Told a few friends today that Lady Luck kissed me full on the mouth. Got a nice 7x7 yesterday on the opposite side of a drainage/steep draw. That morning we had a group of cows and a bull that we jumped and they hauled butt, dumping off into the steep drop off. He looked good but I had no idea how good. Rush up to the rim and looked over into the timber and oak brush, obviously not expecting to see anything. In a minute or so I could spot the cows making their way up the other side. Eventually I spotted the bull milling around the cows! 350 yards away on the rangefinder and about 30-45 degrees down slope if I wanted to take a shot. Now or never. Got a good steady rest and let fly. He dropped on the spot! My guide and I were thinking “How in the dickens are we going to find this bull?”. We can see it but in a jungle of trees but of course, everything will look totally different making our way down the draw. My guide then pulled magic out of his hat. I’d never seen this trick but I’m sure most of you have. He shot the bull with his rangefinder. Confirmed 350 yards. Took out his cell phone with some GIS type app (I forgot the name. Base Map?), aimed it at the bull and “dropped” a pin on the bull at 350 yards. Never seen that. Pure rocket science to this old fart.We walked down the drain and up the other side and it took us within 20 feet of the dang bull.
Getting him out of the jungle was a four hour ordeal. Vital statistics of the hunt: Sako 338 Win Mag. 225 grain Accubond at 2805 fps. 75 grains of RL-19. Scored by a certified B&C scorer at 354 0/8”. 7x7
My old knees and legs thank you for looking.
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/yYdHqDcG/IMG-2455.jpg)
Awesome. He's a super nice bull. Congrats!!!!
I enjoyed your story and picture. That is a bull to be proud of. Good eats. Congratulations.
L.W.
Beautiful bull - congrats to you. But you forgot to take a picture of the knife used to break down that bull - maybe one of yours
My guide then pulled magic out of his hat. I’d never seen this trick but I’m sure most of you have. He shot the bull with his rangefinder. Confirmed 350 yards. Took out his cell phone with some GIS type app (I forgot the name. Base Map?), aimed it at the bull and “dropped” a pin on the bull at 350 yards. Never seen that. Pure rocket science to this old fart.We walked down the drain and up the other side and it took us within 20 feet of the dang bull.
OnX will do that although I don't know if works the same way. You use the compass feature to get the bearing, then use the rangefinder feature to slide the pointer up or down to match your rangefinder's reading. I haven't had a need to use it in the field yet. I guess I should practice with it next time I'm out in the hills.
Great bull. Congrats and thanks for sharing
Congrats, what a beautiful bull!
Awesome bull, Hank! Congrats!!
Beautiful bull. Where did you hit him? Pass through?
Stellar Elk Godogs57, congratulations!!
Congrats. Beautiful bull! You suck 😜
Beautiful bull. Where did you hit him? Pass through?
It was one of those high shoulder tv show shots. However I was way above him and angling the shot down……was not broadside.
Great bull. Exactly like one I would like to take. Mind if I ask who you hunted with?
Good stuff, congrats
love the 3’rds.
Ps; Now the important stuff, which knife.😂
Congrats on a great bull!
Heck yeah bud, that is a stud.
Really good bull. Congratulations! What part of New Mexico were you hunting?
What a bull! Congratulations on a fine hunt.
Good stuff, congrats
love the 3’rds.
Ps; Now the important stuff, which knife.😂
Good stuff, congrats
love the 3’rds.
Ps; Now the important stuff, which knife.😂
![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/KjSy3Jg1/2794.jpg)
Beautiful bull Hank ! He’s long. I’d be interested to see what he scores.
Beautiful bull Hank ! He’s long. I’d be interested to see what he scores.
354”
Big congratulations. If you are not into apps. Get the range distance and compass azimuth. Leave an orange market visible from that spot. When you get close to where you think the animal is. Use the range finder to get to the exact distance you had ranged. Lastly use the compass back heading to go right or left and it will get you to the animal.Back heading either add or subtract 180 degrees. No negative numbers. Your final heading should be between o and 360 degrees. Your cell phone will also have a compass. I tend to forget numbers, so I write them down or snap photo shoot the heading.
Big congratulations. If you are not into apps. Get the range distance and compass azimuth. Leave an orange market visible from that spot. When you get close to where you think the animal is. Use the range finder to get to the exact distance you had ranged. Lastly use the compass back heading to go right or left and it will get you to the animal.Back heading either add or subtract 180 degrees. No negative numbers. Your final heading should be between o and 360 degrees. Your cell phone will also have a compass. I tend to forget numbers, so I write them down or snap photo shoot the heading.
👍
Very well done!! Dandy of a bull!
Our son got a nice management bull this morning. I’ll post later on
Really good bull. Congratulations! What part of New Mexico were you hunting?
55A
Awesome, especially a double with your son.
Congratulations Hank!
A very nice bull, indeed.
🦫
Or, just leave one guy watching so he can direct the other to it. Usually someone has a traffic vest or similar so the spotter can keep track of them
Or, just leave one guy watching so he can direct the other to it. Usually someone has a traffic vest or similar so the spotter can keep track of them
^^^This^^^
There are a bunch of things on all the new mapping apps that are helpful.
Have used the compass/rangefinder mentioned and it is really helpful. That along with a pic will get you right there.
For finding a downed animal solo you can also leave your spotting scope behind, set up and focused on the downed animal. When you are on the hillside near the animal, you can confirm your bearing by looking back at the objective of you spotter with your binos. When you can see light thru the objective you are on the correct line/ bearing. This was before the LRF and GPS era but still works.
Awesome bull, Hank! Congrats!!
Amen from the back row! Awesome!
Congrats Hank !
What a behemoth.
Good looking animal, congrats!
Hell yeah! Thanks for sharing.
Great bull, great lookin' blade. Pic of son's bull? Congrats!!!
What a great bull! Someday I hope to be able to go elk hunting.
For finding a downed animal solo you can also leave your spotting scope behind, set up and focused on the downed animal. When you are on the hillside near the animal, you can confirm your bearing by looking back at the objective of you spotter with your binos. When you can see light thru the objective you are on the correct line/ bearing. This was before the LRF and GPS era but still works.
Sounds like a great way to lose your spotting scope🤣
Beautiful bull nice going. That is one of those that checks the box for massive bull down.
Some great tips on finding a downed elk in difficult conditions. It’s easier if you have 2 guys & keep your wts about you - solo takes more thinking & sometimes I’m so elated & excited my brain turns off. I’ve used rangefinder to get to 2 cows in very thick oak brush on a steep snowy slope. Both cows dropped on the spot so no blood trail to cross just a slide. Son in law really wanted to move after I found his but stayed put another 15 minutes for mine.
I’ll use these electronic methods hopefully next month if one is in thick timber.
Congratulations, what a dandy!
Great bull and danged good job of gettner done
Mb
For finding a downed animal solo you can also leave your spotting scope behind, set up and focused on the downed animal. When you are on the hillside near the animal, you can confirm your bearing by looking back at the objective of you spotter with your binos. When you can see light thru the objective you are on the correct line/ bearing. This was before the LRF and GPS era but still works.
Sounds like a great way to lose your spotting scope🤣
No other hunters where I pack into and if I am unable to relocate it, I shouldn't be out there anyway. YMMV
That one was sure worth a bullet…😁. It’s a nice one.
Awesome Bull. Congratulations.
NM grows biguns and you nailed a dandy! Any idea on the weight?
Very good bull and great story. Congratulations!
Regards,
Manny
NM grows biguns and you nailed a dandy! Any idea on the weight?
884 per the carcass weight chart used that day.
Told a few friends today that Lady Luck kissed me full on the mouth. Got a nice 7x7 yesterday on the opposite side of a drainage/steep draw. That morning we had a group of cows and a bull that we jumped and they hauled butt, dumping off into the steep drop off. He looked good but I had no idea how good. Rush up to the rim and looked over into the timber and oak brush, obviously not expecting to see anything. In a minute or so I could spot the cows making their way up the other side. Eventually I spotted the bull milling around the cows! 350 yards away on the rangefinder and about 30-45 degrees down slope if I wanted to take a shot. Now or never. Got a good steady rest and let fly. He dropped on the spot! My guide and I were thinking “How in the dickens are we going to find this bull?”. We can see it but in a jungle of trees but of course, everything will look totally different making our way down the draw. My guide then pulled magic out of his hat. I’d never seen this trick but I’m sure most of you have. He shot the bull with his rangefinder. Confirmed 350 yards. Took out his cell phone with some GIS type app (I forgot the name. Base Map?), aimed it at the bull and “dropped” a pin on the bull at 350 yards. Never seen that. Pure rocket science to this old fart.We walked down the drain and up the other side and it took us within 20 feet of the dang bull.
Getting him out of the jungle was a four hour ordeal. Vital statistics of the hunt: Sako 338 Win Mag. 225 grain Accubond at 2805 fps. 75 grains of RL-19. Scored by a certified B&C scorer at 354 0/8”. 7x7
My old knees and legs thank you for looking.
That is a great bull! Nicely done.
Beautiful elk. Congratulations. I'll be hunting them in new Mexico beginning Nov 10th.
Beautiful elk. Congratulations. I'll be hunting them in new Mexico beginning Nov 10th.
Best of luck Hotsoup!
Great looking bull, Congrats!
That is a bull of a lifetime. Excellent Job!
Jealous here! Great bull.