close encounter w/ a bull

[MnFn]

I returned from a week of elk hunting in Colorado last night. What a hoot! Here are our reactions after having a shootable bull within range.

M'boy Matt.
 
Had the bull at 25 yards, no shot available.

Me.
 
Had him at 35 yards quartering away, but my personal limit is 25 yards. Still, I raised my recurve and started to draw but something inside me said "no, it isn't a good enough shot". Matt was a lot more frustrated than I.

In the end we had a great time. Saw a few elk, heard a lot of bugling. I stalked to within 20 feet of two mule deer bucks, ( no tags). Best of all I got to spend a week hunting in the Colorado mountains with my best hunting pard- my son Matt.
My thanks to a few people on this site who helped with some suggestions:
Kendall Techau, Pinecone, and Dave2old.
 Dave, your book was validated many times over in our experience. It was well worth the price!
Thanks very much, Gary

[maineac]

Sounds like a great time.

[tcw]

Tough luck.  Really impressed to hear you admit that you had a shot, but did not take it because it was out of your comfort range.  Love hearing ethics like that.  Hats off to you.

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Sounds like a very successful hunt to me. Congrats.

[kadbow]

That's bow hunting, you go and enjoy the hunt, meat is a bonus.  Close encounters with critters is also a bonus of bowhunting.

[snag]

Oh yes, the old biting the lower lip response! Glad you see you guys had a great time chasing the mighty wapiti. You'll be back! haha

[straitera]

Feel your angst brother. Elk is head of my list. You both have my ultimate respect for limiting shots. What a lesson & great hunt.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Next time, eh!