Bull Down

Tank

Active Member
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346
My Idaho 2024 archery elk is complete. Opening weekend, the bulls were talking, but not coming to calls. I found this bull alone at 9400', while still hunting through dead fall and timber. I spotted him at 35 yards facing me. He turned a bit and gave me a pretty good broadside shot. He was down hill, so I held low and released. He didn't know what hit him, and looked away from me. The shot looked good, and I nocked another arrow. After 15 seconds he didn't go down, so I hit him again. He took a few steps forward and looked downhill away from me. He began to wobble and his back legs gave out. He stood back up and walked 10yards down hill wobbling. When he didn't go down, I hit him again. The last shot wasn't needed, but I don't like watching suffering.
Shot with my 80lb Lift, 501gr RIP TKO w titanium outsert/collar, and 150gr Valkyrie BloodEagle. I like this arrow setup. All shots have been a full pass through on my last 2 bulls. The broadheads were still sharp enough to put in the quiver for another bull.

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My Idaho 2024 archery elk is complete. Opening weekend, the bulls were talking, but not coming to calls. I found this bull alone at 9400', while still hunting through dead fall and timber. I spotted him at 35 yards facing me. He turned a bit and gave me a pretty good broadside shot. He was down hill, so I held low and released. He didn't know what hit him, and looked away from me. The shot looked good, and I nocked another arrow. After 15 seconds he didn't go down, so I hit him again. He took a few steps forward and looked downhill away from me. He began to wobble and his back legs gave out. He stood back up and walked 10yards down hill wobbling. When he didn't go down, I hit him again. The last shot wasn't needed, but I don't like watching suffering.
Shot with my 80lb Lift, 501gr RIP TKO w titanium outsert/collar, and 150gr Valkyrie BloodEagle. I like this arrow setup. All shots have been a full pass through on my last 2 bulls. The broadheads were still sharp enough to put in the quiver for another bull.

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How the F did you get the first Pic of him standing?

If I took it, the pic would have been too blurry to make out from all of the shaking...

I can usually breathe and calm myself for the bow shot but a pic right before or right after would be USELESS.

Awesome bull and story and PICS. Thanks for sharing.
 
Solo or did you have some help packing? Hopefully not that far of a pack out. Great looking bull.
 
Solo or did you have some help packing? Hopefully not that far of a pack out. Great looking bull.
I was the solo pack mule. Shot him at 9400', and the dirt bike was at 7200'. It was a heavy pack out, but doable. Had friends offer to help, but they had 14hr drive with no sleep. Just have to suck it up and take care of your business. I live to do this, so I better not complain when you have a few tough days.
 
How the F did you get the first Pic of him standing?

If I took it, the pic would have been too blurry to make out from all of the shaking...

I can usually breathe and calm myself for the bow shot but a pic right before or right after would be USELESS.

Awesome bull and story and PICS. Thanks for sharing.
I had two arrows in him, and he was wobbling, so I took the picture to share with my 4yr old grandson. He loves to hear my Elkie stories at bedtime. It was probably poor taste looking back. I thought he would go down any second, and he did, but I should have finished my work instead of taking vanity photos. Any elk that catches one of my arrows deserves that. Lesson learned. But he did go down soon after I took the pic.
 
My Idaho 2024 archery elk is complete. Opening weekend, the bulls were talking, but not coming to calls. I found this bull alone at 9400', while still hunting through dead fall and timber. I spotted him at 35 yards facing me. He turned a bit and gave me a pretty good broadside shot. He was down hill, so I held low and released. He didn't know what hit him, and looked away from me. The shot looked good, and I nocked another arrow. After 15 seconds he didn't go down, so I hit him again. He took a few steps forward and looked downhill away from me. He began to wobble and his back legs gave out. He stood back up and walked 10yards down hill wobbling. When he didn't go down, I hit him again. The last shot wasn't needed, but I don't like watching suffering.
Shot with my 80lb Lift, 501gr RIP TKO w titanium outsert/collar, and 150gr Valkyrie BloodEagle. I like this arrow setup. All shots have been a full pass through on my last 2 bulls. The broadheads were still sharp enough to put in the quiver for another bull.

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Great hunting content! Thanks for sharing.
 
I was the solo pack mule. Shot him at 9400', and the dirt bike was at 7200'. It was a heavy pack out, but doable. Had friends offer to help, but they had 14hr drive with no sleep. Just have to suck it up and take care of your business. I live to do this, so I better not complain when you have a few tough days.
Good on you. Great attitude. Been there done that.
 
Congratulations great way to start the season . How do you like that backpack for hauling weight ?
 
Congratulations great way to start the season . How do you like that backpack for hauling weight ?
I have used a lot of packs, and this one carries heavy weight the best of all of them. Most packs feel great till you get 80+ lbs on them. My IA made a pretty difficult pack out, much easier.
 
I have used a lot of packs, and this one carries heavy weight the best of all of them. Most packs feel great till you get 80+ lbs on them. My IA made a pretty difficult pack out, much easier.
Good to hear since I just got one
 
Huge congratulations.I may have to borrow the one comment you made because it is good. (This is what I live for so I better not complain for a few tough days)
 

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