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I never have been much for scouting, probably why I will never take a truly great trophy. Preseason scouting for Coues deer is hot, the older I get the less I like the heat, nope not really into it. Hit it hard during the hunt and leave no regrets on the table for lack of effort usually has brought about the smiles of success. Works for us. Scratch all that. My daughter Sarah drew a late season bull tag and my son and I spent a few days before her hunt poking around in some of our old honey holes and a couple of new ones. Coues79 had just taken a really nice bull in the late archery hunt and shared some insight on what he had been seeing, and he had been into them hard. Hunting solo he tagged out on the third day of the hunt and brought out his bull alone. Dane, my son and I had a group of four bulls patterned or so we thought and then " Whitey Bullger" showed up. Changed everything. We hunted Whitey the first two mornings and never could locate him again…or the four other bulls. So much for our scouting. The change in weather may have had something to do with all that, cold and extreme wind. But hey it's an elk hunt, so we pushed through it and saw elk, even a few bulls. Sarah getting some snuggle time with Kolt, man that sun feels good at 15 degrees! Took a big walk in the dark one morning and picked up 3 mature bulls about an hour into light and put a vertical stalk on them. When we got to where they were I ranged them at 305 yards. 355 yards into disappointment, but we walk the line. We have always managed to get it done without a truly long range rifle, have always been able to close that gap, but I'm going to put the wheels in motion after watching a handful of truly big bulls bed, and feed from 500 to 750 yards. We set up on a nice bull at 423 yards in his bed but got greedy when a stud came down the ridge at about 475 yards and we willed him to come down about fifty yards closer. Didn't work, they both ended up feeding over the top. Heres some toads at 650. Biggest bull has his head down, of course. Grind on…up several hours before light, cold… leave the truck and it's a vertical hike, always. Back after dark, do it again. Can't imagine being prouder of Sarah, she toughed it out for five days, walking 8-10 miles each day, passed a boat load of bulls, some solid five points and small sixes, ( I strongly suggested one five in particular, heavy antlered bull, nope…. killing me) But she has confidence in her rifle. And we all knew what she could do when it's crunch time. I like a Bipod on a rifle, when you get that opportunity, but there is something to be said about an off hand shot at a moving bull 150 yards through the trees. Can't believe she inherited that from her grandpa, Sarah gets it done! 139 Grain Hornady Interbond out of a 7mm - 0Lark, found under the skin on the far side, weighed out at 144 grains, must have picked up a little bone going through. Nice entrance! Beautiful girl… beautiful rifle! Like to thank my brother Brian, Son Dane, Sarahs boyfriend Kolt, and Coues79 Jeff, for all of their help and selflessness to make this happen. It was good!