Idaho Bull

[BrownGoinDown]

Just returned from Southeast Idaho elk hunt. Aside from the brutal weather, had a great time with great friends and killed a bull I was definitely happy with. Conditions were tough, highs in the mid-upper 80s and very little talking from the elk.

I scouted the area three weeks ago and couldn't even find an elk. My bro and I headed over Wednesday, the hunt started Friday, and found a small 5 point bull that was by himself and 6 cows and 2 calves in another area but couldn't find a bull with them that evening. With the weather, I know my expectations would probably be lower than most but I wanted to fill my tag. On Thursday morning, my bro and I split up to cover some more ground for the first hour or two of daylight before the weather got too warm to have a chance of seeing anything. My brother found the small 5 point from the day before and also found a decent 6x6 that was showing some signs of rut. This bull was with the 6 cows and 2 calves from the evening before. He was able to video the bull for a minute or so from about a mile away and I knew from the video I'd be more than happy with the bull, especially with what I'd see up until this point.

A couple hunting buddies came over on Thursday and we showed them the video and explained on the maps what our game plan was. My bro and I were going to head across the way trying to find the elk and Scroder and Jack were going to get up on a vantage point and see what they could find. After an hour or so had went by Jack found a few elk feeding on a ridge but all he could confirm was a spike in the herd. So, my brother and I worked our way around with the wind right and tried to take a closer look. After getting into position I looked down into the draw and 500 yards away the 6 cows, 2 calves and the 6x6 were working their way up the hill. My bro and I decided we'd work around a saddle and should be able to close the distance considerably.

As we got into position we crept over the ridge and I spotted a cow, she was 219 yards away and was feeding up the drainage, our plan looked to be spot on. Then, I glance over and about 50 yards away from me a cow has me pegged, I tell my brother we might be in trouble. I could hear another elk though moving in the sagebrush but couldn't see it, and the cow was motionless so it wasn't her. About 30 seconds later, I spot the tops of horns coming up the ridge in front of me. The 6x6 was working around the cow to take her back to his herd. At 25 yards he notices something isn't right so I send the 210 grain Berger from my 300 Ultra Mag his way. One shot to the neck and the hunt was over!

It was an eventful pack out but thanks to great help and a meat shop in the area to hang the meat, we were able to salvage everything.

Thanks to my brother for coming along for the ride and having some video of the bull the day before is pretty cool. Scrode aka MBP and Jack, thanks for making the drive and enjoying the hunt with me, it makes it that much better when you can enjoy the experience with good friends.

Brandon and Orlin, I have no idea if you are members here, but thanks for your help in finding a productive area to hunt.

Cody

[vandeman17]

Great bull! I just got back from Montana and we had the same warm, quiet conditins. Way to pull through!

[Pathfinder101]

nice

[carpsniperg2]

congrats! thats some open elk country for sure.

[Michelle_Nelson]

Great Looking Bull, Congrats!

[buckhorn2]

Pretty country and nice bull.

[C-Money]

Nice! good bull!

[257 Wby Mag]

Thats a goodun Cody!! Ty's gonna get broke in on speed goats here in a few days, should be good times. Later

[Tony 270]

Nice bull, indeed.

Jud, you get your chrono yet?

[257 Wby Mag]

Not yet. Got the 240 back in biso though

[bow4elk]

Nice job!!

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

That's a much beret pic than you sent me code man!

[Wyoming08]

 
Nice Job! Congratulations on your success over there in IDaho...Nice looking Bull!!!

[bowhunterforever]

Good looking bull, Congrats

[Elknut1]

 Congrats on your Idaho elk dude!!!

  ElkNut1

[BrownGoinDown]

Thanks for the compliments.

It was definitely open country, actually just felt like hunting elk in mule deer country, but there is a lot of deceiving cover that isn't shown in the picture.

One part of the story that I forgot to mention, that may have been right at the top of my experience, was the Idaho Game Warden that we encountered.

We were attempting to winch the elk with a quad up a dried up creek bed, it was hotter than all get out, and we were working from the end of a quad road, probably had 100 feet left to go, when the Idaho Game Warden shows up. He quickly asks for my license and tag. I had already notched my tag but because we were winching the animal, hadn't attached it to the horns. The game warden was very appreciative that I had notched my tag and "validated" my kill and he fully understood why I didn't have the tag attached. He then makes a comment about how warm it is and the need to get the elk to a cooler, so what does he do, he puts on his leather gloves and starts helping us get this bull out.

This guy was probably 6' 2" and all of 150lbs soaking wet (literally), and he was right in there with the four of us helping pull this elk and get it out.

So we are probably 3 miles in on quad roads and the second quad we had seized its rear end. So, the game warden who was on a motorcycle when he showed up, drives out, grabs his truck and drives back in to give us a ride out. What a class act. I've got the thank you letter in the mail to the Idaho Fish and Game today. Great people in Idaho!

[SirSpencer]

Great bull! The hospitality of other sportsmen is always something greatly appreciated.

[elkhuntindad]

Way to go contrats 

[Jackjr]

Nice Bull Dude   Just saw the post.  I am a little slow sometimes.  What about that 14" of rain that one day?  LOL