Tagged Out!! Observatory bull down!

[JColony]

Well, a ten day hunt turned into a 3 day hunt.  Big thanks to Mike D. for all the advise and benhuntin for convincing his brother to drive 40 minutes out of their way to let us know where they were.

Heard a knock on the trailer at 10:30 Sunday night, cracked open the door and found benhuntin, his brother, and his sister-in-law standing there clearly very excited.  The asked if we had seen anything that day.  After telling them we hadn't seen or heard anything they proceeded to tell us they had a big 6x6 down and that the bulls were going absolutely crazy where they had gotten it.  With that, we made plans to meet them the next morning at 5:00am.  Needless to say, this all made for a very sleepless night.
The next morning couldn't have come quick enough.  After one wrong turn, we finally made it to the meeting place 30 minutes late, better late than never right?  Made the quick drive up the road and headed out.  Didn't take long and we were hearing bulls off in the not too far distance.  After Ben ripped off a couple bugles, it was clear that they were hot and this could get interesting very quickly.  After following the ridge a bit further, Ben headed off to help his brother get his bull and left CedarPants and I to go after a big boy. 
As we worked our way down the ridge the bugles kept getting louder and louder.  Even as fairly non-seasoned elk hunters, it was clear to us that there were at least 7, maybe more, different bulls bugling within 100-150 yards of where we were.  Not wanting to be the reason for a blown stock, CedarPants hung back as I made the final push to get into a good shooting position.  I managed to work my way down to a spot that provided adequate cover and two shooting lanes despite the prying eyes of multiple cows.  Shortly after getting set, I saw a cow move through the lane to my right, looking like she was being pushed I got myself ready.  Not a second later, I see my bull move into the lane.  With out being provoked, he stopped perfectly in my shooting lane 100 yards down range.  One pull of the trigger + 90gr of 777 ffg + 1 300gr Hornady SST = 1 dead bull elk.  My shot flew true and busted his spine just behind his front shoulders and he dropped in his tracks!!  One last shot to the base of the head and he was down for the count.  He's wasn't the biggest bull in the woods, but he's my bull and I not only that, he' my first ever elk.  I couldn't be happier with my hunt.  This was by far the most intense experience I have encountered while in the woods.  I'm still hearing the bugles in my head!

[wastickslinger]

thats awesome!!!

[The100Road]

That is awesome. Good job.

[boneaddict]

Awesome!

[gunnarnewt]

Warning: It gets addictive! Congrats on a very nice bull! 

[bucklucky]

Congrats on a beautiful bull!!! Nicely done!

[WAcoyotehunter]

nice!!! LOVE that smile in the picture- you look like an elk addict!! 

[Buckmark]

Your expression says it all...

[hogsniper]

Veryy cool story man!  Congrats on a great bull and great hunt!   Also  to forum members helping each other out!   

[blackveltbowhunter]

Sweet bull and very nice pic. Congrats!

[TheHunt]

Great job and congrats on a good hunt.  How long did it take you get get it out of there?

[Tony]

Very nice. That sound of a bugling bull is an awsome sound and gets addictive.

[jager]

Sweet 
Congrats!

[mtndew]

Way to go! That is a good looking elk! PM sent... 

[724wd]

great smile!  you can see how excited you are, and for good reason!