Post by: bullfisher on September 17, 2012, 11:28:28 PM
I've had a sore back before, even a sharp pain or pulled muscle. But never breath taking pain like this. I feel bad for every back pain story I've ever heard and and blew off. Its as close to child birth as a man can get. The next couple weeks of rehab only solidified the reality of a lost hunting season.
Over a month went by and i could finally touch my toes again and do normal movements, but it was sept. 13, well into the season and I hadn't touched my bow in quite a while. This was also the year I really wanted to get my son into the woods and hike around, and maybe talk to a bull or two. So that day I pulled out my bow and slung some arrows, so far so good, no pain. I told my wife and kids that I was going out this weekend to walk a road or two with the boy, just to see if we could get a response out of a bull in an easy little hole I new of. So off we went, sept. 15 second to the last day, me, my son, bow in hand. At the end of a gated road we sat and compared elk sounds, only to here a quiet roar from the basin below. Bingo!! that's all i wanted for my son. We exchanged bugles with the dragon for a little while when I decided we may as well head down the drainage and see how interested he was. I could see a small clearing below but the terrain was very steep and cumbersome for my son, let alone my healing back, but my son insisted we get closer. We did, and after I herd another bugle I really turned it on with raspy chuckles, and branch breaking while the boy turned on his best cow calls. CRUNCH, BOOM, CRASH! He was coming in on a frozen rope! WOW.. all i wanted was a bugle but if the boy could see a bull that would be awesome. Sure enough, here he comes. With my son looking over my shoulder at a dark mass of antlers I ranged the bulls path of travel, He was roaring and swinging his head.. I drew my bow and released. The 430grn, single bevel tipped simmons landshark, destroyed the bulls shoulder. Immediately folding him up on the ground, A first for me with a bow. My son was absolutely speechless.
Though we were only a mile and a half from the truck, the rout was steep and treacherous for a nine year old and a slightly disabled dad. After a drive to cell service and a couple phone calls I realized my only help would be from my wife and our two daughters (one of whom is my sons twin sister). It was late, dark, and my kids were exhausted and scared when we got the last pack to the truck, and my back was PISSED OFF! But it was by far one of the most rewarding doses of reality I could give my family.
Post by: Kola16 on September 17, 2012, 11:30:28 PM
Post by: denali on September 17, 2012, 11:36:40 PM
Post by: wt on September 17, 2012, 11:37:48 PM
Post by: hunting4sanity on September 17, 2012, 11:40:48 PM
Post by: Maligator on September 17, 2012, 11:51:18 PM
Post by: cld40 on September 18, 2012, 12:10:17 AM
thats awesome.
how cool for you and your family!!!
Post by: RB on September 18, 2012, 12:12:38 AM
Post by: jamesjett on September 18, 2012, 12:17:07 AM
Post by: Austrian Hunter on September 18, 2012, 12:31:06 AM
Post by: johnr060 on September 18, 2012, 12:52:29 AM
Post by: RadSav on September 18, 2012, 01:28:45 AM
Brings back an awful lot of memories of laying on the floor with my feet on the couch. Hoping the pain meds would kick in or the ice would make me numb before I put a bullet through my head. All the while asking myself, "What the heck was I thinking shooting that damn elk?"
That look of pride in your son I expect makes it all worth it. What great pictures and a wonderful looking family. Congratulations!
Post by: Camp David on September 18, 2012, 02:22:26 AM
Post by: Eli346 on September 18, 2012, 04:32:07 AM
Post by: windygorge on September 18, 2012, 05:30:12 AM
Post by: deerhunter_98520 on September 18, 2012, 05:35:16 AM
Post by: muzbuster on September 18, 2012, 05:45:17 AM
Post by: Elknut1 on September 18, 2012, 06:10:17 AM
ElkNut1
Post by: BIGMIKE on September 18, 2012, 06:52:14 AM
Post by: SniperDanWA on September 18, 2012, 06:54:04 AM
Wow, nice bull and very cool that you got to share it with your son and the rest of your family! :tup:
:yeah: x2, awesome :tup:
Post by: ELKBURGER on September 18, 2012, 07:08:41 AM
Post by: IBspoiled on September 18, 2012, 07:16:33 AM
Wife
Post by: 300rum on September 18, 2012, 07:17:38 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on September 18, 2012, 07:44:30 AM
Only thing wrong I see is you need better friends...A couple of bull down phone calls should get you at least 5 guys...
Post by: Gunfire on September 18, 2012, 07:45:20 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on September 18, 2012, 07:50:15 AM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on September 18, 2012, 07:51:22 AM
Post by: h20hunter on September 18, 2012, 07:52:53 AM
Post by: Echomules on September 18, 2012, 07:53:36 AM
As a guy that's had back surgery, and before that the pain which made it necessary. I feel for your back, But a bull like that should cure some of what ails ya. HOW!!!
Post by: gunnarnewt on September 18, 2012, 08:09:06 AM
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on September 18, 2012, 08:15:30 AM
Post by: TommyH on September 18, 2012, 08:40:13 AM
Post by: NW-GSP on September 18, 2012, 08:47:15 AM
Post by: PlateauNDN on September 18, 2012, 10:35:34 AM
This could be the best story of the year. Congratulations on a great memory for you and your family.
:yeah: :tup:
Post by: X-Force on September 18, 2012, 10:40:22 AM
Post by: 250savage on September 18, 2012, 10:48:02 AM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on September 18, 2012, 11:29:45 AM
Post by: doyourtime89 on September 18, 2012, 11:38:45 AM
Post by: Wyoming08 on September 18, 2012, 11:51:11 AM
This could be the best story of the year. Congratulations on a great memory for you and your family.
:yeah: :tup:
Great Bull, and what a fantastic memory for your Son, and Family! That is what it is all about!! :chuckle: :tup:
Post by: Fullabull on September 18, 2012, 01:45:13 PM
Post by: bullfisher on September 18, 2012, 03:48:28 PM
Post by: arnoldmc1 on September 18, 2012, 04:39:41 PM
Post by: Drifterat on September 18, 2012, 05:02:53 PM
Post by: firefighter4607 on September 18, 2012, 05:08:06 PM
Post by: erk444 on September 18, 2012, 05:22:13 PM
Post by: Alan K on September 18, 2012, 05:53:13 PM
Post by: gotshot on September 18, 2012, 06:01:39 PM
Post by: runamuk on September 18, 2012, 06:10:20 PM
Post by: Huntbear on September 18, 2012, 06:11:00 PM
But dude, you need some better friends... :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on September 18, 2012, 06:25:44 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on September 18, 2012, 08:50:37 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 18, 2012, 08:57:52 PM
Post by: wadu1 on September 18, 2012, 09:05:45 PM
Thanks for the kind words everyone. My family's appreciation for the woods has forever changed. And after reading this thread I think they'll have their chins just a little higher.And that they should; great job by one and all in your family. Just great to hear of a family working together to get the job done :salute:
Post by: Turner89 on September 18, 2012, 09:36:00 PM
This could be the best story of the year. Congratulations on a great memory for you and your family.:tup:
Post by: Shawn Ryan on September 18, 2012, 09:49:31 PM
Post by: elkrack on September 18, 2012, 11:41:35 PM
Post by: sjhgraysage on September 19, 2012, 12:10:44 PM
Hope your back is healing up after packing him to the truck!!
Post by: Vinomaker on September 19, 2012, 12:26:39 PM
Awesome bull, Great story
Post by: FSTaxidermy on September 19, 2012, 12:41:10 PM
Post by: bullfisher on September 20, 2012, 10:19:19 AM
The two friends I called, that were close, just didn't answer. Saturday mid day one was camping the other at the fair. But in hind sight, It could not have turned out any better and I was impressed with how well my wife did with processing the elk. She dove right in, elbow deep. The hike out was very rough on them in the dark. We lost a flashlight and got turned around in the dark timber. They had to dig deep and keep their spirits up to get it done. Very rewarding for them.
Post by: buck man on September 21, 2012, 12:10:54 AM
Post by: Lunchbox1981 on September 21, 2012, 03:57:20 AM
Post by: MtnMuley on September 21, 2012, 03:53:16 PM
Post by: mfswallace on September 21, 2012, 04:00:30 PM
Post by: zackmioli on September 22, 2012, 11:32:11 AM
Post by: bluefin on December 03, 2012, 07:17:33 PM
Post by: GEARHEAD on December 03, 2012, 07:40:14 PM
Post by: slim9300 on December 03, 2012, 09:17:56 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Hornseeker on December 04, 2012, 04:15:09 PM
Post by: brianmtsinc on December 04, 2012, 04:32:17 PM
CONGRATS!! :tup: :tup:
Post by: bullfisher on September 02, 2013, 12:32:02 PM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on September 02, 2013, 01:24:28 PM
Who's gonna be Sept 2014?
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 02, 2013, 01:25:01 PM
Woohoo..made the cover of the sept. sportsmans mag! Its no big phelps spread or anything, but the kids are pumped!
Way to go, dad. I bet your family is very proud of you.
Post by: buddy01 on September 02, 2013, 01:33:56 PM
Post by: Taco280AI on September 02, 2013, 02:16:13 PM