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Hunting
Elk Hunting
OTC Bull Elk, Public Land, CO 2nd Rifle Season 2017 – My Story
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<blockquote data-quote="LoneStar308" data-source="post: 1381717" data-attributes="member: 104048"><p>We get to his spot and he tells me there's a trail over here. Elk use it to get to a pond. Sometimes they split off this way to go to a different water hole. I set up at the split – looking at a 50yd shot. Yeah, I can hit at 50yds. (This would be a good spot in archery season.) He's going to hang back and call some; tells me to shoot the first legal buck. We go over brow tines, points, etc. to make sure I'm on the right page. Says he'll give me a turkey call if he wants me to bust @ss over to him if he sees something over there.</p><p></p><p>We split. I find my sport. Lay out all my gear, put on my cold weather clothes, set up the sticks (don't really need sticks at this range, in hindsight not sure why I bothered). Range a couple trees/openings in the area. Now we wait. About an hour passes. Guide starts calling. Bunch of series but never get a reply. </p><p></p><p>I see a butt leaving the meadow through a little window in the oak brush; can't tell if it's an elk or deer. OK, eyes peeled. Time passes. Guide keeps calling. Then I hear it. CRASH! Broken branch on ground or big antler crashing through trees. Either way, GAME ON! I start shaking. I wasn't shaking the other night because I could see the elk coming in from far away. These things should pop out at any second and I'll only have an instant to make a decision. I'm looking at my lanes – but then catch and elk through the same little window in the oak brush (it was like my 2 or 3 o'clock if I'm mainly focusing at my 12). I didn't see the head, but it looked like a big body. I swing that way; another one – I'm watching in my scope. Spike bull. Then nothing. Oh man – is the big guy about to come? Are any going to come through the other way? These 2 have to be getting close to the guide – is he going to turkey call me? How long should I wait here, there's 2 elk in the field and I can't see them. I start to move – making noise – shouldn't bother them, they think there's a cow and bull in there from the calling. I'm still keeping an eye on my lane where I was hoping they'd pop out. Need to find an angle/shot. I crash through some oak brush to another tree. I can see the guide. He's signaling "No" or "Come here" – crap! I can barely see, it's getting dark. I can faintly make out 2 elk through the brush. He's still waiving. I see him looking at me through his rangefinder. I give him the cut-throat or "No" signal and he seems to confirm. OK, I thought it was only a spike. Finally, this bull speaks – but not a bugle, it was more of a bark. Pretty cool at 50yds. He barks again. I'm looking back at my original lanes again waiting to see if something is still coming. Too dark now; guide stands up and comes my way, elk run out of there. No bull on the ground, but that was a pretty cool experience. The hike out is just as long as the hike in.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87161[/ATTACH] </p><p>How it all played out on Day 5. We are red line, elk are green line. Truck is in top right.</p><p></p><p>Day 5, morning (last day):</p><p></p><p>Day 5. The other 2 guys in our cabin have been out here 4 years now and have never doubled. Technically this is hunt 8/10 – I can still go tomorrow morning if we can't get it done today (because of the morning hunt we skipped so the guide to pack out the meat from the first bull). That would make leaving town interesting if I were to get one tomorrow morning though.</p><p></p><p>My buddy is up and decides he is coming. Haha, I'm worried his muscles are too tight and he drank too much the past couple days. But, always good to have your buddy. High 20s this morning, feels great. I love being able to see my breath (doesn't happen too often in Houston). Everyday I've been talking to my rifle – and more specifically to the first cartridge that is going in the chamber. Maybe I'm weird, but I'm guessing there's someone else out there that does that. Hell, it worked for Happy Gilmore – different sport, but same idea. </p><p></p><p>We go back to where we started day 1 morning. Full circle. I like where this story is going. This little piece of land is the outfitter's chunk – no other guides are allowed in here. Hunters are good, it is still public land, only outfitters need to stay out. We park way off the turnaround at the end of the road since it is late in the season and some of these camps we pass on the way up might need to turn around their trailers and will need all the space they can get. It's like 5:40, we sit in the truck BS'ng until about 10 after 6.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87162[/ATTACH] </p><p>Different view of Day 5. Left is where we spotted 'em, right where the shot was.</p><p></p><p>I think my pack is as light as ever. I'm carrying my 15x binos today – got these **** things for the trip and haven't used 'em yet (had some older 10x I've been using). Load up and head down the road. Lots of logging activities up here. It's so dry we are kicking up CLOUDS of dirt/dust/powder. So much so that it is difficult to breathe. Road ends, trail begins. We stop at the same deadfall trees. Guide makes some calls again. Nothing. Just pure, sincere, utter silence. Which, if I'm honest, is a great sound – if you're not expecting/hoping for anything in return. Peaceful.</p><p></p><p>Getting a little brighter, we continue further. This dang oak brush; I'm getting sick of it at this point. We make it to the same glassing point – we stopped a few times along the way and glass standing up as we go. Here's the unbeknownst critical decision of the day – the guide takes my buddy to 1 side of the ridge, leaves him there, and the guide and I go to the other side. Not seeing much movement. I change spots some to get a different vantage. I'm a good 10yds from the guide when my buddy comes over to our side and whispers a few words to the guide. He gets up, calmly, and starts grabbing his pack and things. I'm thinking, from his body language, we are just packing up and moving to another spot. I make my way over there and my buddy says he see 2. Sweet! We go to the other side of ridge.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87163[/ATTACH] </p><p>Looking for that last chance bull.</p><p></p><p>Find 2 elk in the binos. Ranged 'em right under 1000yds. Can't tell if either is a bull. They are on private land right now, but they are walking our way along the fence. We watch 'em as they jump over. Game on! Looks like 1 is a bull – but not very big. Need to get a better look – and get closer for a shot anyways – here we go. Guide takes off down the hill. Where did this little ninja come from? Dude is turning 50 soon and you'd think he was in his 20s the way he moves – the mountains have been good to this guy.</p><p></p><p>Oak brush *smack* in the eye! Ouch. Well that's just awesome – luckily the left eye (I'm a righty – well, lefty but I shoot righty). Keep moving around, up and down, up and down. Good thing he knows where we are. Didn't realize there were this many cuts between us and where we saw the elk. We come around a big bend and spot them again. The 2 elk are walking our way up a draw in the shade. If they keep going up the draw they'll come within about 100-150yds. They stop short, instead heading up the face of the canyon opposite us. This whole time we were watching them, trading binos and trying to field judge this guy. He looks like a 4x4. Then a 3x3. Not sure why it is so hard to see – although it's not like this was going to be a trophy, we all knew that. Definitely only 3 points on the 1 side. Keep observing. I see a 4th point on the other side; the G2, just super short. Can only see it in the sun, and he rarely steps into it. Guide keeps saying he doesn't see it. I'm like 85% sure at this point.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87164[/ATTACH] </p><p>View from close-by to where the bull went down.</p><p></p><p>He steps out in the sun again. Got it! Yes, I for sure see a point. "I still don't see it, bud," says the guide. Now, my eyes have been playing tricks on me all week – they know what they want to see and they try and make my mind believe. I say, "Guys, I'm 99% sure." Of course I am. I want to believe. My buddy says he's about 95% sure he saw that point – ok, I'll take that. Guide says, "Bud, I think that's his ear." No way, I see a point. Now, I understand the guide's position on this. Clearly there is only 3 on the one side, and it's hard to judge 4" from 5" at 250yds, so that brow tine isn't a good reference point. Killing an illegal bull is a costly mistake we'd rather avoid. The brow tine on the side with 3 points is clearly broken. </p><p></p><p>They get to a point where they're out of sight – we move further around the side of the hill and find a good spot to stop. Guide throws up the sticks, I swing the rifle off my shoulder and steady it on the sticks. Standing, with my pack still on – not ideal. The cow he's chasing starts up the hill and occasionally looks in our direction. He follows about 20yds behind. I bring the sticks down to kneeling level. My barrel is in some brush – I keep checking to be sure the muzzle is clear. Still have my pack on; tough to get steady. We catch a break while they are moving. I drop the pack and bring the sticks even lower – much too thick of brush to shoot from prone. I'm sitting with 1 leg crossed under my butt. Pretty steady and I'm happy. But, after another 10-15 minutes my leg is dead asleep. It's my right leg with the knee brace, which was cutting circulation some on its own. I'm talking full dead – no feeling, no movement, no tingly, nothing. The cow has made her way to the top of the ridge. Bull is out of sight. She stands there and gives us the mannequin challenge for 10 solid minutes. We are making noise – not only the brush but all the super-dry dead leaves around. Range her at 350yds. "How good is their eye sight?" I ask the guide. "Don't think she can see us, bud." I move slowly, I have to change my position and lift my leg out from under me. I watch her as I move – she's still just a statue. I manage both legs out in front of me, still sitting. It takes another minute for the nerves to kick back in and I get those painful tingles.</p><p></p><p>I get back up with 1 knee on the ground. We are still at the same consensus on this bull. The cow finally breaks form and walks out of sight to the right. Ok – where is this guy? </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87165[/ATTACH] </p><p>This was right after the shot(s). Follow the dark shadow in middle of picture up, and at the top of the ridge just to the left, in the sunny spot, is where he stepped out.</p><p></p><p>Finally, he steps out. He's in the sun. I see the point; 4 on one side. Guide keeps cow calling to get him to stop. I ask my buddy, "Range?" "350." "I'm shooting." "If you're confident he's legal, go ahead." Spoken like a true guide. Finger is off the trigger. Good cheek weld. I click off the safety. I double, triple, and probably even quadruple-checked the chamber while we were sitting there observing earlier. I can't get steady. Bull takes a few steps. Guide cow calls to get him to stop again. I say to the guide, "Can you lean up against me?" He does. It helps. Crosshairs steady midway up the body in line with the back of the front leg. Bullet should kiss him a good 6" low from my point-of-aim. *BOOM* Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Dang – now my gun is doing it. I look up and see him buck/rear up from the impact and he runs down the hill toward us. Closes about 20yds. Guide stops him with a cow call. It was a solid hit, right in the shoulder, he wasn't putting weight on it. </p><p></p><p>I quickly eject that round – but meticulously get another one in. I watch to be sure the bolt picks up the next rounds and chambers it – I'm not running into the same mistakes. Line up the crosshairs again. *BOOM* Look up – another solid hit. I can hear the thump. Dude just stands there. Doesn't even move. Doesn't flinch. What the …?! These are tough freaking animals. It was right below the spine in line with the front leg (found some nickel-sized bone fragments when we were in there cleaning him out). Reload again – taking the same special care this time. Now my nerves are catching me up. The crosshairs are a little shaky now. Adrenaline kicks in. I don't want to lose this bull. Then, of course, my buddy starts saying things like, "Dude, what are you waiting for?" "He's just standing there." "Why aren't you shooting?" </p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87166[/ATTACH] </p><p>I think this is my favorite pic. Right after we knew MY bull was down and packed our gear to head over there.</p><p></p><p>"Shut the **** up, I can't get steady!" Crosshairs still on him, wavering some. I go back to fundamentals and what works at the range. Concentrate on breathing. Inhale, exhale, squeeze. *BOOM* Another solid hit. Now he's really staggering. Shoulder looks busted – but this warrior is still standing. Reload – again pay special attention. ****, this is the last round in the magazine. To my buddy, "Backpack, front pocket, front panel – there's some rounds in there!" The bull looks like he's going down – but he is still up. The guide says to shoot until he is on the ground. Again, line up the crosshairs. *BOOM* Finally, drops him. Pull back the bolt, buddy hands me some rounds. I load 2 in the magazine and close the bolt. Look back in the scope – he's piled up. We watch him for another 20-30 seconds to be doubly-sure he doesn't get up. Then emotions hit. Excitement, exhaustion, wicked adrenaline rush. I look through the dry leaves to find my brass – it's so bad I can only find 3 of the 4. I keep looking but the guys are getting agitated and want to start over there.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87167[/ATTACH] </p><p>He only bought those clothes so he could look more like me.</p><p></p><p>We take our time getting around. There's a couple up and downs but for the most part we take the long way around and loop over there as opposed to taking the straight route. Guide didn't say much the whole way – he's freaking out inside and not completely sure we took a legal bull. The whole way over I'm thinking about the week. Super excited I got something; little sad that the hunt is nearing an end. Also thinking I'll be processing the meat all day since we are due to leave early the next morning. I got totally turned around and thinking we were close when we still had to go around another couple bends. Things always look different from the other side.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87168[/ATTACH] </p><p>Can't say enough positive things about this dude (guide).</p><p></p><p>We spot him – in the shade too! That would be the most beautiful ponderosa I've ever seen – it was getting HOT! Go up and run my fingers through his coat. Pet his head and tell him thanks. What a beautiful animal. He'll be used to feed me (and the family) and he didn't die for nothing. He has 4 points on 1 side, and his brow tine is 7". Guide breathes a sigh of relief. We grab some pics and give congrats. Thanks to the guide for the awesome week. Thanks to my buddy for coming back out today and spotting this bull with his cow. Just freaking awesome that we doubled! We each got 1 our first trip out. Awesome.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87169[/ATTACH] </p><p>Only pic of the pack horses. Can't thank them enough.</p><p></p><p>We get to cleaning and make short work of it. I try the gutless method to get the tenderloin (I watch this stuff on youtube, that makes me an expert, right?) – ended up letting the whole belly sac (and diaphragm) fall out since he was sitting on a hill and it was intact. Much easier. Crazy flies at this point – and these meat-eating yellow jackets. Never seen anything like it. They looked like regular yellow jackets but you could see them tearing off little pieces of meat. Weird. Got the game bags in the shade, dumped a bunch of pepper on them – seemed to keep the flies at bay. Cut off the top of the skull. Buddy goes and takes a nap. Guide sits in the shade. I get to work on cleaning the last bit of hide off the skull. Guide calls the cavalry – we are literally waiting for some horses, 1 of the biggest pluses to using an outfitter. Half-hour or so later my buddy wakes, I have the skull cleaned, and we go join the guide and reminisce on the week. Guide's buddy shows up on horseback with 2 other gorgeous steers – Elvis Presley, George Straight, and Jonny Cash.</p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]87170[/ATTACH] </p><p>Beautiful walk out.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LoneStar308, post: 1381717, member: 104048"] We get to his spot and he tells me there’s a trail over here. Elk use it to get to a pond. Sometimes they split off this way to go to a different water hole. I set up at the split – looking at a 50yd shot. Yeah, I can hit at 50yds. (This would be a good spot in archery season.) He’s going to hang back and call some; tells me to shoot the first legal buck. We go over brow tines, points, etc. to make sure I’m on the right page. Says he’ll give me a turkey call if he wants me to bust @ss over to him if he sees something over there. We split. I find my sport. Lay out all my gear, put on my cold weather clothes, set up the sticks (don’t really need sticks at this range, in hindsight not sure why I bothered). Range a couple trees/openings in the area. Now we wait. About an hour passes. Guide starts calling. Bunch of series but never get a reply. I see a butt leaving the meadow through a little window in the oak brush; can’t tell if it’s an elk or deer. OK, eyes peeled. Time passes. Guide keeps calling. Then I hear it. CRASH! Broken branch on ground or big antler crashing through trees. Either way, GAME ON! I start shaking. I wasn’t shaking the other night because I could see the elk coming in from far away. These things should pop out at any second and I’ll only have an instant to make a decision. I’m looking at my lanes – but then catch and elk through the same little window in the oak brush (it was like my 2 or 3 o’clock if I’m mainly focusing at my 12). I didn’t see the head, but it looked like a big body. I swing that way; another one – I’m watching in my scope. Spike bull. Then nothing. Oh man – is the big guy about to come? Are any going to come through the other way? These 2 have to be getting close to the guide – is he going to turkey call me? How long should I wait here, there’s 2 elk in the field and I can’t see them. I start to move – making noise – shouldn’t bother them, they think there’s a cow and bull in there from the calling. I’m still keeping an eye on my lane where I was hoping they’d pop out. Need to find an angle/shot. I crash through some oak brush to another tree. I can see the guide. He’s signaling “No” or “Come here” – crap! I can barely see, it’s getting dark. I can faintly make out 2 elk through the brush. He’s still waiving. I see him looking at me through his rangefinder. I give him the cut-throat or “No” signal and he seems to confirm. OK, I thought it was only a spike. Finally, this bull speaks – but not a bugle, it was more of a bark. Pretty cool at 50yds. He barks again. I’m looking back at my original lanes again waiting to see if something is still coming. Too dark now; guide stands up and comes my way, elk run out of there. No bull on the ground, but that was a pretty cool experience. The hike out is just as long as the hike in. [ATTACH=full]87161[/ATTACH] How it all played out on Day 5. We are red line, elk are green line. Truck is in top right. Day 5, morning (last day): Day 5. The other 2 guys in our cabin have been out here 4 years now and have never doubled. Technically this is hunt 8/10 – I can still go tomorrow morning if we can’t get it done today (because of the morning hunt we skipped so the guide to pack out the meat from the first bull). That would make leaving town interesting if I were to get one tomorrow morning though. My buddy is up and decides he is coming. Haha, I’m worried his muscles are too tight and he drank too much the past couple days. But, always good to have your buddy. High 20s this morning, feels great. I love being able to see my breath (doesn’t happen too often in Houston). Everyday I’ve been talking to my rifle – and more specifically to the first cartridge that is going in the chamber. Maybe I’m weird, but I’m guessing there’s someone else out there that does that. Hell, it worked for Happy Gilmore – different sport, but same idea. We go back to where we started day 1 morning. Full circle. I like where this story is going. This little piece of land is the outfitter’s chunk – no other guides are allowed in here. Hunters are good, it is still public land, only outfitters need to stay out. We park way off the turnaround at the end of the road since it is late in the season and some of these camps we pass on the way up might need to turn around their trailers and will need all the space they can get. It’s like 5:40, we sit in the truck BS’ng until about 10 after 6. [ATTACH=full]87162[/ATTACH] Different view of Day 5. Left is where we spotted ‘em, right where the shot was. I think my pack is as light as ever. I’m carrying my 15x binos today – got these **** things for the trip and haven’t used ‘em yet (had some older 10x I’ve been using). Load up and head down the road. Lots of logging activities up here. It’s so dry we are kicking up CLOUDS of dirt/dust/powder. So much so that it is difficult to breathe. Road ends, trail begins. We stop at the same deadfall trees. Guide makes some calls again. Nothing. Just pure, sincere, utter silence. Which, if I’m honest, is a great sound – if you’re not expecting/hoping for anything in return. Peaceful. Getting a little brighter, we continue further. This dang oak brush; I’m getting sick of it at this point. We make it to the same glassing point – we stopped a few times along the way and glass standing up as we go. Here’s the unbeknownst critical decision of the day – the guide takes my buddy to 1 side of the ridge, leaves him there, and the guide and I go to the other side. Not seeing much movement. I change spots some to get a different vantage. I’m a good 10yds from the guide when my buddy comes over to our side and whispers a few words to the guide. He gets up, calmly, and starts grabbing his pack and things. I’m thinking, from his body language, we are just packing up and moving to another spot. I make my way over there and my buddy says he see 2. Sweet! We go to the other side of ridge. [ATTACH=full]87163[/ATTACH] Looking for that last chance bull. Find 2 elk in the binos. Ranged ‘em right under 1000yds. Can’t tell if either is a bull. They are on private land right now, but they are walking our way along the fence. We watch ‘em as they jump over. Game on! Looks like 1 is a bull – but not very big. Need to get a better look – and get closer for a shot anyways – here we go. Guide takes off down the hill. Where did this little ninja come from? Dude is turning 50 soon and you’d think he was in his 20s the way he moves – the mountains have been good to this guy. Oak brush *smack* in the eye! Ouch. Well that’s just awesome – luckily the left eye (I’m a righty – well, lefty but I shoot righty). Keep moving around, up and down, up and down. Good thing he knows where we are. Didn’t realize there were this many cuts between us and where we saw the elk. We come around a big bend and spot them again. The 2 elk are walking our way up a draw in the shade. If they keep going up the draw they’ll come within about 100-150yds. They stop short, instead heading up the face of the canyon opposite us. This whole time we were watching them, trading binos and trying to field judge this guy. He looks like a 4x4. Then a 3x3. Not sure why it is so hard to see – although it’s not like this was going to be a trophy, we all knew that. Definitely only 3 points on the 1 side. Keep observing. I see a 4th point on the other side; the G2, just super short. Can only see it in the sun, and he rarely steps into it. Guide keeps saying he doesn’t see it. I’m like 85% sure at this point. [ATTACH=full]87164[/ATTACH] View from close-by to where the bull went down. He steps out in the sun again. Got it! Yes, I for sure see a point. “I still don’t see it, bud,” says the guide. Now, my eyes have been playing tricks on me all week – they know what they want to see and they try and make my mind believe. I say, “Guys, I’m 99% sure.” Of course I am. I want to believe. My buddy says he’s about 95% sure he saw that point – ok, I’ll take that. Guide says, “Bud, I think that’s his ear.” No way, I see a point. Now, I understand the guide’s position on this. Clearly there is only 3 on the one side, and it’s hard to judge 4” from 5” at 250yds, so that brow tine isn’t a good reference point. Killing an illegal bull is a costly mistake we’d rather avoid. The brow tine on the side with 3 points is clearly broken. They get to a point where they’re out of sight – we move further around the side of the hill and find a good spot to stop. Guide throws up the sticks, I swing the rifle off my shoulder and steady it on the sticks. Standing, with my pack still on – not ideal. The cow he’s chasing starts up the hill and occasionally looks in our direction. He follows about 20yds behind. I bring the sticks down to kneeling level. My barrel is in some brush – I keep checking to be sure the muzzle is clear. Still have my pack on; tough to get steady. We catch a break while they are moving. I drop the pack and bring the sticks even lower – much too thick of brush to shoot from prone. I’m sitting with 1 leg crossed under my butt. Pretty steady and I’m happy. But, after another 10-15 minutes my leg is dead asleep. It’s my right leg with the knee brace, which was cutting circulation some on its own. I’m talking full dead – no feeling, no movement, no tingly, nothing. The cow has made her way to the top of the ridge. Bull is out of sight. She stands there and gives us the mannequin challenge for 10 solid minutes. We are making noise – not only the brush but all the super-dry dead leaves around. Range her at 350yds. “How good is their eye sight?” I ask the guide. “Don’t think she can see us, bud.” I move slowly, I have to change my position and lift my leg out from under me. I watch her as I move – she’s still just a statue. I manage both legs out in front of me, still sitting. It takes another minute for the nerves to kick back in and I get those painful tingles. I get back up with 1 knee on the ground. We are still at the same consensus on this bull. The cow finally breaks form and walks out of sight to the right. Ok – where is this guy? [ATTACH=full]87165[/ATTACH] This was right after the shot(s). Follow the dark shadow in middle of picture up, and at the top of the ridge just to the left, in the sunny spot, is where he stepped out. Finally, he steps out. He’s in the sun. I see the point; 4 on one side. Guide keeps cow calling to get him to stop. I ask my buddy, “Range?” “350.” “I’m shooting.” “If you’re confident he’s legal, go ahead.” Spoken like a true guide. Finger is off the trigger. Good cheek weld. I click off the safety. I double, triple, and probably even quadruple-checked the chamber while we were sitting there observing earlier. I can’t get steady. Bull takes a few steps. Guide cow calls to get him to stop again. I say to the guide, “Can you lean up against me?” He does. It helps. Crosshairs steady midway up the body in line with the back of the front leg. Bullet should kiss him a good 6” low from my point-of-aim. *BOOM* Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Dang – now my gun is doing it. I look up and see him buck/rear up from the impact and he runs down the hill toward us. Closes about 20yds. Guide stops him with a cow call. It was a solid hit, right in the shoulder, he wasn’t putting weight on it. I quickly eject that round – but meticulously get another one in. I watch to be sure the bolt picks up the next rounds and chambers it – I’m not running into the same mistakes. Line up the crosshairs again. *BOOM* Look up – another solid hit. I can hear the thump. Dude just stands there. Doesn’t even move. Doesn’t flinch. What the …?! These are tough freaking animals. It was right below the spine in line with the front leg (found some nickel-sized bone fragments when we were in there cleaning him out). Reload again – taking the same special care this time. Now my nerves are catching me up. The crosshairs are a little shaky now. Adrenaline kicks in. I don’t want to lose this bull. Then, of course, my buddy starts saying things like, “Dude, what are you waiting for?” “He’s just standing there.” “Why aren’t you shooting?” [ATTACH=full]87166[/ATTACH] I think this is my favorite pic. Right after we knew MY bull was down and packed our gear to head over there. “Shut the **** up, I can’t get steady!” Crosshairs still on him, wavering some. I go back to fundamentals and what works at the range. Concentrate on breathing. Inhale, exhale, squeeze. *BOOM* Another solid hit. Now he’s really staggering. Shoulder looks busted – but this warrior is still standing. Reload – again pay special attention. ****, this is the last round in the magazine. To my buddy, “Backpack, front pocket, front panel – there’s some rounds in there!” The bull looks like he’s going down – but he is still up. The guide says to shoot until he is on the ground. Again, line up the crosshairs. *BOOM* Finally, drops him. Pull back the bolt, buddy hands me some rounds. I load 2 in the magazine and close the bolt. Look back in the scope – he’s piled up. We watch him for another 20-30 seconds to be doubly-sure he doesn’t get up. Then emotions hit. Excitement, exhaustion, wicked adrenaline rush. I look through the dry leaves to find my brass – it’s so bad I can only find 3 of the 4. I keep looking but the guys are getting agitated and want to start over there. [ATTACH=full]87167[/ATTACH] He only bought those clothes so he could look more like me. We take our time getting around. There’s a couple up and downs but for the most part we take the long way around and loop over there as opposed to taking the straight route. Guide didn’t say much the whole way – he’s freaking out inside and not completely sure we took a legal bull. The whole way over I’m thinking about the week. Super excited I got something; little sad that the hunt is nearing an end. Also thinking I’ll be processing the meat all day since we are due to leave early the next morning. I got totally turned around and thinking we were close when we still had to go around another couple bends. Things always look different from the other side. [ATTACH=full]87168[/ATTACH] Can’t say enough positive things about this dude (guide). We spot him – in the shade too! That would be the most beautiful ponderosa I’ve ever seen – it was getting HOT! Go up and run my fingers through his coat. Pet his head and tell him thanks. What a beautiful animal. He’ll be used to feed me (and the family) and he didn’t die for nothing. He has 4 points on 1 side, and his brow tine is 7”. Guide breathes a sigh of relief. We grab some pics and give congrats. Thanks to the guide for the awesome week. Thanks to my buddy for coming back out today and spotting this bull with his cow. Just freaking awesome that we doubled! We each got 1 our first trip out. Awesome. [ATTACH=full]87169[/ATTACH] Only pic of the pack horses. Can’t thank them enough. We get to cleaning and make short work of it. I try the gutless method to get the tenderloin (I watch this stuff on youtube, that makes me an expert, right?) – ended up letting the whole belly sac (and diaphragm) fall out since he was sitting on a hill and it was intact. Much easier. Crazy flies at this point – and these meat-eating yellow jackets. Never seen anything like it. They looked like regular yellow jackets but you could see them tearing off little pieces of meat. Weird. Got the game bags in the shade, dumped a bunch of pepper on them – seemed to keep the flies at bay. Cut off the top of the skull. Buddy goes and takes a nap. Guide sits in the shade. I get to work on cleaning the last bit of hide off the skull. Guide calls the cavalry – we are literally waiting for some horses, 1 of the biggest pluses to using an outfitter. Half-hour or so later my buddy wakes, I have the skull cleaned, and we go join the guide and reminisce on the week. Guide’s buddy shows up on horseback with 2 other gorgeous steers – Elvis Presley, George Straight, and Jonny Cash. [ATTACH=full]87170[/ATTACH] Beautiful walk out. [/QUOTE]
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OTC Bull Elk, Public Land, CO 2nd Rifle Season 2017 – My Story
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