I am back from area 19, hunting by myself (1660 mi from TN..) this might be a little pic heavy. The hunt started wed. but I got to camp on sun. to start scouting.

Turned these two-the one at distance first, a 5x5 and then the big one fed out below me





I never found the big bull again but early sat. this bull followed 11 cows into the valley I was hunting, stopped him with a cow call in a gap at 476yds and shot him. He didn't react at all so I shot him again.



I lost him after the second shot but all the cows ran under me and he didn't follow. He had dropped at the second shot. These are the entries, higher than I'd liked on his right side behind the shoulder. I had dialed 500yds on the scope, took two clicks off but the angle was steep. One exit was through the center of his right ham and I did come across the other during the skinning and boning.



I skinned and boned him and put the meat in what was left of the snow.



I was tucked into the side of this chalk bluff to the left of the cedar



I was able to get close enough to load him on the 4 wheeler-I've helped move some elk with horses and have packed out muleys and antelope-so glad I didn't have to pack him. Heavy is not the word...

[img]http://i704.photobucket.com/al...-b132-c67f4fbe3eca_zps8a1767b1.png[/img]

It was a great hunt, saw seven bulls in four days, this was the second best. I could not be happier!

Forgot to add, the rifle was a Rem AWR in .338wm, shooting 210 TTSX's at a tick under 2900fps. Kahles 3-9x42 Helia C multi-zero
and the knife is by Mr. Ingram, B&T

Good job...Congrats.

Nice job David!!! Was hoping to see my Ex when I got to the rifle pic, but fantastic job none the less.

Congrats

Nice job

Geez, great looking animal, thanks for the write-up and pics...congrats to you.

Well done, you where a long way from home on your own and got it done. Congrats!!!!

Good job David! Congrats!

Great job, congratulations!

Good for you...nice bull and pictures!

Cool!

Just to clarify for those that don't know David, he's a modest kind of guy and a bit inclined to understate his accomplishments. He researched, planned and prepared well for this self outfitted, self guided hunt.

He's a fine rifleman and an excellent hunter with a well deserved reward for some very hard work.

Congratulations David!

Congrats, nice bull and nice shooting.

Very nice bull on a DIY hunt. Well done. Congratulations!

Great bull! Very well done!

Congratulations!! Nicely done!

Nice bull, sounds like you had a fantastic trip.

Very well done!

Nice work David! Congrats!

Doesn't get any better.
Well done.

That's bad ass! Congrats.




Travis

Very fine!!!!

Awesome- congratulations!

The knife is now the B&T&E.

Awesome job and a great bull. Congrats on a fine trophy.

Thanks all for the kind words. I imagine we will be reading a post from Scott soon about his Idaho elk hunt. I have a feeling it's going to be good! Hunt of a lifetime for me, cut elk all afternoon then grilled tenderloins for my brother and nephew. Great day!

You did some very good work there, lots of good prep and follow thru. Nice nice job a long way from home.

Congrats!


..... I wouldn't have a clue where to even begin on putting together a hunt like that. Taking a hunting trip out west is at the top of my bucket list!

Awesome bull David, way to go.

Tanner

+1, awesome bull!

Great story and bull. Question - who's ATV is that?

Yep. That's the way to do it. Congratulations.

KC

Congrats to you on the DIY, makes me believe I could maybe do that one day. Wondering also about the atv - did you rent one locally?? I don't own one but have thought it would help especially on an elk hunt for packing out only.
Anyway, congrats again great looking bull.

It's mine. A 1998 Honda 300 fourtrax, just a super dependable bike. Here's a pick from a hunt a few years ago north of Rawlins

Great bull - Congrats!

Congrats on a trophy class bull. Nice to be able to work that ATV in there too.
Thanks for posting your story.

Nice Elk, congrats.

Very cool beans!

I just wondered about the plate on the ATV. Do they make you license them or is that just an old plate for yuks? Very cool no matter what.

They don't license them, I found the plate at a junk shop and put it on-I have a newer one on the front of my truck (we only plate the back of vehicles in TN. It's just "my tip of the hat" to Wyoming.

Thanks for sharing
those DYI hunts are the best

Nice animal for one of the best people on the fire!

Thank you Matt. When it's time for you to make the run I'll help you with any info I can.

Were getting closer David. The boys are growing up fast. My buddy and I have 2 elk points and 2 deer points now, so we should be pretty set. I'm guessing year after next.

That's great! keep building those points, get some antelope points in the bank also-there are places you can get into without them but they sure help. Both deer and antelope have taken it on the chin in the past few years where I like to go-saw almost no antelope but did see a fair number of deer. Your timing may be perfect.

Congrats David, VERY nice bull, we just got back from a DIY first season hunt in CO...
What part of the state you in? K-town here.

Be safe,

Sure am proud for you...that's a pretty bull.

Thank you claybreaker and Godogs57! I'm in Nashville. Way too far from Wyoming!

Great story and great Bull. We are off to unit 120 this Thursday. Bull tag in my pocket. Long drive from Louisville but we can't wait. Congrats

congrats man. love the pics. im hoping next year i can go on my first diy

Great job David.
Congrats to you sir!!!

I just now saw this David.

Congrats on a job well done.

donsm70

Thank you all, I'm blessed way beyond what I deserve. The best, toughest hunt I've done, and the most satisfying.

Excellent work David that is awesome!

My heart is in Wyoming also...

Great posts and pics. A well earned trophy, for sure.

Great bull, excellent shooting and way to take the hunt to the elk! Awesome stuff! Congrats.

Belated congratulations on a hunt well done!

Very good job and nice bull!