COOSEFAN Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Hey guys, I'm finally back and I'll try to get some pics' and a story on here tonight.....I'll add more as I get pic's off the video tapes tomorrow. I'll try to keep it short here, but that probably won't happen... The past couple of weeks have been an incredible adventure to say the least! During scouting we found some amazing bulls and even found several bulls that we've been hunting for several years! Before opening day we had several MONSTER bulls picked out and the plans were set! My brother Matt and Shortypants teamed up and set out after a bull Matt has nicknamed "Willy" and he's in that 390" class this year! I was teamed up with a good friend of mine, Jeff Wright, and our hunter was Don Roach from Tucson. We were to hunt an incredible 415-420" 8X8 on opening morning that we called "Ocho Grande". We found Ocho every time out for the previous 4 days and opening morning was no different! We had Ocho moving up to his bed and just when eveything was lining up, the wind changed and despite our efforts to out-run the wind....we got busted! That evening Matt and Shorty informed us that "Wrongway" (his beams turn up the wrong way) was hanging out close to Willy and they had no intentions of giving up on Willy, so we decided to give Ocho a break and go get a look at Wrongway. Popps had Wrongway move past him that morning and watched him bed down with a bunch of cows, so he took us in and we found him right where Popps left him! I hadn't seen Wrongway since last year when he was smaller, and as soon as I got the 15's on em'.........I knew it was this bull or nothing! Wrongway is the biggest typical framed bull I've ever seen alive and to see him on the hoof struttin' around just blows you away! We watched and patterned Wrongway all day and knew where he would water that evening so we devised a plan. Jeff would stay high and Don and I would set up on his route hoping to intercept him. Now, you need to realize that we are hunting country that would be hard to hunt even with a rifle, so getting close to 10 elk wasn't going to be easy! To make matters worse, the wind was rippin' across the prairie, but Wrongway got up and started pushing his girlfriends our way! With camera rolling, the cows started to veer our way at 130 yards to go through the saddle we set up in, but the majority of the herd decided to go up the side and out of range! I video taped Wrongway skyline around us at 100 yrds and then head on down to the water. We were excited to just have a bull of that caliber so close, and we knew we had an even better shot the following day if he bedded in the same place as before! We left Wrongway alone in the morning and hunted close to Matt and Shorty because of the amount of "shooter" bulls they were getting into. As luck would have it, we stumbled onto Willy and after a long and grueling belly crawl we realized it just wasn't going to happen, so we backed out hoping to not spook him. We then went and admired Wrongway as he watched over his harem that now included 10 more cows for a whopping total of 19! That's 38 eyeballs we had to fool and the wind was rippin' through just as bad as before! This time we set up on the opposite side of the saddle hoping he would take the same path as yesterday, but if they took the middle, the wind would get the lead cow possibly before Wrongway got there. We took our chances and sure enough the herd showed up and took the saddle! Wrongway was in the rear as the lead cow winded us and we had no shot. I cow called to calm them down but the herd bolted over the rise and Wrongway stayed back confused. I kept stopping him as he left and as soon as he disappeared I started doing a "lost calf" call. My desperate mews brought back 1 little cow who was going balistic trying to find the calf! She was calling nonstop and loud! We now had a chance, and all of a sudden I could see ears lined up over the ridgeline and coming our way! Soon the whole herd was visible and headin right for us with white ivory tips towering above and pullin' up the rear! My "decoy" cow, who is still mewing like crazy, is about 15 yards in front of us staring us down. Wrongway moves through the herd and lines up perfectly for a shot and stops broadside looking at the cow who just let him down! The shot was high but the tracking job lasted no farther than 1 yard! He dropped in his tracks and with a fast follow up shot he was down in no more than 1 minute! I can't explain how genuine Don's emotions were when this all happened, as well as my own. We knew this was a bull of several lifetimes and we knew how fortunate we were to just experience the hunt for Wrongway! I know some poeple think that most times guys who hire an outfitter and kill a bull like this don't deserve it.......and sometimes they are right. But that's not the case with Don and Wrongway.....Don practiced very hard and is a very accomplished and knowledgeable hunter, he knew how valuable his tag was and he wanted to make the most of it........I'm glad he asked us to help I'll get some live pic's of him during scouting and during the hunt on here later.......here's Mr. Wrongway! And here is the team.......Popps unfortunately missed the photo shoot, but we got em' in there later I know everyone's gonna ask what he scores.......and all I can say right now is that Shortypants had the honors of throwing a cable and tape on this beast and "conservatively" came up with 412 6/8" gross! We are firm believers in gross score and giving the critter credit for all the bone he grew. But I'm sure you all can see that this bull isn't going to lose much after deductions for a net score! I'll keep ya posted on what he finishes out at! Thanks, and I'll get some live pic's on here soon. JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GameHauler Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Thanks Jim, Great report and pictures, looking forward to more. Congrates to your team and the hunter, That is truley a GREAT Bull. Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arizona Griz Report post Posted September 22, 2007 We are firm believers in gross score and giving the critter credit for all the bone he grew. As most outfitters are. What a great bull. Congratulations to the hunter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted September 22, 2007 One word, "Incredible". ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Huntn coues Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Great job there Jim and Shortpants. Looks like my spot worked out for ya. JK Congratulations on that fine bull and all the hard work your team put in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Congratulations, that is awesome! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHT_MTNMAN Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Great job and what a great bull, thanks for the pics and story... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Super bull, Jim. Congrats to your hunter and to your crew for a job well done! -TONY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brandon Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Great story and pics! Congrats again to you and your hunter, that's definately a bull of a lifetime!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted September 22, 2007 WOW! gotta love the one yard tracking job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
111 Report post Posted September 22, 2007 What a Toad! Great story and a Bull of a lifetime.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterdan Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Jim, That truly is a bull of a lifetime!! Super awesome.. Congrats to everyone involved on that hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azlongears Report post Posted September 22, 2007 Wow- Few more guys and you would have been able to just herd him right into a horse trailer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewp45 Report post Posted September 23, 2007 What a great bull and a great job by you and your team. Congrats to you and the hunter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davecinaz Report post Posted September 23, 2007 Fabulous bull and a great story! Thanks. Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
