The home laptop took a dump so I will give some info from my phone. Will post some pics on Monday morning. First things first, I want to say thank you to BLRman (Karl) and my brother John for the help and fun hunt. Karl, if you can put up a few pics I would be happy to see them. Been a busy couple of days, and yes the Bethel Rifle Tag was used on a pretty nice bull. Having 46 years of hunting time, counting this season hunting Bethel Ridge I set my goal reasonable. The goal was a 6 X 6 in the 290 - 310 range. Day 1 my brother and I located 6 Bulls, with one that was within the goal. Called him in to 406 yards, before I could get on him a SUV comes along a blows him out. Went to meet up with Karl and give the bull a break. 2 hours later we are back and get him to 100 yards and he hangs up. Make a move to flank him, get him to 30 yards and we get winded. Day 1 is in the books, with 6 Bulls seen and 1 close encounter I am feeling good about Saturday. Day 2 we try another area, as it breaks daylight we throw a bugle up a canyon, faint call from way up the drainage. Drive farther up and glass a distant hill, get another return bugle. Keep going up the mountain when Karl, spots a bedded bull. Before we can think he is say SHOOTER, I am trying to get on him as he dashed across a draw and then he screams again. We have him on the far hill now standing broadside. Karl, ranges just shy of 400 yards as I am getting on the bi-pod. At the shot it was the familiar Boom - Whop sound. Karl, says solid hit, before I could hit him again he is in the trees. We move and spot him again. Range 396 yards, shot 2 misses. I tell myself to slow down, shot 3 is spot on the mark again. Karl, and I watch as he tumbles over, the .300 Weatherby had done its job again. We get over and locate him, there is no ground shrinkage as I get my
hands on him. The 3 of us get him skinned, quartered and up the hill to the truck in less than 4 hours. Again I want to thank BLRman and my brother John, for the help and encouraging me during the pack out.
This hunt was pretty special to me, i killed my first bull 46 years ago. In 46 seasons I have been lucky to shoot quite a few small Bulls and cows. The other thing that has happened is 4 heart attacks and 4 mini strokes. 2 years ago my stroke doctor said to think about not hunting, my thought was " your fired". Stop hunting was not an option, so this bull was my redemption. I will admit it was tough with a full elk quarter on my pack, but I made it up and out to the truck. Thanks Karl, for the help to get the meat and head out of there. I am forever grateful for your friendship and help.
Oh yeah the bull..... Remember that goal of 290 - 310.....
How about a final score of 324"
46 seasons, 4 strokes, 4 heart attacks with 3 stents installed,
goal and big bull dream....... ACCOMPLISHED.
