I am a new avid hunter and have been pursuing the sport for about five years now. My husband and his entire family are lifetime hunters who are my biggest motivators and supporters of the sport. My husband, Jeremey, helped me apply for this hunt. When we received the news that I actually drew the one and only bull tag for a hunt-of-a-lifetime, I was shocked and so was he! We were very excited and spent time chatting with a hometown friend who had lived in the area for over 10 years and offered some pointers. He was also our saving grace when it came time to retrieve my harvest as he came in with his side-by-side buggy. It was the perfect vehicle, and we were very thankful.
The weather for the entire hunt was mild with some smoke from surrounding fires in Nor Cal and some high thunder clouds. For the most part, there was not a complaint. The only weather regret was on harvest day when the fog socked us in and we couldn’t see the picturesque mountains that framed the entire Whitney unit.
We spent many days making sure we didn’t miss a bull and then decided which one I was going to target. Once I made my decision, it took a few days to land an opportunity. They were predictable enough to be unpredictable, and with many people hiking that valley, the elk would run fast. We spent many hours glassing and checking out the neighboring herds as well. I am pleased to say that the bull I harvested was the bull I was after, the herd bull. There were other bulls at one time in the season who were probably bigger horned, but we also experienced many broken off tines or fully broken horns, especially with it being towards the end of the rut. I feel very fortunate to have this bull as intact and beautiful as he is.
We spent many miles hunting and studying the herd throughout the season, which started on Saturday, October 2nd, until harvest day on October 7th. On the day of harvest, the herd went the complete opposite direction we had hoped, so we really had to get after them fast before they were long gone again for the day to hunker down. My husband, who is the most humble and patient guide, led me from start to finish. I was able to gain sight and keep in focus while I tracked this bull for at least a few minutes, but it felt like a lifetime with my vision blurring in and out and shaking pretty good. I finally got a clear view with no other cows or calves in the scope. I took a clear and clean shot at 400 yards, and he was down. I was so excited about that! I had been practicing for a few weeks prior with my father-in-law, who also guides me on my shooting skill and spoils me with his handloaded bullets/cartridges.
On this hunt, I was accompanied by my husband, my father-in- law, and a hometown family friend who helped us on harvest day to retrieve and also process and refrigerate the bull until we headed home the next day. My family is certain to be having some good eating throughout the next year, and I am so proud about that. We stayed in Lone Pine, California and had a great little hotel stay at the Best Western. The town of Lone Pine really is cute, and we visited all the restaurants, grocery stores, and one bar – Jakes. To anyone else passing through or visiting, Alabama Hills Cafe and Bakery is the best. Give them a try!
California Elk
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