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ODE TO NEW MEXICO (THE SEQUEL)

Enjoy the campfire’s glow

A story grows, with highs and lows

From Old New Mexico

Our Golden Tickets mailed

New Mexico fulfilled our dreams

Two badass bulls were nailed !

Well, lightning can indeed strike twice

For this Year was unreal

We drew 3rd Choice, same unit, too

Man, what a lucky deal !

We left East Coast, and West

Arriving simultaneously

But, no time left for rest !

We threw up camp with fury

Then, split to different areas

To make the evening jury

A disappointing night

But, Kenny hit the Mother Lode

Our morning plan was tight!

Before the light of dawn

We settled in below the crest,

And soon, the game was on!

A growling bugle ripped above,

The herd soon came in view

The big bull skylined, on the ridge

We knew just what to do

I slipped my elk hat on

And popped the giant butt decoy

Trek pole insert withdrawn

I used the pole to wreck a tree

And firmly slap the ground

With Big Dan smiling from above

The Big Bull came right down!

A 5x5 appeared

He came straight on at Kenny

Who drew back as he neared

At 15 yards the bull froze up

With Kenny in full view

He found the spot, the frontal shot,

The arrow buried true!

But, only entered halfway in

The “doorway” there is narrow

And, at this point I realized

I hadn’t nocked an arrow

I peeked around the blind,

The big guy caught my movement,

Turned, and left us far behind.

Kenny and I discussed the shot

With unsure penetration

We waited 90 minutes

And began investigation

And became a fine red spray,

And then, a pool of muddy blood

But, much to our dismay

The blood trail slowly petered out

We grid searched, tooth and nail,

Our time to track was running out,

A storm was on our tail

With heavy hearts, defeated

5 hours we’d searched to no avail

Our bag of tricks, depleted!

Perhaps he hit a single lung,

Too high to get the plumbing

It’s something we may never know

The prospect, sorely numbing

A squealer gave us chase

He clammed up quick when we got close

And said things to his face

With rain forecast throughout the night

It wasn’t looking great

When morning came, we suited up

And hit the trailhead late.

Back to where the bull was hit

Wide circles, nose in wind

From high to low, we searched that ridge

Defeated, once again

We took another tack

And set up on a waterhole

A Timbered ridge in back

Two bulls traversed the ridgeline

And one screamed at a distance

Though, none came down, we had a plan

Because of their assistance

Encounters did abound

But, one by one, we screwed them up

We’ll get it right, next round!

Evening, no success as well

We sat a tank, and wallow

Our 2016 hunt, it was

A real tough act to follow!

The bulls soon started screaming

We started toward the nearest bull

Wind in our faces, streaming

At 80 yards, an open lane

Through timber did appear

As Kenny split for timber right

I quickly popped my gear

The herd bull mocked us, chuckling

But, down the lane, a Satellite!

My stick, I was white-knuckling

And like a magnet, on he came

Right down the lane, as planned

And, Kenny had the broadside view

The shot was “ball in hand”!

I knew the draw was caught!

I smacked the ground, to slow him down

And Kenny took the shot!

Back down the lane, the bull took off

I watched him stumble some

We gave him time to go down hard

Redemption soon to come!

And felt our Spirits lift

As morning sunlight trickled in

Upon this welcome gift

And back to camp quite early

We showered up and felt refreshed

I’ll hunt the evening, surely!

I’d seen on Google Earth

A killer spot for my tree stand

I’d try, for what it’s worth

A downhill trek, ¾ mile

I packed my sticks and stand

I found a pine, above the tank

That met all my demands

Like a bowl of diarrhea

Complete with floaters here and there

Looked elky ‘nuff to me, yeah !

just above me and behind

I slowly stood, and grabbed my bow

Now was my time to shine!

A cow and calf came trotting down

And bailed into the pool

They swam around it, doing laps

I thought “Man, that is cool”!

Then, 3 more cows bailed right on in

The swim party was on!

And, at the far end, head held high

The Bull walked to the pond

He stands there watching all his cows

He’s 30 yards, I think

And just as I drew back, he turned

And walked in for a drink

Not to give myself away

But, the lead cow right below me

Almost sabotaged the Day

She must have heard my movement,

Put her nose up in the air

And without hesitation,

All those cows were outta there!

And stood broadside, head high

Now 45 yards from my tree

I drew, and let it fly

I watched it sail, and bury deep

Behind the shoulder, tight!

A wave of joy, there was no doubt

I’d killed my bull tonight!

Above and back behind

A peaceful 30 minute wait

And, down the tree I climbed

I found his jump marks right away

Then, tracks and blood with ease

Cold wind and Thermals hit my face

I smelled him in the breeze!

And put my nose up high

I walked uphill, straight to the bull

A big old, beefy guy!

I snapped some pictures, tagged my bull

And jogged back up the hill

I drove back to get Kenny

To assist me with my kill

His tenderloins were searing

My Hunting Buddy is the best!

I’m sad, trip’s end is nearing!

Broke him down, some time invested

And, back in camp by Midnight

Beaten bodies finally rested!

NM success hard-earned

Packed up next day, we parted ways

With hopes we’d soon return

~the End~

Congrats on a great experience.

Congratulations to the both of you on an excellent adventure!

Congrats to you each as these passing years teach, there is nothing better than spending Septembers together!

Me too, Kenny...C'mon September! ;^)

See the link provided, for the original thread from 2016, in case you may have missed it.

-Mitch

Congrats

Good luck, Robb

Congrats on another great hunt! And thanks for taking the time to share it. Much appreciated.