Day 3 – Monday September 14, 2009
We took yesterday (Sunday) off and got back after it this morning. We went back in to the end of the road where we had the big bull bugling at noon on Saturday and he was in there again. We took off up the canyon after him and my lungs were feeling better. They were burning, but it felt more normal and my heart rate was coming back down when we would stop to rest. Maybe I’m turning a corner. The bull was on the move up the hillside across from us, so we had to move fast. We charged him and got within 100 yards of where we though he was. I let out a bugle and the hillside erupted above us. Cows started filtering to our right and the bull screamed directly above us. I challenged him back and we got ready. Then, nothing. The bull bugled again a minute later, 300 yards to our left and going away, up and over the ridge. We ran to the ridge and let out a bugle. He answered 600 yards up canyon. He left all his cows and was getting out of there. Game over.
Click below to watch video of the morning chase.
Despite the disappointing outcome, I was ecstatic! I had just hiked hard for 600 yards and felt somewhat back to normal. I still get winded extremely fast, but my heart is beating normal and my legs aren’t as wobbly as before. It’s time to head back to camp and resume our normal hunting plans. With only 4 days left, it is time to get after it!
We drove back to camp and headed back for the ridge where I had shot my bull a week and a half ago. We moved out to a good vantage point and bugled into the drainage below us. A bull fired back from the hillside directly behind us. A quick check of the wind and we were good to go! Donnie took off up the hill and I grabbed the video camera trying to keep up with him. Dave moved up the hill to the left of Donnie. If the bull came in, we had him. A good bugling match ensued and we closed the distance to about 80 yards. The cows were feeding on the hillside to our right and the bull was not comfortable with another bull bugling that close. I raked a tree and screamed a challenge at him, and that was all he needed to hear. He came crashing down the hill right between Dave and Donnie. With both shooters at full draw, and the bull under 20 yards, he stopped behind the only tree on the ridge, concealing his vitals from both shooters. His 6th sense kicked in and, sensing something amiss, he whirled and ran back to his high knob to bugle. With shooting light all but gone, we retreated, knowing he would be there and fired up in the morning. Dave had the best look at the bull and felt he was a solid 320-class bull. Really wide and heavy. Game on!
Click below to watch video of the bugle match.
We took the long way driving back to camp and drove to the mouth of a large valley with a creek running through it. This area had been a rutting area for bulls in the past and we were hopeful they would be back in there now. We hiked over to where we could hear out across the valley and let out a bugle. The result was amazing! The still dark air was pierced by at least 3 bulls who answered immediately and continued screaming their heads off for the next 10 minutes. Cows were going crazy. There was an elk rut taking place in this valley! We have a plan for tomorrow. It’s all coming down to the wire now, and if we’re going to go 3-for-3 on bulls, we’d better get something on the ground soon!