Author Topic: Bucket List (Read 11604 times)

Elkfever · « **Reply #45 on:** November 01, 2021, 09:48:04 PM »

The cows had rejoined the herd but there was already so much commotion with 5-6 bulls bugling and cows meandering through the timber feeding, the herd did not spook. I was able to crest the ridge, set my pack up against a tree for a dead rest and settle myself. Chris ranged a bull below some cows that were skylined, 190 yards away. But the bull didn’t cooperate and stood in the cover of burnt timber. Meanwhile, several bulls closer to my elevation were signaling their presence. I told Chris, “I would be happy with any of these 6 pts.” “Ok, let’s shoot that one then,” and he pointed to a bull standing about 190 yards on my elevation, slightly quartering away. At first, I was going to wait for him to turn broadside but as I settled the crosshairs on his ribs, I felt so comfortable, I just squeezed the trigger and absorbed the recoil. The bull rolled until he came to a stop against a downed log. He picked his head up as he laid there broadside so without hesitation, I gave him a follow up (2 inches away from the first shot) and the hunt was over. I was elated and beyond grateful for a quick, clean kill and that we were tagged out. I could hear the “whohoo” of dad and Cory, still one drainage behind us. I couldn’t wait for them to arrive! Hugs all around once they got to me and we made it over to the bull for pics.

Elkfever · « **Reply #46 on:** November 01, 2021, 09:49:59 PM »

The best hunting partners and friends I could ever ask for.

My guide for the morning, Chris. He was awesome.

Elkfever · « **Reply #47 on:** November 01, 2021, 09:51:34 PM »

My biggest bull to date.

Elkfever · « **Reply #48 on:** November 01, 2021, 09:52:45 PM »

Between the four of us, we took the bull out in one trip back to camp. What an amazing feeling to get that bull back to camp.

Elkfever · « **Reply #49 on:** November 01, 2021, 09:54:44 PM »

One foot in front of the other. Tech tip: playing Chris Stapleton’s “Outlaw State of Mind” is a great grind out, pack out song. 😊

Elkfever · « **Reply #50 on:** November 01, 2021, 09:58:33 PM »

Our guide Billy Joe, “ I told Mary, I bet them sumbitches pack that bull all the way back to camp.” Chris had sent B Joe an inreach message about the bull and that we might want to pack the meat to a spot the mules could get to from camp. We had gotten to the summit of our pack out when we told Chris, “we’ve made it this far- no way we’re giving the mules the glory at this point.” Haha

Elkfever · « **Reply #51 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:01:56 PM »

Couldn’t stop smiling.

ShaneTyTrey · « **Reply #52 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:02:37 PM »

What an awesome trip, congrats!

Elkfever · « **Reply #53 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:03:47 PM »

Our head guide, Billy Joe and our camp cook, Mary. Mary was a phenomenal cook and B Joe really grew on us.

Elkfever · « **Reply #54 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:05:25 PM »

We quickly packed our bags for the pack out that would happen that afternoon. We dressed in all of our puffy layers and made the pack out on mules later that day. The last 45 minutes of riding was in complete dark, relying totally on our mules to follow the path back to the trailhead.

Elkfever · « **Reply #55 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:07:30 PM »

We hustled to load the truck with gear, coolers with meat and secure the racks to the back of the truck.

Elkfever · « **Reply #56 on:** November 01, 2021, 10:10:43 PM »

With an impending blizzard hitting the region, we kept all of our puffy layers on and peeled out down the mountain road with our windows partly down in the absence of a working defroster. A long night ensued as we drove back up and over Togowotee Pass. At times, I could not even see the lines in the road as the wind blew the snow around the highway but thanks to our little plug in heater, it kept the windshield from totally fogging up and we crept over the pass and arrived back in Jackson at 1 am. We rented a cabin at Elk Country Inn to spread out in and store our antlers. We cracked open a beer and cheered for making it safely to the end of an incredibly long but successful day.