Well, the 2010 hunting season was nonetheless a crazy one, which had me accomplishing a lot of life goals that included an archery buck—one worth mounting to me—a mule deer in full velvet, a mounter whitetail, a bear and a bull elk. So, 2010 was crazy.

This story, however, is about the number one realistic goal of shooting a bull elk, as I am only 20 years old.

It all started back in august, my good friend and I hunted hard for elk but due to hot temperatures had zero luck. We did both manage to harvest two tremendous mule deer bucks in full velvet, so that made up for no elk.

We decided to go back to this spot later on in September and try at some elk again during the rut. Before we made it to the dates on which we had decided, my friend arrowed a beauty bull elk, so I would be the shooter on this trip.

Come Saturday morning, I dropped my friend and cousin off at a field about a half mile from the Peace River where we had previously seen good elk sign. We had hopes of getting a bull and I, of course, arrived at my location late.

There was a big oats field that backed onto crown land that dropped into a big valley, eventually meeting the Peace River. It was the perfect spot for me.

As I made my way through the oats field towards the cutline in the crown land bush, I spooked two whitetail does not even 50 yards from where I wanted to be. I tried belly crawling but they knew I was there and started snorting and stomping, so I thought that ‘unless they leave, I’ll be hunting here this morning’.

I decided to let a couple of soft cow elk calls go to try to encourage the deer to leave. Then, not even 100 yards in the bush, I immediately got a response, then another, and then another. Calls coming from everywhere in the bush!

I quickly hunkered down and waited, letting cow calls go every ten minutes and receiving instant replies. I could then hear them making their way towards me, branches cracking and such, but every time they would get close the does would start snorting and stomping. This was the first time I’ve ever told myself I wished there were no deer around.

Mario with his 6X5 bull elk.

Finally the cows gave up and started retreating towards the thicker stuff, which was fine because I had told my friend and cousin I’d be picking them up around 10:00 and it was getting close. So, as I’m gathering my calls and reorganizing my gear, I hear more branches break. “Does,” I think while rolling my eyes. Suddenly out comes a thundering bugle that sent me into instant panic. I was so close to him I could hear the rumbling in his stomach. He must have instantly caught my wind because as soon as the bugle was over, what sounded like a herd of elephants ran through the bush away from me. I cow called and waited but no reply. I then proceeded to go and get the others.

We swapped stories, ate lunch, took a quick nap and then discussed our plan of attack for the evening. My plan was to be dropped off at 4:00 and be in the bush by 4:30 where they bedded down. Last light was around 8:30 so there would be tons of time.

After I was dropped off, I was walking towards the bush and thinking to myself what am I going to do in the solid bush all alone for four hours, and it’s a hot September day. Well, as I had planned, I arrived to the edge of the bush for 4:30 right on. I shut my cell off, checked my gun and gear and all was good. I headed into the cutline.

The cutline was about 80 yards long before it split into two major trails, one going east to west, which I was travelling on, and one going north to south. I’ve studied videos and replayed elk hunting scenarios so many times in my head that I felt a lot of pressure to get this bull. As I look back, I’ve studied and read more for hunting than I have ever done for high school or college. I felt ready for this.

It took me about ten minutes to cover the 80-yard long cutline and when I got to the intersection, I looked both ways and saw nothing. The trail I decided to go on was the west to east one because it was more elevated, therefore, I could see more, while the north to south one made a funny bend and I couldn’t see what the terrain was like. So I proceeded to walk towards where the elk bed when all of a sudden a big snort comes howling at me. Unreal! The does were back and making so much noise. After the first snort, I heard them bushwhack away from me towards the south, which is where I was planning on sitting and waiting for nightfall. Due to all the noise the does made, I decided to sit still and let the woods settle, feeling like all ears were on me.

As I was sitting there contemplating my next move, I heard the smallest branch crack. I planted my feet and pivoted. And of course, I’m thinking probably a squirrel or a mouse, pretty much anything! So there in front of me, no further than 40 yards is an elk, not just an elk, but a bull elk!

Now I’m standing there trying to count tines but he’s moving his head so it’s tough. There’s one tine, there’s two tines, there’s three tines! So up goes my Tikka T3 Lite 7mm and in my scope I find vitals instantly... BOOM! The bull makes an instant 180 and is gone!

All I remember at the time is how high he was kicking up dirt while running away. My heart sank and I thought I’d missed, and at 40 yards! I cow called some more trying to settle him down but heard nothing. So I grabbed my phone and turned it on—4:46 PM it shows. I text my cousin, “I just shot at a bull elk.” They weren’t at their spot yet and started rippin’ back to where I was.

We looked where I shot at him... no blood. My heart sank again. We could hear breathing sounds close by so we continued to follow the trail. Finding little specs of blood I’m thinking “gut shot”, when all of a sudden, we find a big pile of pink bubbly blood... LUNGS! We followed the breathing sound that led us straight to a wounded bull elk. Another shot and the rest was history.

I would’ve been more than happy with just the three tines I had counted, however, the bull managed to have a typical 5x5 rack with an inside kicker to add another, making him a 6x5. My shot was perfect placement right through both lungs. What an adventure!

Thanks to all who helped me in getting my first bull elk. ■

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