At 73 years old, my dad isn't getting around like he used to. A catastrophic fall from the top of his barn and landing head first on a tractor changed his life 5 years ago. He doesn't have good balance when upright and has a slight shuffle of the feet when walking.
Last year I booked 2 spots for another elk hunt in unit 37 of New Mexico. I wanted Dad to make the trip but didn't think he could actually get around the ranch good enough to hunt. My buddy who owns the ranch talked me into bringing Dad as a hunter and said they could get him close enough for a shot. He made my mind up for me so Dad came along as a hunter versus a spectator.
I wanted Dad to get a bull and his bull was my
main focus. On the first morning there were no opportunities presented so later in the day we went up on top of a mountain to scope elk for the evening. Within 10 minutes we found a bull on the East side of the ranch. Look to the left of center on the image below. That's where we spotted the bull
After a little encouragement, Dad and my buddy's son in-law head down the mountain to stalk the bull. I got to watch them through a spotting scope as the events happened.
First they drove a UTV down the mountain before going on foot. I thought I was going to die of old age before they got anywhere near the bull. Light was started to fade as they made their way for a shot.
Finally after what seemed like eternity, I can see my dad putting his rifle on the shooting sticks from 1.5 miles away through a spotting scope. I then turned my attention to the bull.
BOOM! The bull didn't move. Dang it he missed!! BOOM........report boom. That was a hit! I watched the bull closely as he slowly moved east very stiff legged. It was almost dark and the bull disappeared into trees but I couldn't tell where the shot hit him.
The decision was made to pull out and not push the bull that evening. We would search for him in the morning.
After the longest night in history, we went out to search for the bull. I found blood immediately where the bull was standing so the tracking began. Within 5 minutes, we located Dad's bull 150 yards from where he was shot. It was a pretty emotional few minutes after finding his trophy.
I am so proud my Dad was able to pull off an elk hunt given his current situation. I never dreamed he would close the deal on the first evening while hunting. These are the moments in life which create memories for a lifetime.
Our New Mexico hunting license was only good for 5 days. I had 3.5 days to get a bull and make this a trip of a lifetime. A lot of close calls and almosts happened for 2 days straight. Friday was the last day for me to make something happen.
We spotted a good bull early from a mile away and began the trek up the valley to get him. We were almost to the pasture where the bull was last seen as a cow busted us. She didn't bark but stared us down forever through a narrow alley between us and the pasture.
The cow finally walked away undisturbed. We ranged where she was standing and it was 266 yards. Through the same alley to the pasture, I see the bull entering from the left. I had less than 2 seconds to decide shooter or not and pull the trigger before he was across the alley and back in the woods.
BOOM!! Neck shot, bull down!
What an unbelievable trip. We ended up with 2 incedible bulls. Both Dad and I are so thankful the week went the way it did. I thank God every day for the time we get spend together.
We hunted a private free range ranch in Unit 37. It's located just outside of Lincoln, New Mexico.
Last year I booked 2 spots for another elk hunt in unit 37 of New Mexico. I wanted Dad to make the trip but didn't think he could actually get around the ranch good enough to hunt. My buddy who owns the ranch talked me into bringing Dad as a hunter and said they could get him close enough for a shot. He made my mind up for me so Dad came along as a hunter versus a spectator.
I wanted Dad to get a bull and his bull was my
main focus. On the first morning there were no opportunities presented so later in the day we went up on top of a mountain to scope elk for the evening. Within 10 minutes we found a bull on the East side of the ranch. Look to the left of center on the image below. That's where we spotted the bull
After a little encouragement, Dad and my buddy's son in-law head down the mountain to stalk the bull. I got to watch them through a spotting scope as the events happened.
First they drove a UTV down the mountain before going on foot. I thought I was going to die of old age before they got anywhere near the bull. Light was started to fade as they made their way for a shot.
Finally after what seemed like eternity, I can see my dad putting his rifle on the shooting sticks from 1.5 miles away through a spotting scope. I then turned my attention to the bull.
BOOM! The bull didn't move. Dang it he missed!! BOOM........report boom. That was a hit! I watched the bull closely as he slowly moved east very stiff legged. It was almost dark and the bull disappeared into trees but I couldn't tell where the shot hit him.
The decision was made to pull out and not push the bull that evening. We would search for him in the morning.
After the longest night in history, we went out to search for the bull. I found blood immediately where the bull was standing so the tracking began. Within 5 minutes, we located Dad's bull 150 yards from where he was shot. It was a pretty emotional few minutes after finding his trophy.
I am so proud my Dad was able to pull off an elk hunt given his current situation. I never dreamed he would close the deal on the first evening while hunting. These are the moments in life which create memories for a lifetime.
Our New Mexico hunting license was only good for 5 days. I had 3.5 days to get a bull and make this a trip of a lifetime. A lot of close calls and almosts happened for 2 days straight. Friday was the last day for me to make something happen.
We spotted a good bull early from a mile away and began the trek up the valley to get him. We were almost to the pasture where the bull was last seen as a cow busted us. She didn't bark but stared us down forever through a narrow alley between us and the pasture.
The cow finally walked away undisturbed. We ranged where she was standing and it was 266 yards. Through the same alley to the pasture, I see the bull entering from the left. I had less than 2 seconds to decide shooter or not and pull the trigger before he was across the alley and back in the woods.
BOOM!! Neck shot, bull down!
What an unbelievable trip. We ended up with 2 incedible bulls. Both Dad and I are so thankful the week went the way it did. I thank God every day for the time we get spend together.
We hunted a private free range ranch in Unit 37. It's located just outside of Lincoln, New Mexico.