So My son drew 1 of the 2 apprentice tags for unit 409 this year. I dont know why, but I originally put him in for one of the other units and ended up calling DFG to change our draw app to unit 409, call it intuition I guess...LOL...to my surprise he actually got lucky and drew it, this being his last year as a youth hunter...so lots of preparing since finding out we would be going to NE Cali for a prized once in a lifetime elk hunt!!! plenty of range time shooting pop's 7mag, buying expensing hunting gear, blah, blah, blah...Also thanks to some of my fellow hunters for sharing info on past hunt. Anyhow we made it out to our destination last Monday for the hunt that started on Wednesday morning with my Son Aiden's Godfather and a new good friend from the local area.
Hunted hard all opening morning, climbing lava rock infested mountains and thick timber. Heard one bugling bull that morning that got all our hearts and blood pumping. He was getting nearer but must have caught wind and decided to head out of dodge before we even caught a glimpse of him. Headed back to the truck after that to rest up for the evening hunt.
Evening hunt we took a ride to the back side of the mountain, hiked around, glassed. sat and waited for any action. Started getting late and we finally heard what almost sounded like a deep low growl. Our buddy throws out a cow call and almost immediately get a unmistakable bugle back...this goes on back and forth for what seems like an eternity, blood pumping and hearts pounding. I dont know how my 15 year old kept it together but he was pretty calm and collected. The bull finally comes out of the thick timber, my kid was using a boulder for a rest and just kept waiting for a clear shot. Finally the bull is coming in and about at a100 yards and Aiden lets the 7mag bark! Cranked another round in him like I told him before the hunt, shoot until he's down. Took 3 Barnes 150 grain TTSX coppers to bring him down. Cant express how happy and proud we all were walking up on his beautiful California NE bull...
.
Hunted hard all opening morning, climbing lava rock infested mountains and thick timber. Heard one bugling bull that morning that got all our hearts and blood pumping. He was getting nearer but must have caught wind and decided to head out of dodge before we even caught a glimpse of him. Headed back to the truck after that to rest up for the evening hunt.
Evening hunt we took a ride to the back side of the mountain, hiked around, glassed. sat and waited for any action. Started getting late and we finally heard what almost sounded like a deep low growl. Our buddy throws out a cow call and almost immediately get a unmistakable bugle back...this goes on back and forth for what seems like an eternity, blood pumping and hearts pounding. I dont know how my 15 year old kept it together but he was pretty calm and collected. The bull finally comes out of the thick timber, my kid was using a boulder for a rest and just kept waiting for a clear shot. Finally the bull is coming in and about at a100 yards and Aiden lets the 7mag bark! Cranked another round in him like I told him before the hunt, shoot until he's down. Took 3 Barnes 150 grain TTSX coppers to bring him down. Cant express how happy and proud we all were walking up on his beautiful California NE bull...
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