Well I'm back. Tag soup, but what a hunt! It took me 5 days to really get on animals, but when I did it was magical.
The last hour of the last hunt I had a 5x5 bull at 12 yards. He caught me drawing and turned to face me. I had to pass even though I know I could have penetrated his chest. A no brainer! The shot selection would/could have haunted me for a whole year. Besides, I'm the nucklehead who got caught drawing! Why should the animal have to pay for my mistake with an ill advised arrow. Anyway, I caught a little grief from my mates in camp (all wheel shooters)until I reminded them I had 3 stalks that day and not a one of them had any. So, the process starts all over...I'm dreaming of elk country until 2008!
You made some great memories and you made a good choice in the heat of battle. Good for you.
I agree with Snag. You made the honorable choice. I salute you.
Derek
Still sounds like a successful hunt to me. It pays to have a little restraint rather than make a shot you would regret. Good for you.
Geoff
Think of it as building credits for next time, enjoy the memory ,and be assured you did it right and it takes more character to do that, and it is way easier to live with. SALUTE!
Bill
:thumbsup: Lord willing, there's always the next time.
Thanks fellas! It sure means alot to know that you guys see it my way too. As I sit at my desk and reflect today I smile knowing that bull might be there next year...bigger, smarter. I know where he lives now, and I will see him each time I shoot my bow and get on that awful treadmill. Also, how many folks have been that close to one of those beasts and lived to tell about it! haha
This'll be my first year hunting "Trad Only" and I can only hope for the kind of experience you've described!!
The memory of that close encounter will last longer than the meat in the freezer. You made the right choice.
It takes a real Tradganger to recognize and appreciate a successful adventure like you had.
Thanks for a good story :clapper: :clapper:
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :clapper:
Better to be criticized by the Training Wheels Crowd than to be plagued by the Nightmares for the next year. Good Choice!
I was chastised for not taking 75 yard shots by my compound shooting camp mates on my last hunt with wheels back in '91.
Nicely done on your part! Hopefully memories of that bull tide you over till the next hunt. Memories of my bull encounter 2 years ago are tiding me over, can't wait to get back to that little meadow.
-Mike
Excellent judgment, and a cool head. Nothing should haunt you on that one.
Every shot, especially on elk, are a risk at some level or another. Probabilities were you'd have been disgusted with yourself if you'd chosen otherwise.
Now you can continue to be happy with an excellent hunt and your sound judgment. Even if you'd killed that bull such a call would haunt you.