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Trek pole insert withdrawn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! ;^)
elkmtngear's Link
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.