They always say in the books and the videos that when you put an arrow in a bull you should cow call to stop him. I'm not sure how I managed to remember that in the heat of the moment, but that's exactly what I did. And wonder of wonders, just like on TV, he came to a stop about 75 yards away and turned back to look at me.
I put up my binoculars, but couldn't locate him - probably due to a severe case of the shakes and excitement. As I put the binos down to try to relocate him I just caught a flash of him through the brush - going backwards from where he was standing! Was it my imagination playing tricks or did he tip over backwards? Or had he just spun around and raced back down hill. There was loud crashing and breaking of brush, and I hoped it was caused as he fell, and not just as he ran away. But I couldn't see any more movement to confirm or deny what I hoped.
I knew he was hit hard. But could he have really gone down that fast? With a hit so far back would there be blood to follow? I was sick thinking about the possibilty of a mortally wounded animal tearing away into the deep and thick valley below.
If he really did fall where he last stood there was no need to wait. But if I hadn't seen what I hoped I did going in too soon could be disasterous. All I could do is sit down, wondering and waiting as it all played over and over in my mind.
Topic: New Mexico Wapiti Wanderings (Read 3406 times)
