My Idaho Bull

[lumbergreg]

I took this Idaho Bull opening morning at 7:30am on public ground. We hunt one of the few units (middle fork) in north central Idaho that opens Sept. 15 for rifle (first come first serve over the counter tag).

As my hunting buddy Robert and I hiked the horse trail into the back country we heard several bulls bugling. We were in just 2 miles when we decided to set up on this bull. Robert went ahead to be the shooter, I stayed back to call. After my very first call the bull came through the timber so quickly Robert, just 50 yards from the screaming bull, was pinned down behind some very thick brush. One more call and the bull came clear and broadside for me at 150 yards.....one shot with my 7 mag and the work began. It's been many years of trial and error for us traveling to Idaho before we found this area and learned the patterns of the elk. He certainly isn't the biggest 5x5 ever taken, but I couldn't be more proud of my "do-it-yourself" bull.

 

[Lawnboy]

Thanks for the story and pictures! You should be happy with that. Thanks for sharing

 

[Ridge Runner]

Way to get it done. Great story and bull. Congrats.

 

[elk_hunter]

Nice bull! Congrats and thanks for sharing!

 

[choc dogs]

great photos, and a great bull, thanks for sharing.

 

[----]

I'd be happy with that bull too.
Congrats

 

[RockyDog]

great story. Ive known many guys who have given the middle fork a shot and come out without an elk, way to go.

 

[noharleyyet]

Good post & nice bull, congrats.

 

[ashersdad]

Great job. Love the packing out pics. Makes me sweat just looking at them.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Nice pics. Cripes cut the lower legs off, you'll save several lbs.

How old is that burn?

 

[arffdog875]

Great pics, very nice bull!

 

[Horn Seeker]

Nice Job! Thanks for the Pics!

 

[Oak]

Nice job! Looks like you really earned that one.

Cripes cut the lower legs off, you'll save several lbs.

I was thinking the same thing, but then again, I'm a puss when it comes to packing them out.

 

[lumbergreg]

I know, I know.......the lower legs The truth is I forgot my bone saw. The bull was on a south facing slope and we were concerned about the sun and very warm temp. We took the two hind quarters out first. The second trip was going to be the good front shoulder, back straps, and rest of the meat. We decided we were better off to go super heavy and take it all the second trip rather than over two additional. It was down hill, but those two miles and 1400 verticle feet of drop was an absolute killer!!!!

Dinkshooter, you asked about the burn. That area burned 7 years ago. Two miles further in there is a massive burn area that burned 3 years ago. We find the elk love those burn areas for feeding. The key is to figure out where they bed and water in relation.

I did leave out one part of the original story. I didn't purchase a deer tag this year, but my buddy did. Just before we decided to set up for this bull I spotted a massive (6 inches outside his ears) muley buck one ridge over. I said, "Robert you have to shoot that buck". Robert looked at me and said, "No way.....the season is 5 minutes old and we have a bugling bull just up the ridge.....I'm not shooting a deer no matter how big". Five minutes later I shot the bull. Thanks Robert!!!

 

[Sytes]

Nice one Lumbergreg! Thanks for the story to boot! Always great to visualize the event!

 

[idahoshoer]

I've hunted that area from camas creek to big creek , not easy straight up & down steep like no one will beleive. Good job. You did it right

 

[thecrittergitter]

Nice bull for sure, congrats.................you do know you can cut ALL 4 legs off without a saw right I don't even pack a saw anymore, all my elk get 100% deboned, no since in packing out weight you are gonna just throw away later

 

[Breaks Runner]

Well done!! Getting one that way puts you in the hard core catagory...congrats!!