Got my first bull!!

[WYO_ELK]

Well after spending a week in the mountains with nothing to show for it, I made it back up for the weekend and made it count. Left the house around 230 am to make the 2.5 hour drive and be set up before light. I got settle down in an area where the elk move through and listened to the woods come alive with bugles. I had one bull close in after I gave him a bugle, but he never showed. A couple minutes later, I gave a serious of cow calls and this guy responded, and I could tell by his bugles that he was getting closer. I could hear hear taking a few trees, so I gave two more chirps and shut up. He soon emerged in front of me about 80 yards and was angling to catch the wind. I ranged the opening he would cross through, and got ready Che hit the opening and I came to full draw and cow called, he took an extra step and stopped behind a small pine. I held draw for about half minute and he took a couple more steps. I stopped him again. In an instant, I forgot all the training and practice I had been through. I gapped my 40 and 50 yard pin and as soon as it got behind the shoulder, I hit the trigger. My heart instantly sunk as I knew I made a bad shot, but was unsure where I hit him. I stopped him with a cow call and got the binos on him. He started walking away and I could see my fletchibg, but couldn't tell where on the body it was. He walked another 5 yards and was out of sight. I immediately got my stuff gathered up and walked the mile up the hill back to camp. I figured I would give him 5 hours and start looking for blood. So, it's now noon and I head down the trail, I get to where he was standing and can't find blood in the immediate area. I walked about 10 yards in the direction he headed and found my first spot of blood. It was pretty consistent for another 20-30 yards and then I couldn't find it again. I saw a path of least resistance in the blow down and in 15 yards there he lay, dead as dead. He was stiff and I suspect he died within the first half hour of being shot. I honestly didn't think I would find him, but knew I owed it to him to go give it my best shot. You can imagine my emotions after finding him less than 70 yards from where I made a horrible shot. He was slightly quartering away, so I am guessing I hit gut, liver, and the back of one lung. I imagine the liver is what killed him. 4 trips and 10 miles later, I was back at camp by 830 eating supper. Had him processed today and the meat was good, I was a little worried after leaving him lay for so long, but In my mind, I had no other choice. I am sore, and exhausted today, but I would do it all over again (maybe with a better shot next time). He is a 6x6

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[MTLongdraw]

Congratulations on your persistence. You will have those memories forever

[Toothy]

Good job.. glad it worked out for you.