Had a great elk hunt

[azhuntnut]

I was lucky enough to once again draw an early bull archery tag. My plan was to shoot a bull I named "Whistler" that I had been watching for quite some time, but you know how that goes. I chased him, plus one other bull for most of the ten days I hunted. On the fifth day of my hunt I had a about a 360 bull come in and give me a 45 yard broadside shot only to have my shoulder dislocate half way into my draw. He noticed me tryin to get in back in and ran out to 60, but I was even able to get my bow back even an inch at this point. I have never had this happen to me in the 18 years I have been shooting a bow. I guess it wasn't meant to be.

 

"Whistler" always seemed to keep some bulls between me and him and then disappear every morning. Finally on the 6th day of my hunt I found him beded up, but he didn't want to come to my calls. I found him at 9am and stayed with him until 3 when he moved to a ridge to some water. At one point I had a down hill 50 yard shot at him, but only had a 2 foot hole to shoot through and didn't want to take a chance and wound him so I let him walk.

My little cubby hole I set up at the water. I spent over twenty hours waiting.

Had my video camera set up to record the action, but he didn't come down the right trail.

 

I proceded to sit this same body of water every evening and on the Sunday night he came down to drink, but the wind shifted and he was gone. I kept getting into bulls every morning passing on some really good ones just to shoot Whistler. Finally on Monday; the last night of my hunt, I called in a really nice bull to the water, but I couldn't get closer than 100 yards. While making my stalk, a bull bugled just to the left of me and scared off the bull. I made my move to get closer to him and when he gave me a broadside shot at 62 yards I let the carbon fly. The Stinger broadhead double lunged him and he only went about 15 yards and tipped over dead. I think it is the fastest I have ever seen a bull expire. He is a pretty old bull and on his way down. He only had one ivory left and tipped the scales at 410lbs. This was the 12th bull I had called into bow range during the hunt.

 

My buddy that was hunting with me still hadn't had an opportunity to shoot a bull. It was his first archery hunt and I really wanted him to be successful. So on Tuesday morning we got back out there hoping the bulls would be ready for action, but all was quiet and we only heard 4 bugles by 6:50. I could tell he was really down, but made the decision to head back to the Ranger and get loaded up for the drive home. After we came down on the mountain I heard a faint bugle in the distance and could instanly tell that it was Whistler and he had a 5x5 that was running with him that I knew I could call in since I had already done it six times in the past week. We started running back up the mountain and got on top again and I started givin some cow calls and light bugles and he started our way. When he got a little closer I started to break some branches to let him know I was lookin for a fight. When he topped over the small ridge I let him get a good look at my Montana decoy and started to reel him in. I could see my buddy was at full draw and when the bull cleared the trees he smoked him at 13 yards with the Stinger broadheads also. The bull fell within 20 yards of us. He was so happy I think he might have even shed a tear or two.

 

This was by far one of the most strenuous hunts I have had in a while, but it sure was a bunch of fun. I can't wait until next year to do it again. I will post a short video of Whistler once I get it downloaded. David

[Heat]

Right On! Sounds like you guys had a heck of a hunt. Congratulations to both of you on killing nice bulls. I love that 5x5. Yours looks like an old bruiser! Way to get it done!

 

Nick

[mje1]

Great job on some nice bulls, cant wait to go again maybe next year.

[Chef]

Congrats to the both of you!

Can't wait for the vid.

[cramerhunts]

Congrats on a couple nice bulls! Looking forward to the video, that's too bad about your shoulder.

[azhuntnut]

Here is the video. I only have a short clip of him since I didn't want to pressure him since it was the day before my opener. This bull would only bugle with a high pitch whistle so I was always able to seperate him from the others. He did the same thing last year. Watch for the collared cow that comes out just before him. He sure would have looked good next to my other bull on the wall. David

[buffhunter]

Congrats guys great job and way to stay persistent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TrentSwanson]

Congratulations David!!

 

Great bull and nice tripod, too...

[bonecollector]

Congrats to both of you on your bulls. I can see why you wanted whistler, he looks to be a good bull.

[CouesWhitetail]

Great job!

Congratulations to you both and thanks for sharing the hunt details and video.

[antlers]

Great story and congratulations. Sorry to hear about your shoulder that had to have hurt! Ouch!!!

[The Coues]

Great job!! Great bull!!!

[mcelkhunter]

Congratulations!! Whistler is a pretty nice bull!

[lucky2hunt]

Way to go! Great bulls! The video is awesome as well, no wonder you were chasing him. +1 on the shoulder... OUCH! Speaking from experience, I don't know how you pulled your bow again, it took me surgery and 6 months before I could shoot again!

[azhuntnut]

Thanks for all the great comments, we really had a great time in the woods. As for the shoulder, my left one used to do it all the time and I would just role it back into the joint, but this was the first time the right one popped out that much. I think if it wasn't for being in such good physical condition, I doubt I could have continued, plus I am really hard headed and won't quit. I am going to go get it checked out next week. David