What Would You Have Done?

[Swede]

This season I shot a big cow on September 9th. She came to water right in front of me. Just out of sight, about 60 yards away was a bull wallowing. I thought long and hard about waiting, as the bull sounded big when he bugled. I could not see him, or get out of my tree stand and sneak up on the bull, as the cow was just 20 yards away and in plain view.
I was seeing very few elk, as they are scarce where I was hunting. Shooting either sex was legal for me. You probably have a different situation where you hunt. In the same situation, where and when you hunt; what would you have done?

 

[iccyman001]

How many days had you already been hunting and how many more days were you will to take?




Me? I had sept 1-14th off. I would have done exactly what you did and been so happy to have all that meat in the freezer.

 

[cnelk]

Where I hunt I would have done the same as you Swede.
Then, after I punch my tag, I would go shoot the bull....

 

[elkmtngear]

Slam dunk shot on the cow, I would have taken it!

No guarantees that the bull would ever come into bow range, and, if he did, would he give you a lane to his vitals??? :dk:

 

[cohunter14]

I too would have shot. 10% club is hard to pass up

 

[F M]

I would have shot the cow also.

 

[cnelk]

I have a difficult time telling bulls and cows apart when they look like this...

 

[Stringunner]

I would have shot that cow and never thought more about it!

 

[Billy Goat]

ditto here on cow shot.

but bear in mind, I\'d shoot a calf at first light on opening day......

first legal critter that leaves me a clear shot at the vitals is the one I\'m shooting.

 

[otcWill]

I\'ll be the black sheep. I\'d pass. I am confident I\'ll have multiple shot opps at cows throughout the season and can\'t bring myself to end my hunt on a cow or rag with that much time left. That said, as the season wanes I\'d be delighted to shoot a cow.

 

[WW]

A trophy is always in the eyes of the beholder! When the moment of truth arrives, only you can decide if the time is right to drop the string.

 

[AndyJ]

I would have passed and I have done so many times in similar situations. With that said, my freezer is almost empty. Your decision was totally understandable and from a meat standpoint, the absolute correct decision. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.