One day to Hunt Montana, got it done.

[rosscrazyelk]

Way to go. . Can't argue with that

[klikboom]

Geez! You got a western MT bull in 1 day on public land?!

What sort or terrain was he bedded in (topo and cover wise)? Was he solo or did you spot other members of the herd first?

[Houndhunter]

Awesome! I live in western MT and have yet to SEE a branched bull this rifle season

[Elknut1]

Nice bull Allen. Congrats!

  ElkNut1

[elkoholic1]

wow stud bull congrats! 

[TwoBear]

Thank You all very much.  Last year I had one day in archery, and I was fortunate enough to arrow a 6x7, also on public land.  However, I live in Montana and spend an incredible amount of time in the sticks.  So while it may seem one day is fortunate, it is really a culmination of 20 years of elk hunting in the same unit, hiking endless miles, hours of glassing in rifle season, map study, terrain study, and most important elk study.  I assure you, I am not a good enough elk hunter to kill bulls in one day of hunting going in blind, I'd like to meet the man who is:)   Having said all that, you can't beat a little luck.  The bulls were bedded near the bottom of an old burn with 12-15 foot reprod growth.   Access from above and the would easily hear you coming, access from above on the opposite ridge and they would easily see you coming, access from above the canyon and they would smell you.  We figured with the wind coming down the canyon and across, the only approach would be from the opposite side of a parallel ridge from the bottom.  We hiked 4 miles up a deep canyon, then turned and worked our way up the parallel ridge, being careful to stay on the opposite side and not skyline ourselves.  I believed the bull I was after was bedded in there somewhere.  We would crawl up to the ridgeline and glass the opposite slope, wind in our face, then slither back down out of sight, sneak another 50-70 yards, then crawl up to the ridgeline and glass the opposite slope, then slither back down.  The crawling and slithering went on for a couple of hours.  I was hunting with one of my guides a 14 year guiding vet from Elk City Idaho.  We crawled again to the ridge, only this time there he was, bedded, the huge 6 point I had been seeking, buried in a sea of crap with just his antlers sticking out.  We glassed for 15 minutes and picked up two more bulls within 20 yards of him.  We spotted the big boy at 2:30pm, after evaluating all I finally decided the only doable shot was on the 7x7 I shot.  He was bedded a little high, angling away.  We slipped down the slope and completely ran out of cover at 440 yards.  I got behind an old burned out stump but the wind would not allow a steady aim.  I waited.....and waited.  finally the wind died down to a point where the wind canceled the downhill angle, I found an antler in the scope, went up about 16" then over above the stomach to angle the bullet into the chest.  It was all over in a few seconds.  The big boy I was after stood up and offered a perfect broadside after the first shot, had I known he would do that I might have fired a warning shot to get him up, lol, however, I feel I did the right thing and still killed a beautiful animal.  Took four of us all the next day to pack the beast out.  I am certain to kill bulls like this on public land you absolutely have to go where other hunters will not, or can not go. 

[The Fin]

Sweet bull and great story congrats man

[WapitiTalk1]

Great bull Alan. Congrats! 

[scottcrb]

nice work . was that luck or had you been scouting ?

[Skyvalhunter]

Nice bull congrats, nice to have mules, times I wish I did.

[vfilbert]

Super cool. Got any more pics? Loaded mules ect? Love to seen em

[pilebuck]

Sweet bull and I know the feeling of doing the job and working for it congrats 

[gunnarnewt]

way to get it done! Congrats

[TwoBear]

Sorry been awhile since I've gotten back over here.  Again thank you all very much for your kind words.  Yes, I will post some more pics of camp, mules, mountains and elk:)  Been real busy here lately.  Thanks again guys.