Had a great hunt with my good buddy in Montana the last couple weeks. Plenty of elk and a great time. Saw/heard lots of action despite some real nasty weather - couple of hail storms, a snow storm, and LOTS of rain. Probably had 5 good weather days out of 13.
On the last morning I had 5 bulls all bugling within 1/4 mile and at 9 am a cow moved past with a raghorn 4X4 trailing her. A half hour later I heard something walking in the grass and a nice 5X6 bull stepped out. He followed through the meadow I was watching trailing the cow/bull from earlier and I sent a big Snuffer through him at about 20 feet (I'm generally a pretty good shot at 20 feet!). After an easy blood trail we had an elk to pack (in other words, the FUN is over and the WORK begins!).
That morning was really neat - between myself and my friend we saw a total of 8 bulls in the same drainage and they were running around after cows like whitetails in November.
I shot the bull at 9:30, we were taking pictures by 10 am, and had the last load of meat to the truck at 7 pm that evening. A pretty good day.
I shot the bull with my vintage Jack Howard Gamemaster Jet (62 lbs at 29 1/2 inches), an old 2217 JDA natural shaft (remember those?) and a 160 grain Snuffer - total arrow wt around 640 grains. Fortunately the elk that far back in the wilderness area don't have internet access and nobody told them that you need a 2-blade single bevel head to shoot through an elk....I was shooting down on him a bit (in the 2nd elk pic you can see the entry hole behind the left shoulder) - and the arrow exited low behind the offside front leg. I centered a big rib about 4 inches below the spine going in and the head literally pulverized the wide rib into 6 or 8 fragments and I had to the fletching penetration. The blood trail was 4 feet wide all the way to him.
My father killed his big Colorado bull in 1974 - 36 years ago...the year I was born...with his 62 lb Jack Howard Jet. He was 36 years old at the time - the same as I am now...so I figured I had a little Karma on my side with this bull. (Not to mention a 1st class hunting buddy that took me along with him...that never hurts!).
Ryan
Home for 2 weeks - 10X12 wall tent 5 miles in..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/camp-1.jpg)
Hmmmmm, I wonder if anyone is using this wallow?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/wallow.jpg)
Yep, somebody's around here!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/Rub.jpg)
And here's the result....as you can see he's been rolling around somewhere! I've never seen a bull this dirty. The mud probably added 5 pounds to the pack out weight of the cape/horns.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/elk1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/elk2.jpg)
Ryan
QuoteOriginally posted by Ryan Rothhaar:
[QB] Fortunately the elk that far back in the wilderness area don't have internet access and nobody told them that you need a 2-blade single bevel head to shoot through an elk...
I luv it!! :clapper:
Outstanding. Especially rewarding with a vintage bow, I remember seeing the posts when you looked hard for that Jet. Congratulations.
Congratulations sir! Awesome animal!
Nice story and pics. Way to go.
Congratulations Ryan. I've always admired your dad. He is an outstanding hunter and shot. Looks like you get it honest. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Congratulations Ryan. It is neat to think you did it like your Pops did, and you made your own memories too. That's not a big deal about the Snuffers and elk though, right?
Congratulations!
Nice bull for sure and great story about your dad and you.
Is that an electric fence in the camp pic?
Very nice. My father, an accomplished archer and founder of an archery shop from the 70's, spoke very highly of the those Gamemasters.
Great pics and story. Thanks for sharing!
Congrats Ryan!
Very nice bull Ryan and better story! I'm sure your dad was as excited as you were. Awesome!
Awesome, Congrats!!
Way to go Ryan. Just like your Father eh?
Great story. Thanks.
Chuck
Congrats Ryan....you resemble your Dad soooo much! :thumbsup:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great story and awesome pictures!!
Thank you for sharing it all with us.
God bless,Mudd
Congrats!!!
Great bull, story, pics, and a memory to last a lifetime. Way to go.
Great to see a Jet out there getting it done!
Awesome!
Congrats Ryan that is an awesome bull.
Congrats, and thanks for sharing the hunt and the history!
Congrats great story, Thanks for sharing Ryan; :thumbsup:
cecil
Congratulations. Great story and great buil. God certainly blessed you with a good hunt. Steve
Great story, and loved to hear about the connection with your dad. Congradulations.
Congratulation on an Awesome bull.
Very nice, way to go!!
Very, very cool!
But the real question on MY mind is... did Oskar get to help???? :saywhat:
Extra nice bull Ryan. Those old Jets are hard to beat. Jack really made some great bows.
Congratulations from an old flatlander in MD.
Congrats on a fine bull!
Thanks, guys..
Extrema - yep, that's an electric fence on a D-cell charger. Too many bears around to leave camp unprotected for long. We just unhook the top wire when around camp.
R
QuoteDad pulled my bow a couple times and made the statement "There is something special about the Jack Howard Jet!"
I guess so!
Glad to see your success Ryan. Classic camp, classic garb, classic bow all wrapped up with the usual picture of a Rothhaar with his hands wrapped around some big antlers smiling from ear to ear (on the inside ;) )
Love those big snuffers.Congrats :clapper:
Congrats! That's a great bull!
Great bull!!! Congrats on a memorable hunt for sure!
Good job Ryan!! Great bull!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Way to go! Nice accomplishment and story to boot. :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
I'm with Guru! Awesome what a story about your dad the bow, and the year you where born, man that's to cool. :thumbsup: :clapper: :clapper:
Man that is cool! Remind me why I moved back home to MO again from Colorado?
Great job! Maybe now I'll stick that snuffer-tipped arrow on my bowstring tommorrow... :)
Congrats!
Ethan
Great achievement, congratulations.
Awsome job Ryan congradulations! :thumbsup:
The last photo showing your bull elk and your vintage bow is my favorite to look at. Jack Howard's bows are legendary.
I always wanted to grab up one of those Jets or Classics. Someday I'll grab one...they dont come up for sale often though. Beautiful bow. Awesome story, and congrats Ryan. Where in Griz country were you guys. Might be close to where I hunt. I'd love to "run" into sometime.
Randy.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Nice bull! Congrats!
Way to go! Congratulations!
Nice going Ryan.Great bull.Looks like a real fun hunt.
Thats a nice Elk Ryan, and a nice bow too. I almost bought a Gamemaster Jet many years ago and now surely do wish I had.
I sure admire you Dad.
Joe
Nice bull Ryan.
Nice job Ryan. I always enjoy your writing. Vintage bow, vintage clothes...vintage hunt.
Congrats,
Kyle
Very nice!!!
Great job on a fine bull.
Man, sounds like a dream trip. Thanks for sharing. Now I can add that pict. of your camp to my dreams of far away trips..
VERY NICE!!! Shawn
Congratulations on the bull Ryan! Well done!
Now that was a Traditional bow hunt.I know you are proud. Thanks for sharing!
Great job Ryan!!!!! Wish I could go where the Kanati has gone (LOL)
Very cool Ryan, congratulations!!! :thumbsup:
All you need is 3 things...a dead bull, a smile and a good 'ol MT blood trailing dog. Good job.
EH
Ya done good Ryan...real good.
Gotta love the clasic plaid.
I love stories like that. Thanks for sharing :bigsmyl: ...Van
WOW
First of all congratulations on a great traditional hunt, you made me smile and dream,
What a great elk, your story , DAD , bow , snuffers, that by the way nice comment on them GREAT!!!! :notworthy:
thanks
Gerardo
"Fortunately the elk that far back in the wilderness area don't have internet access and nobody told them that you need a 2-blade single bevel head to shoot through an elk...."
That's classic!
Congrats on a great Bull, and a very meaningful hunt for you. Also, thanks for sharing it with us!
QuoteOriginally posted by Walt Francis:
Gotta love the clasic plaid.
Yep, that jacket is a dandy - from Rob Tiberio's "Classic Bowman" sporting woolens. Nice stuff.
Ryan
Very cool, congrats!
:thumbsup: :clapper:
Congrats Ryan ! I'm sure Roger is as proud as you are happy ! you probably know that Rob Tiberio also shoots a Gamemaster Jet. I'm just looking through his catalogue , great clothing.
GREAT JOB! Good to see those old bows getting to work.
CONGRATULATIONS on your achievement!
Not sure how I missed this thread before.
Nice bull Ryan! I have to say it, gotta love those Snuffers! Congrats.
Way to go Ryan! With Karma like that it just had to be. It's hard to pull up pics on threads with this phone - I'll check them out when I get home.
Ryan,
You didn't read the fine print on that internet memo about two blades-
" anyone who's father invented a famous three blade head and has killed lots of big animals is hereby exempt from the ruling."
Congrats...I'm glad you were able to pull it off despite the severe handicap!!! :bigsmyl: :biglaugh:
That's really cool. A lot of real history there. Those Jets are my favorite.
That is cool, congratulations!! Everyone I know is killing elk :rolleyes: I guess I am going to have to start hunting them again next year. :D Joseph
Great hunt Ryan - glad you shared. Congrats.
What a beautiful place, great story and a FANTASTIC ENDING !!!!
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great story, thanks for sharing!
thats a cool hunt!! Congradulations!!
Very awesome job.Thanks for the pic's and story.