ttominatorr

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Howdy All-- I'm Tom-- I'm a Disabled Archer shooting a Barrnett Crossbow
Here's my story of an incredible Hunt in Lone Pine

We started out Sat morning and got on a Bull but all he did was draw me closer to the river where I was eaten alive by mosquitoes. He crossed--I couldn't and I was probably only about 15yrds away from him but couldn't see him 'cause of the tall tulies, I could only hear him breathing.
Elk 1 Tom 0

That evening we decided to go after a couple Bulls spotted earlier in a field. Did the low crawl for about 50yrds to get within 50rds of a nice 8x6 Bull. Started Cow calling from my trusty Hoochie Mama and in he starts walking. I ranged the edge of the tulie patch where he was walking up to, 30yrds. I had all the time in the world to get set as he was taking his time walking around the tulie patch. Around the corner he came, he took two steps out in the open, stood perfectly still and broadside, I put the 30yrd crosshair right on his heart and------SNAP--------the string breaks on my crossbow when i pulled the trigger. I was SICK. I couldn't believe it. I've waited 13yrs, bought a new crossbow, practiced, practiced, practiced and its going to end like this. Talk about being bummed out.
Elk 2 Tom 0

Well the next day, me and good friend Steve headed out on a journey looking for a replacement string. He was driving, I was calling. I called every Archery/sporting goods store within a 400 mile radius and no string to be found. All I got was "we could order it but it will take a week" or "No" or We don't carry it".
But an Archery Shop in Riverside (Riverside Archery 250 miles away) bent over backwards trying to help. They looked up spec's trying to see if they could make my size with another string they had available, but no success. I didn't wait this long, spend hours on the internet, spend herds of money to let it end like this. Being Riverside Archery was so helpful, I decided to give them the business. I bought a new crossbow. By the time we got back to Lone Pine it was about 10pm. The best I could do to sight it in was 20 to 30yrds in the headlights of Steve's jeep. I figured tomorrow I could sight it in better. The next Morning we got some coffee and wanted to take a peek in this one area for a possible evening stalk. Started calling and I had 4 Bulls coming towards me on my right. Then I saw movement on my left, 2 more Bulls were coming and screaming. I'm thinking --HOLY CRAP--and the Heart starts pounding. Then I hear this ungodly Bugle---and all of the bulls in view started walking away. In comes this Big Dude from my left. As he closed in I'm thinking, I only sighted in my new new bow 30yrds so the furthest I was going to shoot was 50. He crossed in front of me at 57-60, nooo. Then flanked me at 55, noooooo! But then He made a fatal mistake. One quick cherp with the cow call and he took 2 steps toward me, ranged him at 49-50, let the arrow fly and DOUBLE-LUNGED him. He didn't go more then 50yrds before he dropped.

Tom 1 Elk (Doesn't Matter)
Hunt of a Lifetime I'll never forget.


I also would like to put a shout out and THANK some really good People who helped me out
Daryl--Who helped me out so much with some great Intel, starting places, places to check etc. He took time out of his busy day to go as far as meeting him on google earth to show me stuff.
Thank You very much Daryl

Kevin (Critter Getters Guide Service)--Even though I didn't hire him as a guide, this gentleman bent over backwards trying to get me a replacement string. Even to the point of trying to get someone to open up a shop that was closed. Kevin is awesome and if you want any critters, KEVIN is the man.
Thanks again Kevin


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VideoDude

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Awesome, congrats. I had this hunt in 2012, what a great time it was!
 

baco

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Congrats, and I'll second riverside is a great shop
 

solus

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Nice elk. I remember when that kid that owns riverside archery was knee high. I watched him grow up. Him and his parents are good people. They have always treated me right. He has changed the shop a lot from what it used to be. Im glad he is still giving good service to people just like his parents.
 

THE ROMAN ARCHER

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Wow talk about determination and getting the mission completed my hats off too u. Great write up thanks for sharing. U said your first crossbow was new what caused the string to break did u possibly nick it with a broadhead or just defective. And what crossbow model did u buy that u whacked the elk with. Thanks!......tra
 

ttominatorr

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still not sure what caused it to break---the guys at Riverside Archery looked at it but couldn't see anything wrong either. When I got back I called Barrnett and they said send it in to evaluated and fixed. The one I bought is a PSE Fang. Actually I like this one better, its alot lighter, smaller and Kills Elk. LOL
 

pschooley

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Great ending to your story. I also have a disabled archer permit and put in for the same draw (you must have got my tag :().

I busted a string on my PSE and it (the dry fire) destroyed the cams. I ended up getting a Mission MXB, the nice thing with the Mission is you can replace strings in the field without a press - just need the right sized allen wrench. No other x-bow allows that and I carry a spare string with me.

Hopefully I'll get that tag next year.
 

devobrodie

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Awesome! I will give a second to Kevin of Critter Getters being a great guy, glad you had some good luck to go with the bad luck on the busted string!!
 

huntingheritage

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Tom,
I am glad it all worked out for you. A crazy story for sure. Maybe after this one, Reagan's Sporting Goods in Bishop will stock at least one crossbow at all times! I am also glad to have helped. The most important thing to me is that the hunters who draw this tag get their bull. I spent the entire season there and was able to help one of the other hunters get on a bull and he made an incredible 1 1/2 mile stalk in the blazing head of the day to get within 25 yards of a bedded herd. Got his bull and it dropped within 50 yards of a road (if you could call it that).
Thanks for spreading the word about Critter Getters Guide Service. We know the land, the animals, and how to kill them.
Kevin
 

CA Karen

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Congrats on a great bull! And a hell of an adventure getting him.
 

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