Hammered an Idaho Backcountry Bull

[Pauleye]

Congrats. Enjoy your adventure

 

[Backcountry sports]

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Prior to this year, all of my elk hunting experience has been with a bow in hand. There's just something about chasing bugling bulls during the peak of the rut in September. However this year, I planned my first rifle elk hunt in Idaho.

I began my hunt on Oct 15th, and after backpacking in several miles on the night prior, my buddy and I were excited to get on several bugling bulls on the first morning of our hunt. Long story, short, we ended up chasing two separate herds — each with a herd bull and 10+ cows.

I originally glassed the most distant herd from a mile away. We first hunted the closer herd but could not get a shot opportunity and then lost them. We set our sights on the distant herd and began an approach. The bull was positioned in such a way that we would have to sneak in close to get a shot opportunity and have the wind in our favor. Nothing "long range" about it, as the first shot opportunity came after sneaking within 100 yards.

With the bull's head and front shoulder blocked behind a tree and brush, I sent a 166 Hammer Hunter out of my 30-06 through his lungs. About 20-30 seconds later, and 20-30 yards from where he stood at the shot, he was down for good. Being 5-6 miles from the truck, then the real work began. Thankfully I had two good friends there to help pack him out.

Not only did this 6x6 bull have a busted-up rack (a front tine broken in half, and a G2 broken-off near the base), his body also had no less than 15 wounds and scars from battles with other bulls. An old warrior of an elk. My first rifle elk hunt was certainly a memorable one!

Congrats on your elk

 

[CONChunt]

Nice write up! I enjoyed hearing your recap on the podcast too.

 

[Huggy]

View attachment 220719

Prior to this year, all of my elk hunting experience has been with a bow in hand. There's just something about chasing bugling bulls during the peak of the rut in September. However this year, I planned my first rifle elk hunt in Idaho.

I began my hunt on Oct 15th, and after backpacking in several miles on the night prior, my buddy and I were excited to get on several bugling bulls on the first morning of our hunt. Long story, short, we ended up chasing two separate herds — each with a herd bull and 10+ cows.

I originally glassed the most distant herd from a mile away. We first hunted the closer herd but could not get a shot opportunity and then lost them. We set our sights on the distant herd and began an approach. The bull was positioned in such a way that we would have to sneak in close to get a shot opportunity and have the wind in our favor. Nothing "long range" about it, as the first shot opportunity came after sneaking within 100 yards.

With the bull's head and front shoulder blocked behind a tree and brush, I sent a 166 Hammer Hunter out of my 30-06 through his lungs. About 20-30 seconds later, and 20-30 yards from where he stood at the shot, he was down for good. Being 5-6 miles from the truck, then the real work began. Thankfully I had two good friends there to help pack him out.

Not only did this 6x6 bull have a busted-up rack (a front tine broken in half, and a G2 broken-off near the base), his body also had no less than 15 wounds and scars from battles with other bulls. An old warrior of an elk. My first rifle elk hunt was certainly a memorable one!

I truly envy you and your success.
Oh, to be young and healthy again, but time does eventually catch up to all of us; some worse than others as in my case. But I still have the memories of GREAT hunts of the past.
As the saying goes it is far better to have a bad day camping and hunting than a good day at the office.
Congratulations to you, Sir, for your success and to have such wonderful friends willing and able to help out a Buddy! Cherish them always and they will return in kind.
Again, congratulations on a fine animal and spectacular hunt.

 

[HRM Johnny]

Congrats. Thanks for the post, and the pictures.

 

[EWY]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

 

[Accuracyman]

Very nice! Love the story and the use of the tried and true 30-06. Great Bull and a great adventure with your buddies. Nice to have buddies especially when a bull is down!

 

[19elkhunter51]

YAHOOO!!!!!!!! Bull down and in the truck! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your success is only enhanced by the single, best cartridge choice, 30-06. Love that it once again proved how incredible a cartridge it is!
Thank you for your story with all the great information on your hunt.
Once again, CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[HappyGVM]

Congrats! Awesome job putting the sneak on the herd!

 

[Outdoordan]

Awesome bull! Looks like he was a fighter. Love those burns, congrats.

 

[Charles Keethler]

Guys great story and pic's I have gotten past the point to be able to do an Elk hunt in the great western USA, but I can enjoy story's and pic's on here, thanks for making my late years more enjoyable.

 

[dciron]

Mark congrats to you and your team on a successful hunt. Excellent story, thanks.

 

[ZAK13]

Congrats! Nice bull.

 

[Greta06]

Congrats on your bull Mark, nothing more satisfying than a diy backcountry bull. Can't wait to get out west again next year, hopefully my exo will be loaded up heavy again same as yours...