2021 LE Archery Bull

GLEDEASY · Aug 23, 2021

This year I got lucky and pulled a random tag with 2 points. Knowing that it wouldn't take long for season to start I began right away in my preparations. I set a few trail cameras and was up any every weekend glassing for bulls.

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GLEDEASY · Aug 23, 2021

I let my cameras hang for a month before checking them. Overall hanging cameras was more of a hassle than anything, but I do enjoy doing so. There were two bulls that did catch my eye.

GLEDEASY · Aug 23, 2021

As season approached I was still deciding where I would find myself on opening day. As much as I wanted to chase the two biggest bulls from my cameras, I opted to hunt a different area. Mine and @Dr_Hunter plans quickly unraveled opening morning as ranchers came through the area pushing their cattle. Things did get exciting when we found 4 bedded bulls, 6x6 5x6 5x5 4x2, and snuck within 55 yards. One by one the bulls got up and fed off until the 5x6 remained. Soon the hooting and hollering from the ranchers jumped the 5x6 and he was coming to run us over before turning away. I drew my bow back for practice and soon the event was over.

My brother was planning on hunting with me the second day, but things at home changed that. Being by myself I opted to sit a water hole I had put cameras on in the past but not this year. I was about 2 miles in when I caught the back half of an elk. I got closer and realized it was a good bull. He was in thick trees but I was able to find a shooting lane at 30 yards and let an arrow fly. The bull took off and I was left wondering if I hit him. As I searched for my arrow I caught a glimpse of the bull walking through the trees. I soon found my arrow and confirmed it was a hit, but there wasn't much penetration. Periodically I would hear a branch brake from his direction and that led me to pursue rather than back out. As I crept to where I last saw him I found his blood trail and realized I had a dead bull walking. I caught up to him in his bed and put one in him to finish him off.

At this point I realized what I had done... killed a bull with no one else than myself to take care of it. Luckily, @BIGJOHNT had told me he always had his radio on a certain channel. I was able to connect with him and he sent out a few messages for me. My brother came up and helped pack him out. My first arrow flew at 7:22am and after a few trips we had him off the mountain by 8pm.

Just like that my archery hunt was done in 2 days. I knew he was a decent bull, but didn't realize how good until I had him next to some other bulls we have harvested. Pretty happy with the outcome, even if I don't get to hunt in September.

elkhunterUT · Aug 23, 2021

Awesome-congrats on a great bull!!

rmanwill · Aug 23, 2021

Congrats. Looks like you seen and had numerous bulls located through your scouting. Awesome and thanks for sharing.

BIGJOHNT · Aug 23, 2021

I didn’t know you were alone. I thought John was with you. If I had known that I would of hiked up with you brother. I figured you three had it under control. Sorry man !

publichunter1 · Aug 23, 2021

Awesome bull! Congrats!

hogg_65 · Aug 23, 2021

Awesome bull. Congrats.

GLEDEASY · Aug 23, 2021

BIGJOHNT said:
I didn’t know you were alone. I thought John was with you. If I had known that I would of hiked up with you brother. I figured you three had it under control. Sorry man !

No need to be sorry. You saved my but as is. It was a total hail mary with the radio. I'm just glad as hard as it was to hear me you were able to get his number.

wapitiman · Aug 23, 2021

Great work

Outdoordan · Aug 23, 2021

Awesome bull man! Congrats and well done!

GeorgeE · Aug 24, 2021

Excellent, congrats…

PleaseDear · Aug 24, 2021

You did Great

Congrats

Robb

hawkbill · Aug 24, 2021

Congratulations nice Bull, thanks for sharing

Muleman1 · Aug 24, 2021

Great bull what LE unit

GLEDEASY · Aug 24, 2021

Muleman1 said:
Great bull what LE unit

Fishlake

schoolhousegrizz · Aug 24, 2021

Nice job Spencer!

Muleman1 · Aug 24, 2021

GLEDEASY said:
Fishlake

That’s a dandy congrats

Camper_A1 · Aug 24, 2021

Way to getter done! Congrats on a great archery Bull!

GLEDEASY · Aug 24, 2021

Here are some sxs pics next to my other bull from the unit 8 years ago.

While butchering him I told myself my elk hunting days were over. Now I can't wait to apply again in 5 years.

Zeke · Aug 24, 2021

That's totally awesome man!!!
Huge congrats on getting it done with a sharp stick on a great bull.

Zeke

Ranger1 · Aug 24, 2021

Awesome and way to go even if it was early! Nice bulls!!!

Gator · Aug 24, 2021

very nice , Great looking rack.

huntercameron · Aug 24, 2021

nice bull ! you did good

BradA · Aug 24, 2021

Congratulations! Great bull !

Wbrim · Aug 24, 2021

That’s a great bull! Good write up as well.

Wapitiwilly · Aug 24, 2021

Stud bull??
congrats??

Butts · Aug 24, 2021

Good for you man. Sweet bull!

Cahunter805 · Aug 25, 2021

Congrats again Buddy!! Such a cool bull and with a bow!

Dr_Hunter · Aug 25, 2021

Very fun hunt and action packed. Next time tag out when I am with you. You need to break this bad habit.... or maybe I am the problem??

BIGJOHNT · Aug 25, 2021

Dr_Hunter said:
Very fun hunt and action packed. Next time tag out when I am with you. You need to break this bad habit.... or maybe I am the problem??

Well I saw you two together on Friday night. So when Spencer got me on the radio Sunday morning. I just assumed you where with him. So when his brother found me at the cabin I sent him up. My next door neighbor Keith came back for lunch. I asked him if he wanted to take the horses up. We felt that you three strong lads would have it packed off before we got there. If we had known he was up there by himself. that may have changed our thinking. I could have even lead the mule up there. Oh well I guess it all worked out pretty well ! Congrats guys.

Dr_Hunter · Aug 25, 2021

BIGJOHNT said:
Well I saw you two together on Friday night. So when Spencer got me on the radio Sunday morning. I just assumed you where with him. So when his brother found me at the cabin I sent him up. My next door neighbor Keith came back for lunch. I asked him if he wanted to take the horses up. We felt that you three strong lads would have it packed off before we got there. If we had known he was up there by himself. that may have changed our thinking. I could have even lead the mule up there. Oh well I guess it all worked out pretty well ! Congrats guys.

I had to be home on Sunday so my wife could teach. I left late Saturday night. I wish Spencer would've texted me though, that would have gotten me out of a few meetings. Definitely one of the downsides of FL is the limited cell-service. It sure makes it difficult sometimes.

publichunter1 · Aug 25, 2021

Congrats on a great bull!

Horniac · Aug 25, 2021

Awesome congrats on a great bull! The time and effort you put into your preseason scouting paid off big time…

Horniac

BIGJOHNT · Aug 25, 2021

Dr_Hunter said:
I had to be home on Sunday so my wife could teach. I left late Saturday night. I wish Spencer would've texted me though, that would have gotten me out of a few meetings. Definitely one of the downsides of FL is the limited cell-service. It sure makes it difficult sometimes.

I was texting for him. He radioed me and I would send a text out through my Zoleo satellite communicator. That's how I got a hold of his brother. I sent a message to his wife that he had a bull down. I could have sent more messages. But I didn't think to send you one because I thought you where already there.

I think it was about a two mile pack out so one way. Maybe a little further? But packing out with four guys you can usually do it in one trip. Next time John ! What the late hunt ?

GLEDEASY · Aug 25, 2021

BIGJOHNT said:
I was texting for him. He radioed me and I would send a text out through my Zoleo satellite communicator. That's how I got a hold of his brother. I sent a message to his wife that he had a bull down. I could have sent more messages. But I didn't think to send you one because I thought you where already there. I think it was about a two mile pack out so one way. Maybe a little further? But packing out with four guys you can usually do it in one trip. Next time John ! What the late hunt ?

He'll need the help. He possibly has two to carry off the mountain.

Solotude · Aug 25, 2021

Nice work!!!
Thanks for sharing.

CFMuley · Aug 26, 2021

Awesome! Congratulations! I recognize a couple of those bulls you found scouting from last year.

GLEDEASY · Aug 28, 2021

CFMuley said:
Awesome! Congratulations! I recognize a couple of those bulls you found scouting from last year.

Did you have a tag last year? The funky looking bull was real nice this year!

My favorite bull was the one on trail camera with the drop front. When I first saw it I was almost positive it was the bull my brother had missed last year. However, the point was on the opposite side. I really wanted to get eyes on him, but never once saw him. Maybe I'll still get the chance.

bubba · Aug 28, 2021

Nice job, that's a great bull! a great short story.

whiteantlertip · Aug 28, 2021

Way to go , great hunt story on a dandy bull , congrats !!

tracker12 · Aug 29, 2021

Got to hunt the Fishlake once. Maybe again if I can get lucky. Congrats

CFMuley · Aug 29, 2021

My cousin had a muzzleloader tag last year. He killed a high 330’s low 340’s type of bull in the end. We have tons of pictures of that freak bull. Not sure where he went when he stripped his velvet.