firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted September 17, 2014 To start this off. I want to thank the entire crew at Mullins Outfitters, I called Jim the second I drew this tag and the planning was in the works. These guys did an outstanding job. Thank you so much Jim, Pops, Bryan, Glenn etc. After waiting 9 years for this tag, I finally drew it! I was excited to say the least. I bought the best gear for my bow I could, new strings, new rest, new arrows, broadheads etc. I spent countless hours researching arrows and broad heads, as well as shooting several different heads before deciding on the Easton Axis 300, Slick Trick 100 gr. Magnum, and Nockturnal lighted nocks. As I posted earlier, my grandfather passed two days before the hunt. Heartbreaking to myself and my family, but I knew I would have another set of eyes helping me on my hunt and boy did I! After a quick and safe travel to Tusayan, I met my guide, Bryan and camp cook extradionaire, Glen we were on our way to camp to get settled in and go look for some elk. Unit 9 was not what I picutred, flat sage meadows with rolling cedar hills... Made all those squats and lunges seem less important then I thought they would be. Opening morning found an area where Bryan had heard 14 bugles the morning before absolutely silent! Not a peep. We switched tactics and went to glassing. It didn't take long and I laid my eyes on my first unit 9 elk, a bull.... Side note here, that bull was about the exact size of my grandfathers largest bull... From that point on, I knew grandpa was indeed with me on the hunt, just like I had hoped he would be. The next day we switched spots and we were IN the elk! We had bulls screaming all around us, it was awesome! Bryan and I had basically agreed that the bulls were bedded by about 615-630 due to to the bright moon. That worked out ok for us, as we snuck into 42 yards from a bedded bull. Later that evening we were in the same area, sneaking in and again we were in the elk! We had 3-4 bulls all around us, and CLOSE but papa must not have thought any of them were the right bull for me as I only saw one small raghorn at about 90 yards. Bryan saw a bull or two and said they were nice, but I never did see them let alone a chance for a shot. Sunday morning, 9/14. I woke up with a good feeling about the hunt. It was my moms birthday, and I really felt connected to my grandpa when I looked up to the Heavens that morning and gave him his morning toast. Bryan and I headed off to the spot we had been in them thick and it didn't take long before we had the bulls bugling, some close and some far. We got the wind right and decided to try the other side of the meadow this morning. We could tell these bulls were moving away from us, but we had to keep going. And thats what we did. We picked out what sounded like 3 or 4 bulls bugling in close proximity and we headed that way. After a little over a mile, we were in the bulls bedroom. We were behind come cedars, but basically in the open when we picked up the strong scent of a bull, CLOSE! Bryan heard him coming and told me to get ready. I was already kneeling with an arrow nocked. I clipped my Scott release onto the Bowtech and settled into a shooting position. I could see the bull right before he stepped out and drew my bow. Now, this is the part where I KNOW Papa was with me. You know how bulls/bucks tend to only step out with their head and neck out into the clearing? Well this bull, my bull, Papas bull, took that one extra step where I could see his shoulder, and probably 3 ribs. I never looked at the bull, just focused on the pin. I saw he had really nice fronts. When I drew, I asked Bryan "how big, how far, how big, how far?" He said SHOOT! I repeated "how far?" Bryan was behind the bush a little more then I was so he could not get a clear range on the bull. He was able to get a range roughly half way to the bull and told me 44. I put the pin on him and squeezed. I saw my arrow go through and behind him, but wasn't sure of the shot, as it looked and felt a little low,but still in the chest. This, again is where my Papa was with me. The bull took two jumps, stopped and looked back, broadside. Bryan was able to get a good reading of 55. I wasted no time getting another arrow on the string, the pin settled and I squeezed off the trigger. Neither Bryan or I saw the shot, but heard the tell tale THUD, of the arrow hitting the chest cavity. We waited 15 minutes before going to look for the arrow. The first arrow was right at the shot, along with a little blood. There was no arrow at the second shot, but more, and better blood. We went back to the shot of the spot, got a good range on the first shot (48) and waited. I know everyone says the hour wait is the longest hour of their lives, but to me it went quick. I spent the time replaying the shot in my head, thanking Papa for the opportunity at such a beautiful bull, enjoying a dip of Levi Garret, and asking him and the man above for help finding the bull quickly, and for him to have died quickly with no suffering. As Bryan and I tracked the bull, we had solid blood. Not a lot, but solid, coming from both sides. About 30 yards from the second shot, we found my arrow, there was about 24" of arrow, including the broadhead still in the bull... That made us happy! We had absolutely no issues following his tracks, with blood about every 5 yards. About 60 yards later, I look up and see a beam under a tree shining in the sun. I knew exactly what it was, but it took me by surprise. Bryan and I commented on it at about the exact same time. I nocked an arrow and took a path where I could get a shot if need be. Needless to say, the bull was expired. I got to the bull and didn't even touch him for probably 2-3 minutes, I was so overcome with emotion about my Papa, the hunt, the experience, etc. I sat there and let all my emotions out for probably 5 minutes. Upon inspection, the first shot was low, but right through the shoulder and into the chest cavity, exiting and leaving nice blood. The second was a perfect double lung shot, with the broadhead hitting two ribs and stretching the hide on the other side BARELY not breaking the skin. This is where it gets bad... I LEFT MY CAMERA IN MY OTHER PACK! I have never done that before and I am such a bone head! Bryan was able to make some magic work and we got some good pictures with the camera phones. As we got the bull broke down and quartered, we were lucky enough to have Jeff, Body, and Clark from camp come and give us a hand! They were able to get the truck 3/4 of a mile from the downed bull and we only had to make a couple trips out. I feel so blessed to have been able to take part in the hunt, and take such a gorgeous bull, with my grandpa sitting there with me. I took the liver with me (Grandpa LOVED liver) and I gave my grandpa his final liver and drink of Yukon Jack in a very emotional event up in the pine trees, his favorite place. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
standman Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Nicely done Casey. Great story and tribute to your grandfather. Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Awesome, thanks for posting the story and a huge congratulations! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rageinthesage Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Great write up Casey and great looking bull, congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZHog Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Awesome hunt and story Casey! Thanks for sharing your adventure with all of us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest 300ultramag. Report post Posted September 17, 2014 im more excited on how much you got to enjoy time with your grandpa! Sounds like you were blessed to have known him on such a level. Congrats to you sir. ps good choice on the slick trick! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6ANut Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Great tribute to your grandpa Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturegirl Report post Posted September 17, 2014 I love your writeup What a great experience and again an absolutely BEAUTIFUL bull! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted September 17, 2014 That's Awesome Casey! Congrats! Your grandpa would be very proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
120carp Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Great Write up Casey and great bull! Sometimes you just know when you get that extra help you need. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Str8Shot Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Nicely done... Amazing how being out there in the field with campfires and the heavens above we can feel so close to those who meant so much and are now gone. Great Bull and Story, one that will be shared for many campfires to come I am sure! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dustin F Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Awesome bull and very sorry to hear about your grandpa at least you know that is one life long hunting partner you can always count on in the woods 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertbowhunter Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Great write up. Great bull. Im sure your grandpa was smiling down on you that day. Great job! Cheers to your grandpa!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted September 17, 2014 Congrats....you deserved this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
