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My first bull elk
#6890749
09/18/17 02:11 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,796
GOLDSTEIN
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,796 |
This will be a long post, so skip to the bottom if you just want pictures. I started chasing elk with a bow 6 years ago. The very first morning of my very first elk hunt, we were in a screaming match with a nice bull. We didn't kill that bull, but that experience had me hooked. I spent the next several years unsuccessfully chasing these critters. This year, I was so wrapped up in my business, I missed the application deadline for New Mexico. I went into panic mode, and started doing a lot of research. I finally found a landowner tag I decided to purchase so I could hunt this year. I spent the months leading up to the hunt getting prepared, but due to a really busy year at the office, I never really had a chance to get excited. In fact, it didn't really hit me until I wrapped things up at the office the night before I left. Finally, I was pumped. Little did I know, it was going to be a week of extreme highs and lows. The hunt started on Sunday morning. My guide and I went for a hike on a ridge around daylight, and 10 minutes in, we were chasing 3 bugling bulls. This was great! We followed, called, stalked, etc, but we never could catch up to them. The weather was pretty warm, and the elk were going to bed early. We left the elk alone, and decided to try to find them that afternoon. Sunday afternoon, we heard a few distant bugles, but nothing we could get on. Overall, it was a great start to the week. Monday morning was dead. Nothing was talking, it was hot, and it was a bust. That afternoon, due to the heat, we decided to just sit a water hole. We sat sweating our rear ends off for hours. Just before dark, we cow called a little, and a 285"+- bull came in to inspect. My guide gave me the option to shoot, but I decided to hold off that early into the hunt, knowing I may regret it. Tuesday morning was good. Bulls were bugling again. We had a group working down a mesa toward us, and then they bedded down before we ever put eyes on them. We chose to leave them alone and come back that afternoon. It started raining that afternoon, but we put our rain gear on, and went out. As soon as we got to the ridge, we were hearing bugles. We saw a nice bull in the meadow to our west, but the wind was not good to after him. We started looking to the east where we had heard the bulls that morning and we saw to bulls. The first we saw, the guide immediately said was a GREAT bull. He was obviously the heard bull. There was also a satellite bull that seemed pretty nice. We made a plan and went after them. We worked down the ridge to the meadow and started our stalk. We had the heard bull and his cows feeding directly to us about 110 yards away. Unfortunately, the wind swirled, and the cows busted us. We kept working our way down the meadow, and all of a sudden the satellite bull stepped out at 80 yards. He came into 60 yards, and I was ready to shoot him. My guide was standing a few feet to my left, and told me not yet. Then the bull busted us. The guide thought the bull was straight on due to him having a different view from me. The bull was broadside for me, and I could have killed him. We just had miscommunication, and blew a chance at a 340" 6x6. I was bummed. Wednesday and Thursday were extremely slow and it was HOT. Friday was my last day to hunt. I packed snacks planning on not leaving the mountain until dark. What I didn't plan on was a stomach bug. The first part of the morning was not pleasant on the mountain. There were some bulls bugling a long ways off, but we could not get to them. I was feeling terrible, and the guide was ready to go back to camp so I could rest. I told him that was not happening. I will stay out and suffer till dark. We changed direction and walked up a new ridge. As we were walking, we heard a bugle very close. We went directly at the bugle and didn't have a clue how big he was. We got to a point where they elk were in a slight depression, and snuck up to 30 yards in really thick cover. At this point I was going to shoot any legal bull I saw. The cows started getting nervous, and we knew it was now or never. I found a small window and got on my knees. The cows walked through that window, and we waited for the bull to follow. Right away, I saw fronts from the bull start to enter the window. I drew and focused on the window. The bull walked in, I released the arrow, and it looked like a really good shot. I didn't get a full pass through, and there was 6" of my arrow still sticking out. I still had no idea how big the bull was, as all I had really seen was fronts. We waited an hour and started our search. This is where things went from extreme highs to extreme lows. We could not find blood. In all, we found six DROPS of blood. Doubts started filling my mind. I thought the shot was good, but maybe it was high? We spent the next hour tracking his prints very slowly. We only covered 150 yards. With no blood, the guide started talking about how tough elk were and that unless the shot is perfect, these things just don't die. I had seen it first hand before, but I was not ready to give up. Just as my guide was about to call off the search, he looked up, and he was laying 200 yards away dead. We found him with dumb luck. The shot actually was perfect. I hit both lungs, he just bled out internally. I will not be using that broadhead again. We walked up on the bull, still not knowing what I had shot, and were shocked. It was the giant heard bull we were after Tuesday afternoon. He is 8x7 and rough scored 380 7/8". My first bull is a giant, and I will most likely never top it.
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890760
09/18/17 02:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,420
ZK-315
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,420 |
Great story and a hell of a bull!
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890762
09/18/17 02:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549 |
Way to go, looks like you done well! Congrats
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890763
09/18/17 02:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034 |
Damn Goldie!! Way to get it done bud One heck of a top tier bull imo. just outstanding!!!!! AND. No Fords harmed in this hunt, I'd say "full circle" of life sir
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890766
09/18/17 02:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 233
mdryg1970
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 233 |
"Hell with them fellas. Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms."
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890767
09/18/17 02:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,608
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,608 |
What a bull and story. Truly impressive.
It's funny how things work out. You blow it on a good bull only to kill a better bull. I killed mine the same way.
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890770
09/18/17 02:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,931
Stub
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 43,931 |
Wow magnificent bull and great write up, congratulations
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890778
09/18/17 02:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,290
BenBob
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,290 |
Tired, Wired, and Uninspired
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890782
09/18/17 02:37 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,362
dkershen
Rev Dave
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Rev Dave
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,362 |
Holy Crap Craig!! Congrats on a fantastic bull
To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890786
09/18/17 02:40 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657
colt45-90
Texas colt45
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Texas colt45
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,657 |
well done, when do we eat some steaks.
hold on Newt, we got a runaway
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890791
09/18/17 02:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,556
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,556 |
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890794
09/18/17 02:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Wowza!! What a great bull and a great hunt!! Congratulations!!
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890799
09/18/17 02:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091
Always ready 2 hunt
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,091 |
Awesome story and wow what a bull. Congrats!
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890800
09/18/17 02:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 459
82Ag
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 459 |
Awesome bull! Congrats, and thanks for sharing.
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890851
09/18/17 03:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 344
rabbit_jack
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 344 |
Good for you Craig. That is a fantastic bull for sure! Congratulations!!!
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890857
09/18/17 03:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,980
Stompy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,980 |
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890885
09/18/17 04:03 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,645
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,645 |
Dang, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Great hunt/story, and a great trophy!
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890886
09/18/17 04:04 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122
aggie-01
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122 |
Great bull! What broadhead were you using that you said your not going to use again? Was is because of not getting a pass thru. Always trying to learn some insight from in field experiences and things to possibly avoid.
Mitch
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890891
09/18/17 04:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,750
texfork
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,750 |
Congratulations on a bull of a life time .
Prayer is the "ultimate" wireless connection .
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: aggie-01]
#6890892
09/18/17 04:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,796
GOLDSTEIN
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,796 |
Great bull! What broadhead were you using that you said your not going to use again? Was is because of not getting a pass thru. Always trying to learn some insight from in field experiences and things to possibly avoid. I was using a DirtNap Gear DRT. It's a 2 blade with 2 bleeder fixed head. The broadhead split a rib on entry, and it bent the tip about 45*. I expect more strength from a broadhead.
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890902
09/18/17 04:13 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 806
Loanman
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 806 |
That is an incredible set of horns....i want to come by and check them out!
Thejeffersonteam.com
If you have a Mortgage Question call anytime, always here to help Fellow Hunters. Been Helping Families get in Their Homes for many years, Families need a place to live!
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890907
09/18/17 04:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,415
jdk1985
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,415 |
Instagram @justinkingwoodworking
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890914
09/18/17 04:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122
aggie-01
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 122 |
Great bull! What broadhead were you using that you said your not going to use again? Was is because of not getting a pass thru. Always trying to learn some insight from in field experiences and things to possibly avoid. I was using a DirtNap Gear DRT. It's a 2 blade with 2 bleeder fixed head. The broadhead split a rib on entry, and it bent the tip about 45*. I expect more strength from a broadhead. Thanks for the reply! Again great bull and story!!
Mitch
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: Loanman]
#6890916
09/18/17 04:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,796
GOLDSTEIN
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,796 |
That is an incredible set of horns....i want to come by and check them out! Come on, amigo
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Re: My first bull elk
[Re: GOLDSTEIN]
#6890936
09/18/17 04:46 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,177
Bee'z
The Beedazzler
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The Beedazzler
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 23,177 |
Congrats Sir. That is one hell of a bull
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