Terry's Bull

The bull finally made it to the edge of the alley cut for the barbed wire fence that ran through the thick cedars.  Less than an hour ago, Terry watched the bull with P.T. Carter and Bryant McGee as he walked into a thick clump of cedars to lay down for the day.  Guessing the bull to be in the mid 370 range, it was just what Terry was looking for.  A plan was devised!  Terry was to go around the bull and get into position above him to set up in what was just about the only clear shooting lane in the country.  Guessing the bull would leave uphill, P.T. was going to wait for Terry to get into position, then slowly work toward the bull hoping to push him out of his bed.  If the bull did go uphill, then Terry would have a shot as he entered the clear-cut fence line. 

So here we are, the bull stopped at the edge of the alley and slowly took a look around.  Clearly he was in no hurry, P.T. held up to his end of the plan perfectly, not pushing the bull into a dead run, but got close enough to make him uncomfortable.  The bull got up and trotted a few yards then continued toward Terry and the fence line at a moderate walk.

Terry clicked the safety on his rifle to the off position as the bull took the few short strides that would carry him the rest of the way to the barbed wire fence.  The bull stopped once more and casually looked around trying to decide whether or not he really wanted to hop the fence.  At 80 yards, Terry settled behind his rifle.  Having a bull of this caliber this close, and in the crosshairs forced a little buck fever to set in on Terry.  The rifle boomed!  The bull stood where he was looking toward Terry!

“Shoot again!” were about the only words that could come to Bryant’s mind.

The bull stood and watched Terry and Bryant as Terry fought with his rifle.  Something was wrong!  Not only was the bull completely fine after Terry’s shot, but Terry couldn’t eject the empty cartridge from his rifle!  Finally, bored with what he was seeing, the bull hopped the fence with no effort and walked into the thick cedars on the other side!

It took some time to get Terry’s rifle unjammed, but the moment had passed.  Buck fever claimed yet another victim.  The good news is, the elk hunting isn’t over yet.  When buck fever gets the best of a guy, nobody is harder on him than himself.  With words of encouragement, because this isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last that buck fever makes an appearance, the elk hunting continued.

The next evening put Terry within about 50 yards of a nice 6X6, but with one more day left, Terry opted to keep looking.  The next morning, with Terry’s son Gary along, the group found themselves heading off a bull as he worked up a ridge above a deep canyon.  After looking the bull over, Terry decided to take a chance at redemption!  The bull fed through the cedars when finally he moved into a small opening offering a shot.

This time Terry’s shot would be around the 250 yard mark!  Terry settled in behind his rifle and laid the crosshairs behind the bulls shoulder as he squeezed the trigger.  This time when the rifle went off, the unmistakable “whomp” echoed through the canyon!  The bull took a few short limps in the opposite direction before spilling over!  Redemption!  Terry ended up with a nice 6X7 and a load of new stories to share at the campfire!