azryan Report post Posted September 17, 2008 My Friend Russel finally got his chance to take his first bull. It took him eight years to draw the tag. Our group was consisted of 3 guys: Russel, James and I. James has a very rare case of MS, only 40,000 people in the world are diagnosed with they type he has. It was a pleasure having him on the hunt. James is very passionate about archery hunting and has killed his fair share of animals. His days of hunting are numbered due to his MS. So this hunt was dedicated to James. Russel and James were up 5 days before the hunt and built on the scouting we had started 4 months prior to the hunt. The rut was weak and the bulls were hard to call in. We did manage to call in a few bulls some decent but not worthy of Russel's tag quite yet. We hunted hard every day and everything worked out on the evening of the fourth day. That afternoon James went out to an area that he wanted to look at while Russel and I went into an area that I was in the night before and saw two really good bulls. We waited it out the rest of the day and started walking back to my truck, then we heard a bull bugle of in the distance. Another bull answered back that was no more then 200 yards from us. Russel got setup 40 yards in front of me, while I stayed back and started to call. That bull bugled back every time I called. I called one last time and it did him in. He came in running and glunking. He then stopped and bugled 50 yards from Russel. he then cleared the thick brush and showed himself . I could not see his antlers only a small section of his body. Russel drew his bow back and held it for about 30 seconds, then he let his arrow fly. It nailed that bull hard and I started calling to get the bull to stop again. The bull had blood spraying out and staggered and stumbled 20 yards before hitting the ground. Russel and I met up and we were shocked at what just happened. So we backed out and went back to camp to meet James. When we told James what had happened, he smiled big and was the happiest man I have ever seen. We waited an hour and went back to the spot to find the bull. Russel was shooting the 2-Blade Rage. That broadhead really did its number on that bull. The entry and exit wounds were devastating. We found the arrow right away and then the bull. The joy in everyone's faces was priceless. Russel killed his first bull and was his first archery kill. We felt bad that James was not there to experience all the commotion that went down, but he was the happiest person alive at that moment he held the antlers of the bull. We got done packing him out after four hours work. Russel really deserved this bull and so did James. Hopefully James can get a couple more hunts in till his body really starts deteriorating. He cherishes every time he gets the chance to be outdoors since he knows his days are numbered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Thats awesome! Very nice bull! One question, how come its not going on the wall as a shoulder mount!?!?!?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZP&Y Report post Posted September 17, 2008 We got done packing him out after four hours work Excellent bull for sure!!!. Boy , I miss that hunt ... Nothing like Archery Elk in September! (still waiting) Hope James gets a chance at one to- ! Thanks for sharing! - The best 4hours you can spend in life AzP&Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Thats a heck of a nice bull. Good work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpotNStalk Report post Posted September 17, 2008 That is awesome. Sounds like one for the books... Thanks for sharing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Great Bull, glad you had good success. That bull has some pretty good fronts, nice job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZBAR Report post Posted September 17, 2008 SWEEEEEEEET! Congrats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Thanks for sharing Ryan. That is a great looking bull and a great story to go with it. Isn't the feeling of success like that the greatest feeling there is? Glad you had good friends to hunt with and to have shared such a memorable moment in life. Congratulations to all of you. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Nicely done gypsy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunterdude Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Great story! Glad to hear that the hunt went great for him and hope that he can get more time in the field! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bird Dog Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Very nice for sure! Looks like a great hunt was added with icing on the cake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Great bull! Great story! S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Great job! Thanks for sharing the story and pic's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllBoutHuntn Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Thats one nice looking bull! Always good to hear stories like that where you get to share the enjoyment of a hunt with good friends!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noel Arnold Report post Posted September 17, 2008 Great bull and even better story !!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites