firstcoueswas80

Again thank you everyone. Jim, the only reason I would have the slightest regret in shooting that bull was because the hunt is over. I had such an enjoyable time, not just hunting but st camp with everyone. This is a hunt that I will never forget. It was worth the wait.

Ginoi think I have about half a pound you're welcome to.

If you supply the materials, I'd be happy to load 257 wby loads for you, I've got the dies.

So is this about me, or an officer involved shooting?

Ya never specified factory loaded. Try the 110 accubond load.

I'll say again.... The .257 ttsx comes in 100 grains as well. http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=BX25734

They make a100 ttsx it is extremely lethal, you won't be disappointed.

They were screaming in 9. Not responding even tO each other when I was there, but screaming none the less.

Yep, 36c about 5 years back

My guide had one and it looked awesome!

I just put a tape to him... Now, it matters not to me, but I did it the best I could and came up with 347 3/8 gross.

Thank you everyone. As you all can imagine, this hunt was extremely emotional for me. I almost didn't go with the passing of Papa, but I knew chasing bulls in Gods country would be the best thing for me, and I knew Papa would insist I go. I forgot to mention, in the evening, after we had my bull back at camp we were graced with one of the finest sunsets I have seen in a long while. I simply looked up at Papa, shed a single tear and enjoyed it.

Glock 27 gen 3 for the 20?

Mocha, I killed a bull on the 14th, posted the story. Thank you everyone, he is missed. I was wrong, it wasn't wild turkey, it was Yukon Jack so if anyone wants to pay tribute, that's the best way.

To start this off. I want to thank the entire crew at Mullins Outfitters, I called Jim the second I drew this tag and the planning was in the works. These guys did an outstanding job. Thank you so much Jim, Pops, Bryan, Glenn etc. After waiting 9 years for this tag, I finally drew it! I was excited to say the least. I bought the best gear for my bow I could, new strings, new rest, new arrows, broadheads etc. I spent countless hours researching arrows and broad heads, as well as shooting several different heads before deciding on the Easton Axis 300, Slick Trick 100 gr. Magnum, and Nockturnal lighted nocks. As I posted earlier, my grandfather passed two days before the hunt. Heartbreaking to myself and my family, but I knew I would have another set of eyes helping me on my hunt and boy did I! After a quick and safe travel to Tusayan, I met my guide, Bryan and camp cook extradionaire, Glen we were on our way to camp to get settled in and go look for some elk. Unit 9 was not what I picutred, flat sage meadows with rolling cedar hills... Made all those squats and lunges seem less important then I thought they would be. Opening morning found an area where Bryan had heard 14 bugles the morning before absolutely silent! Not a peep. We switched tactics and went to glassing. It didn't take long and I laid my eyes on my first unit 9 elk, a bull.... Side note here, that bull was about the exact size of my grandfathers largest bull... From that point on, I knew grandpa was indeed with me on the hunt, just like I had hoped he would be. The next day we switched spots and we were IN the elk! We had bulls screaming all around us, it was awesome! Bryan and I had basically agreed that the bulls were bedded by about 615-630 due to to the bright moon. That worked out ok for us, as we snuck into 42 yards from a bedded bull. Later that evening we were in the same area, sneaking in and again we were in the elk! We had 3-4 bulls all around us, and CLOSE but papa must not have thought any of them were the right bull for me as I only saw one small raghorn at about 90 yards. Bryan saw a bull or two and said they were nice, but I never did see them let alone a chance for a shot. Sunday morning, 9/14. I woke up with a good feeling about the hunt. It was my moms birthday, and I really felt connected to my grandpa when I looked up to the Heavens that morning and gave him his morning toast. Bryan and I headed off to the spot we had been in them thick and it didn't take long before we had the bulls bugling, some close and some far. We got the wind right and decided to try the other side of the meadow this morning. We could tell these bulls were moving away from us, but we had to keep going. And thats what we did. We picked out what sounded like 3 or 4 bulls bugling in close proximity and we headed that way. After a little over a mile, we were in the bulls bedroom. We were behind come cedars, but basically in the open when we picked up the strong scent of a bull, CLOSE! Bryan heard him coming and told me to get ready. I was already kneeling with an arrow nocked. I clipped my Scott release onto the Bowtech and settled into a shooting position. I could see the bull right before he stepped out and drew my bow. Now, this is the part where I KNOW Papa was with me. You know how bulls/bucks tend to only step out with their head and neck out into the clearing? Well this bull, my bull, Papas bull, took that one extra step where I could see his shoulder, and probably 3 ribs. I never looked at the bull, just focused on the pin. I saw he had really nice fronts. When I drew, I asked Bryan "how big, how far, how big, how far?" He said SHOOT! I repeated "how far?" Bryan was behind the bush a little more then I was so he could not get a clear range on the bull. He was able to get a range roughly half way to the bull and told me 44. I put the pin on him and squeezed. I saw my arrow go through and behind him, but wasn't sure of the shot, as it looked and felt a little low,but still in the chest. This, again is where my Papa was with me. The bull took two jumps, stopped and looked back, broadside. Bryan was able to get a good reading of 55. I wasted no time getting another arrow on the string, the pin settled and I squeezed off the trigger. Neither Bryan or I saw the shot, but heard the tell tale THUD, of the arrow hitting the chest cavity. We waited 15 minutes before going to look for the arrow. The first arrow was right at the shot, along with a little blood. There was no arrow at the second shot, but more, and better blood. We went back to the shot of the spot, got a good range on the first shot (48) and waited. I know everyone says the hour wait is the longest hour of their lives, but to me it went quick. I spent the time replaying the shot in my head, thanking Papa for the opportunity at such a beautiful bull, enjoying a dip of Levi Garret, and asking him and the man above for help finding the bull quickly, and for him to have died quickly with no suffering. As Bryan and I tracked the bull, we had solid blood. Not a lot, but solid, coming from both sides. About 30 yards from the second shot, we found my arrow, there was about 24" of arrow, including the broadhead still in the bull... That made us happy! We had absolutely no issues following his tracks, with blood about every 5 yards. About 60 yards later, I look up and see a beam under a tree shining in the sun. I knew exactly what it was, but it took me by surprise. Bryan and I commented on it at about the exact same time. I nocked an arrow and took a path where I could get a shot if need be. Needless to say, the bull was expired. I got to the bull and didn't even touch him for probably 2-3 minutes, I was so overcome with emotion about my Papa, the hunt, the experience, etc. I sat there and let all my emotions out for probably 5 minutes. Upon inspection, the first shot was low, but right through the shoulder and into the chest cavity, exiting and leaving nice blood. The second was a perfect double lung shot, with the broadhead hitting two ribs and stretching the hide on the other side BARELY not breaking the skin. This is where it gets bad... I LEFT MY CAMERA IN MY OTHER PACK! I have never done that before and I am such a bone head! Bryan was able to make some magic work and we got some good pictures with the camera phones. As we got the bull broke down and quartered, we were lucky enough to have Jeff, Body, and Clark from camp come and give us a hand! They were able to get the truck 3/4 of a mile from the downed bull and we only had to make a couple trips out. I feel so blessed to have been able to take part in the hunt, and take such a gorgeous bull, with my grandpa sitting there with me. I took the liver with me (Grandpa LOVED liver) and I gave my grandpa his final liver and drink of Yukon Jack in a very emotional event up in the pine trees, his favorite place.

Up in 4b with my dad, but here are a few more pictures. The slick trick definitely did the job!

I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when successful, what I worry about is injury. I'm clumsy and a sprained/broken type injury is very possible for me.

Any seamstress should be able to sew a new one on.

Wait until you hear the story.... You know how bulls tend to step out only show you head and neck? Well, with out a doubt my Papa made him take that extra step.

I've dreamt about a hunt like that (minus the solo part... I'm to clumsy) as long as I can remember! Good luck, be safe!

I'll be on the road by 0430. This year's hunt just took on a new meaning..... This one's for you papa!

I'm looking for a tripod attachment for Leica Trinovids... anyone got one?

Instead of towing the ranger, looks like I'll be towing the other ranger!

Nice buck perfect shot!

Not taking your bow is like not taking a rifle in coues country because you don't think you'll see a lion.