There is a lot to be said for a hunt ready broadhead.
This picture taken just 15 minutes before my bull encounter
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I shot this public land bull Sept 3 with my Toelke SS recurve, ElkMaster. 35-ish yards, complete pass-through, Abowyer broadhead. At my draw the bow is pulling 54#s.
I called him to me from his cows twice using a bugle followed by panting. First time he came in straight on and behind brush. I waited him out (3 or 4 minutes) and when he turned away and couldn't see me I raised my bugle and called again. This time he circled to my right, stopped and chuckled. I knew I had him then! The bull then walked across in front and below me. There was one good window for the arrow but it had to be quick. I raised my SS, expanded into anchor and watched the arrow vanish into him. A red splotch appeared at that spot. To say I was psyched is somewhat understating my mood. He walked off and died on a steep slope nearby.
The flies were atrocious and I was so concerned about the temps I barely took time to take a couple pictures before getting right to the work of packing him out and I spaced putting my bow in the photos.
But you can see it, barely, upper right corner of the elk picture. I did one trip that evening and three the next day. Last trip got me back to camp at 4:30. A rugged haul for this 62 year old.
Even though it was 2 miles one way I was able to remain on the same contour most of the time and that made a big difference.
This was the cleanest bull I have ever shot. He was fat too, 3 inches deep over his haunch.
Last load. I had to move some 80lb bags of cement just before the hunt and my load weights were north of that. This is where an advanced pack system earns the price tag.