Gringo's Observatory Hunt

[Gringo31]

Truth be told I've never killed a big game animal is this state with anything but a bow.  I've killed some nice bucks and while I've drawn a Peaches tag twice and an Observatory tag twice, I had yet to ever kill an elk.  I've been second guessing all the smaller bulls I've passed in my life.....but really have no desire on a draw tag to shoot a small 5 or small 6.  I love chasing bulls and never had one worth being done hunting for.

This year, I drew (for the second time) an Observatory tag.  I wasn't able to go for the opener and the plan was to take some time off during the week, locate a few bulls and then make my play.  The spot that I have a lot of action in the past appeared remote and all too quiet.  Frankly, that whole area was not exactly happening....

But, as luck would have it, early this morning I (along with a buddy) located a bull.  He started off weak but came on strong and very aggressive.  He wouldn't come in but would SCREAM and stood guard between him and his cows.

After a bit of cat and mouse, I saw him about 70 yards.  He was in the thick and I could just barely see movement.  He then crossed over left to right and I could see he was a decent bull.  He hung up in another chunk of brush and branches and by listening to him, I thought he had gone over this small rise.  He was close to winding me......so I worked below him and was anticipating him coming back over to confront this intruder that was looking to take his cows. 

As I came around the bottom and was guessing which way he would come back over the hill (should he do that) he stepped out of the brush pile broadside, took two steps and looked at me.  In an instant, while I knew this bull was defiantly odd, I could see he had some drop tine stuff going on, I liked what I saw, drew (didn't have time to range), held for 50 yards and let it go.

I knew I hit him, but in no way could tell where.  I never saw my arrow in flight or where it hit.  I have a lot of confidence in my ability, but started kicking myself for not picking a hair, for "rushing it" and now having no idea......sucked.

We waited for 10-15 min and decided to slowly make our way to where he was standing.  I marked where I shot from, worked up the hill about 10 yards and stopped due to a cow and calf standing there looking around looking confused.  After another 10 min, they moved on and we inspected the area over.

We could easily make out his tracks, where he dug in when he bolted but in that area, we found no blood or arrow.  I had marked the last place I saw him and know that that hair can soak a lot of blood before it hits the ground.....but still, the uncertainty was killing me.  We started to follow his tracks and walked about 10 yards and saw him piled up!  He only went 45 yards....  Bull down.

I'm guessing I took an hour of just absorbing it all in before I did much with him.  He's perfectly unique and I'm still on could nine.

Pics to follow....

Gringo

[Watimberghost]

That's awesome Gringo! Can't wait to see the pics! Thanks for sharing

[Gringo31]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Watimberghost]

That beast is incredibly unique! Trophy bull!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Crazy cool bull gringo! 

[CAMPMEAT]

Very nice, KICK STAND, elk...

[wannabhntr]

Awesome bull. Congratulations.

[Backstraps]

Sweet bull Gringo! Congrats!

[elk247]

That's F'n cool brother! Great bull gringo!

[BLUEBULLS]

Awesome!

[bench beast]

Definitely  worth  the  effort 

[JJB11B]

That's Freakin Awesome man!!!

[full choke]

  Great job on a cool looking bull!

[Black Ghost]

Congrats Harold!

[fishngamereaper]

I love non typical stuff...very unique for an elk, Well done sir.