Post by: HornHoarder on September 27, 2014, 09:14:28 PM
My cousin and I bought our Idaho elk tags early in the year, and made several scouting trips this summer. Although we didn't see many elk (mostly due to the thick vegetation), there seemed to be lots of sign in the areas I had hunted previously. A couple weekend hunting trips didn't produce much action though. Heard a few bugles, but the general area was loaded with people. We had a 9 day trip planned for the last part of the season, and hoped the rut would kick in, and the people would thin out.
We got into camp late on the 19th, and were not real exited about the hot temperatures predicted that week. We were up early and ready to hunt in the morning though. I had picked out a secluded little ridge that I thought others wouldn't likely go. At daylight we started our hunt down the ridge, and heard at least two bulls bugling. We set off after one across the canyon. Down to the bottom, and up the other side. Wouldn't you know it, when we got over there he had shut up, or moved off. Another bull sounds off from the ridge we were just on. So back across we go.... He bugles a few more times and fades off. It's getting to be midday now, and getting hot, so we think were done when that original bull starts sounding off again. He's a long way off across the canyon, but I let one rip right back at him. Nothing. We start up the ridge, then he bugles again, alot closer. He's coming! We scramble to get a good setup, and continue to bugle, and cow call. We moved a little closer, and my cousin volunteers to hang back and call while I set up for a shot. By now he is getting close screaming the whole way. I was able to get into a good position on a mostly open hillside, when I seen him coming. Actually one cow was leading the way, and he was right behind her. When the cow got to 30 yards and went behind a bush I drew. Within seconds the bull was right in front of me. He stopped on his own perfectly broadside in my shooting lane, and I let the arrow fly. It was like I seen it in slow motion disappear right behind the shoulder. He spun the way he had came from, but as quick as I could I bugled to stop him. In a cloud of dust he put on the brakes, and looked back, confused as to what just happened. He took a few more steps, so I cow call, and he stopped again. Then I seen him wobble side to side for a second, and then he cartwheeled down the steep slope.
I couldn't believe it. I was in shock! Did that really just happen. I even shed a few tears.. This was 16 years in the making, and he appeared to be a real good bull. My cousin makes it up to me and can see how emotional I was, and knew I had killed that bull. Since I had seen him fall we only took a couple minutes, and went to see my bull. He had stopped in an awkward position against a down log, and I counted six points per side.
We had to get busy quick, because it was about 12:30 pm by now and at least 80 degrees, and we were down in a hell hole. We processed him as quick as we could and began packing meat to the creek bottom to cool. I hiked back up the ridge to the truck, while my cousin looked for a route out the bottom. By midnight we had the last pieces of meat out.
Post by: trophyhunt on September 27, 2014, 09:18:29 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on September 27, 2014, 09:22:11 PM
Post by: Stein on September 27, 2014, 09:23:36 PM
Post by: Watimberghost on September 27, 2014, 09:25:02 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on September 27, 2014, 09:25:29 PM
Many congratulations. He is beautiful. Your patience and persistence are an inspiration for all of us. In guessing he will be mounted and at the center of your home. Well done. :IBCOOL:
Post by: Buck_Nasty11 on September 27, 2014, 09:27:44 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on September 27, 2014, 09:33:47 PM
Post by: MLBowhunting on September 27, 2014, 09:40:39 PM
Post by: HornHoarder on September 27, 2014, 09:48:19 PM
Bean counter- I was more concerned with getting all the meat out, and didn't save the cape, but it's off to the taxi for a euro mount. I think that will suffice. I got pictures and memories to last a lifetime.
Post by: cooltimber on September 27, 2014, 09:52:19 PM
Post by: nw_bowhunter on September 27, 2014, 09:57:48 PM
Post by: brew on September 27, 2014, 10:03:19 PM
Post by: boneaddict on September 27, 2014, 10:05:48 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on September 27, 2014, 10:09:01 PM
Post by: HornHoarder on September 27, 2014, 10:18:48 PM
Post by: rsrobins on September 27, 2014, 10:27:36 PM
Post by: boneaddict on September 27, 2014, 10:37:31 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on September 27, 2014, 10:39:46 PM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 27, 2014, 10:43:19 PM
Post by: cem3434 on September 27, 2014, 10:43:27 PM
Post by: go4itlab on September 27, 2014, 10:50:16 PM
Post by: buckhorn2 on September 27, 2014, 10:50:34 PM
Post by: Vo2max on September 27, 2014, 10:57:44 PM
Post by: Elvis on September 27, 2014, 11:05:01 PM
Post by: blindpig on September 28, 2014, 06:42:47 AM
Post by: Expedition Scout on September 28, 2014, 06:43:30 AM
Post by: Alan K on September 28, 2014, 06:47:51 AM
Post by: rosscrazyelk on September 28, 2014, 07:16:12 AM
Post by: bowhuntersd on September 28, 2014, 07:24:44 AM
He is a great bull.
Post by: X-Force on September 28, 2014, 07:51:07 AM
Post by: SniperDanWA on September 28, 2014, 08:06:28 AM
Post by: SeaRun1 on September 28, 2014, 08:11:30 AM
SR1
Post by: elkh8me on September 28, 2014, 09:04:02 AM
Post by: Falcon on September 28, 2014, 11:02:50 AM
That's gotta feel great :tup:
Post by: kevinlisa06 on September 28, 2014, 04:10:30 PM
I went 24yrs before putting a tag on an elk,
I know how it feels to finally accomplish your goal!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: huntnphool on September 28, 2014, 04:21:24 PM
Post by: iRem on September 28, 2014, 08:58:49 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: haugenna on September 28, 2014, 09:11:54 PM
Post by: huntnnw on September 28, 2014, 09:42:59 PM
Post by: T-Dozzer on September 28, 2014, 10:08:38 PM
Post by: Western-Extremist on September 28, 2014, 10:32:42 PM
Post by: BIGMIKE on September 28, 2014, 11:11:26 PM
Post by: Lunchbox1981 on September 28, 2014, 11:21:16 PM
Post by: mkcj on September 29, 2014, 01:50:46 AM
Post by: Rhino on September 29, 2014, 06:17:58 AM
Post by: C-Money on September 29, 2014, 06:30:56 AM
Post by: elkoholic1 on September 29, 2014, 07:15:48 AM
Post by: Swatson on September 29, 2014, 10:06:03 AM
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 30, 2014, 01:36:13 AM
Post by: Natures Way on September 30, 2014, 10:26:38 AM
Post by: Fullabull on September 30, 2014, 11:00:52 AM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on September 30, 2014, 11:11:59 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on September 30, 2014, 11:16:15 AM
Congrats and very nice bull! that is about the size of the one I had at 40 yards when my arrow fell off the string at full draw :(
Been there, done that :bash:
Post by: irishevox on September 30, 2014, 12:50:41 PM
Post by: Curly on September 30, 2014, 01:02:24 PM
:brew:
Post by: Yakirack on October 01, 2014, 01:09:52 PM
Post by: R2Rcoulee on October 01, 2014, 05:33:58 PM