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What’s a OIL tag mean to you

This isn’t a true OIL tag but I know we’ll never own it again so I guess you can call it that, a tag like that is only special for a few reasons either you fill it you share it with the best hunting partners on the planet or you almost die so you never forget it, we checked several of those boxes and it yielded everything I could ever imagine, when I started applying for points 13 yrs ago it seemed like a pipe dream that I would ever do a 14 day public land DIY elk hunt and be successful, but the stars aligned and my hunting buddy OTC WILL made it all possible our buddy Joe the thankless person he is endures 14 days of pain for our success as well just to help out it was everything I could ever imagine whether it was weather or hardship we seen It all 85° to high wind and snow to absolute no rut action / rut pandemonium. The highest of highs to the lowest of lows. That’s a marathon hunt i miss every second of it because of the bond built between friendships… Fall is a special time for several reasons but we all relate to the interaction and bond that is built with hunting partners in the Mtns.

Grats

That's awesome- many congrats!

Congrats!! I love it!!!’

Jim, great job congrats! I’ve been fortunate to have 2 OIL opportunities (one that OTC Will) shared in the process. The friends that joined me on those adventures truly made it some of the most memorable hunts of my life.

Getting to share and experience all those things with a good buddy (buddies) makes it all the more special and memorable, for sure. Congrats again, Murph, on a great bull and an even better adventure!

Fantastic! When you combine the animal, the setting and the camaraderie, it doesn't get much better than that.

Can't wait to hear the whole story from one of you two. Hell of an adventure! Much more to come in future years, I'm sure.

I'm thankful every day for the lifetime friendships and hunting partners this site has provided me.

That is awesome! I love the time and dedication. I cringe when I see new guys here asking about where to hunt. Your odds of taking a good bull increases 20 fold getting any decent draw tag vs etc. And the top end bull goes up at least 30 points.

Good stuff. OIL for me is tough. I have had some many tags that really area and so many incredible experiences. I get choked up just thinking abut how lucky I am.

To me it is a combo of a really hard to get tag, meaning over 20 years of points or odds of 1000:1 or more. It has to be difficult and challenging and push me. Who I am with, which is almost always no one, plays in. On a recent trip I partnered up with a guy who is the most unreal outdoorsman on the planet. I plan trips around hunting with him now and that takes priority far above trophy size.

I am excited to hear the full story and congrat's!

Congratulations! Great bull and sounds like an awesome hunt!

If you ask my wife every tag is a OIL lol.

I've never had a true OIL tag, but I treat them all like it. Love your description about friendship etc, cause that right there is what it's all about.

Strong work men!!

Most of our hunts are once in a lifetime we just convince ourselves otherwise. The tag is the excuse to go.

Congrats! Looks like good times were had!

I know the feeling Murph. I’m 53 now and I feel like I have a lot of hunts left in me but every tag I get may be my last. I’ve started to treat them that way. I killed a great bull in WY limited entry unit in 2020 that was pretty easy to draw. Now, with my age and the fact I don’t want to wait any longer than I have to wait, that unit was effectively a OIL. Regardless of where we have tags, it’s about spending time with great dudes like Will vs. punching tags and I really like to punch tags.

Congrats Murph! Way to make the most of it!

Great bull! Great pic!

Spending time with the right people on a hunt - that’s what makes good memories.

If it’s a unit that is a premium Unit - that just adds a little more to the already great hunt.

Well done boys!!! Two of my favorites! Sometimes a grind of a hunt is what really pulls you together and that’s what you guys had. Success was just the icing on the cake!

Congrats sir

My OIL Colorado bull moose tag. I still remember that very first deer and I am sure I will never forget this last one, ie, this bull moose with a recurve bow. This hunt is still fresh in my mind and the help I had received. Randy who spent a week with me and was so giving of himself. George and his group, the pulling grew, who we all connected quickly per the spirits, the before and after-lives of the animal we hunt. Tricia who stated, "Oh Paul and then a big hung" and then she dove in to help with the final process. All of the people here on Bowsite that offered advice and support and cheered me on. I am so grateful for all of that. And then Nathan who showed up at the last hour to help me get the meat to the truck from the river. All very special people that helped make this archery bull moose hunt a success and a lasting memory.

Being 99% a solo hunter and then having the tremendous amount of help on this OIL hunt, all of the other hunts I have been on take second place. My best, Paul

Heck of a bull, look forward to the recap!

I’m too young to call any hunt a once in a lifetime. Used to use that catch phrase annually when I first moved North to Alaska. Closest I’ve come and likely was once in a lifetime due to odds was Colorado Archery Bighorn Tag.

My OIL was Nebraska bull elk. I killed two minutes into the opening day at 10 yards. That was after only seeing two bulls in a month and a half of scouting. One of my greatest memories of that day was butchering in Murphs shop and celebrating hard that afternoon and evening.

Just spent 13 days in AZ on a coveted tag. 19 point draw but he drew it on random with only 4. Shared the experience with great friends but was the slowest most dismal rut action we have ever experienced. And we have only ever hunted general tags. It was a baffling head scratcher for sure. Fortunately he didn’t invest 20 years applying at least. But I have been applying there for 13years and hoping to draw one day. Now I’m questioning it

Can definitely relate to 808bowhunter on the AZ elk hunt. I drew a 15 point unit in AZ...this being my 6th western state to bowhunt elk. More elk hunters than I've ever encountered. Very hot and dry with high winds from multiple directions most days. Worst elk rut action I've ever encountered...with the vast majority of elk movement happening at night. Only saw three bulls killed in the unit...all spike bulls taken over water holes. Most points I've ever burned on an elk tag...and the trip felt more like a camping / hiking trip rather than an actual elk hunt. Sh*t happens!

Congratulations! Almost forgot to take a picture? 8)

Congrats Murph!! We also had nonexistent rut activity.

Congrats!

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