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Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 04:47:51 PM


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Title: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 04:47:51 PM
Rumor has it our fellow Hornseeker got the big one today in Montana.     Can't wait for the pics and story!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: bucklucky on November 27, 2010, 04:49:27 PM
RIGHT ON!!! Congrats Hornseeker!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 04:57:31 PM
He's quoting GIANT numbers.    He so deserves it!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: PolarBear on November 27, 2010, 04:58:48 PM
Schweeeet!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: Austrian Hunter on November 27, 2010, 05:12:57 PM
Sweet, can't wait to see the pics!!!!  Damn, I hope he puts them up soon, I'm leaving for late Archery tomorrow morning. 
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: jdb on November 27, 2010, 05:21:35 PM
thanks I will now have to check this thread every 10 minutes until I see pics and get to read a story!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: C-Money on November 27, 2010, 05:22:07 PM
Cool, cant wait to see!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 27, 2010, 05:24:07 PM
 :drool: can't wait to see the pics and the story :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: Austrian Hunter on November 27, 2010, 05:27:28 PM
thanks I will now have to check this thread every 10 minutes until I see pics and get to read a story!

 :yeah:
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 05:32:03 PM
He might be still on the mountain, I just got a quick message from him.
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: Mr T on November 27, 2010, 06:15:31 PM
I love the tease, but will be impatiently waiting for the pics  :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: mulehunter on November 27, 2010, 06:21:29 PM
 :drool:    i can't wait to see it.


Mulehunter
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: longrange7mm on November 27, 2010, 06:22:07 PM
 
:drool: can't wait to see the pics and the story :drool:

 :yeah:
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: Hornseeker on November 27, 2010, 06:28:54 PM
Heres the LONG..... I wrote this up for my own personal records....really enjoy recording my hunts, especially successful ones!

Well, this has been a hell of an elk season. For those that dont know, in Montana we are lucky enough to be able to hunt elk for about 10 weeks! The first 5 are archery only, then the last is any weapon. I really like to kill elk and I LOVE to bowhunt, but when it comes down to it, I pick up the 06' and give it hell.

I spent 20 days elk hunting this year. About 10 archery and 10 rifle...archery season was great. Had quite a few very close calls with big and little bulls, but could not connect. Normal for me. So, Rifle season came and me and my hunting partner, Dusty had a hell of a time. We saw a few elk early in the season, but could not get into elk after that. Last weekend Dusty went with another bud and he killed a beautiful 320 bull. I stayed home and put some deer meat in the freezer. Then..this last weekend comes up. My wife had had just about enough of me being gone for 3-4 days in a row every week or other week anyhow...and well...she layed down the law and said I'll give ya one more day!

Montana has had some seriously cold and snowy late November weather, and that means the high mountains get snowed out and those elk have to move down a bit. Dont get me wrong, they will still sit at 8-9 K, But it'll at least be on the edge of the mountain range, not 15 miles from the truck. So, I did some checking with some buddies that are serious elk slayers....guys that kill big giant bulls every year.... one guy I hunt with and a good friend sent me an email that said this:

"Ernie if you wanna good bull you gotta get up Johnson Creek. Even if you dont go up 4 miles, just go up a ways and take either side of the drainage. That is THE spot for big bulls in these conditions."

I said "screw, I'm going for it. I have one day to make this happen. I am going to bust my ass and if I dont kill one I'll KNOW I at least gave it hell".

The alarm went off at 2:30 Friday morning. I was up well before it. Could barely sleep. The conditions were ripe to find a big old bull that had migrated out of the wilderness or nearby Jellystone. I hit the road at 2:50 and drove through a ground blizzard for 2 1/2 hours. The trailhead was empty. MONEY!! There were 20 inches of snow in the parking lot and I about got stuck just trying to get my truck into a good spot. I left the truck at 5:45, 1 hour and 15 minutes before shooting light. My goal was to get a couple miles up this drainage, then, in the early light, I could get a look at the land. I'd never laid eyes on it before, but good old Google Earth did prepare me!

After 45 minutes of hiking up the broke trail, the hills started to light up with the first hints of dawn, it was about then I cut off the trail and started breaking 20+ inches of snow up a steep slope that was going to give me a good vantage point at first light. I reached the top of a little knob at shooting light. A small muley buck and some does watched me from a couple hundred yards, but the 55-60 elk about 1000 yards UP the mountain had my full attention. I stood in the 14 degree air trying to hold my binos steady enough to see if there were any bulls. I couldn't pick out...then I heard a gun shot up that way! I looked around and found 2 guys on horses that were pretty much in the middle of the herd! (the herd was scattered across about 600 yards of treeline). The elk didn't run or even act alarmed. It was wierd!

Anyhow, I could not find a bull in there and didn't want to deal with crowds, so I started climbing and sidehilling around this mountain to head further back into the drainage. After about 45 minutes of busting through crotch deep drifts and slogging through a solid 20+ inches of snow, I got to a patch of young firs on the edge of the forest. Right about then, a good mulie buck, a couple forkies and a couple does stepped out from behind some other trees and pretty much just looked at me. About 40 yards away. They were not the least bit excited about me being there and just sorta walked off. That old buck looked like he was PLUM tuckered out. Probably been chasing small bucks, fighting, rubbing trees and doing the other, more important business, for the last 2+ weeks. Then mix this cold weather in and he basically said screw it... shoot me if you want, Id be better off dead.

I didn't of course. But what was really cool was about then I noticed some elk about 200 yards off on the other side of a nice little snowy park. When I raised the glasses to get a look them I saw more in the trees and I saw a nice main beam moving through the trees. They didn't know I was there and I didn't even get excited. I just figured, heck, I'll work below them in this quiet snow and get on him. About then this spike bull walks out and stands about 5 yards from this nice muley buck and he also just looks at me like I was no more than a tree. I didn't want to alarm any of these guys, so I just played it cool till they moved off, then I slipped into some better timber cover and started working towards where that bull was.

After 15 minutes of this I bumped into another group of elk, they were well below where the couple cows and bull had been. They didn't know I was there either, so they held me up pretty good cause I couldn't just walk through them, they'd blow out and spook the whole dam mountain! I was glassing through the timber, picking elk apart, looking for bone on one of their noggins, when I caught something red in my peripheral. This pretty little red fox was curled up sleeping about 12 yards from me! She finally heard me and scurried off and the elk fed out of site. I adjusted my route so as not to intercept them, and kept moving. Well, this is getting long and over the next 2 hours I am in and out of cow/spike herds. 30-70 yards from elk the whole time it seemed like. I finally bumped a group on a little finger ridge and that was the last of them.

From there, I decided to side hill this steep, timbered slope and continue up the drainage. I knew there had to be a herd of bulls in here somewhere, or at least one bull. Thats all I needed right? By noon I was starting to get discouraged. I'd worked out of the elk sign and was only seeing deer sign. That really ok, because I knew the mature bulls weren't going to be pal-ing around with those girls anyhow. But, I did get tired of sidehilling and made the decision to drop off the mountain, cross the drainage and head up the other side. I glassed it early in the morning and could see elk and elk trails going all over it in the deep snow.

I worked off the hill and down near the bottom it started to bench out pretty good. I did start picking up some new elk sign and my spirits were starting to pick up. Nothing too fresh, but at least elk were using it. I should also mention, that about 11 am my hams and groin were trying to cramp on me. I guess a thermos of coffee on the drive over wasn't the best idea when I had a marathon ahead of me. Lifting your dang legs up to drive through 15-20" of snow with each step is a dirty bugger!

I came out of some thicker timber into a bit of a clearing and noticed a LOT of elk sign, but it was all snowed in, at least 24 hours old. I said, I think maybe out loud..."well, there were elk here, but they aren't here now"... then I took about 4 steps and saw tan down the hill about 100 yards. I pulled up the binos and saw it was a bull. He was bedded and from the looks of it may have been clean asleep. The snow and topography did not allow for me to sit and get a good rest on my knees (what is that position called anyways???)so... there was a big fir tree about 10 yards in front of me, directly between us. I side stepped and shuffled quietly through the snow to the tree...it was then I had the agonizing second to find out if he had used it famous 6th sense and bailed while I was behind the tree, or if he was still there.

Yep, he was still there and appeared to be sawing some serious logs. I hope he was having a good dream, because he basically never woke up from it!  Leaned my rifle hard into the tree to get a steady rest, put the crosshairs about where a guy should, and squeezed. He raised his head and looked like he was trying get his feet so I put another one in the boiler room, he kicked his front feet a couple times, then laid his head down, and that was that.

I knew he was a decent bull, I knew he had a long fourth, but didn't spend much time judging him. Hell, I just wanted a "good" bull. I started walking up (80 yards) and about 1/2 way I noticed the 4th was longer than I thought. I raised the binos and my heart missed a couple beats. I finished my walk up, noticing a muley doe standing about 30 yards away watching. I then laid my rifle against a tree, patted the old boy on the noggin and thanked him for his life. Then I looked at his rack some more. Then I looked at his humongous body.....then I looked at his rack some more... then....maybe just a little more! Then I got the camera out and took some pics. WOW.
I collected some dry wood and started a fire (stupid me, put it just upwind so I had to breathe smoke while I cut him up). Ran my knife across the diamond steel and dug in. I pulled the trigger at 1:30. By 4 O'clock had a 70# pack with backstraps, loins and some neck meat and headed down the trail. The 4 quarters, his rack and cape buried in the snow about 100 yards from his carcass. There was only 1 wolf track on the trail in the 4 miles back to the truck. I got there at 5:45. 12 hours from when I left the truck that morning. My legs were cramping, my hips were killing me, my shoulders were numb....and I had a BIG ASS SMILE on my face! That right there is what its all about! I have worked that hard MANY MANY times and not had it pay in meat or horns... this has been a LONG time coming.

My good friend and hunting buddy, Dusty, met me at the hotel last night and we got up early this morning and hiked in with empty packs and a sled. By 11:30 am we were back at the truck with BIG ASS SMILES on our faces. We worked our butts off this year and it paid off, a 320 bull for Dust and Im coming up with 377 gross for my once in a lifetime 6X6!!!! Looks like he has about 5 inches of deductions and most likely will miss the book by just a few inches! OH WELL....He's #1 in my book!
Here's a few shots, I'll post a few more later!
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 27, 2010, 06:33:41 PM
that is a sweet write up! congrats on a stud! can't wait to see the pics :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: Hornseeker on November 27, 2010, 06:49:03 PM
Oh, I suppose you guys want pics!!! :dunno:

 :chuckle:

I was leaning against this tree when I shot, if you look hard, pretty much dead center, about 80 yds out, you can see a tiny brown speck.... thats him.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FShotSpotRestrs.jpg&hash=60feab29dee6f44ab1e7f23f541e770d3942373a)

And this is what the 168 grain Barnes TTSX did... through both shoulder, I think it weighs 168 grains still!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FBarnesTTSXrs.jpg&hash=ee5bf56ab2434771668e32984ff9aa19d86b7be6)

Warming Fire... it was about 20 degrees I think.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FBullFirers.jpg&hash=032023c9e7097bd15c9852db2f11a9cb9badbb92)

And the glory shots....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FMeBullHeadonFirRS.jpg&hash=86e9a8d8f601b4cfe808a79695ad8a47e55955e6)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FMeBullFirinHornssmileCroprs.jpg&hash=a629709818da9414fa03c3dbf56e96145b03f21e)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FMeBullSideSmileRS.jpg&hash=1843f06b91ebc884dc214c06e773c68138e9b4e4)

Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: Hornseeker on November 27, 2010, 06:50:52 PM
I packed the backstraps and loins and neck meat out yesterday...today, I had a front quarter and the head, while Dusty had a front quarter and pulled a sled with rears and the cape!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FMeBullQuarter2rs.jpg&hash=2eaed09af655b087dec131d4e3805be3bb9abbe5)

This is my bud that I hunt a lot with. He killed this great bull this year. Both were wilderness bulls!!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2Fside.jpg&hash=ccdf647cfcbb1b99d99eeab74aab8472b0caf3d1)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv351%2Fhornseeker%2F2010%2FDustbullcas.jpg&hash=e94670e064263a3f125a919dce4a6eafe880f468)

Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 06:52:27 PM
Holy *censored* my friend.  YOU DID IT!   That is one serious BULL.   Congrats.   That there boys is how a hunt is done. PERIOD
Title: Re: The Big ONE
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 06:54:28 PM
Those swords are INSANITY
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: swanny on November 27, 2010, 07:01:03 PM
 :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike:

That is HUGE! Congratulations!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: longrange7mm on November 27, 2010, 07:02:17 PM
 :kneel: thats a hella good bull congrats
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 27, 2010, 07:04:05 PM
One is 24 1/2 inches long!!! The other is 23! UN-FREAKEN-REAL! :rockin:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: mulehunter on November 27, 2010, 07:05:39 PM
 :yike:  Thats Huge!  Nice!! Congt!


Mulehunter  :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: YellowDog on November 27, 2010, 07:07:59 PM
Man, that thing is an absolute stud of a bull.  Congrats and way to go
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Huntbear on November 27, 2010, 07:09:15 PM
A stud for sure!  Congrats!!!!  Great write up as well. 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: buckhorn2 on November 27, 2010, 07:10:58 PM
Great job Ernie it looks like the one I told you about. That weather turned things around. Congradulations
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 27, 2010, 07:12:40 PM
Man that is a true giant of a bull! congrats to you!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 07:13:45 PM
Better start lobbying for a shoulder mount.   That thing would be insane with a hard turn.  All you'd see is sword.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: RubblesPH on November 27, 2010, 07:13:50 PM
Outstanding bull!! Great story also.  Congrats.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: mulehunter on November 27, 2010, 07:18:23 PM
Better start lobbying for a shoulder mount.   That thing would be insane with a hard turn.  All you'd see is sword.

 :yeah:  for sure. It will be awsome wall hang....


Mulehunter.    :yike:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 27, 2010, 07:22:11 PM
Yep... I've never brought a cape out of the woods till this one!

Doug et al.... when you measure a point...how do the scorers do it? Do they make a line across the base of the point as if the main beam continued Through the point??
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: NWBREW on November 27, 2010, 07:24:09 PM
That is beautiful. Great write up too. Thanks for sharing your hunt. Hard work reaps rewards.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Machias on November 27, 2010, 07:29:30 PM
 :kneel:

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!  Congrats.  LOVE the photos and the detailed story, thanks for sharing!!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 07:33:36 PM
Exactly Ernie.   Masking tape or ruler.  Make a line of the beam on both side.  Where it transects the center of the point, thats your line.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Tony 270 on November 27, 2010, 07:36:56 PM
Wow! Awesome bull, congrats!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: huntandjeep on November 27, 2010, 07:52:02 PM
great story awesome bull congrats
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: krout81 on November 27, 2010, 07:57:46 PM
 :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Scott on November 27, 2010, 07:57:54 PM
Awesome Job!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: bankwalker on November 27, 2010, 07:58:42 PM
GOOD GOD!!!!! and to think i was gonna wait till tomorrow to check the forum. sure glad i didnt wait any longer.  :drool: :drool: :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Lowedog on November 27, 2010, 07:59:21 PM
Congrats!  That is an incredible trophy!  Haven't read the story yet but can't wait.  
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Birdguy on November 27, 2010, 08:09:00 PM
Way to go. That is getting it done. Nice to have a Buddy that is so helpful....front quarter and sled with hind quarters and cape  :yike:. Not that is a friend. Nice work.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: shedcrazy on November 27, 2010, 08:13:00 PM
Great story to go along with an absolute monster of a bull!! Sounds like you worked your ass off for him. Here is a well deserved congratulations to you!!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 27, 2010, 08:15:04 PM
He actually carried the head and a front for a while while I carried a front and pulled the sled, then we switched off... But yeah, he's a hell of a good friend... actually got in a little hot water with his wife for coming to help me... I owe him... ;)
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: PacificNWhunter on November 27, 2010, 08:20:03 PM
Awesome bull! Great write up!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Jason on November 27, 2010, 08:36:31 PM
Damn thats a stud bull for sure!! congrats!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: 10heiau on November 27, 2010, 08:49:01 PM
What a monster!!! WOW! congrats on the bull of a lifetime!  :tup:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on November 27, 2010, 09:20:53 PM
That is one hell of a great bull!  Those swords are awesome!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: wapiti hunter2 on November 27, 2010, 09:32:42 PM
 :bow: :bow:  :bow:  :bow:  :bow:  :bow:  :bow:  :bow:  :bow:  :bow:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: jackelope on November 27, 2010, 09:44:09 PM
Congrats Ernie, that is one hell of a nice bull.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: MuleySniper on November 27, 2010, 10:05:08 PM
Wow man what a stud bull! Great story too. Sounds very deserving!
MS
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: PolarBear on November 27, 2010, 10:23:03 PM
Dude, all I can say is... DUDE!  Awesome bull!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on November 27, 2010, 10:55:37 PM
Love the write up, and a fantastic bull glad all that hard work paid off hes gonna make a beautiful shoulder mount.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: saylean on November 27, 2010, 11:03:18 PM
Man, dont slip and fall on that thing! It will go right through you and then some. Congrats man, what an awesome awesome bull and memory.

Enjoy it for all its worth.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 27, 2010, 11:05:08 PM
Man, that is awesome!  Congratulations!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on November 27, 2010, 11:09:19 PM
If only his thirds weren't so weak, he'd have made 380. LOL      Had to come back and look again.  DANG!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Bandit on November 28, 2010, 04:56:20 AM
Awesome once in a lifetime bull, that's what is all about.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: rasbo on November 28, 2010, 05:32:51 AM
thats an awesome bull there ,wow what a hunt,,huge congrats to you
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 28, 2010, 06:23:25 AM
Thanks, Thanks and more thanks! It was a great couple days!!! :tup:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Elknut1 on November 28, 2010, 06:54:45 AM

 Wow Ernie, congrats on a fantastic bull, great story too. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy & bowyer!

  ElkNut1
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: tbuck6568 on November 28, 2010, 07:08:16 AM
Straight up amazing story and bull! CONGRATS!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: 400out on November 28, 2010, 07:34:11 AM
very nice bull! congrats
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: archery288 on November 28, 2010, 07:50:10 AM
That thing is a PIG!!!  :drool:  Congrats!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: SuperDave on November 28, 2010, 09:04:13 AM
One helluva nice bull!!  Congratulations!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: bucklucky on November 28, 2010, 09:04:30 AM
MY OH MY !!! Its grand salami time  :chuckle:

That is a seriousely impressive bull Ernie ! Congrats to you man. That will make one heck of a mount. I am seriousely jelouse , enviouse , and in awe of your bull! That is a beauty!! WOW!!!!!

Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: bucklucky on November 28, 2010, 09:06:00 AM
Are you sure those swords arent 40 inches long  :chuckle:  :yike:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: nwhunter on November 28, 2010, 09:13:51 AM
Beautiful bull! I love clean 6x bulls. Way to hunt hard til the end.nwhunter
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: C-Money on November 28, 2010, 09:14:12 AM
Congrats! What a huge bull! Glad you had a great hunt! The '06 looks like it did a great job!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: WDFW-SUX on November 28, 2010, 09:16:34 AM
SUPER BULL! congratulations!! :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Raul Duke on November 28, 2010, 10:43:35 AM
Good Job! Why to hunt hard!
Great write up too.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Fullabull on November 28, 2010, 10:47:49 AM
Not an easy task hunting in snow like that, but how beautifully when it turns out like that  :IBCOOL: I love racks like that  :drool: One of these days before I get to old, I hope to get one like that that I can carry out on my back...in pieces of course :)

Congrats....and great pics!

Fulla
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Todd_ID on November 28, 2010, 10:55:09 AM
Congrats Ernie!  That's an amazing accomplishment and the write up makes it that much better.  What an amazing, beautiful bull!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Lightning_Rider on November 28, 2010, 01:17:38 PM
That is a very impressive bull. Congrats!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on November 28, 2010, 01:30:55 PM
Love it when a stand-up guy does it the right way and has everything come together.  Congrats!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Ray on November 28, 2010, 02:45:53 PM
Ernie that thing is awesome. Well done. I like that campfire photo too. Amazing...
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: LittleJohn on November 28, 2010, 02:58:06 PM
HOW LONG IS THAT DAGGER???   WOW. Congratulations on a dream bull
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: whacker1 on November 28, 2010, 03:21:53 PM
very cool story and pics.  congrats on a bull of a lifetime.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: rosscrazyelk on November 28, 2010, 04:16:17 PM
Wow, That thing is incredible. Great job and the story is great too. :brew:

I'll trade ya :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: GlennGTR on November 28, 2010, 04:40:52 PM
Great bull and great write up. So....what was pushing that 168 gr TTSX out of the barrel? 30-06? 308? 30-378? What kind of rifle and scope were you hunting with?
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: stickbuck on November 28, 2010, 04:51:38 PM
That bull is unbelievable!! Can't wait to see pics of that mount when it's done. Those fourth's are awesome!! What a story!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Idabooner on November 28, 2010, 05:30:48 PM
WOW! What an animal and what a hunt. Nice going Ernie
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 28, 2010, 06:05:25 PM
Thanks Again All...

Browning A-Bolt, 30-06, 59.5 grains of H4831.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Ironhead on November 28, 2010, 06:18:51 PM
Great Bull and I loved reading the story. Way to go Ernie, I know from some of the other sites your on that you hunt hard every year. Congrats on a super bull.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 28, 2010, 06:28:59 PM
Very nice pics and write up. Congrats on a fine animal!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Wea300mag on November 28, 2010, 06:36:01 PM
Quote
My legs were cramping, my hips were killing me, my shoulders were numb....and I had a BIG ASS SMILE on my face!

Gotta love that feeling. Congrats on the epic bull!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: rasbo on November 29, 2010, 01:17:54 AM
damn Ernie everytime I go back and look at that bull,I gotta smoke :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 29, 2010, 07:57:29 AM
 :rockin:
:brew:
:party1:
 :cue:
 :llam:

Im still smilin!!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: quadrafire on November 29, 2010, 08:36:00 AM
Just logged on this am. Out of town for Thanksgiving. GeezLouise, that is a beast. No wonder you had the *censored* eatin grin on your face. Loved the pics in the deep snow. Sounds like alot of work.
Good work Ernie. Took you long enough (20+ days) :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Elkpiss on November 29, 2010, 08:40:43 AM
Congrads on your success, that is a dandy!.. Thats what we all dream of for an Elk!.. Kudos!..  :rockin:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: NWBrute on November 29, 2010, 10:14:51 AM
Great Job Ernie on a fantastic bull.  :tup:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on November 29, 2010, 10:44:04 AM
Very nice write up and congrats on an awesome bull.

Joe
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: tlbradford on November 29, 2010, 11:25:01 AM
Very nice bull Ernie.  Great character and a heck of a hunt.  Congratulations.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Buckblaster on November 29, 2010, 12:49:10 PM
Very impressive!  I threw my 340" antlers out in the yard and hung up a picture of your bull in its place.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Lowedog on November 29, 2010, 01:05:30 PM
Finally got around to reading your write up.  Great job!  That is one hell of a bull. 

I was shown a pic of another Montana bull that was just killed the other day and it is a giant also. 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 29, 2010, 01:39:25 PM
Well CHIT...lets see it!!! (if you can)

I just added up my mileage on Google Earth. I put in 4.69 miles before I killed him and 3.18 back to the truck, in nasty snow... Dam that was fun! 2100 feet of elevation gain too! Ouch.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Lowedog on November 29, 2010, 01:47:59 PM
It was on another guys cell.  I will see if I can get it.

Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on November 29, 2010, 02:27:13 PM
Quote
I put in 4.69 miles before I killed him and 3.18 back to the truck, in nasty snow... Dam that was fun! 2100 feet of elevation gain too


Be careful Ernie, you start spouting off numbers like that and some of these guys will think you are making this hunt up. :chuckle:
Oh yeah, your camera battery didn't die.  :)
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 29, 2010, 02:36:13 PM
Damn Ernie thats 7.87 miles!! Can we just call it an even 8 miles?
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on November 29, 2010, 03:11:34 PM
I bet he got .13 miles walking around it going HOLY.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 29, 2010, 03:12:31 PM
Yes sir, we can call it 8 if you'd like!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Skillet on November 29, 2010, 03:14:58 PM
Unbelievable 4ths.  Great job, man.  Awesome do-it-yourself public land bull.  Way to earn it!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Whitenuckles on November 29, 2010, 03:38:33 PM
WOW, What a fantastic story! Thanks for the entertainment and congrats on that amazing bull!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: kramer on November 29, 2010, 06:52:47 PM
awsome bulls. definatley once in a lifetime bull.good job.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on November 29, 2010, 08:53:32 PM
Quote
definatley once in a lifetime bull

If that is true...that will be fine...But I'll always be looking for another!!!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: dewandgin on November 29, 2010, 09:19:36 PM
Awesome bull :drool: :drool:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on November 29, 2010, 09:30:34 PM
Congrats Ernie! 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: BlackRidge on November 30, 2010, 08:13:19 AM
That things an absolute MONSTER, congrats sir!

Great story too
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: rasbo on November 30, 2010, 08:19:25 AM
why do I have visions of Earnie all cuddled up to that toad :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Ellensburg on November 30, 2010, 09:38:16 AM
380 baby
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Timber_Hunter on December 01, 2010, 12:25:22 PM
Congrats, that is a great story and a great bull. 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: bow4elk on December 01, 2010, 12:33:01 PM
Uh...I.....um....*thump"

Sorry, I passed out there.  Holy smokes...what an awesome hunt and one of the neatest clean 6's I've seen in a long time!!!  Those G4's are what dreams are made of!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: bucklucky on December 01, 2010, 01:18:34 PM
Thats a dandy bull your buddy killed also, glad I looked back on this thread again ....... OK , I was drooling over your bull again, I admit it  :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on December 01, 2010, 01:23:05 PM
Good grief!!  What a bull!!!   :o nice work!! 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: GoldTip on December 01, 2010, 01:35:52 PM
What a great bull, Ernie.  Congrats on one helluva hard earned trophy.  Some damn big bulls hit the dirt this year in Montana, you deserved it.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: scout88 on December 01, 2010, 01:37:24 PM
wow great bulls!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 01, 2010, 03:06:19 PM
Indeed, there were a couple that dwarfed this guy!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on December 01, 2010, 03:11:15 PM
Now I am itching to come hunt where we were.  I bet there are some big ones in there.  Grizz bait.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 01, 2010, 03:14:22 PM
There are huge ones in there. And this year proved it. A couple guys I know hunted near there in the deep snow and saw 380+ bulls, AND...a 12 yr old kid killed a 397 bull not far from there. It is amazing what those mountains can HIDE without 4-5 feet of snow and cold ass temps pushing them down....
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on December 01, 2010, 03:47:50 PM
I need to get my ass in shape and tackle it next time.   Quite worrying about any open country and go into the thick.  Its where I am successful.  Now I jsut need to raise some funds. 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 01, 2010, 04:49:41 PM
Yep, those guys dont stand around in the open much!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: RubblesPH on December 02, 2010, 01:12:33 PM
Awesome bull man, great pics and story also.  Keep going back to have a look.  Big congrats!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Cylvertip on December 02, 2010, 05:47:58 PM
So please tell me you boys were packin heat on the haul out mission.   :dunno:
Too many fangs running around those hills these days not to :twocents:  A buddy from here at work took a good bull somewhere South of Missoula and went to retrieve it the next day.  He just took a pack and a knife, no lead driver.  Lucky for him the bear that found the elk overnight was not still there when he reached it, or I think he may have been an horsd'oeuvre. :yike: 

I would say wolfs would be the big concern this late in the season though, especially after some of the other threads I've seen.  Right Bone?
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: rasbo on December 02, 2010, 06:07:17 PM
So please tell me you boys were packin heat on the haul out mission.   :dunno:
Too many fangs running around those hills these days not to :twocents:  A buddy from here at work took a good bull somewhere South of Missoula and went to retrieve it the next day.  He just took a pack and a knife, no lead driver.  Lucky for him the bear that found the elk overnight was not still there when he reached it, or I think he may have been an horsd'oeuvre. :yike: 

I would say wolfs would be the big concern this late in the season though, especially after some of the other threads I've seen.  Right Bone?
I outtfitter in the bob told me the grizz have started hibernating after the late seasons are over..He said its a race to your critter at times,to beat the grizz.Gunshot equals dinner bell
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 02, 2010, 06:17:50 PM
I wasn't the least bit concerned with the Griz, but was a little worried the wolves might have found it that night. They didn't. I doubt they'd be aggressive over it anyways, BUT...with that said, we did pack the iron in.... JUST in case!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 02, 2010, 06:20:51 PM
By the way, clean skull and antlers weigh 37#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a little mass..... :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Shed Stud on December 03, 2010, 08:19:23 AM
Those swords are the stuff dreams are made of :drool: Congrads on the hard work and pay off!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Austrian Hunter on December 03, 2010, 02:42:03 PM
 :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike: :yike: Holly Bull!!  Congrats.... 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: bucklucky on December 03, 2010, 02:56:24 PM
By the way, clean skull and antlers weigh 37#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a little mass..... :IBCOOL:

OH MY!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on December 03, 2010, 03:27:38 PM
Where have I been.  This is my first time seeing this post.  And OMG nice bulls and a double.  Upmost Congrats.  You should be smiling the whole year. 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 03, 2010, 03:33:53 PM
 :brew:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: spottedhand on December 05, 2010, 07:31:32 PM
Monster, congrats ! 
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: elkslare on December 06, 2010, 08:38:18 AM
Hoooly chit, What a freaking toad Ernie :drool: Absolute pig. Persistence paid off  :tup: CONGRATS

  I am with Ross on this one {you wanta trade}  :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

                                          :brew:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: jager on December 13, 2010, 05:34:05 AM
Wow I missed this post! Congrats! :brew:

Great story..... Incredible bull!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: dkecoleman on December 13, 2010, 09:27:54 PM
Incredible bull, congrats, It's nice to see hard work pay off once in awhile. Stories like that keep all us tag-eaters going.
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 16, 2010, 07:04:58 AM
Ok, now that the skull is actually "final" clean and on an official scale, the rack weighs 32#...not the 37 that I was dreaming up!  :dunno:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on December 16, 2010, 07:18:26 AM
Ya, pretty soon you'll be telling us it was a 340 bull instead of a 380.   :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Machias on December 16, 2010, 07:54:35 AM
 :chuckle:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 16, 2010, 08:48:21 AM
ummm...  :o  if that is the case, someone cut about the first 4 inches off my tape!!!!! :chuckle: nah... It is impossible for him to go less than 370 gross... but I think 376-378 is more realistic... then again...it could be more.

God darn, I'll take a pic of the rack all bleached and nice today... what a fricken toad.... I cant get any work done today because he's at my office and is Very Distracting!      :brew:

:llam:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: boneaddict on December 16, 2010, 02:47:19 PM
I think you'd have to do more than boil him to make him a 340 bull.   Like maybe sawsall him or something in order to get him through your front door.   :)
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: mack2255 on December 17, 2010, 03:57:03 PM
 :kneel:
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Hornseeker on December 19, 2010, 07:43:42 AM
I know I'm the only one that cares....but yesterday I broke out the masking tape and a marker and the steel tape and followed a well written and illustrated article in the last Eastmans Journal on how to score a bull. I tried really hard to be as accurate as possible and I made sure I didn't fudge him big... and I ended up with a nice little number, 383 7/8.....  However...I also increased my deductions to 9 5/8, so he ends up at 374 2/8....

I'll get him officially scored (not sure why really) at the end of January.... and we'll see how close I am. Hopefully this guy can find another 2/8 somewhere!!!!
Title: Re: The Big ONE(Hornseekers insane Bull! Story and pics added)
Post by: Ironhead on December 19, 2010, 09:56:38 AM
Wow Ernie, I keep coming back to look at this bull he is absolutely gorgeous. When I close my eyes and imagine a giant typical Elk, your bulll is what I see. Congrats once again on a magnifecent animal.
Steve
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