I arrowed a nice 5x6 bull on the 16th. He's not like some of the whoppers I was into during the hunt but he gave me the shot and they didn't. I just got back so the film isn't even at the processors yet. I'll post pics when I get some.

It was a good hunt. The weather could have been a little cooler and damper but we saw a few elk. My partner had his chance and didn't want to risk spooking the bull so he didn't move to make the shot. I called in a 300 lb. chocolate brown bear. We had to spook him off at 35 yards or so because nonresident bear tags cost too much. Next year we're all going to chip in and buy one just in case.

I had a little pack wreck but it could have been worse. My loads didn't get scattered, nothing got broken (I was packing meat), and one horse only lost a little bit of hide in a few spots. Pack rats chewed up some wiring on my truck, that cost me 3+ hours and $220 or so. If I'd had the computer, wiring diagrams, and more tools I could have fixed it but I was a bit short on shop manuals and such in the field. At least I got it running good enough to avoid a towing bill from way up in the hills to the shop.

Steely,

   Great deal! congrat's, I hope I do that good this year.  Can't wait to see pictures.  Rough one on the wiring, that sucks, all in all it sounds like a memorible good year.

Spot

Right on Steely. Where the hell have ya been lately. Ive never been fortunate enough to get a bull. I guess that is due to the fact that i need to travel quite a distance to get to elk country but i have shot cows in the past from hunting draws issued. Get them pics up when you get them back.

Gary

Way to go Steely.     Sounds like you guys had a great time.  

Sounds like a great hunt.  Congratulations.

BEAR

Congrat's Steeley!

Nothing like bowhunting is there?

Will be looking for the pics soon.

I have a bigger 6x6 on my wall in the house. I'd put one on the barn but the sun bleaches the antlers white. I came up with a compromise. We have a 60x120 covered riding arena with a 16 foot high eave line. I can mount lots of skulls in there out of the sun and they'll be high enough that even the most athletic horse won't be able to toss you up onto them.

I was going to buy some beetles to clean the skull but I got a lot of the meat and brains out the hard way already. I'll let nature take care of the rest. I still have another cleaned skull from two years ago waiting to get screwed to a board and mounted up there so I'll do them both at the same time.

I've lost a couple of nice caribou racks to Squirrels.  In the winter they climb up and start at the tips gnawing away on my trophies.  The local ones here climbed straight up the wall.  Avoid and lateral wood braces or you might have a 4x4 in spring.

Nice rack.  Looks like a nice camp also, Congratulations Steely well done.

BEAR