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My First Bull!

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My First Bull!

Postby Dbllung » 09 19, 2022 •  [Post 1]

I finally killed my first bull elk! My hunting partner and I started our hunt in Idaho during a ridiculous heatwave. Our first afternoon the temp reached 105°! We were still able to get within 80 yards of a nice 5X5 but no shot. That first week we had a couple close calls but no shot. My buddy had to leave on Saturday, leaving me to hunt solo. I hiked some new territory the next couple of days without any sightings or hearing any bugles. On Wednesday, the second to last day of my hunt, I hiked 3.5 miles to a ridge top, were I found some bull tracks. As I slowly followed them, I occasionally caught the scent of elk as the thermals were now going up. About 400 yards into my still hunt, I noticed the tracks began to go down a steep north facing slope. I let out a couple soft cow calls and heard a stick break about 60 yards down slope. I nocked an arrow and let out a couple more mews. He was on his way. First, I saw antler tips, then his head and then he was standing in front of me! I was already at full draw, so I released. I watched as my arrow hit a small branch and it flew over his back into the deep drainage. He whirled and disappeared downhill, but he didn’t go very far. I immediately called and he made his way back up to my right. As he came into a CLEAR shooting lane, I called to stop him. He stopped perfectly, quartering away, looking at me. My 25-yard shot hit perfectly and zipped right through him. Only seconds later I heard him tumble down the mountain! After a long 30-minute wait, I took up his trail. I found him approx. 70 yards from the shot. The pack out was long and hard, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am truly blessed to spend time in the mountains chasing such an amazing animal!
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Dbllung
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby Swede » 09 19, 2022 •  [Post 2]

Congratulations Dbllung on a fine-looking bull. That critter is a great place to start.
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby Indian Summer » 09 19, 2022 •  [Post 3]

Awesome story! You never know what they’ll do. I made ssed a bull once and killed it 30 minutes later. Pretty cool. Congratulations!
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby js80138 » 09 19, 2022 •  [Post 4]

Congratulations. Enjoyed reading your story.
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby Thegreatwapiti » 09 20, 2022 •  [Post 5]

Congratulations! It was truly his time to die. Impressive!
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby >>>---WW----> » 09 20, 2022 •  [Post 6]

Congratulations Dubllung ! And by the way, wELKome to the forum.
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby Billy Goat » 09 21, 2022 •  [Post 7]

man, congrats! funny how you can have "no luck" at all and then one comes in and offers two shot opportunities. congrats again!
"First teach a child to love God,
teach them second to love their family
and third, teach them to hunt and fish,
and by the time they reach their teens, no dope peddler under the sun will ever teach them anything".

-Cotton Cordell
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby Lefty » 09 22, 2022 •  [Post 8]

Congratulations.
One down more to go.
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby maxracx » 09 28, 2022 •  [Post 9]

Great job!!!
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Re: My First Bull!

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 10 03, 2022 •  [Post 10]

Excellent Jim, congrats!
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