Thrasher Bull - 2009

[todbartell]

Huge rub. full stop





Fresh. maybe we should let out a bugle? I began to dig out the tube from my pack when I look down the road and see something. I raise my binocs, focus them to see a bull elk walking out of the ditch and straight away from us.

Is he a 6? bull is half a KM away. wind is right, lets get closer

We got to where we last seen him, bull is nowhere to be seen. I set up along road edge with rifle in shooting stix. Partner lets out a cow chirp or two, we wait for a minute or two but nothing shows. I stand up and here he comes, out of the brush and across the road at 400 yards. I tried to stop him with a squeel on the grunt tube but he just headed into the opposite side of the road's brush. Wind is still good, lets get closer

A few minutes later he pops back on the road, 280 yards. 95% sure he's a 6, but he just wont face us and show us his eyeguards so we know for sure. Facing straight away from us for half a minute then he steps into the brush again, dissapears. We wait a few minutes, but he doesnt show. Wind is still good, lets get closer

About a hundred yards from where he disappeared, we stop and listen. I can hear some brush breaking ahead, I though the bull was moving away from us. Then I seen the tops of the willows shaking. Charge him!

I walk up the road, see the bull working over a willow off the left side of the road. I confirm he has both eye guards and move in for the shot. 60 yards, too much brush covering him. Get closer! 40 yards. Still too much brush. Bull is still raking the tree, stopping every 10 seconds for a moment then continuing on. Time to get closer

25 yards, one last bush in my way. Confirm scope is on 3.5x, side step around bush and the crosshairs settle low on his shoulder. Bull is still doing his thing. At 20 yards I send the 200gr Barnes TSX on its way at 3000 fps. At impact the bull stumbles, catches his footing and turns, quartering away hard. Ive reloaded and have a bunch of willow in the way but I gotta send one now before he is swallowed up by the brush. Swung with him but I think I led him too much.

I reload and sprint off after the bull, he begins to stumble and is now plowing dirt with his antlers and front shoulders. He made it 15 yards from the rub tree

I couldn't be any more happier with how the hunt turned out. Great bull, gotta love elk hunting :mrgreen:


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/elk_09_006.JPG




video upcoming soon..................:mrgreen:



tb

[lip_ripper00]

Very, very, NICE:cool:

[Tikka270wsm]

That's a very nice bull! Congrats man!

[PGK]

You have again proved why you are cooler than Willer, and still a premier member of the intraweb. Elk roast at bartell's place! :biggrin:

[Amphibious]

you are my hero :D

and Kris, you'll always be #3 as long as I'm #2 ;)

[PGK]

you are my hero :D

and Kris, you'll always be #3 as long as I'm #2 ;)

I am gloriously ok with this

[Veener5.0]

Sounds like a great hunt! Congrats on an outstanding bull!

[quackquackbang]

Awsome elk!!!!!8)

[Johnnybear]

Freakin awesome story and photos Bartell:grin:. I have to give that Elk hunting on the mainland (the Island is like winning the lotto) thing a try! You guys and the Elk falling this year sure get a hunter going!!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Jb

[rishu_pepper]

Once again showing us why he's the hero of HBC :D

[Brambles]

Thats a fantastic bull Bartell, congrats. How fast was the ol heart racing at 25 yards...

[Ltbullken]

Great looking bull, great hunt! Keep the pics and vid coming! I'm up north next week for elk and moose. Can't wait!

Cheers.

[sawmill]

Way to go!Great elk,my turn next I hope!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Heart-pumping, adrenalizing action at its best!! :cool::cool:

Great bull TB!! Huge congrats!!

Looking forward to the video!

I think you've got this elk-thing figured out.:-)

SSS

[buckguy]

Nice looking bull. Man I have to try elk hunting soon. Looking forward to the video.

[mcrae]

nice bull congrats on that one...

[Fisher-Dude]

Atta boy Toddler! I love to hear the word "road" interspersed into hunting stories! :smile:

[Gunner]

Nice bull TB,Congrats! Gunner

[BiG Boar]

All I can say is wow! Great whale tail on that guy! WHAT A HUNT! Great going! That is awsome.

[TIKA 300]

Awesome,simply awesome.

[870]

great lookin animal bartell.
those are some thick looking main beams he's got.

full of jealoucy...
870

[Steeleco]

Well done Mark, you make it look easy.
Colin, who's #1??? LOL

[Gus]

Wicked bull man!!

[Amphibious]

Well done Mark, you make it look easy.
Colin, who's #1??? LOL


there can only be one, he rides a pale horse and is called Bartell.

[Chillybilly]

Very Nice Bull. Congrats!

[kennyj]

Thats a beauty!What an exciting hunt.
kenny

[MB_Boy]

there can only be one, he rides a pale horse and is called Bartell.

Ha ha. :tongue:

Great job Bartell!!

[mark]

Very nice bull, "ya gotta love elk hunting" couldn't have said it better myself!
Even if elk wernt open, id bugle and camera hunt them!
Were you hunting 7-a??? (looking for 6 points?)

[d6dan]

Beauty Bull TB!. Great story and pics...looking forward to the video:smile:...

[shantz]

Congrats on the bull. Can't wait to see the vid

[guest]

Very Nice and CONGRATS!

Nothing better then that type of action ...... gotta love working in on him too.

CT

[Bow Walker]

25 yards, one last bush in my way. Confirm scope is on 3.5x, side step around bush and the crosshairs settle low on his shoulder. Bull is still doing his thing. At 20 yards I send the 200gr Barnes TSX on its way at 3000 fps. At impact the bull stumbles, catches his footing and turns, quartering away hard. Ive reloaded and have a bunch of willow in the way but I gotta send one now before he is swallowed up by the brush. Swung with him but I think I led him too much.


tb
A 20 yard shot on a rack like that!?! :shock:

Time to take up archery! :tongue:

Congratulations on a fine bull Mark.

[Ride]

Good on ya, looking forward to video........ Sweet bull.

[LeverActionJunkie]

Awesome job that is a nice bull! Thanks for taking us along with a great story and photo's.

Man at 25yrd's you could've killed that bull with your 44Mag:) ;):)

[PGK]

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts. And I looked and behold: a pale horse. And his name, that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him."

[guest]

HUH ???

Where do I get some of what you got ??


LOL
CT

[bozzdrywall]

Great job nice bull.
:-P

[Chuck]

I like the way you built your story. It's almost as if I were there while reading it. Pics also nicely posed. Nice job, great bull too.

[kootenayelkslayer]

Great, great bull man. Looking forward to the video.

[muleyman]

Nice bull,nice rub and nice kill.

[308Lover]

Awesome bull. Compact--healthy-looking hide, great antlers--heart-stopping stalk--that's all there is!. Am I jealous----sigh. (Best of all--a clean kill)

[Dirty]

Great job. I like the way you did the pictures. Respectful for the animal and aesthetically pleasing. No blood, gore, or tongues hanging out. Nice pics.

[1899]

What a great story, and a very fine bull indeed.

[ZENYO]

Great Story! Thanks for sharing!

[eberly270]

nice bull congrats

[Salty]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/elk09006.jpg

Last month you said you "might try a little elk hunting" in a while. Not a bad stab at it I'd say. :lol:

Up north or closer to home?

[TheDuckinator]

Come on man, leave some elk for the rest of us :p

[Gateholio]

After Srupps ram, that is without a doubt the nicest animal posted on HBC this year, :wink:

Once again you show us why you are legendary.8)

[Phil]

Beauty bull!!! and great story!

[rocksteady]

Congrats Buddy, glad to see the elk bug has bit you hard.....Figured that would happen after last years success...Nice looking bull..

[plumbob]

great bull congrats.

[Jetboat]

Good story & terrific bull TB, congrats 8)

[.308win]

Congrats!!...Can't wait for the vid!!!!

Perry

[finish]

Nice Bull!!!! Congrats

[killman]

Hmmm how did I miss this thread this morning?:icon_frow

Congrat's bud, I guess that means you did get out this weekend!:mrgreen:

[Paulyman]

I am starting to see why the Todd Bartell fan club exists! :biggrin:

[Rattler]

Great bull! Thanks for sharing...

[todbartell]

thanks guys, I dont really even know what to say really, Im just so happy I got the chance at a bull this year, let alone a bigger one at spitting distance! :D Again I owe it all to my hunting partner/father in law, he is pretty good when it comes to elk and every time out he teaches me something new.



Thats a fantastic bull Bartell, congrats. How fast was the ol heart racing at 25 yards...

felt like I just ran a marathon!


You were so excited you didn't even mention the caliber! :tongue:

sorry :D 8mm Remington Magnum.


Were you hunting 7-a??? (looking for 6 points?)

yeah this was a 7A bull, we had been up in 7B for a bit a couple weeks ago and got two in the 3pt+ season. story and video of the first bull is here :

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=38863



ok! the video is finally done. sorry for the quality, it was taken by a 12 year old!

enjoy
click> http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/yyg4cNp8Cbk/default.jpg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyg4cNp8Cbk)

[pupper]

Awesome Elk dude, I hope to smack one this week!

[PGK]

Worth waiting for!! :biggrin:

[1899]

Nice video...and a classic cartridge to boot!

[rishu_pepper]

Watched the video just now.

AMAZING! :D

[BillyBull]

Looks like you all had a great day... nicely done.

[Little Hawk]

Thanks for sharing and congrats Todd!
Especially liked your "Get closer..." advise.

[moosinaround]

Way to be Mark, Hell of a bull!! Can't wait to see a TSX recovered from a critter I bag!! Amazing bullet, incredible weight retention!! Moosin

[BiG Boar]

Cool video for sure. Most grown men cant seem to do much better when the shot goes off. Kinda sad most of the time. Usually just as wobbly. I liked the video! Again congradulations on a big bull!

[Jager]

Verrr Niiice!

Closing the gap to 20 yrd....that is hunting! Like another poster suggested " time to take up archery". And just think how much time we spend as hunters "discussing" the merits of one caliber over another...doesn't make much difference at those ranges.

Congrats Mr. B

[Kody94]

:D 8mm Remington Magnum.


http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

Little known fact that only the coolest, best looking and most savvy of riflemen use the "Big 8". Excellent work!! ;)

Good job on the vid!

Cheers
4Ster

[308BAR]

Damn fine, fine bull. I gotta try for Elk soon.

[rifleman]

exciting story & a very nice solid six point. nice bull way ta go!!!

[stanway]

Wow! Nice job Mark! That is an awesome looking bull. Good job on the story as well.


Cheers!

[LeverActionJunkie]

EFF Yeah!! That was a great video Bartell! :D :D

"I Thought you were gonna effin tap him on the shoulder!"

Congrats again nice work.

[todbartell]

EFF Yeah!! That was a great video Bartell! :D :D

"I Thought you were gonna effin tap him on the shoulder!"

Congrats again nice work.


haha yeah my favorite part of the video. If I was watching what I was doing, I'd probably of wondered what the hell I was doing too! :lol:

here's the pic of the expanded TSX. retained weight 198.6 grains 8)

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs235.snc1/8219_137266227991_512917991_2642445_3791515_n.jpg

[killman]

haha yeah my favorite part of the video. If I was watching what I was doing, I'd probably of wondered what the hell I was doing too! :lol:

here's the pic of the expanded TSX. retained weight 198.6 grains 8)

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs235.snc1/8219_137266227991_512917991_2642445_3791515_n.jpg

Where is the other one?8)

[todbartell]

Where is the other one?8)

probably passing over your house for the 3rd time right about now :lol: he was quartering away from me pretty hard and I knew I led him too much as soon as the gun went off. I reloaded and sprinted after him and was about to thump him again but he was already on the ground. My camera batteries died or else Id post up a pic of the fist sized holes through his lung. Heart was untouched, iwhich is great because it was dinner last night! :D

[1899]

Why the big 8mm? You have access to all sorts of new stuff. Maybe you will slowly revert back to thumping swamp donkeys with a No.1 chambered in .416...

[killman]

probably passing over your house for the 3rd time right about now :lol: he was quartering away from me pretty hard and I knew I led him too much as soon as the gun went off. I reloaded and sprinted after him and was about to thump him again but he was already on the ground. My camera batteries died or else Id post up a pic of the fist sized holes through his lung. Heart was untouched, iwhich is great because it was dinner last night! :D


Ewww you eat the guts!:p

[jasper]

cool vid looked like you were close enough to spit on him. when does your video hit the shelves?

[PGK]

probably passing over your house for the 3rd time right about now :lol: he was quartering away from me pretty hard and I knew I led him too much as soon as the gun went off. I reloaded and sprinted after him and was about to thump him again but he was already on the ground. My camera batteries died or else Id post up a pic of the fist sized holes through his lung. Heart was untouched, iwhich is great because it was dinner last night! :D

:lol: Priceless. Think it's expanded yet? Or should we wait for a fifth rotation?

[todbartell]

Why the big 8mm? You have access to all sorts of new stuff. Maybe you will slowly revert back to thumping swamp donkeys with a No.1 chambered in .416...

it's a fun gun. shoots good bullets at high speed and things seem to go down quick. new isn't always better although I would suspect a 325WSM would of yielded similar results but with less cool factor


Ewww you eat the guts!:p

you're missing out on one of the best parts of the animal! ;)

[LeverActionJunkie]

haha yeah my favorite part of the video. If I was watching what I was doing, I'd probably of wondered what the hell I was doing too! :lol:

here's the pic of the expanded TSX. retained weight 198.6 grains 8)

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs235.snc1/8219_137266227991_512917991_2642445_3791515_n.jpg

You gotta try a different bullet those TSX's are too predictable for you! :D :D

[Brambles]

Great video Bartell, really rounds off a hunt being able to watch it over and over. I'd kill to have had mine on video, I'm thinking of getting one of those hat cam's cause I'm normally alone or too busy to work a camera.

Again, great job.

[todbartell]

thanks Brambles. Im having alot of fun with my new camera.

just boiled the skull and scraped it. weighs 19.5 lbs. my first bull's antlers from 2007 weighed 11.5 hopefully my next will weigh in at about 27...............:mrgreen:

[Blainer]

Another great story,along with great pictures.
Good on ya!

[hunter1947]

Very nice bull elk you got as for your wright up ,congrats http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif.

[trigger]

I missed this post aswell.
Great storey and a great bull Mark. Good for you

[todbartell]

thanks Scott

btw this elk meat is WICKED! 8)

[nomad]

Congrats for sure, and the video is the icing on the cake!!