30-378shtr Report post Posted December 6, 2008 First of all, I have to say that I am very proud of my Dad. I am absolutely amazed that my dad, at age 61, was not only able to hike down to where this bull was, but also hike all the way out without aid. We were hunting an area with BIG, STEEP canyons in which my brother and our friend had found some shooter bulls scouting (for this hunt). These canyons offered cover and relief of hunting pressure simply by the remoteness and ruggedness of the terrain. We had spotted this bull late in the afternoon from our vantage point across the canyon. My brother in law spotted a speck of tan, and after we set up the tripod and binos, we realized this was probably a shooter bull. We kept an eye on this bull and a smaller bull as we waited for my dad and brother to reach our location. The bulls were calmly feeding and milling about on the roughly 70 degree inclined slope. A short time later, my dad arrived to look at the bull. He took a quick look and decided this was a good bull. The slope of the canyon we were perched atop did not allow for a good prone shot, which is typically needed for this 725 yard shot. Luckily, my dad had practiced shooting with the tripod adapter which I bought a few weeks ago. "The Claw" as the company calls it, clamps your gun sturdily into your tripod. Using the tripod as a steady rest, he was able to hold perfectly on the kill zone. One great shot, and the bull was down! There was no way were going to make it to the bull before dark, so we held off until daylight. We made a gameplan that I would go back to the shooting location and walk the guys down the canyon to where the bull was last seen. It took the guys a couple hours to work their way down to the area, but in the meantime I was able to glass up about 6" of the bulls antler behind some brush. When they reached the area, I soon heard shouts of joy. The bull hadn't gone 10 yards across the hill, but he did roll down hill about 20 yards. Now the "fun" part began of packing him out. Needless to say, we boned him out there rather than carrying quarters up that nasty canyon. Now, before anyone starts complaining about the ethics of the distance, let me state these facts. 1. he was shooting a .300 rem ultra mag and a 200 gr. Accubond bullet (plenty of energy at that distance) 2. we have mapped this gun and trajectory out past 1000 yards (actual shooting, not just on the computer) 3. we had an ubelievable shooting platform with the tripod and "the claw" 4. we even used a co-sign indicator to correct for the angle of shot 5. the day prior we had successfully "killed" two rocks at 900 yards 6. there was no possible way to cut the distance Enjoy, Shane. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Congrats to your Dad! That is a very nice bull. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ernesto C Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Holly caw!! That's what dream are made of!! Two thumbs way up for you guys!! I know your dad is proud of you too! Congrats! was your hunt on 6b? Ernesto C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mountaingoat Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Way to go on the bull. And good job for your dad. Keep the ol guys hunting! That is the first time I have seen the "claw". I should have been the one that invented that. Very cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Archer Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Wow what a nice bull great job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Shane Smith by chance??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willhunt4coues Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Congrats to your dad on a great bull Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soazarcher Report post Posted December 7, 2008 Congrats on another SMOKER! Thats a great bull for any late hunt. The CLAW is deadly!!! It is racking up some serious credentials this year. Tell dad congrats, Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZantlerhead Report post Posted December 8, 2008 Trully awesome guys, wayto go!!!!!! were you in 27 by chance? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ultrahunter Report post Posted December 8, 2008 Congrats!!! I say if you can accurately shoot that far go for it! I personally can't, that's why I bow hunt now, but good for him! Awsome bull!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Payne Report post Posted December 8, 2008 What a pretty bull! Hope I can still get around like that at that age! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkaddict Report post Posted December 8, 2008 When you have the right setup and you practice for , I say go for it!! Absolutley beautiful bull!! Congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BRYCE CANYON Report post Posted December 10, 2008 Nice bull! Is that a Night Force scope on your dads rifle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
30-378shtr Report post Posted December 10, 2008 Thanks for all the replies guys. We were really happy with the hunt. These late hunts can be really tough to find a good bull that isn't all busted up. This was in unit 22 for those of you that asked. It sure pays off to scout, practice, and have the right equipment. My dad could not of made that shot without a proven gun/load, sturdy tripod, 'the claw', and good nightforce scope. Good luck to everyone with those coveted Dec tags!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
