2014 Idaho 6x6 (Story)

[Elkbowhuntr]

IMG_0113.JPG (132.77 KiB) Viewed 6353 times

Wow where do I start? I started hitting the mountains on September 10th hiking an old closed logging road I bear hunted on in June where I also jumped two good bulls in velvet. After hiking about 1.5 miles I decided I would throw out a bugle and a couple of cow calls, I waited maybe 5 minutes (no response) and started hiking the ridge straight to the top. I noticed movement to my left and saw a good 5 point bull coming down the ridge heading to the spot I called from earlier, It happened so fast I couldn't range anything. He was not wasting anytime so I cow called to stop him and shot right over his back...he looked around wondering what just happened and boom he was gone. I thought this season is starting off pretty good only 1 hour into the hunt and I already had a shot.

The next 9 days I was into elk everyday, got to within 90 yards of a big 6 point herd bull several times but just couldn't get him to leave his cows or get in close enough for a shot because of the harem between us. Exciting is all I can say! Called back and forth to several nice 6 points but could never quite close the deal, they either spotted me moving in on them or would just go back in forth in front of me 80-100 yards looking for the bull/cow calling.

Day 9 is when everything finally came together. I left my truck at 0500 with my headlamp on and would just hike until I heard a bull bugle. At 0715 I topped the ridge and there was a good sounding bull real close. I checked the wind and decided I would remain quiet (he was sounding off pretty good)and move in on him. I started up the little ridge he was bugling from and spotted two cows moving across in front of me about 80 yards, every time they would put their heads down to feed I would slowly move towards them while the bull was still screaming about 70 yards off to my right. I finally reached a point close enough to where the cows came through hoping the bull would follow. I ranged two trees the first one at 34 yards and the second one at 41 yards. By this time the bull was screaming towards my position and I could see his rack moving over the little hill and I drew back my 70 lb. PSE Dreamseason. He started walking between the two trees I had just ranged (talk about things coming together) and I cow called to get him to stop. I held on him for 37 yards and it ended up being 39 yards.He just started bugling when my arrow hit him and he lurched forward and cut the bugle off mid-stream I knew then I hit him pretty good. He ran about 50 yards when I let out a bugle and he stopped and looked back at the spot the arrow impacted, the two cows took off and so did the bull.

I walked up to the spot where the bull was and found blood but no arrow. By this time I could hear him making a weird noise sounding like gasping for air is the best way I can describe it.Well this was no easy track job, as you can see the arrow impacted high and a little back, I ended up double lunging him but because of the high impact there wasn't much blood at all. It took me two hours of back tracking, zig zagging, crawling on my hands and knees... trying to stay on his track. Finally I found him about 125 yards from the impact spot. WOW what a great hunt !!!

My wife Kristy was quite the trooper helping me get him out but we couldn't do it alone so a couple of friends came up to help us. The bull was shot 5.25 miles from my truck but the pack job ended up around 2 miles pretty much down hill.

Sorry about the lack of pictures but I was hunting alone and after two hours he was already pretty stiff and I couldn't move him by myself.

Equipment:

2010 PSE DreamSeason UF
100 Gr. Muzzy Broadheads
Cabelas Stakler Extreme Arrows
IQ Bowsite
Tightspot Quiver

[Elkbowhuntr]

Another Pic:

[Huntrgathr]

WOO HOO ! Awesome bull. Nice work !

[zpd307]

thanks for sharing! I wish my tracking story could have ended with pics like yours.....

[Indian Summer]

Congratulations! And nice bull. Thanks for taking the time to share the story too.

But surely you see this coming: "Sorry about the lack of pictures but I was hunting alone" You guys ALL need a Clip-Shot. Pics are worth 1000 words and last a lifetime.

[Elkbowhuntr]

Congratulations! And nice bull. Thanks for taking the time to share the story too.

But surely you see this coming: "Sorry about the lack of pictures but I was hunting alone" You guys ALL need a Clip-Shot. Pics are worth 1000 words and last a lifetime.

I agree 100%...I was talking with the wife about the lack of pictures and especially not having one of me with my bull. What is this "Clip-Shot" you speak of?

[Csrbowhunter]

Nice bull and good story!

[ElkNut1]

Great job, great story & great recovery! Thanks.

ElkNut1

[LckyTylr]

Awesome job, way to work through that difficult blood trail. It's a pretty sickening feeling when there isn't much blood to go off of. Persistence and patience . . . well done!

[Navesgane]

Well done and congrats

[redtop]

Thanks for the story. That's a fine you bull you got.

[cocarp]

Thanks for sharing! Nice bull to boot!

[cocarp]

Thanks for sharing! Nice bull to boot!

[ishy]

Very nice. When they get that stiff you should stand em up for the pics.

[Chukarhunter]

http://www.clip-shot.com/

Here's a link to the clip-shot. From everything I've heard, it works absolutely fantastic. Matter of fact, I bought one myself! (Now, if I could just remember to take the camera with me, I'd be all set!! )

[Clip-Shot]

http://www.clip-shot.com/

Here's a link to the clip-shot. From everything I've heard, it works absolutely fantastic. Matter of fact, I bought one myself! (Now, if I could just remember to take the camera with me, I'd be all set!! )

Thank You sir for steering people my way.
Advertising is still out of my reach with this little after work endeavor.
So, I am truly grateful when a customer is willing to take time to post something public about what I make available.

Here is a special price listed for other ElkNuts: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4778

Another Pic:

Enjoyed the story & I too wish you had a solo shot & also a group photo to share.
However, I'm sure that the live video in your minds will never be erased or deleted...

[twinkieman]

Great bull, and great story. Congrats

[Rangerz]

Nice story, Thanks and Congras!