Successful New Mexico Hunt!

[hokiebird]

Well, months of planning and what seemed like countless hrs of getting in shape all came together October 07 for me..

Hunted with a Great outfitter in New Mexico, ELITE OUTFITTERS. Called in a few smaller ones day one and jumped a 360+ class bull from his bed at 40 yards... Day one ended tired and sore, but THRILLING.

Thank god I fell in love with elk hunting on day 1 because day 2 we went right back to the canyons we saw/heard 2 big bulls he evening before.. 30 minutes of back and forth calling and finally the bull could take it any more.. Came running from 1000 yards off and circle around on me. I ran up a canyon 100 yards to get to an opening.

Antlers were swaying at 70 yards, bull bugling every 10 yards (10 seconds)... My heart was pounding and gun was all over the single stick I was notched up. 40 yards now, cock the hammer on the Omega...

30 yards and he clears the last tree, stairs right at me and lets out an bugle that chattered my teeth.

WaPooooomm.. 250 grains right behind the shoulder.. Ran 15 yards and dropped into the thick brush, took 2 last breaths an was down..

UNREAL. NEver experienced the adrenalin rush liek this in deer hunting. Breath was right out of me for a few seconds..

Spent the day workign on the bull and packing him to camp, down 3000ft..

Enjoyed my last 3 days in camp working on the elk, scouting for other hunters in camp and enjoying the taste of beer and cooking (both which I limited myself to for 3 months prior)

Cant wait till this Massachusetts guy gets out west again!

Good luck to all those still out or headed out!

 

[hokiebird]

PAcking him out

 

[tmoniz]

Very nice. Nothing like hunting Elk.

 

[wyemjohnson]

guess your hooked now!

 

[7mm RM]

Congrats on a great looking bull! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[DEERSLAM]

Nice bull...congrats

 

[Sierra_Dave]

Hokiebird,

Congrats on a very nice Elk. What Unit did you hunt in New Mexico? Did you bring the head back to Mass or are you having it mounted in New Mexico?
Congrats,
Dave

 

[Huntr Pat]

Congrats on a hard earned bull. Now can you take the next challenge and harvest one with a Bow. Nice Bull Elk. Fine job in preparation for the hunt. I just harvested a Tule cow elk with my Mathews bow and it was'nt easy. Espeacially with 40 or so pair of eyes looking,40 or so nose smelling, and 40 or so ears listening. But its about you so Congrats once again.

 

[hokiebird]

DEFINITELY hooked!!!

NExt trip out there will either be A: a DIY with the muzzeloader again, or bow.. OR.. a few years of saving again to go with Elite and go with the Bow! Even at 30 yards I would have had trouble shooting

I brought the cape and horns home to get mounted by my texidermist here. She'll do it within 9 months and it wont cost me to ship a crate.. and I can trust her

** A side note.. A guy the bow week before my hunt went out with my guide and had a 360 bull at 20 yards.. Couldtnt pull the bow back! And this was a young big guy pulling a 70lb bow... CRAZY what a bugling elk at that distance does to your whole nervous system

Thanks for all the congrats.. Appreciate it!

 

[paulc]

Nice job Hokie. Its hard to beat that feeling. Good memories.

 

[barel74]

nice

 

[Speckmisser]

Awesome! Nice elk, and it sounds like the experience was as great as the trophy.

 

[montana13]

Great Bull! What guide did you use?

 

[hokiebird]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (montana13 @ Oct 18 2007, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Great Bull! What guide did you use?[/b]

Johnny Hughes with Elite Outfitters. Area 36 in NM. SAcramento Mountains... GREAT GIUDE and service... Outstanding. He did all the paperwork submission, etc etc.. Would go back 100%, even if I didnt get a bull. 4 of 5 of us got one. the 5th guy had a medical issue that sent him home. The yr prior he got a 365 bull, so he was not too heartbroken

http://www.eliteoutfitters.com

 

[wmidbrook]

Sounds like you had a blast! Nice bull.

 

[richardoutwest]

There is nothing like Out West! Congrats!