Four bearded fools on a Blue Ribbon adventure

[Dougfirtree]

Thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks and congrats!

 

[undercover]

Man vs nature Man vs Himself Man vs Beer love the write up. Thanks for sharing

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

Can't go wrong with a spike. Congrats!

 

[brockel]

Nicely done

 

[MarvB]

He’ll be fork tender with that next PBR, great story and pics! Dogs are beauts!!

 

[Mtnhunter1]

Double thumbs up JLS. Really enjoyed the read and the photos. Solo has a deafening silence once others have left and only you remain. Well done and congrats on downing a fine bull.

 

[7mm08mo]

Congrats, I really enjoyed the photos and the write up.

 

[MTLabrador]

Awesome photos and story!

 

[Scarey]

It was raining the next morning. I was bummed Rich had to go. I still had another week off, but in all honesty it was a mental struggle. I missed my family and was contemplating going home. I drove into town with Rich and we had chicken fried steaks for a send off breakfast.

I drove back to camp in the rain. I donned my rain gear and set out on an old fire trail a local guide told us about. Rain came down in buckets. I saw a couple whitetail deer, but no elk. By midday I dropped into this basin.

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I realized I had watched fall transform the mountains. It was no longer summer. I finally heard a bugle. It was faint and I wondered if I was hallucinating. I worked down the ridge. I paid homage to the whitetail who lost this.

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I finally heard the bull late in the afternoon. Thermals were doing weird stuff, so I opted to back out and come in very early the next day.

Friday I left the truck early. I was in the old burn well before daybreak and sat down to listen. Finally, just after sunrise I heard the bull chuckling again. I started moving slowly through the burn.

I stepped up onto a giant deadfall, probably waist high and 16-18” in diameter. I looked to my right and saw a bedded cow at about 70 yards. The wind was in my face. I knew I couldn’t get down because the alders were too tall. Finn was on the same log and I whispered to put him into a down stay on the log. I chambered a round, as I no longer carry hot @Big Fin.

She got nervous and stood up, then another, and another, till finally six elk were milling around. They started to line out of though the timber. I could see several small bulls. The last one stopped to look back. I settled the crosshairs and pressed the trigger. The .280 barked.

Mayhem ensued. I immediately chambered another round. I could see the bull lunge up the hill and I knew it was a good hit. I saw a spike run over the ridge, and in disbelief wondered it that was the elk I shot.

I immediately found blood where I had shot the bull. With Finn by me, we started work the blood track up the hill.

This should dispel the myth copper bullets don’t leave a good blood trail.

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We continued up the hill for about 15 yards and the blood seemed to stop. I looked to my left and saw this.

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No gummy bears.

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At 6:40, I notched my tag. This knife was a birthday present from Ted on my 40th birthday.

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I’m not going to lie, I was as excited and emotional about this spike as the biggest bull I’ve ever shot. I was sad Ted or Rich weren’t there with me. I had really hoped to pack elk for them and not myself.

Knowing rain was in the forecast, I got with the program. I had him processed and bagged in an hour and a half.

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I decided to three trip him.

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The Toyota hauled its first kill and I cracked a PBR for Rich.

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I hate breaking camp solo, but I had another PBR and got to work. With the rain, I’ll have some serious gear cleaning to do.

Leave only tracks, and maybe some firewood.

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The end.

Happy 40th, I'm a big fan of the .280. It's gonna be my go to up here in the panhandle this year. Congrats on the Elk.

 

[teej89]

Heck yeah, awesome write up! Congrats man!

Way to stick with it too with the rain and rich leaving.

 

[F250]

Great hunt and thanks for sharing ! 16 oz. PBR 3 packs were $0.95 when I was in high school. Many were purchased on my way to the barn for chores !!

 

[Id-Dave]

Great pictures & story, my last bull Elk was a velvet spike & it was good eating.

 

[stealthy_bowman]

Great story and pictures, thanks for sharing!

 

[thatsjet]

Congrats! Love the story. Well done sir.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Very well done as always, I got one complaint though..... that's clearly not enough beer for a multi day adventure especially with good friends. Maybe I drink too much beer I dunno..... congrats on your adventure!

 

[TheJason]

Very well done as always, I got one complaint though..... that's clearly not enough beer for a multi day adventure especially with good friends. Maybe I drink too much beer I dunno..... congrats on your adventure!

We had whiskey as well.

 

[thatsjet]

We had whiskey as well.

I've gotten to where I don't really even bother with beer anymore. Ten high and zero calorie lemonade FTW!

 

[MTLabrador]

I've gotten to where I don't really even bother with beer anymore. Ten high and zero calorie lemonade FTW!

I enjoy good whiskey, but that is blasphemy.

 

[thatsjet]

I enjoy good whiskey, but that is blasphemy.

Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

 

[1_pointer]

Time with deserving company well spent. Congrats!