Talks2elk Juniors first Bull

[Talks2Elk]

September 17, 2016 opening morning after getting into camp at 11:30 the night before and getting up at 5 am, sleep was limited but hey how many of us sleep well the night before. After a quick breakfast and a cup of coffee we headed out to our spot. Since it was still dark out, I elected to head straight to the river bank to see if we could hear any bugles or catch them heading back to their bedding area. Once on the bank we found a good spot to sit and wait to see if any elk would cross the river or head down. Threw out a couple of bugles with no response. Went to look over the next ridge and nothing there as well. Came back to the first spot looked down and saw 5 elk on a gravel bar, pulled up the bino’s to take a better look and sure enough there was a big 6X6 looking down the river at about 650 yards. Ok boy time to get closer. We skirted the hillside and got to within 200 yards peeked over the ridge and no elk to be found. Couple more bugles and no response, so I decided to back out and come back in the next morning.
September 18, 2016
Did the same routine and arrived at our spot at 8 am. At 8:30 am 4 elk came out the opposite side and starting swimming across the river to our side one of which was a medium 6X6. As we waited for them to swim across, 13 more elk came out and started swimming across, cow’s calves and to small bulls. The 6X6 was close to the bank and decided to stand in about 3 feet of water and look around. Corey lined him up and waited for him to get on the bank before he would take a shot at him. Once the bull was on the bank he could not get a clear shot at him as he was behind some cover and we watched him walk into the tress. Down the bank we go. Threw out a couple of bugles and this time he answered back. We exchanged insults for about 10 minutes and had the bull within 50 yards but no shot with the thick bush between us. Shortly after, the 2 small bulls came up from our right and one of them spotted us. Time to back out and come back tomorrow morning with a new plan.
September 19, 2016
New plan was to be on the river bank and wait until they cross. Arrived on the river bank at 8 am and found a good spot between the 2 trails and waited and waited and waited. 11 am and no elk crossing this morning. Back to camp we go.
September 20, 2016
We decided to try a new area along a different river valley, walked in to one of my favorite calling spots in the dark and waited for legal light. Legal light took forever and I threw out a bugle and waited. Corey said Dad I heard a very faint bugle. Thank god for young ears as I never head it. Bugled again, this time I heard his response. Down the bank we go! As we worked our way closer, the bugles got louder and louder. I snagged my reed on a rose bush and had to take a few minutes to replace it meanwhile Corey took over the calling and man did he work up that bull, he was raking trees and chuckling up a storm. I said to Corey here we go Game On! With a new reed on I responded with my own chuckles and all we could hear was crashing coming towards us and he was within 50 yards. Corey put one in the tube and you could see the excitement in his eyes. I got him to take a few breathes and take a minute to calm down. Suddenly the bull decided to go up hill and I grabbed Corey and headed up hill to the next opening about 20 yards away. As we were climbing Corey grabbed me and pointed up. The bull was on the ridge walking parallel to us at about 8 yards!! He must have heard our hearts pounding and jumped sideways out of view and screamed at us, I bugled back and we heard him run up the hill. As we got to the hill, he was nowhere to be found. So, we walked the ridgeline about 20 yards and Corey quietly said Bull!!!! The bull walked out from a clump of spruce trees 25 yards away and was broad side to Corey. I looked back and said shoot. Before I could get the word out, all I could see was the bull dropping and running downhill. The hit was solid and you could see that he had a hard time running. We stood still for a minute and then we heard a loud crash and all was silent. I told Corey the bull was down and we will wait 15 minutes before we start to track him. Then I said to him Corey you do realize that you just shot a big 6X6 and he said Dad I knew he was a big one. Man was he ever excited and that 15 min must have been hours to him. We did a short 40 yard track job and there was the bull dead under a large spruce tree. I told Corey to slowly walk up to him from behind and give a poke with the barrel to make sure he was dead. I also said to him that this elk has never been touched by a human before and that he should be the first one to touch him. Bull down!! After a hug and couple of tears it was time to tag him and to take some photos. The poor kid was shaking so bad that I had to help him tag it. After the photo session, I told Corey, do you realize that we are about a mile and bit down the hill and that we will have to pack him out….. and his reply was oh yes and lucky we have 3 other packers at camp to help out. Smart kid.

The bull was shot at 8:30 am and we got the head back to the truck at 8:30 pm. It was a long day but I would do again in a heartbeat for him. Looking at the pictures, I don’t know what’s bigger, the smile on his face or the bull that lays in front of him??? This memory will last a lifetime for both of us and I’m sure he will be telling the story to his kids about his first elk. Special thanks to Charles, Darren and Tim for the help to pack out the elk.

[Slicktricker]

What a beaut congratulations to him I think my father was happier then I was when I took my first bull.

[savage_logan]

Sounds like a crazy exciting hunt! Congrats to your son on an awesome bull, lasting memories for sure!


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[Gboe8]

Great job to you and your son nice bull!

[Bganz]

Oh man that sounds like a great time!!! Congratulations!

[SteveY66]

Beauty bull good job sticking with it

[birdee]

for a average of 1.2 posts a yr its a gooder nice bull

[hayseed]

Fantastic job boys!!!

[Sooner]

Congrats, nice bull.

[elkrub]

Great Looking Bull!!

[bb356]

Cool !!!

[iliketrout]

Congrats on the bull, and also I really enjoyed the write up! I like hearing about the entire hunt, not just the time it all panned out. Thanks for sharing!

[stickflicker]

Awesome hunt!! Congratulations guys.

[DJS]

That's an awesome story! Congrats to you and your son. My son just passed his Hunters Education course. Can't to get him out for Whitetails in November!

[Roughneck Country]

great bull!

[husky7mm]

Good story, I dont see a picture though??

[Talks2Elk]

Sorry about that. With the mishap this morning my post was pulled and the pictures are gone for now. I will repost some tonight. Thanks

[catnthehat]

I might be able to find it fir you - or maybe not!
Cat

[Talks2Elk]

Pictures Added

[Vacation]

What a tank. Huge congrats! Thanks for the story.

[Kurt505]

Nice Bull, congrats!

PS, that nut never fell far from the tree, not hard to tell he's your boy!

[bruceba]

Wow nerves of steel at 25 yards, congrats..

[freeride]

very nice bull!
so jealous!!

[SugarCreek]

Congrats to your son on a great bull....the smile on his face says it all!!!!

Marco

[Demonical]

Cool story, and great pics!

[Stinky Buffalo]

Whoa! Great bull! Congrats to you and your son. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

I especially liked the "Exchanged insults" part. What a great way to describe it.

[JonBoy]

Awesome!

[diamonddave]

Originally Posted by Talks2Elk

Pictures Added

Darren sent me that first pic of you and your son, congratts to him and all you guys!! Glad that big bastard Darren was with you, to help grunt that boy back up the hill!!!

[Talks2Elk]

Yes you sure get to know your hunting buddies when it comes time to pack one out, but I do remember calling one in an packing it out of the same valley 2 years ago for him.