I just got back from Wyoming and was finally able to complete a life long dream. Since I was a young kid growing up in VT I have always dreamed of killing a bull elk. I have hunted elk a bunch of times in the past 15 years. I was able to take 2 cows in that time but never a bull. We hunted mostly on our own in New Mexico, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. All the hunts were great and I wouldn't trade a day but I could never close the deal on a bull elk. In those years I was able to take nice whitetails, bear, caribou, mulies, antelope and turkeys. A bull elk seemed to be my "curse" species. Despite that it was my favorite hunt every year. I would train all summer, shoot, bulid special arrows and dream.
This year I drew a good tag for Wyoming and prepared all summer. I was going to take a longbow this year instead of my trusty Black Widow recurve. I was shooting Abowyer wapiti broadheads and weighted carbons. I met my buddy in Wyoming on Sept 16th with high hopes.
We headed into our area on the 17th and immediately heard bugling. I got the wind in my favor and worked towards the herd. Soon I could see cows in front of me and a spike. Within about 10 minutes th herd bull hooked the cows back up the ridge. I moved forward again and settled into a good ambush spot. There was a trail about 15 yards in front of me. I cow called a couple times.
:campfire: :coffee: ALLRIGHTY THEN!!
:campfire:
...and this beautiful bull came walking down the trail. When he got broadside the bull up the ridge bugled and my bull looked up towards the herd bull. This was finally my chance. I hit full draw and concentrated on making a good shot. I watched the arrow pass completely through the bull tight behind his shoulder. he ran about 40 yards and I stopped him with a cow call. He walked another 10 yards and went down.
(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m14/p143297/elk1.jpg)
I couldn't believe it when I got up to him. I had been working on this since I was a kid. I just sat with him for a while then got to work. It was a tough but enjoyable pack out with my partner. I am still walking on air.
Great job on a nice bull! :notworthy:
Holy nice bull bro,congrats and well done.
I can feel youe excitement. Congrats man.
Congrats on a very fine first Bull!! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Way to go Steve. :thumbsup:
Very cool Steve.
Jack
YA-HOOOOOO!!!! Thats a nice one!!!
Way to go Steve!! Very nice bull!! :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
congrats on a great bull and on your first.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/freakinawesome.jpg)
Super job Steve! Great bull and good story. Ben
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the pics and story!
Good job buddy. Nice looking bull. He looks big bodied as well! :bigsmyl:
Way to go Steve!! Love it when things work the way they are supposed to!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Beautiful bull and a great story!
GLENN
Awesome Bull Steve thanks for the story and Pic.Blake
Relive & enjoy this great hunt as long as you can. Thanks for a great story.
What a dream bull,great frist bull :notworthy:
awesome story, congrats
Nothing feels better than finally fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Congratulations Steve, this one will stick with you for a long, long time!
Congrats on a great bull. :clapper:
Good going Steve. I "need" a bull elk too. Make mine a Wyoming bull, got the place to go just need a tag!
Congrats, I'm sure it was worth the wait!
Awesome! I've been on two elk hunts and have never had it all come together...
Congratulations!!!
todd
Congrats Steve, nice bull!
Excellent! Your hard work definitely paid off! Mike
Congratulations Steve.
Another perfect example of dedication, hard work and perseverance toward a goal. That's what drives us all.
Way to go.
This is FABULOUS! I was able to get my first bull this year, but he was a baby, compared to yours. Persistence and faith always pay off.
Congratulations.
That story got me jumping in my seat, my dream as well, I have never been as of yet. Kid's lovely wife and work thing. I know it's just an excuse, but it has to be that way for now. Congratulations;
Some day, some day my friend maybe tomorrow.
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
That bull was worth the wait, eh? Awesome animal, congrats.
That thing is huge! Great job!
Good deal Steve!
Congrats, great bull!
Hope to be able to tell the same story some day. I can relate to the first half!
Congrats Steve!!!!!
Great looking bull.
WOW what a beast!! Congrats
Way to go Steve! There's nothing like persistence to make it all finally come together. Good job and congrats. BW
Fantastic, Steve! Well-done!
Congrats Steve nice bull!!
Wowzer!! One heck of a way to realize a dream! Great Bull!!!
Way to go Steve! That bull is gorgeous. Man that had to feel good. As a Vermonter myself (living in West now) I really can appreciate what you are feeling these days...and for a long time to come. Having a big bull like that close and personal is something everyone should experience. Doesnt get any better!!
Congratulations!!
QuoteOriginally posted by Bill Carlsen:
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Arrowworks/freakinawesome.jpg)
I'd like to second that!!!
Wow what an awesome elk.
Josh
Congrats, dream of mine also. Been on 4 DIY hunts to Colorado over the years and been into elk every trip, but have yet to pull a string. Couple of chances at cows I should have took, hard to do though with a bull under 50yds. Maybe next year.
Thanks for the nice comments everyone. It really was a great hunt. Glad I could share a little of it with you.
:thumbsup: Nice going! :thumbsup:
very cool!!! congrads
What a unique bull, congrats!
congrats! love to hear these stories of first timers gettin them. Theres nothing like it, whether you called it up for the guy or what, just being there when a Guy gets his first, well thats good stuff,
ps, what area did you draw? Happened quick eh? :-0
:-)
That's a true trophy right there. Congratulations!
So... which dream are you to pursue now? :goldtooth:
Its nice to see good things happen to good people. Congrats.
Way to go buddy! You know, I look in the mirror and see a guy who lived in Montana for almost 30 years, yet has no bull elk on the wall. Although I have come very, very close multiple times, I never closed the deal with a mature bull. You done good!
Nice job Steve! The first is always memorable.
GREATTTTTTTTTTTTT JOB Steve..
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Wonderful story and a job well done. You've done yourself proud.
Gosh, that is AWSOME! What a rush it must be for you, congratulations!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Waaay to go Steve!!!! I know the feeling and it is just incredible. It took me quite a few trips to close the deal on my 1st bull and man oh man was it sweet when it finally happened!
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
way to go! :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Great feeling isnt it? To finally close the deal on something you have worked so hard and long for! Good Job, they will come easy now sir, (yeah right, nothing about elk is easy)!