HUNTER: Aaron Neilson - Global Hunting Resources

HUNT LOCATION: Three Springs Ranch - Unit 10

HUNT DATES: Sept. 13-16, 2009

SPECIES HUNTED: Bull Elk

WEAPONS: .338 Rem Ultra Mag/225 gr. Nosler Accu-Bond


The Three Springs Ranch is located about 5 hrs drive from my home in Denver, Co. My cameraman and I arrived at the NW Colorado ranch at about 1pm on Saturday, Sept. 12th, 2009. Other than a short stop-over in Craig, Co. to exchange my voucher for a license, it was a pretty quick and uneventful drive. Three Springs participates in the Colorado Ranching for Wildlife program. Which in my opinion is one of the better D.O.W./Private Landowner, wildlife management & hunting cooperatives in the west. But what it really meant to me was the opportunity to hunt elk with a rifle, in September! In fact, my license was vaild from Sept 1 - Nov 29, 2009.

The 20,000 acre ranch sits on the southern border of Dinosaur National Monument, a national park that is loaded with elk. So of course sharing a common boundary with the park is certainly not a bad thing for the ranch. Normally I would have chosen to hunt a week or so later in the month, but because of commitments to guide my clients in Kansas on the Sept 21st muzzleloader deer hunt, I had only 3.5 days to hunt. I planned to leave by mid-day on Sept 16th, needing to be home for a day before I left to KS. on the 18th (tomorrow). My hopes were to get a bull scoring 360" or better, but because of time constraints I was willing to shoot a 350" bull on the last day.

However, as night fell on the first evening we arrived, I wasn't to concerned that getting a good bull was going to be a problem. That afternoon we saw over 100 elk from one location, and easily 20-30 bulls. Over the next 3.5 days we saw 400-500 elk, no telling how many bulls, and 8-10 bulls that were 350" plus. The majority of the bulls were 320" - 340", next year's crop, but none-the-less we saw plenty of really good elk. By the morning of the 16th I had decided on the bull I wanted to shoot, as I had to leave that afternoon. He was a beautiful bull we estimated to be about 361", and very comparable to a couple of the other biggest bulls we knew of. In fact we had 2-3 bulls all figured at roughly 360", they just had different rack configurations, and I took the one I liked best.

Other than some last minute excitement with a black bear that decided to stampede the elk just as we were getting into position for a shot, everything went pretty smooth. Anticipating a 300 plus yard shot, I was quite surprised as I peered over the ridge and saw 50 elk bolting straight at us. Thankfully the bear spooked the elk our direction, and by the time they stopped to see what was going on, they were only about 160 yards. Two shots, and the big bull was down! Unfortunately you cannot see the bear on film, so I am sure anyone watching the footage is really gonna wonder why the heck the elk are running at the hunters instead of away??

I feel strongly had I been able to hunt from Sept 20-30, I would have had a good chance at finding a 370" - 385" bull coming out of the park looking for cows. The rut was just getting started, and I think the really big bulls knew it wasn't quite time yet. Regardless I had a great time, saw plenty of elk, and killed a beautiful 363" Colorado bull. The ranchers were very accomodating, lodging was adequate and the food was good.

2009 Colorado Bull - 363"


2009 Colorado Bull - 363"


View from where the bull fell dead.


As a side note - back in July I offered these hunts for sale on AR listed under the discounted & available hunts section. See this link. http://forums.accuratereloadin...2100588/m/1851094211

I caught some grief about the hunts offered, including this quote from Dogcatcher223, "No, what you don't understand is the bulls advertised are a pipe-dream. Most bulls in those units are 250-320, with an occasional 350+ getting smoked. Don't believe the hype... I would spend my money in AZ."

Guess my pipe dream came true!!!!

Thanks,
Aaron Neilson
Global Hunting Resources
www.globalhuntingresources.com

Congrats!! I'm headin' out in 26 days to CO. Will hunt their 2nd season for five days. This will be our fourth year huntin' this particular ranch.
Its a fun hunt, usually plenty of elk. To date, I have never came home with a bull tag in my pocket. Nothing like you got.
Hope that changes this year. When we are done in Co, we get a day to rest then of to NM. Will be hunting with Beaverhead Outfitters in unit 16E. Would be proud to put my tag on a bull like yours.

Phil

Aaron,

What a great bull. Thank you for sharing those photos of your hunt.

It's funny how "lucky" you get when you do your homework, come prepared, and are ready to go home empty handed.

Congrats to you again.

Thanks guys, appreciate it!!

Aaron

Congrats on a great bull! With a bull like that you certainly IMHO have emerged from that previous thread vindicated.

that's a stud Aaron- congrats!

Aaron,
Great looking bull!

Jeremy Gugelmeyer

what a bull! Congratulations

Great bull., Aaron! He's a beaut!


I'm headed out the door Sun morning to set up camp for my muzz hunt here in AZ.. I'm hopin' for a brute for myself! Season opens on the 25th.. Got the right tag in the right unit, now for just a bit of luck!

Scottyboy - Good luck man, hope you get em. I head to AZ on Sept 29th, my early rifle bull tag starts Oct. 2nd.

Aaron

Congratulations Aaron, that's a great looking bull.

Aaron,

Thats a great bull,congratulations

Wow! That's one mighty elk in my book..
Congrats!

I hate you so much right now!!!

Just kidding (sort of) ...congratulations mate!! Who's laughing now??

Good luck in AZ!!

Matt

Good job Aaron, super nice Bull!
Good photos too, that backside angle shows off just how big a 360" Bull really is.
Hey when are we gettin that beer?

Congratulations! The photos speak volumes, I love those great pictures. Dr.C