jgabler Report post Posted October 8, 2011 The hunt started out pretty hard for us in our unit. My little sister, my dad, and I all 3 had drawn the archery bull tags and were looking forward to a great hunt. The first morning I was by myself and was anxiously waiting to start following the bulls I had been listening to for 2 hours in the early morning darkness when it got light enough to move. Before I could, about 4 or 5 other hunters also had the same plan because they just swarmed the area. I still walked around, but ran into 3 other hunters that morning. That afternoon I had went to a bedding area that I knew of and sat there and waited. When it was about 30 minutes before dark, I decided that I was going to start hiking out. Well, I should have looked directly behind me because a 320 bull was standing there looking at me for I don't know how long at about 30 yards. Well that got blown. The next morning I went to another area and was following the screaming bulls, but they were just a bit too far for me to find before they decided to quit calling in the morning. I had plans of going into the same area that night, but some kids came into the area and shot 4 or 5 different types of guns all day long. They must hve shot a thousand rounds and scared the elk out of the area for the next 4-5 days. After this the hunt just got tougher because everywhere we went we ended up running into at least 3 other hunters each day and it rained every afternoon from about 1 pm to 2 am. The bulls were starting to come around though and were beginning to herd cows up. Fast forward to the afternoon of the 17th. We found a lot of bulls bugling and I tried stalking one great big bull who was limping quite a bit and was skirting the herd bull and cows. I made it very close and another bull came out into te opening so I ranged him at 50 yards and decided I would try for the shot. I pulled my bow back and just as I hit full draw, my release flew apart and my arrow went sailing through the air toward the bull. I was not expecting this so I had no idea where the arrow went, I just knew it hit something hard. I looked for about two hours and into the dark and found nothing. So we decided to come back to the area the next morning and I would look for my arrow while my dad and sister hunted. With luck the next morning, I found my arrow stuck in a tree about halfway in between where I shot from and where the elk was standing. I was relieved that there was not a wounded elk out there. So I knew the other two were on the ridge across from me following a bull that was bugling like crazy, and there was a bull on the ridge where I was bugling back and forht with it. So I decided I would stalk in between the two bulls to see if one would draw the other in. When I got to where I was going I had just set up when all of a sudden I heard the beating sound of many heavy footsteps running right towards me from my dad and sisters direction. I looked up and there were about 6-7 cow elk running right at me, and just behind them was their bull. I didn't even have time to count points, I just saw the frame of the bull and knew that he was a good enough bull for me if given the chance. The lead cow was walking right towards me and was about 12-13 yards away when she noticed me in her path. She didn't know what I was so she started skirting around me because the bull was pushing the cows to keep moving. As the cows walked by one by one, the bull got closer and closer and my heart pounded harder and harder. He was about 20 yards away and walked behind a juniper tree so I pulled my bow back and waited for him to come out. Well, he didn't waist no time walking through and out he came at about 17 yards so I let my arrow fly. I hit him slightly high, but right behind the fold of the shoulder and saw the blood come runniing out immediately. He lunged forward and I bugled at the same time. He ran twenty yards and then looked around for a little bit. He then ran to the bottom of the hill about 70 more yards to stop and look around again and started wobbling. I couldn't believe it all. He then ran up the next hill for another 60 yards or so and I heard him crash. I was so excited and started jumping up and down and was bugling like crazy to get my dad and sisters attention. We found eachother and come to find out, they were stalking the bull up on the ridge for the third time and happened to jump them, which scared the bull right to me. I wish one of them could have gotten him, but I was and still am excited about the whole thing. I'll post better pics later when I get them from my dad, but this is what I have for now He had a weird deformation, like some of the other posts have had too. Had he matched the good side with his 43 inch spread he has now, he would have been about 355, but he measures at 312 without deductions. His G1 on the right side is half the length of the other side, he is completely missing his G2, and his main beam is 9" shorter on the right than the left, But who's scoring right! This was a great hunt for me, I just wish my dad and sister could have gotten one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ernesto C Report post Posted October 8, 2011 Yea who cares about the score? That's a very nice bull and above all it was a excellent time and hunt for you. Congratulations on a nice bull and thanks for sharing the story. Ernesto C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted October 8, 2011 Thats a nice bull, congrats. Nice write up as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgabler Report post Posted October 10, 2011 Yeah. I took it to Millers there at Clints Wells just to let it hang since we do our own meet cutting, and they said it was the heaviest elk they had this year at the time and the second heaviest ever from around there. It's four quarters alone weighed 490 pounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunting6 Report post Posted October 10, 2011 That is a really nice bull ! great story and I am glad you were able to take him. Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azmetalman Report post Posted October 10, 2011 Thanks for the great story and the pics of a great bull. I am curious about your release. Had it been in use for a long time?? Brand and Model?? I am considering a number of different releases at the moment. I recognize that all products have some rate of failure and don't consider a single incident as being statistically significant. It is good to gather as much info as possible. I am glad that your accident didn't include any injuries to you. Again....CONGRATULATIONS!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apache7mm Report post Posted October 10, 2011 cool looking bull, good job and congrats on the archery success. DAN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muzzlehunter75 Report post Posted October 10, 2011 Congrads on a great bull. Dam 490 for 4 quarters, he must of been a monster! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgabler Report post Posted October 12, 2011 It was a Tru Fire release. It was supposed to have a locknut on it that held it together. Well the locknut didn't work and that's when it decided to finally come apart. Just goes to show that you should check all your equipment regularly, not just what you are shooting (Gun or Bow). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
couesntime Report post Posted October 12, 2011 Very nice bull. Beats getting your truck and trailer all sideways! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NOFX Report post Posted October 18, 2011 Very nice bull. Beats getting your truck and trailer all sideways! Ha, Ill second that one. Good job bud and great Bull. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgabler Report post Posted October 27, 2011 Very nice bull. Beats getting your truck and trailer all sideways! That it does for sure Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jgabler Report post Posted October 27, 2011 Finally got the rest of the pics..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
