The Bull Of My Lifetime

[POk3s]

After 13 years of applying for elk in my home state of Wyoming. I finally pulled a tag...and in a mountain range I had never stepped foot in! I only made one scouting trip into the area to learn what little roads there were, see the country, and hopefully find some elk. I did find a couple big 6 points but that's about all I knew about them, as they disappeared before I could size them up.

My very first evening hunting the area, I called in a 340 bull to 18 yards. This was a solo trip for me, and I got in too close to him. He came on facing the last place I called from...and I had only been able to move a couple of steps from that spot. Busted with just his head in view. On my way down the mountain I saw 2 other good bulls that looked to be 320-330 or so. The next day I spent ALL day in there. Never saw an elk, or heard a bugle.

I figured it was time for a change of plans the next morning, and I went to where I had found all the cows during my scouting trip. I was able to spot this guy working his way towards his bedding area with 8 or 9 cows. Looking at him from 2 miles away through the spotting scope, I really didn't know how big he was but knew he had great tine length. The fog rolled in so i decided to get closer. Thinking these elk were going to head to the north facing timbered ridge 400 yards away from them I set my course for that location. As the fog started to rise I was 1000 yards from them and they were still in the same location. Thinking I may be able to cut them off as they headed for that ridge I altered my course a little. I never saw them cross the big opening in front of me and knew I was close.

As I popped up over a small rise on the open ridge I spotted a cow at 15 yards, bedded, and looking dead away... Thank god! I slipped around the backside of that small rise and this guy was bedded all by himself to the left of his herd of cows. I slipped into 38 yards and knew then that I would definitely shoot this bull. Debating on if I should cow call to stand him up or not I chose not to for fear he would stand and face me. I felt the mid morning wind start to swirl and one of his cows over the hill from me must have smelled me, as he stood up and started walking perfectly broadside. I drew, cow called, and stopped him. Settled my 40 yard pin mid lungs and let her fly. I heard the arrow hit but didn't see it. As he ran off I saw that magical red circle start to form. 5 seconds later he was fading to black as he started doing the "sideways run" down the mountain, and fell over dead. He went 80 yards and lived for maybe 10 seconds.

Solo, DIY, public land adventure in Wyoming. I later rough scored this bull at camp and came up with 365. A bigger bull than I ever dreamed of shooting in my life. Day 3 in a new area, in my home state, with a bow...I never would've dreamed of that! Anyway here are some pics


Here he is as I sat in wait at 38 yards. I need my head checked for taking this pic, but i got away with it. Notice the fog lifting in the background

[wewarev]

Awesome Bull!!!
Great hunt & story.

[Elkduds]

Doesn't get any better than that. Congratulations Think you might consider hunting there again?

[ElkNut1]

Great job Trent!! He looks fantastic, congrats on a fine animal!

ElkNut1

[Huntrgathr]

AWESOME ! Just so you know, I read the whole story without skipping to the pics . Nicely written. That's the day I tell myself I'm going to have every morning I wake up in my bivy/tent. But then, that 15yd cow is always facing me. Or, the wind swirls, or, or, or...

The universe has to align for a guy to take down a wall hanger like that. You have to do everything you possibly can AND get lucky ! That's a special bull. Congratulations. Now you're ruined

[Lefty]

Great story
And a very nice bull

[il_ray_phillips]

That is pretty friggin awesome man!!!!!

[Toothy]

wow, that's a great story. Congratulations.

and man, I love that first pic.

[POk3s]

Thank you guys.

Yes, I think I'll apply there again.

You're absolutely right huntrgathr all the stars have to align AND get lucky. The fact that I happened to be the only guy there, the fog rolled in, the wind was perfect until I needed it to not be. The fact that I walked right up on em without them noticing, the cow looking the other way, him in the grass completely blocking his view of everything...the list goes on and on. You have to be extremely fortunate but also capitalize. Luckily I capitalized!

[BrentLaBere]

Congrats on an awesome hunt! I cant believe you snapped that picture during the stalk. Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[Raghorn_Reaper]

Wow. Congratulations.

[CurlyTail]

Thanks for sharing. Can't get enough of that kind of good stuff!

[redtop]

Well done! Both the story and the deed. I hope it becomes an annual occurrence for you. Congrats on a fine fine bull.

[MTLongdraw]

Congrats. Beautiful bull

[iHunt]

That's an awesome bull!

[MountainmanZ]

Congrats again buddy! That thing is awesome. A true trophy. I know it was almost a surreal experience for me this season to finally drop a nice bull.

[ishy]

Way to go, and that pic from the stalk is priceless. You probably would have committed Harry Carry if it would have cost you. Great job.

[POk3s]

Thank you guys.

Zach we really need to hook up next year. That whole solo break down an elk, and pack him out process is for the birds! Hahaha

[elkstalker]

Great bull! Congrats, and a great story to go with it.

[Old school]

Great story, stalk and pictures. You've got to love it when preparation and opportunity come together.

--Mitch

[BRazz]

Congrats man, that is an incredible story and bull!

[elkhuntfever]

Hey Old Friend. Wondered where you went from the Cabin. Man, I couldn't be happier for you on this bull!!!! Elkhuntfever Jim Tugan

[2MANY]

Nice work.

You found the place where opportunity, effort, preparedness, and luck met.

Congrats.

[Da White Shoe]

Man! That's a beautiful bull!
Congrats!
I hope that was the Bighorns and not Sunlight Basin... hate to even imagine a guy hunting alone in that grizzly infested place!

[Backyard]

Wow! Way too cool! And yeah, you were definitely pushing your luck with that first pic. But you pulled it off and thats what counts in the end[GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

[Swede]

I thought I would check this thread again just for the fun of it, and realized it was all new to me. Anyway great Bull and an excellent story with it. That scenery resembles some of the area Stringunner's and my party hunts. Congratulations.

[Mike_Parson]

that is an awesome bull and a great story to read. thank you for sharing it with us.

[N&N Waterfowl]

Great story...thanks for sharing