Video taped a ton of bulls. Got close, very close to a few decent 6's. Finally after 14 continuous days of filming, being in, calling with and stalking elk, I took a day off to sit a tree stand location my buddy Bill Allard (BB) set up on his San Juan hunt in 2006.
I parked the bike at a pond a half mile from the stands and immediately heard bulls screaming in the dark. They followed me down the canyon to the stands screaming the whole way. As I climbed in at first light I was able to almost immediately identify 5 different bulls running all around me.
For the next 10 1/2 hours I had bulls insulting each other from nearly every direction, but not a single bull approached the wallows I was hunting. Finally at 5:00pm two bulls got into it on either side of the little meadow I was sitting. I caught the last two bugles before my bull stepped into view, all on HD video. I caught a full wallowing session, a great bugle and some incredible close up footage of him facing me at 35 yards.
Finally he stood and turned to face another challenger coming from uphill behind him, leaving me a perfect 36 yard quartering away shot. Fifteen seconds and 38 yards later my bull of a life time was laying on the ground in full view at 55 yards from the stand.
Truly one of the most incredible things I've ever had the privalege to be part of!
Here's a few pics from the last couple days. There's way more to the story, but the gist is a pipe dream came true and I'm thankful to the Lord for laying the bull of a lifetime in my lap. Thankful to my wife of 28 years for putting up with all my disappointment, never understanding why I kept at it in the face of more than a few set backs over the years. Thankful for the folks who helped me make it all happen in a way that is beyond what words can describe.
Here's to all of you that some day you might get a hunt like this to call your own. Keep the Faith !!!
Cheers, Pete
Cheers, Pete
Congrats
Makes me think I still may have a chance one of these years.
Mike
Sounds and looks like the wait was worth it. He's a fine bull with unique characteristics. I love the thirds and the sticker on the sword...
Maybe next year for me with my 15 points
c3's Link
Cheers, Pete
Again Awesome bull.
Next year he'll be able to hunt with me and hopefully he won't have the pain of waiting 25 years to get a bull :)
How's your season going?
Cheers, Pete
