1st Season Archery bull

NMPaul · Sep 21, 2021

Sure would be nice if this forum got back to posting pictures of NM animals taken.
This is my first season Archery bull. All but 2 of my archery bulls have been solo and one of those 2 Zach was only 8 years old so it was kinda solo. LOL
This was on the 2nd to last day and I passed taking shots on several better bulls hoping for Mr. Big.
I was afraid when I shot him that I would walk up to him and regret it.
Nope. I was super stoked. Great feeling walking up on him dead after him only going 200 feet. After I packed out the first load I went and got my little dog to pack the rest out with me.
Great day.
After killing 4 archery bulls solo, I have picked up a couple tricks to tie legs up with baling twine and wrapping skinned legs with game bags to keep the meat clean as you are breaking them away from carcass.
Only tag I got so far this year so I sure wanted to put some elk in the freezer.

tmbr_hntr · Sep 21, 2021

NMPaul said:
Sure would be nice if this forum got back to posting pictures of NM animals taken.
This is my first season Archery bull. All but 2 of my archery bulls have been solo and one of those 2 Zach was only 8 years old so it was kinda solo. LOL
This was on the 2nd to last day and I passed taking shots on several better bulls hoping for Mr. Big.
I was afraid when I shot him that I would walk up to him and regret it.
Nope. I was super stoked. Great feeling walking up on him dead after him only going 200 feet. After I packed out the first load I went and got my little dog to pack the rest out with me.
Great day.
After killing 4 archery bulls solo, I have picked up a couple tricks to tie legs up with baling twine and wrapping skinned legs with game bags to keep the meat clean as you are breaking them away from carcass.
Only tag I got so far this year so I sure wanted to put some elk in the freezer.

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Nice bull Paul!

Since you asked for them here are our bulls from the same unit. I really enjoyed the area and the people. If you live in the area you're lucky.

cmbbulldog · Sep 21, 2021

Congrats Paul, you always get it done!

JRABQ · Sep 21, 2021

Nice bull and photos.

I always carry some rope or cord with me and use it when I can, but sometimes there's just nothing close enough.

NMPaul · Sep 22, 2021

elkocd said:
Nice bull Paul!

Since you asked for them here are our bulls from the same unit. I really enjoyed the area and the people. If you live in the area you're lucky.

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You guys did great. The first week was exceptionally tough. That 7x7 is way above average for this unit. I know you guys worked your butts off. Congrats!!!

IAFF51 · Sep 22, 2021

Super nice bulls! Congrats to each of you!

Reuben_Soady · Sep 22, 2021

Schweet Paul and ElkO!

live4muleys · Sep 22, 2021

Great bulls guys. I was thinking the same thing Paul, wishing more harvest were posted. Thanks for posting this one and great job. Solo packing has to be one exhausting chore.

ArkansasOutdoorman · Sep 22, 2021

Those are some awesome bulls! This guy isn’t as big but I couldn’t be happier with him. Had a chances at some big bulls but couldn’t them to fully commit. Bumped this guy and killed him the same day. Dropped within 5 yards of shooting him. Last resident hunt for me and my first bull elk ever!

publichunter1 · Sep 22, 2021

Congrats to you all!

tmbr_hntr · Sep 22, 2021

NMPaul said:
You guys did great. The first week was exceptionally tough. That 7x7 is way above average for this unit. I know you guys worked your butts off. Congrats!!!

Thanks! He was actually the best bull I saw in over 2 weeks of looking at bulls there. He just happened to show up in the 1st 30 mins of me hunting. I didn't carry my bow the 1st week focusing on my sons hunt. I was surprised he ended up 340+. Didn't look that big to me, but those extra points( 29 1/4" ) and solid tine length really added up.

I was mostly proud and happy for my son. He passed up a bunch of 5 points with a goal of a 6 point, and when he got the chance he executed perfectly.

We did LOTS of steep climbing!

BGbasbhat · Sep 22, 2021

Congrats to all you guys!!! I know I chatted with a number of you all and can't thank you enough for the assistance and encouragement this summer and during the hunt.
Alas, I ate tag soup on my early hunt in SC NM. I was largely solo and had to come back to AZ after 8 days of hunting to help my Dad on his hunt (another tag soup).
I was lucky enough to have elk around me everyday, but could not put it all together. I was out all day, every day (even those crazy rainy days), but there was always something that happened to blow it all up.
I won't lie, i'm still bitter, still pissed, hating bowhunting and elk right now; but can't be happier to see your all's success. And Rick, you are dead nuts right. What a cool area and country where we were. Lots of variety and more elk than I've ever seen in my life.

Congrats to you all!!!!

TerynItUp · Sep 22, 2021

Paul, great bull. Y’all are some of the most consistent killers, year in and year out.

I too, was surprised that it wasn’t until 9/22 that the NM forum got its first bull posted. Still haven’t seen any muleys posted either (unless I missed them).

I’ll be honest, I used to spend a lot of time on MM in the past, but a combo of time now spent with my three young kids and some know it all dudes on here that really turn me off, I would much rather spend my time elsewhere. I still drop in now and again to see updates from guys like you, Rio, and others, but for the most part, MM just ain’t what it used to be.

I’ve got the third rifle hunt in CO for deer so I’ll be sure to drop in and share my experience, until then, y’all be safe….and take it easy on each other. Same team.

Cahunter805 · Sep 22, 2021

Congrats Paul!! That’s a very cool bull! Can’t wait to see what the other seasons bring for you guys!

BradA · Sep 27, 2021

Congratulations those are all great bulls that I would be happy with any number of them.

junior · Sep 27, 2021

Awesome Paul! Nice score on the meat!

Newmexicohunter · Sep 28, 2021

My wife's first time archery elk hunt. Got em on the 4th day of the first hunt with a perfect shot at 30 yards, only elk we saw, unfortunately I didn't fill my tag but couldn't be more pumped for her.

BGbasbhat · Sep 28, 2021

Congrats newmexicohunter!! That's awesome, congrats to the lady!

JFBNORTHERNHUNTER · Sep 28, 2021

NMPaul said:
Sure would be nice if this forum got back to posting pictures of NM animals taken.
This is my first season Archery bull. All but 2 of my archery bulls have been solo and one of those 2 Zach was only 8 years old so it was kinda solo. LOL
This was on the 2nd to last day and I passed taking shots on several better bulls hoping for Mr. Big.
I was afraid when I shot him that I would walk up to him and regret it.
Nope. I was super stoked. Great feeling walking up on him dead after him only going 200 feet. After I packed out the first load I went and got my little dog to pack the rest out with me.
Great day.
After killing 4 archery bulls solo, I have picked up a couple tricks to tie legs up with baling twine and wrapping skinned legs with game bags to keep the meat clean as you are breaking them away from carcass.
Only tag I got so far this year so I sure wanted to put some elk in the freezer.

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