azpredator@work Report post Posted November 9, 2014 This would be my first year hunting in Wyoming. It's been a trip I've planned for 5 years and I wanted to make the most of it. I would be heading out with my good friend Randy and we would be meeting Doug who was driving from Minnesota. I've only hunted elk solo so this would be a welcome change. Both Randy and Doug are much more experienced hunters than I am so I was anxious to spend time in camp with them listening to their stories of past hunts. My wife caught me in a surprise pic studying maps while referencing google earth and other map programs on the internet.I spent a lot of time preparing for this hunt. In the end, we found elk everywhere we looked. Checking gear and making a new dozen arrows. All of these types of things get me fired up for the upcoming hunt. With everything organized, condensed and ready I just had to get through the last day of work. I was prepared for whatever the mountains would throw at me. After a 22 hr drive we arrived to 16" of snow. Our hunt area was in the middle of wilderness (high elevation) and private (low elevation) and we watched as dozens of elk appeared to be in a migratory path to lower elevations. We were a little worried watching herd after herd pass through....we heard hunters talk abouit seeing hundreds of head of elk congregating a few days later on the private land. We hunted out of a 12x20 alaknak with a stove so we were nice and comfy. With the cold weather and a broken water heater we weren't able to shower 'til our 8th day. We basically went our separate ways each day and returned to camp after dark, ate dinner, told each other of our day and went to bed exhausted. We saw many types of big game and small game animals that kept the hunt interesting and filled my head of future endeavors in this beautiful land....moose, tons of deer and elk, sage hens, etc. The landscape was vast and the elk were a long ways apart from each other. I spent a lot of time getting into shape to maximize my effectiveness in the field. When I got there, it seemed like it didn't help a bit. The air was thin and the mountains were tall! On Doug's last day I hunted with him and after a long hike straight up the mountain (1400 vertical feet) we heard Doug's bull bugle. After the 3rd bugle I told Doug "let's go kill your bull". 1.5 hours later we were in position and Doug killed his bull at 12 yards. I was able to film an over the shoulder kill shot which will provide Doug with years of joy. On the 2nd to last day I shot my bull as light was fading. I glassed him on the opposite hill and made a mad dash to get between him and his cows. This would be my 7th encounter with a bull in shooting range and I was going to make things happen. As the bull raked a small tree I inched forward to the last small bush between me and him. I ranged him as he continued to rake his tree and came to full draw with him unaware. I completed my pre-shot checklist and released. Perfect hit! He collapsed dead in less than 4 seconds after a 50 yard run. I never saw the 350" class bull I was hoping for, but the experience in a new land hunting with new hunting buddies proved to provide a lifetime of memories. Can't wait for new memories to come from Wyoming as I have plenty of deer and antelope points to keep me busy the next couple years Heading home loaded... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted November 9, 2014 very nice, congratulations. what were the dates of your hunt? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goinhuntn Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Awesome story & pictures congrats to you and your buddy on fine bulls!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shedhunteraz Report post Posted November 9, 2014 What an awesome story. Huge congrats on your hunt. Great bulls Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Redman - my tag was good for the entire month of September. We hunted the 12-27th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeke-BE Report post Posted November 9, 2014 What a hunt!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capoeirajosh Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Sounds like you had an awesome hunt!! Congrats to both of you on some fine bulls. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Redman - my tag was good for the entire month of September. We hunted the 12-27th. very nice, I have been putting in for Wyoming for a couple of years and building points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
308Nut Report post Posted November 9, 2014 Very nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WampusCat Report post Posted November 18, 2014 Great post. Those pictures tell a great story of what you went through. I always like to see the DIY guys get it done. Similar to you I am planning a few years out, but still in the beginning stages. How many points did you have built up to draw? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 18, 2014 Awesome story bud. Looks like you took a nice bull, 330-335? It has been a good year for you. No falling down a mountain this trip? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
223VARMINTER Report post Posted November 18, 2014 Looks like an awesome trip and congrats on the success Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted November 18, 2014 Great pictures and write up! Congratulations on a couple of nice bulls and an all around super trip. Looks like you put the effort and time in to ensure your success before ever leaving, nicely done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted November 19, 2014 @ Wcat - the 3 of us drew this tag with the following pts. 5,3,3. We paid the extra money for the better draw odds. Lance - grossed right under 325 and netted 318. I figured he was a little under 330" and it wasn't much of a surprise when I grabbed onto his rack. Just glad he wasn't broken up and still looked good. As for injuries....one broken toe that never slowed me down. Plenty of slipping, falling and questionable decision making during this hunt, but we have all year to recuperate - right? Thanks for the comments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
