Well 67 archery elk hunting days later I took my first archery bull. We all hunt for our own reasons, we all have our own check list, are own goals, are owe way, our own ideology but in the end we are all the same regardless of how, where or what we hunt. We are the same, we all find our souls, our reasoning, and our comfort amongst like minded fellow hunters at a camp fire. There is only one true place where there are no strangers, no outsiders, no hate, and that’s hunt camp……

This camp was no different, great hunters and guides. I can’t say enough about Ethan and his crew at bar.x. bar. In fact I was so impressed I writing this with very heavy shoulders. Ethan and his crew are probably one of the best outfits I have EVER hunted with, but heavy shoulders now comes as I'm knowing that I just may of decreased my draw odds and increased my competition to hunt with bar.x.bar, LOL.

In a nut shell I had four very mature bulls over, at or close to 300” within range, plus a fifth that I got within a hundred yard. Toss in three smaller bulls and that makes 7 bulls within range in 6.5 days. To say I had an exciting and humbling hunt is an understatement.

I always refer to my elk hunting as beating the mountain. To me archery elk is a combination of beating a mountain that holds elk first, then trying not to beat yourself when elk come in. No expectation on this hunt. Mountain was as brutal as they come. 30 miles in 6.5 days, almost 10k of vertical up and 10k vertical down in 6.5 days, and a loss of 13lbs. Toss in an area that is covered in blow down timber, and steep draws… you can find yourself at your physical limit quick, and I did. The later part of the mountain equation mentioned earlier is a funny thing. It’s always filled with cuss words, downing emotions, double guessing, questioning and sometimes just down right disbelief. Well I’ll go ahead and just admit in public that I blew an opportunity at the largest bull I have ever had within 400 yards of me…. Nothing worse than a self-given arse whooping, but nothing better than recovering and ending the trip with another dandy bull. Here are a few pics to tell the rest of the story.

Damn fine Bull BOBO, not a thing wrong with that big dude!! I bet the "other one" didn't have that mass to go with all those points With a bow too AND, you still have your truck

Heck of a bull and good story

Thanks for the story!

Hallelujah!!!!! Good job on a good bull.

That is great !!!
Congrats on a fine bull !!!

Outstanding, I see you finally put that rangefinder to good use

I love it, congrats on a fine bull, all these elk pics have me pumped me up for my rifle hunt in a few weeks.

Very nicely done.

Very nice, congrats!

Congrats, on a great bull

Awesome congrats!!!

Dandy!!

Great bull and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I share your feelings about conquering the mountain first. I've been humbled too many times to count. Nothing beats hunting in the mountains in the fall. Well done brother!!! Baker

Perfection in every way, congratulations

Congrats again!

Great Bull, Great story, Congrats.

Congrats. That's a great animals and looks like a heck of a time.

Walter

Awesome Write Up also J Man! That Isolunar Hat has some miles on it...

Very cool congrats

Congrats senor, nice bull. Bet it feels good to scratch that off the list.

You earned that one, congrats

Great bull - well deserved!!!

Congrats on a great hunt.

That is a great bull sir. Thank you for the story, that trip sounds magnificent. Congratulations.

Thanks everyone!!! The whole trip is still sinking in. I hope everyone gets the same experience some day!!!!