No Bull 340/342

[Griz231]

Well, we hunted our asses off from Sept. 3rd to 18th for deer and elk.  I have, I guess had, a bull permit for 340/342.  No luck.  Same story, hotter than hell the first week and half, then cooled off end of week and still were not hearing any bugles.  Had a tough shot at a cow at 45 yards, hit a branch at the last second and dove off in the dirt. 
Tons of sign up there.  We did get on the trail of a bull but never got a shot, too thick.
 
Extremely frustrated, irritated, and my damn feet hurt, but that's huntin.
I have a multi season deer permit, so maybe better luck this weekend with muzzleloader.  Got my eye on a nice 4 point muley.

Maybe in 8 more years when I draw another bull permit, I'll have a little more luck with the weather.

Got to the point where i started to question my ability to hunt.  Always next year, right?

[WAcoyotehunter]

There's always next year.  Sounds like you worked pretty hard and had a tough season. 

Good luck finding a nice deer!

[Griz231]

There's always next year.  Sounds like you worked pretty hard and had a tough season. 

Good luck finding a nice deer!

Can't say we didn't try.  It was good to be out there with my dad, brother, couple cousins, and a buddy.  Elk camp is always fun even if you don't bag anything.

[JColony]

Sorry to hear you didn't get one.  I have the muzzy tag and was up there scouting this past weekend and didn't see or hear anything either.

[Griz231]

Sorry to hear you didn't get one.  I have the muzzy tag and was up there scouting this past weekend and didn't see or hear anything either.

I heard of 11 cows and 2 spikes taken out while we were up there, but no bulls.  They probably started rutting today now that my tag is no good.  The muzzle loader guys should have a pretty damn good time up there unless the rut is a quick one, which more than likely it will go into the first week of Oct.

[Stickerbush]

late season? or is your tag only early?

[sneakyjake]

I was gonna post about my hunt, but in should just cut and paste yours minus the bull permit.  We were westside, packed in and very isolated.  If you can't hear them, it's hard to find them in big country.   Only heard four bugles.   33 yard shot on a cow.   Stupid branch.

[gasman]

bummer. i know how you feel though 
Gonna start a new thread for mine hunt though, mine had a bit more to it 

But still having permit stew tonight.....

[cle elum bowhunter]

Griz, don't give up.  In all my years since the switch to spike only in eastern wa, I have drawn and ate 4 bull tags.  My last was 2009 Peaches.  This year, 32 years since my last branch bull (a 2x2) I was successful on an eastern general tag in an area open to any bull for archery.  It can and does happen. 

[high country]

Ya know, I think I will hang my permit on the wall when i finally draw one. I have killed a bunch of elk, but I can't draw a permit to save my arse. Be happy you had the chance to give it a go......and sleep well knowing you did what you could.

[Griz231]

late season? or is your tag only early?

Only early Sept. 6 -18

[Griz231]

I was gonna post about my hunt, but in should just cut and paste yours minus the bull permit.  We were westside, packed in and very isolated.  If you can't hear them, it's hard to find them in big country.   Only heard four bugles.   33 yard shot on a cow.   Stupid branch.

Fewwww!!!  I'm sorry to hear that but glad i'm not the only one.  I keep second guessing our choice of area that we hunted.

[Griz231]

Thanks for the counseling and encouraging words fellas.  I'll definitely keep at it and maybe i'll frame that permit, or burn it, not sure.
To add more pain I have a coworker that went up for the weekend with just general tag and hunted around Quartz.  Had a 6 point bull 20 yards for 10 minutes. 

[cle elum bowhunter]

Griz, 3 years ago I had a monster 6x6 at about 10 yards for about 3-4 minutes, wind in my face and him screaming trying to find that damn cow he had heard(me) up in the Taneum.  He was a very legit 360-370 bull.  Of course the following year, when I drew my bull tag, nothing like that happened and I hunted hard every day of the season.  Next year you will probably have a 7x7 practically trip over you or something.  Just the way life goes.  I think that for the last 10 years, whenever we hunt in the taneum, my buddy or I have a nice bull within archery range at least once per season.  Even when I had my tag, my buddy had a really nice 6 that he was trying to draw up out of a creek for me, circle out of my vision and walk literally 20 yards from him in an open clear cut.  I think it is a government conspiracy and they put out a watch list for the bulls on who holds a tag each year.  Still fun though, isn't it!

[Griz231]

Griz, 3 years ago I had a monster 6x6 at about 10 yards for about 3-4 minutes, wind in my face and him screaming trying to find that damn cow he had heard(me) up in the Taneum.  He was a very legit 360-370 bull.  Of course the following year, when I drew my bull tag, nothing like that happened and I hunted hard every day of the season.  Next year you will probably have a 7x7 practically trip over you or something.  Just the way life goes.  I think that for the last 10 years, whenever we hunt in the taneum, my buddy or I have a nice bull within archery range at least once per season.  Even when I had my tag, my buddy had a really nice 6 that he was trying to draw up out of a creek for me, circle out of my vision and walk literally 20 yards from him in an open clear cut.  I think it is a government conspiracy and they put out a watch list for the bulls on who holds a tag each year.  Still fun though, isn't it!

Oh it is a blast, love it!! I'm at my low right now, but by Nov. i'll be back into it and ready to trek thru the snow to get to em.