No Bull but great hunt with family

[fudipena]

Well I was able to accompany my son (Andrew) and his girlfriend (Sarah) on her first ever hunt and to top it off it was a 16a 3rd archery hunt. Boy let me tell you that we were all exicited about this hunt that i think that we lead her up to much hype on how awsome this hunt is that she set her goal high and kept to it the whole three days that we hunted. It started on friday (9/19/08) that first morning found us leaving the truck in the dark to hike the mile and a half to the area that we wanted to hunt. As we were walking in 4-5 different bulls started to sound off and it was great to see the look on my wife's face she, never has been on a rut hunt until that day. The rut was slow but it was nice to be out there. At light found us set up and starting to work on getting this Bull in, we did get him in but just not close enough, my son kept spotting this bull at about 80 yards out and no matter what we did he would not close the distance, tried to work this bull until 10:00 A.M., then backed out and left him alone. That afternoon found us back in the same spot but, this time no elk to be found. So, we moved to another area that we knew where there was a few bulls working. Well low and behold they were there, so we got Sarah into position as myself and her dad stayed about 50 yards behind them and started calling, this time we got one to come in but she passed on this small bull 3x4 and stated that she wanted a bigger one and the first day came to a end.

Day two found us at it again. Same as the first day we worked hard but no bull in close enough. we did have a spike bull come in but found her passing on this one also. So, we backed out once again to get us some lunch. After lunch found us going to check out another area when we spotted 5 bulls together working a finger. So, we stalked into the 5 bulls and we knew it was on and this was going to be her chance. After about a half mile hike and onto the saddle that they were heading to we spot the first bull which was a nice 5x5 that was followed by what me and andrew told her was a really big bull 6x6 about 360, so we set her up and the bull came in to 20 yards broadsided, as i watched and she would not shoot, thats when I herd her ask Andrew where is her release and he stated that he didn't know. That's when we found out that she dropped it, (she shoots with a thumb release) and she panicked and they all ran off. It was sad to see her get her hopes up high to make a mistake like that, but you got to learn from your mistakes and we laughed it off as we told her that she would get another chance, thats when we found out that her release was in her back pocket. Talk about BULL FEVER That evening we got into some more elk and found her passing on 2 small bulls and unknown how many other cows. As the night was getting close myself and Andrew told her that she should consider one of the small bulls possibly just to fill her tag.

Day three found us at it again this time things started out fast for us. The first bull to come in was a nice 5x5 but just would not present her a shot. shortly after found us on 3 other bulls together and once again we were in position but no shot once again, got busted on the draw. As we were making our way back to the truck found us on a nice 5x6 and about 20 cows this was the first true rut action that we seen so far. Well after getting in front of them found us in position once again. As the cows started to come in at about 30 yards we thought that the bull would follow them, so we started to count the cows, the there is a bull a small 4x4 and she passes would you imagine that, waiting on the big bull and he didn't come in.

Well after all of that i gained more respect for this young lady and her setting a goal and keeping it no matter what we tried to do to convience her to take any elk on her first hunt. She would state that "you guys said that you will put me on big bull's and all I had to do is shoot it" At the end of the hunt my wife told me that I need to put her into this hunt next year because she wants to give it try, this is great because we have been married for 20 years now and this is the first time that she ever told me this, even after all the other times i tried to get her to do this. Like I siad no Bull but a great learning experience and lots of fun to be had.

 

Thanks,

 

Louie (ElkoholicRN)

[CouesWhitetail]

Awesome! Sounds like everyone enjoyed themselves. And how cool that your wife wants to try hunting now.

 

Amanda

 

[fatfootdoc]

Louie,

 

Well I hope I get into near the elk you did with my son on his junior hunt!! He cant hardly stand himself he wants to go so bad!! Of course his is a rifle and he has not ruled out anything at this point (either sex tag) If he is like me , he will say he wants antlers and then shoot a dink because he just cant help himself!! ag

[jamaro]

Louie

Great job... It sounds like you guys had a great time....

 

Jason