Took this 5x5 the morning of Saturday, September 29th around 9:30am in 402. Had him chuckling back at us (~500 yds) after a few locator calls as he had some cows with him. He didn't want to leave the ridge he was on to come investigate but a buddy kept him occupied while I closed distance in timber and dropped him from 125 yds. First elk.
Once we got him down to the truck and loaded up we chatted with a few groups passing by - they mentioned the bulls had been active for a few days. This felt like a YouTube hunt - a welcome change after a few seasons of grinding.