quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Aaron,

You gotta be likin' Idaho!

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Just thought I would share with you guys my bull from Idaho I took a few days ago...plus a little info behind it too! My desire this fall was to take a 390"+ bull from the Gem state. Despite knowing it would be a high mark, I was mostly prepared to hold out as much as I could stand!

I started bow hunting Aug. 30th, but it was not until Sept. 9th that I found the bull I was looking for. In fact I found two of them on that day...in the morning I located an 8x9 that I knew was definitely over 400", and that evening (not far away) I found a 6x7 I figured was 395". The rut was kicking in, so the big bulls were starting to come out to play.
On the 10th I again saw the 8x9, and made a plan for him that evening. However, he zigged when I zagged and the sun was gone before I could catch up to him that evening with my bow.

The same day, some goofball started a fire just a couple miles south and by morning the hills were crawling with firefighters, forest service folks, LE, etc. It quickly grew into a huge fire (burning 105,000 acres) and authorities closed the entire area for just over a month! Needless to say, I haven't seen either of those two bulls since. I did however spend lots of time elsewhere, looking over dozens and dozens of bulls up through early October with muzzy / rifle too. I passed numerous 350" - 375" bulls...hoping I would find the right one. By October however, a lot of the really big bulls were broke from fighting...adding additional difficulty to the task.

I decided to take a few days off, then returned on Oct. 13th to resume my search. By now any decent bull was by himself or with other bulls, and in much different parts of the unit than just a couple weeks earlier...I never saw a cow again. Then on the evening of Oct. 15th I spotted the bull below. I quickly worked to within 142 yards of him (he was all alone) and sat there for 5 minutes debating whether or not to shoot? He finally turned and walked off over a little hump, re-appearing at 287 yards...and my better judgement finally kicked in.

I knew he wasn't 390", but with all his horns intact and a 46" inside spread - I decided I better not pass him! At 383" he's my biggest Idaho bull so far, and considering the bad luck with the fire...I think I was most fortunate to find him. Hopefully next year I can find that 8x9 again, and have another go at him?!

Sorry the pics aren't the best. I was by myself, thus no one to help me with good field photos, etc. I think you can click on them to enlarge as well?

quote:

Originally posted by RAR60:
What kind of unit is this, a special draw or something to be seeing that many big bulls?

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Just thought I would share with you guys my bull from Idaho I took a few days ago...plus a little info behind it too! My desire this fall was to take a 390"+ bull from the Gem state. Despite knowing it would be a high mark, I was mostly prepared to hold out as much as I could stand!

I started bow hunting Aug. 30th, but it was not until Sept. 9th that I found the bull I was looking for. In fact I found two of them on that day...in the morning I located an 8x9 that I knew was definitely over 400", and that evening (not far away) I found a 6x7 I figured was 395". The rut was kicking in, so the big bulls were starting to come out to play.
On the 10th I again saw the 8x9, and made a plan for him that evening. However, he zigged when I zagged and the sun was gone before I could catch up to him that evening with my bow.

The same day, some goofball started a fire just a couple miles south and by morning the hills were crawling with firefighters, forest service folks, LE, etc. It quickly grew into a huge fire (burning 105,000 acres) and authorities closed the entire area for just over a month! Needless to say, I haven't seen either of those two bulls since. I did however spend lots of time elsewhere, looking over dozens and dozens of bulls up through early October with muzzy / rifle too. I passed numerous 350" - 375" bulls...hoping I would find the right one. By October however, a lot of the really big bulls were broke from fighting...adding additional difficulty to the task.

I decided to take a few days off, then returned on Oct. 13th to resume my search. By now any decent bull was by himself or with other bulls, and in much different parts of the unit than just a couple weeks earlier...I never saw a cow again. Then on the evening of Oct. 15th I spotted the bull below. I quickly worked to within 142 yards of him (he was all alone) and sat there for 5 minutes debating whether or not to shoot? He finally turned and walked off over a little hump, re-appearing at 287 yards...and my better judgement finally kicked in.

I knew he wasn't 390", but with all his horns intact and a 46" inside spread - I decided I better not pass him! At 383" he's my biggest Idaho bull so far, and considering the bad luck with the fire...I think I was most fortunate to find him. Hopefully next year I can find that 8x9 again, and have another go at him?!

Sorry the pics aren't the best. I was by myself, thus no one to help me with good field photos, etc. I think you can click on them to enlarge as well?

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Nice Bull Aaron.

Is it safe to assume ISS set you up on that Bull?

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Nice Bull Aaron.

Is it safe to assume ISS set you up on that Bull?

What's ISS?

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Just thought I would share with you guys my bull from Idaho I took a few days ago...plus a little info behind it too! My desire this fall was to take a 390"+ bull from the Gem state. Despite knowing it would be a high mark, I was mostly prepared to hold out as much as I could stand!

I started bow hunting Aug. 30th, but it was not until Sept. 9th that I found the bull I was looking for. In fact I found two of them on that day...in the morning I located an 8x9 that I knew was definitely over 400", and that evening (not far away) I found a 6x7 I figured was 395". The rut was kicking in, so the big bulls were starting to come out to play.
On the 10th I again saw the 8x9, and made a plan for him that evening. However, he zigged when I zagged and the sun was gone before I could catch up to him that evening with my bow.

The same day, some goofball started a fire just a couple miles south and by morning the hills were crawling with firefighters, forest service folks, LE, etc. It quickly grew into a huge fire (burning 105,000 acres) and authorities closed the entire area for just over a month! Needless to say, I haven't seen either of those two bulls since. I did however spend lots of time elsewhere, looking over dozens and dozens of bulls up through early October with muzzy / rifle too. I passed numerous 350" - 375" bulls...hoping I would find the right one. By October however, a lot of the really big bulls were broke from fighting...adding additional difficulty to the task.

I decided to take a few days off, then returned on Oct. 13th to resume my search. By now any decent bull was by himself or with other bulls, and in much different parts of the unit than just a couple weeks earlier...I never saw a cow again. Then on the evening of Oct. 15th I spotted the bull below. I quickly worked to within 142 yards of him (he was all alone) and sat there for 5 minutes debating whether or not to shoot? He finally turned and walked off over a little hump, re-appearing at 287 yards...and my better judgement finally kicked in.

I knew he wasn't 390", but with all his horns intact and a 46" inside spread - I decided I better not pass him! At 383" he's my biggest Idaho bull so far, and considering the bad luck with the fire...I think I was most fortunate to find him. Hopefully next year I can find that 8x9 again, and have another go at him?!

Sorry the pics aren't the best. I was by myself, thus no one to help me with good field photos, etc. I think you can click on them to enlarge as well?

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
Nice bull. Is that a draw on public land or something else? Be nice to chase those every year

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
Nice Bull Aaron.

Is it safe to assume ISS set you up on that Bull?

What's ISS?

Idaho Sharpshooter.

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Just thought I would share with you guys my bull from Idaho I took a few days ago...plus a little info behind it too! My desire this fall was to take a 390"+ bull from the Gem state. Despite knowing it would be a high mark, I was mostly prepared to hold out as much as I could stand!

I started bow hunting Aug. 30th, but it was not until Sept. 9th that I found the bull I was looking for. In fact I found two of them on that day...in the morning I located an 8x9 that I knew was definitely over 400", and that evening (not far away) I found a 6x7 I figured was 395". The rut was kicking in, so the big bulls were starting to come out to play.
On the 10th I again saw the 8x9, and made a plan for him that evening. However, he zigged when I zagged and the sun was gone before I could catch up to him that evening with my bow.

The same day, some goofball started a fire just a couple miles south and by morning the hills were crawling with firefighters, forest service folks, LE, etc. It quickly grew into a huge fire (burning 105,000 acres) and authorities closed the entire area for just over a month! Needless to say, I haven't seen either of those two bulls since. I did however spend lots of time elsewhere, looking over dozens and dozens of bulls up through early October with muzzy / rifle too. I passed numerous 350" - 375" bulls...hoping I would find the right one. By October however, a lot of the really big bulls were broke from fighting...adding additional difficulty to the task.

I decided to take a few days off, then returned on Oct. 13th to resume my search. By now any decent bull was by himself or with other bulls, and in much different parts of the unit than just a couple weeks earlier...I never saw a cow again. Then on the evening of Oct. 15th I spotted the bull below. I quickly worked to within 142 yards of him (he was all alone) and sat there for 5 minutes debating whether or not to shoot? He finally turned and walked off over a little hump, re-appearing at 287 yards...and my better judgement finally kicked in.

I knew he wasn't 390", but with all his horns intact and a 46" inside spread - I decided I better not pass him! At 383" he's my biggest Idaho bull so far, and considering the bad luck with the fire...I think I was most fortunate to find him. Hopefully next year I can find that 8x9 again, and have another go at him?!

Sorry the pics aren't the best. I was by myself, thus no one to help me with good field photos, etc. I think you can click on them to enlarge as well?

Did I see this hunt on World of Sports Afield?

If so, you were killing me with the Bulls you passed.

Congratulations! You have the will power of a Jedi.

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
Nice bull. Is that a draw on public land or something else? Be nice to chase those every year

Public land...controlled hunt unit

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
Is that a draw? I'm guessing not....

I'll see if I can google controlled hunt units

Pretty awesome to have B&C bulls staring you in the face every year!

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
Nice bull. Is that a draw on public land or something else? Be nice to chase those every year

Public land...controlled hunt unit

quote:

Originally posted by LHeym500:

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Neilson:
Just thought I would share with you guys my bull from Idaho I took a few days ago...plus a little info behind it too! My desire this fall was to take a 390"+ bull from the Gem state. Despite knowing it would be a high mark, I was mostly prepared to hold out as much as I could stand!

I started bow hunting Aug. 30th, but it was not until Sept. 9th that I found the bull I was looking for. In fact I found two of them on that day...in the morning I located an 8x9 that I knew was definitely over 400", and that evening (not far away) I found a 6x7 I figured was 395". The rut was kicking in, so the big bulls were starting to come out to play.
On the 10th I again saw the 8x9, and made a plan for him that evening. However, he zigged when I zagged and the sun was gone before I could catch up to him that evening with my bow.

The same day, some goofball started a fire just a couple miles south and by morning the hills were crawling with firefighters, forest service folks, LE, etc. It quickly grew into a huge fire (burning 105,000 acres) and authorities closed the entire area for just over a month! Needless to say, I haven't seen either of those two bulls since. I did however spend lots of time elsewhere, looking over dozens and dozens of bulls up through early October with muzzy / rifle too. I passed numerous 350" - 375" bulls...hoping I would find the right one. By October however, a lot of the really big bulls were broke from fighting...adding additional difficulty to the task.

I decided to take a few days off, then returned on Oct. 13th to resume my search. By now any decent bull was by himself or with other bulls, and in much different parts of the unit than just a couple weeks earlier...I never saw a cow again. Then on the evening of Oct. 15th I spotted the bull below. I quickly worked to within 142 yards of him (he was all alone) and sat there for 5 minutes debating whether or not to shoot? He finally turned and walked off over a little hump, re-appearing at 287 yards...and my better judgement finally kicked in.

I knew he wasn't 390", but with all his horns intact and a 46" inside spread - I decided I better not pass him! At 383" he's my biggest Idaho bull so far, and considering the bad luck with the fire...I think I was most fortunate to find him. Hopefully next year I can find that 8x9 again, and have another go at him?!

Sorry the pics aren't the best. I was by myself, thus no one to help me with good field photos, etc. I think you can click on them to enlarge as well?

Did I see this hunt on World of Sports Afield?

If so, you were killing me with the Bulls you passed.

Congratulations! You have the will power of a Jedi.