I'm new here, so here is my first and only bull ive killed so far. I decided to hunt with a guy I never elk hunted with before. He said he knew of an area that he had seen elk in about 15 years ago. I said "sounds great, lets go". The first day in the area I found a huge shed (posted in the shed hunting area). The next day in I was hunting alone, I still hunted up this timbered hillside and walked up on around 8 elk. 4 were cows and calves, and I couldn't see the rest of them as they blew out. I countinued up until I topped out on a ridge. I picked my way through the timber enjoying the day. I walked to the edge of the ridge i was on and looked over the edge.
I dont know if this bull was standing there the whole time or he was bedded and stood up, but I looked to my right and about 25 yards away was a good bull. I had my rifle in my hands, and as soon as I started to bring it up to shoot, the bull spun around to run away. I pulled the gun up, clicked the safety off, found him in my scope, and fired as quick as humanly possible (maybe a second total). A few yards later the bull fell. I walked a few feet and could see him trying to get up, so I put another one in him. When I got up to him, I realized how big elk are... I boned him out and started packing (about 2 miles and 1000 vertical feet down to the truck). The guy I was hunting with got in late that night. He couldnt believe I actually killed a bull. He helped me pack the rest out the next day.