Live Hunt: Bulls For My Buddies

During the 2010 elk season I decided to help guide some good friends to big Colorado elk. It’s always good...

By Aron Snyder | Published Mar 9, 2011 2:17 AM

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httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo10013215791_IMG_1999.jpg — My 2010 elk season was a bit different then the norm. I decided to take a step back from the driver’s seat and spend my season helping some great friends fill their life long dream of killing a bull in the Colorado wilderness. It was an amazing feeling to help my friend out and it made for a season I won’t soon forget.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo10013215792_IMG_2001.jpg — My first hunt would be with an Air Force buddy of mine named Jason. He was deployed in Iraq and we kept in touch over email. I promised myself I’d help get him a Colorado bull when he came home.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2011033_IMG_1994_0.jpg — This was my closest water source. I could smell the “beaver fever” in the air.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2011034_IMG_1959_0.jpg — My home for the next couple days.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo10013215795_IMG_1974.jpg — I had one day to hunt by myself before Jason got in. I missed a good bull opening morning, but filled my “list B” cow tag quickly.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo10013215796_IMG_2139.jpg — Now she is hanging in a tree.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo10013215797_IMG_2007.jpg — Here I’m getting prepared to pack her back to the trail head.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo10013215798_IMG_2035.jpg — J dog has arrived!

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images2011039_IMG_2072_0.jpg — I know there is water down there somewhere dang it.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110310_IMG_2067_0.jpg — Looking for Mr. Wapiti.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157911_IMG_2043.jpg — Nothing like a little snow in August.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157912_IMG_2041.jpg — Backcountry television.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110313_IMG_2048_0.jpg — The wild wilderness

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110314_IMG_1990_0.jpg — A view from the top.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110315_IMG_1991_0.jpg — Heading back in to find Wapiti.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110316_IMG_1998_0.jpg — Breakfast.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157917_IMG_2105.jpg — Grouse for dinner

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110318_IMG_2077_0.jpg — A little Aquamira goes a long way. One of the best ways for water purification in the backcountry.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110319_IMG_2076_0.jpg — The tools of the trade.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110320_IMG_2100_0.jpg — Go team Hilleberg.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157921_IMG_0106.jpg — Red is my friend. Jason was unsure of the hit, but when we walked up on this we had a good feeling we would retrieve the bull quickly.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157922_61.jpg — J and his first archery bull.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110323_IMG_2112_0.jpg — The work has begun.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157924_60.jpg — Getting it off the bone as fast as we can.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110325_IMG_2118_0.jpg — The work continues through the night.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110326_IMG_2113_0.jpg — Still going.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110327_IMG_2121_0.jpg — It’s sleepy time now.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110328_IMG_2125_0.jpg — Put the GPS down J. You don’t know how to use it anyway.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157929_DSC02129.jpg — After We put down Jason’s bull I was off to meet up with my buddies John and Jerry. They’re two Midwestern boys who always dreamed of taking a bull with a bow. I’m set to make that dream a reality. I’m cleaned, shaved and ready for round two.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157930_DSC02132.jpg — Rubbing al little extra “funk” on the estrus call. I was more than happy to be a guide for John and Jerry. They had hooked me up with some prime whitetail hunting in Wisconsin and it was my turn to pay them back.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157931_DSC02076.jpg — It worked! The bull came straight into the call and Jerry made a perfect shot on him.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157932_DSC02067.jpg — An amazing backcountry bull for Jerry.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157933_DSC02062.jpg — Wisconsin boys can “GET-R-DONE” in the wilderness too.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110334_DSC02137_0.jpg — I was very proud of my calling job.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157935_DSC02092.jpg — The pack out begins.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110336_DSC02122_0.jpg — John is up now and we are in the right spot.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157937_DSC02135.jpg — Did anyone else just see that? I didn’t miss… I promise!

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157938_IMG_2175.jpg — John has got his game face on now.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157939_DSC02119.jpg — A good photo of the aspens that John’s bull walked through before the shot.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157940_IMG_2179.jpg — The set up was perfect.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110341_IMG_2195_0.jpg — Another Wisconsin boy taking home a Colorado trophy.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157942_DSC02161.jpg — We had 190 pounds in Jerry’s pack. The only problem is that I’m the guy packing it out.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110343_IMG_2216_0.jpg — The pack did not make it to the truck before the shoulder straps ripped off.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2011photo100132157944_IMG_2243.jpg — So many game bags in trees that it looked like christmas ornaments.

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2013images20110345_IMG_2163_0.jpg — The “crew”

During the 2010 elk season I decided to help guide some good friends to big Colorado elk. It’s always good to be on the mountain, whether you’re behind the string or not.

Big Game Hunting