Big Bull Elk Down!!!!

[huntinggr81]

Went out on Thursday evening - opening day where I hunt, and was able to call this beautiful bull in close enough for a shot. I climbed into my stand at about 16:50, and cow called often until about 18:00. After that I let the occasional bugle out followed by a couple cow calls. I thought I heard something left of my stand at about 18:30. I continued calling every 10 min or so & at about 19:15 I got a glimpse of an elk maybe 100 yards or so to the left of my stand. As soon as I bugled again the elk moved out of my sight, and sounded to be moving towards me. I never made a peep & it was then that this bull let out the only vocal sound during this entire experience, and it was the quietest little "meeeeeah" that I have ever heard from any elk - but there was also no mistaking what it was. The bull move into my view for a second & I could see that it looked to be a pretty nice bull (although this day I would have shot a cow if she would have came in). He went behind some trees at about 50-60 yards & stopped. We had a standoff for about 7-8 min with silence when I heard him start moving again, but away from me this time. I turned around in my stand & gave a couple little cow chirps behind me. He stopped & then started away again. I bugled & he stopped again, destroying some trees with his antlers. He then spent the next hour circling my treestand, and although I could hear him - I never seen him again. I was calling intermittently - both bugles & cow calls & he would respond by raking the trees with his rack. Finally at just before 20:30 he comitted & came in. I drew on him the first chance I had at about 40 yards. He caught me drawing, and stopped looking right in my direction. I froze for what seemed like 5 minutes, but was probably only 1-2 & he finally put his head down, as he walked behind some poplar trees. I let down & waited - he end up turning back on the same trail he was coming in on & came out in the same opening where I had just drew on him - only a little closer. I drew back & put my 30 yard pin just a touch high on his vitals & smoked him! He bolted & I gave a couple of quick cow calls - and heard him go down shortly thereafter. He started his death moan less than a minute after the shot. I climbed down from me treestand & went about 75-100 yards & found him piled up. Only then did I realize just how magnificent this bull truly was. We caped him out & I'm going to get a full shoulder mount.

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[huntin'fool]

awesome awesome awesome. Big boys in early season come in quiet...Priceless!!!

[Hunting Alberta]

Congrats good work on an awesome bull!!!

[weatherbyfan]

Amazing bull elk cOngrats

[double gun]

Good deal, nice bull.

[Dark Wing]

Very nice ! I don't no how you bow hunters hold it together with a screaming elk so close.

[moosehunter3-0]

Congrats, nice elk.

[Beta-pg]

beautiful animal... congrats man!

[Rigby]

Nice bull! Congrats

[trophyboy]

Great story and a great bull. Way to go man!

[Darren451]

WoW! What a great hunt! Very nice bull Congratulations!

[Raptor]

Great bull and loved the story. Congrats.

[huntmaster83]

Good story to go with a great bull, love the dark rack with the polished white tips!

[Titan]

Nice work on this great looking bull. Any thoughts on spot and stock vs tree stand hunting. I went out last week and must have put 15km on my boots. Scared up a cow moose, but no elk! Called a ton, but constantly moving and, Ill be the first to admitt I have limited knowledge on ho to call properly. Killed a beauty last year in same area, with my 270WSM, but this is my first season bow hunting!

Advice?

[drake]

any other pics....

its hard to tell how big he is when you're sitting 9 feet behind him