This morning was a heartbreaker!
We needed the bulls to be about 1/2 to one mile east of the reservation fence, where they have been every morning! When we walked in it was apparant they didn't make it that far last night, as there were multiple bulls bugling like mad just to the west over the fence. We decided to set up and try to draw a bull over to us knowing it would be very difficult.
Randy and Jim called for nearly 30 minutes while there was a buglefest going on about 400 yards away. I was thinking there was no way a bull was going to leave that kind of fun when I heard the fence rattle and the sound of a big animal hitting the ground above us. A few seconds latter a bull ripped off a few loud bugles and started working his way toward us. Antlers popped into sight and I immediately told the the camera guys this was a shooter. He was about a 320 6x6 that looked great! The bull picked his way down the hill while Randy was moving behind me trying to bring him in at a better angle. The bull came into range, but never gave me a good shot. I had told everyone I needed a good shot so I could put an animal down quickly, as we are hunting so close to the reservation. The bull eventually drited away up the hill.
Just as this bull was walking away another big bull had slipped in downhill and down wind of us. He bugled within 100 yards of us before he got our scent and slipped into the reservation. He was another good bull similar to the first one.
We regrouped and started to move to the north into the wind as the bulls were still sounding off. We made it maybe 200 yards when another bull bugled below us on the unit 1 side of the fence. The camera guys and I set up again while Randy and Jim started the calling routine. This bull clammed up and wouldn't say anything else. We snuck along the sidehill trying to see him moving below us with no luck. Just as the camera guys and I made it to the edge of the timber we heard an animal crashing through the trees right at us and another good 6x6 busted out and headed to the reservation fence. Randy and Jim had inadvertantly bumped him. It was quite a sight though.
I have to say I am a little bummed I didn't get a shot at the first bull, as he is iexactly what I am looking for (though I would happily shoot a bigger one if I have to

) The good news is a friend from Springerville, JD, stopped by camp last night while we were cooking dinner and told us of an area he had checked out late yesterday afternoon which was tore up by bulls!!!! As he was sitting there checking out the area a 7x7 bull came into the meadow pushing a half dozen cows. JD knows big elk and said this bull would go about 355-360:hump: We are going to go check out the area this afternoon and get in there early tonight. I hope that bull shows up again tonight and I can post with some good news! Take care.