My Son & I had the Privilege & to be asked to join on an Elk Hunt for several of our Vets that gave their all for us! The stories that were shared by them each evening were heart wrenching, I honestly had no idea what these Heroes had went through, I have an even deeper respect for their service! I'd like to say Thank You to all have been in their shoes!
On our 2nd morning out we had covered nearly 4 miles before we were able to get a bull to respond, it was the first one & Jerry the shooter was so excited to hear his first Elk Bugle ever! No way could you wipe that smile off his face! I think he was hooked! (grin)
The bull bugled 350 yards to our left & slightly above us in the thick timber, we quickly moved & stayed under the bull to get position & wind. We had moved 200 yards & I bugled for his location, he instantly responded just above us hardly a 100 yards away. I positioned the shooter (Jerry) & cameraman best I could & retreated behind them 35 yards, I saw they were setup & started raking a tree, I gave 2 cow calls & the bull chuckled, I then gave him a mid volume challenge to stay back from my cow, he chuckled instantly & I cow called 2 more times to his response, he chuckled again & I upped the volume on my Challenge Bugle & that was all she wrote, the bull rushed in to 25 yards from Jerry & cameraman. (Nick- He's a Super guy) The bull hesitated on his way in looking for me & that was all Jerry needed, he had just heard, seen & arrowed his first Bull Elk, a beautiful heavy horned 6 point! Oh my God the excitement that followed will be etched in my heart & memory forever! It was truly a highlight of my life to be apart of this elk hunt! A huge Salute to Jerry & all those like him! Thank You!
Idaho OTC Public Land!
ElkNut/Paul
