Kind of a failure, but not

[boneaddict]

I had Idabooner down for a muzzleloader elk hunt in the goose prairie.   Our type of hunting together was always him on one mountain and me on another, not this side by side stuff.  I had already notched in archery, so I was just going to see if I could wrangle up some photo action.   At this time I was rocking a canon AE1 (film)with a 600 mirrored lens, and no idea how to use them LOL.   

I pulled into the trailhead and it was still dark so I sat there.   I heard bugling from inside my truck.  I slipped out and at least four bulls engaged in conversation.   It sounded like a herd bull and several satellites and a challenger that happened to be on the other side of my truck.  I didnt have to do any bugling.  The herd bull was moving his herd away quickly down into the drainage with the small bulls in pursuit.   I went after them, still running silent.   I went by several wallows.  You know that feeling you get when the air is saturated with the smell of elk piss, and you see saplings everywhere shredded and mud pits that are torn up and well used?    The bulls had gone silent by this time.   I knew I was in his bedroom.   I let out a rip of a bugle and he screamed back.   My intention was to set my camera up on a tripod while we chatted, but that was my amateur mistake.  I hadnt anticipated the swiftness or aggressiveness of his response.   He came charging in.   As he passed me looking for his challenger,  I tried a couple freehand shots.   He passed me, too close for my lens and I just held.   He finally circled past me enough to be downwind and he blew.   I barked at him and he paused for a couple really blurry pics.   What a beautiful bull of the dark timber.  I'm thankful for the memory.

The "Failure"

[Dan-o]

Finally!!!!!!

You FINALLY took a picture that looks like the ones I usually take.

[rainshadow1]

"...I think it's a dust covered eyeball..." (paraphrase of Pat McManus attempting wildlife photo-journalism.)

Good memories! I can remember a couple that shook the woods... or was that me shaking?!?!?!

[GWP]

I had a Bud that on his first Elk hunt called one in that almost ran over him. He said it had bloodshot eyes and had drool slinging out of its mouth. His ‘auto response’ was to yell and wave his hands to get it to leave.
He was pretty embarrassed, but also stressed it was big, acting crazy, and was close.

[GASoline71]

Great story!

First time I had a very close bull bugle, he scared the crap out of me.  I was working a ridgeline in Idaho some years back and heard a distant bugle.  I waited about 30 seconds and ripped one back.  The bull answered again, and i waited.  I don't recall how long I waited but when I called again, he was much closer.  At least within 100 yards or so.  He was coming. 

After a couple more exchanges I now figured he was within 50 yards off to my left.  He ripped a half bugle half snarl that sounded like he was seriously PO'd.  As I brought the bugle up to my mouth, all of a sudden this hellish roar came from my right rear flank as the herd bull was only about 8 yards from me when he let it go.  I had no idea he was there or how long he had been standing there.      I was so intent and focused on getting that other bull to come, I had no idea that the big fella snuck in and was within spitting distance. 

As I jumped out of my own skin in shock, he whirled around and crashed through the brush headed down into the canyon. All I saw was the white tips of his huge rack and his tawny/white rump as it disappeared into the timber.  What a rush!

I will never forget that moment!

Gary

[boneaddict]

  nice!

[scotsman]

That’s why bowhunting is so addicting…. My daddy taught me ‘It ain’t how far you can git ‘em, its how close’. Some of my best hunts had unfilled tags but lifetime memories. Great pic Bone!

[Falcon]

Bone:   That's no failure.  Great story as usual 

The adrenaline rush is what its about

[dvolmer]

Great picture Bone!!!!  I don’t understand the other’s comments at all!!!  I can see the whitetail doe clear as can be!!!

[BNAElkhntr]

So it looks Like Your Now moving on to Squatch pics   

[Alchase]

A Canon AE1 Program was my first real camera (not counting Instamatics and Polaroids) I had hundreds of pics I looked back on, and I’ll be dammed if I could tell what the pic was, but I know it would have been great if…………. 

[Browndawg]

Love it. I've had cows and calves almost within slapping distance from me a number of times. They feed by, belching and farting, not aware of me just crouching there beside them. I am still, and relaxed.  Every time a bull gets within 30 yards of me, he bolts because I can't stop the uncontrollable shaking that my body goes through.  I've often thought I should put the bow away and pick up a nice camera and shoot them with it.  It might teach me to be calm in the moment.

[Pathfinder101]

Pretty obvious to me that you photographed a Bigfoot.  Sometimes they grab elk sheds and run around to fool hunters...
Clearest picture I have ever seen of one...

[jackelope]

Pretty obvious to me that you photographed a Bigfoot.  Sometimes they grab elk sheds and run around to fool hunters...
Clearest picture I have ever seen of one...

I can merge threads if you see fit.
@Dan-o ? Thoughts here?

[Dan-o]

Pretty obvious to me that you photographed a Bigfoot.  Sometimes they grab elk sheds and run around to fool hunters...
Clearest picture I have ever seen of one...

I can merge threads if you see fit.
@Dan-o ? Thoughts here?

@jackelope


Negatory pigpen.   

Far too much frivolity surrounding this pic and comments. 

We strive to keep the Bigfoot thread blurryserious.