Well, for those who saw the video of the giant .... this is not him. :) . I had a new baby girl in June and had very limited hunting time this fall. With that said, I did sneak out for two, three day hunts. Both times we packed in deep with Llamas and got into some furious action. We called in a mess of bulls. I read recently a bunch of posts about elk not calling, not rutting etc. That is just not the case up here. I guess I'm fortunate to hunt where elk still act like elk. We called in (mostly bugled) in 22 bulls and took two on public land. We had every concievable thing go wrong on 1-20.... thank god for 21 and 22.
The story on this bull played out exactly like last year. Brett and I hunted a ridge we know elk cross and heard screaming from 4-5 bulls as the herd approached at first light. We got in front of them and challenged the bulls. The herd hung up, and it was a verbal duel for five minutes. However, instead of the bulls we got the lead cow. :) . We went silent and let her drift away buzzing her head off. We shadowed the herd until they dropped over into the next basin. We smiled, because we know that hole well. I killed my bull last year in that patch of north facing lodgepoles.
So... We took a nap, ate a sandwich, had a great game of "shoot the head off the thistle". Around noon we figured the thermals had stabilized and the bulls would be restless, so we stalked in from the downwind side. I spotted a spike in the lodgepole at about 60 yards and hit the brakes. We scanned with binos and soon picked out ears, tails, legs and all sorts of various bedded cow parts. GAME ON! My buddy retreated very carefully about 50 yards and started his intruder bull, hooked cow bit. Up jumped two bulls and they charged right past me screaming their heads off. I stopped this satellite at 18 yards and ended it quickly. He made it about 100 yards and piled up. Strangely, he came to rest only 150 yards from the the spot my bull from last year expired. I like that hole!
Two days later, my buddy went on to kill his bull on the same side hill as HIS bull from last year. It definately helps to find those hot spots where the terrain really allows you to call and kill bulls.
I will be eating well this winter!
Thanks for sharing the experience with me!
Hiking in
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/fluffery/photosvideo461.jpg)
Brett listening for bulls
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/fluffery/photosvideo453.jpg)
One of my favorite Sept pastimes... Mid day naps
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/fluffery/photosvideo452.jpg)
My bull
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd448/fluffery/photosvideo465.jpg)
Congrats on the Bull. He is awesome.
Magnificent country, and superb bull! Well-done!
I like the whole set up, packing in with the llamas, and a beautiful bull. Great job, any chance of some pics. of your camp set up.?
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Looks like you boys know what you're doing. Congrats.
Dang! Satalite schmatalite...Nice bull! Sounds like a great hunt, thanks for the pics and sharing it with us.
Awesome bull and beautiful scenery.
:thumbsup: :notworthy:
Orbit bull my behind!!! That is a great bull and some great country. Congrats!!! :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Great Bull!
What a adventure with 22 bulls screaming around.I can only immagine the herd bull...Congrats.
Great Bull!!
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
Congratulations!!
God bless,Mudd
Wow, congratulations. Thanks for sharing with us.
Frank
Awesome animal! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Great bull! Glad the elk were acting like elk up there! Congrats!! :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: Congrats on a fine bull.
Great bull, congrats
Congrats on a nice bull! :thumbsup:
That Is AWESOME!!!!!!
Fun story - great bull - congrats.
Maybe I looked over it but what was your set up? Congratulations.
The effort pay's off;Good job;Congrats
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Very nice...congrats!! :clapper:
Wooooooot!!!!!
Cogradulations! Looks like areally nice bull to me.
Good job,nice bull. Its nice to know that the wolves haven't eaten all the elk in Montana.
MAP
Looks like a giant to me. Congrats on your trophy.
Keeping the faith!
Magnus
Good shootin' Pilgrim!
Looks like you're ready to skin griz!
Enjoy the feast!
Shoot straight, Shinken
VERY,VERY NICE!!!!!!!
Most excellent! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Looks like a fine animal to me. Congratulations!!
What a great bull - thanks for the story
Most excellent! :thumbsup:
Way to go! Thanks for sharing with us!
Wow! Sounds like you really know what you're doing with the bulls and how to turn them on. Great job, and great story and pictures!!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome! well done and that nap spot is not bad either. :notworthy: :clapper:
Congratulations on a great story and a great bull. Awsome !!!! That may be an understatement. God blessed you for sure. Steve
WOW
Dream hunt! From the lama's, to the country and especially the elk. You guy's just know how to live right! Thanks for sharing the story.
Now that is a great hunt! Congrats.
What a great hunt you had! Congrats on a nice bull!
:clapper:
Sounds like a perfect ending to a perfect hunt. Congrats on the bull and congrats on the baby!!!
Magnificent country, and beautiful bull! Well-done! :campfire:
:clapper: Absolutely Awesome!
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Well it looks like the wolves pushed the elk from Idaho over to your side of the mountain :dunno:
Great job
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: Nice bull. I heard my frist bugel this week end but I only had a cow tag.