HEADACHE Report post Posted September 17, 2010 So another awesome hunt comes to an end. I had put in this year with my buddy Woody, his first every archery elk hunt and tag, he was super excited. It was my third archery tag in the past 16 yrs. We were not expecting to get drawn, he had a rifle tag last yr and I had an archery tag 2008. First few days, we didn't see or hear much activity rut-wise. We got into a few bulls that were 350 class. never closed enough distance to make it happen. I had scouted a bit during the summer and came up with a few good bulls. They were hard to find once the 250 other trailers with extra hunters and spotters started rolling on in. Few days ago I called in a small-ish 4x4 in the middle of the day using a soft estrus whine.... Woody took two shots at him, what a rush! Sat a nice tank one night, had 5 bulls come thru, nothing to shoot at. Sunday morning we saw a ton of action, 5 bulls rutting hard out in a huge meadow, cows moving all around, a 345 6x6 fighting with a large 5x5 made for some awesome entertainment.... right activity.... wrong bulls ha ha. We got close, but no cigars.... Monday morning we had found a great spot and heard some monsters, saw a few great bulls and couldn't get close enough. Tuesday morning had us out in the same field, split up though, I had a 360 class bull raking a tree at 27 yards, but could have only shot him in the head..... not my favorite shot. He backed out and pushed his cows for 6 miles up this draw onto the mountain top... I was 100 yards away the entire trek. Once they began to bed, another hunter came wandering thru blowing his cow call like it was a cow-calling-parade.... My bull spooked off never to be seen or heard from again. Onto the next bull one ridge over, I stalked to a mad bull bedded under a cedar to 20 yards, until the wond swirled and busted. Meanwhile Woody had killed a 5x6 who had nicely crossed an old logging road and stopped out in front of him at 30 yards.... broadside... looking the other way.... Woody nailed him. We spent the rest of that morning gutting, cleaning, and trying to hump that big boy into the back of his truck. Wednesday morning I was back in the same field trying to get inside that magic archery circle that bulls don't like you in. It was still rather dark out when I caught sight of this small 6x6. He was calling and pushing his cows up the hill. (Thursday is my youngest boys birthday. He was born 2002 the year of my first Archery Elk tag.... I missed his birthday... wife is still upset about it.... 2008 I got drawn, shot a nice 340 bull... missed his birthday again .... my wonderful wife still won't let me forget about it... ) my little brain is telling me, "he's not very big, but You'd better shoot this bull!" I Clicked him at 50 yards.... pulled my new Z7 and let er rip. ....... Missed high! Bull jumped and listened for sound.... I'd love to think my new bow is so quiet he only heard the arrow whizzing past...... I reloaded and clicked him at 62 yards, quartering hard away..... not an easy shot, sounded like it hit a tree limb! Loud! I saw the bull hunch up and tear off! Missed again I thought!!! I sneaked up to the spot and began looking for blood or an arrow........ couldn't find either one! Dangit I missed! "Stone you stink!" I was telling myself..... I Clicked on my GPS and marked the spot, Just to be safe, then I called woody on the radio. I followed the bulls tracks for about 20 yards. Found half an arrow and paper plate sized blood spot.... all dark red! I thought I hit him high or back too far..... not the picture I wanted to see for sure. Began tracking specks of blood for about ten yards and looked up to see him completely expired! Whoo Hooo! Turns out the shot was perfect, entered middle-back of ribs, Double lunged him and lodged in his far shoulder. Spent that morning dressing and loading him and loading up camp. It is so nice to be home, rested, and showered up ..... WAITING..... on the birthday cake! Life is great! woodys camera phone not so dialed in ha ha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rag Horn Report post Posted September 17, 2010 wow nice bull... enjoy the birthday cake Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Great story. Awfully nice of you to tag out to make your sons birthday. I don't know why, but I absolutely love hearing stories of people missing births of their children because they were not only hunting, but tagged out that same day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Very nice! Thanks for sharing your hunt! Where is the pic of Woody's bull? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HEADACHE Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Very nice! Thanks for sharing your hunt! Where is the pic of Woody's bull? I'll let him post up his story. but here's both of them in back of his truck. His left, mine right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KaibabHunter Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Excellent job! Glad he didn't go far for ya. It's a sinking feeling when u don't find em right away. Great bull! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwoGuns Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Good work Stone. Wondered when I would get to see your bull. Funny thing is my boy's bday is the 25th...same day as my first day of my bull hunt last year. Bad family planning on our part I suppose. D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirogue Report post Posted September 17, 2010 congratulations. Thanks for the story Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Congratulations on a great Bull Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Great job guys. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Nice bulls and good writeup. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arizonahunter Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Awesome job gentelman!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
couespatrol Report post Posted September 17, 2010 Excellent!!! Congrats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
