull but so worth it. Dad is ecstatic and I couldn't be prouder of him for sticking it out all these years. He's taught me most of what I know about hunting and made me as successful as I am. Congrats Dad, great bull!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Pics we need pics! 

Good story we just need pics! 

[7mmfan]

Dangit, I thought I had photos ready, sorry guys. Will get them shortly!

[Bob33]

That is a great story. Persistence paid off. Congratulations to your dad.

[jrebel]

Need pics....

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

That's cool! Would be more cool with pics??

[7mmfan]

Alright alright alright, sorry guys!

[bowhunterforever]

Great bull Congrats to your dad

[jackelope]

Right on! Congrats to your dad.

[mdbuck5x5]

Nice work!  Good looking 1st bull for your dad!

[full choke]

What a great looking hunt! Congratulations, and what great bull for Dad!

[SniperDanWA]

I see more than 15 years of a smile there.  Congratulations to him and you.  Great bull!

[Limhangerslayer]

Congrats! Kinda know where that spot is. Bethel is a good place to hunt

[lemondog]

Very cool, congrats to your dad!

[BOWHUNTER45]

Nice ..that's a great feeling putting your 1st bull on the ground ..