East Wenaha Guided Bull

[Woodchuck]

Very cool, congrats to the hunter.

[stickbuck]

That is an awesome bull. Congrats. Can't wait to see more pics of that bad boy.

[nwhunter]

So Dave how grouchy were you having to load that head on a mule with the cape on? haha Looks good but we need some more pics! Good job making someones dreams come true I'm sure. nwhunter

[huntergreg]

cant wait to get a better look at that HAWG!   

[njc89]

Here's a pic Dave took later at the trailhead.  Doesn't look quite as nice as it did before the top 2 points on the left side, as well as points 2 and 3 got busted off.  Still, this was one of the most unique bulls I had ever seen.  Horns are at the taxidermist now for a repair.  I expect it will look nice again soon.  I am working on a short video of the hunt once I figure out the video editing with the new camera.

As so many other people have talked about already, this area is miserable-steep.  I started in pretty decent shape from racing bikes the year before.  I also spent the summer doing squats and lunges and hiking.  It all helped of course, but I don't think there is really any way to avoid the pain if you hunt the area hard.  There was not any part of this hunt that could be described with words like cheap, easy, gimme, slam dunk, etc.  I have been hunting a long time and this was easily the hardest hunt I have ever been on.  Hunting with Matt (guide) and Dave was more like hunting with buddies that knew the area well, had nice gear, and took care of the cooking (very well). 

So many people have talked to me over the last couple months saying stuff like "don't shoot anything under 320, 330, etc."  That's easy to say, but I didn't want to come home empty handed on this one.  We all know there are true monsters lurking up there.  But you don't have much chance of taking a 400 bull  if they don't ever poke their head out.  Even when/if they do, the odds of getting into position for a reasonable shot are often long. 

We went out glassing Sunday night before the season and saw 8 bulls, including this one, a nice 6x7, and a smaller 6x6.  When I saw all the points sticking up on this guy, there was really never a question.  Score didn't matter much at that point.  As Dave said, we tried for 3 days to get into a good position to get him, trying not to scare them out of the area in the process.  On day 4 about 8 AM, Matt spotted a cow at nearly 1900 yards out.  We put the scope on her and watched.  7 More cows and the bulls started to appear - first the 8x8, then a nice 6x6, a 5x5, and a spike.  A near sprint on the trail over to the top of a steep ridge put us into position for a decent into hell.  We managed to drop down into the canyon on a ridge adjacent to the ridge we saw the elk on.  About 2:30 the elk began feeding through the timber and wandered into a small opening.  I got a chance for one 500 yard shot, which sent the bull hurtling through the air down the mountain.  40 minutes later, after a push through the alder thicket and a kill shot, the reality of the situation began to sink in.  Day 5 was all about quartering, boning and packing up the ridge to a spot we hoped the mules could access.  Day 6 saw one more pack of meat  out of the bottom, just in time for Dave's mules to appear.  They are beautiful animals when you are so far down in a hole.

[igotbigbulls]

real awesome man. sounds and looks like a great hunt.

[GoldTip]

That is an awesome bull and sounds like an awesome hunt as well.  Congrtulations!

[Woodchuck]

Great bull, congrats.

[Pathfinder101]

Congrats on your bull. Thanks for posting the picture and the story.  I was glad to hear that you had a great hunt, made the tag work for you, and came out with a great bull and a great story.  Score-be-damned, I'd have shot that bull with your tag.  He's gonna look great on your wall as a trophy, a conversation piece and a memory.      Way to go!

[SkookumHntr]

-From the 3rds back on that one side looks like he has some Mule Deer in him! haha Cool BUll!!

[njc89]

I agree, it has kind of a basket rack like a big mulie instead of sweeping back like most bulls.  Actually I think that will help it fit better in the house

[400out]

I love it! 

[HUNT]

Thats a neat looking bull.  Cant wait to see some better pics of the left side.....  Congrats.  Definately a worthy bull!

[bench beast]

very nice... congrats!!!

[BLUEBULLS]

I love it!