By Terry Miller

As I awakened to the sound of light rain on the tent roof, little did I know that the final day of my elk hunt would materialize beyond my wildest expectations!

I had hunted elk many times and was successful on most of my hunts, but it seemed like I just couldn't get the nice 6x6 I had my heart set on. I always got to see elk while hunting and did see some big bulls, but I was never able to get a good shot. Since the years fly by so fast, I was hoping to keep my health and continue hunting as I really enjoy the outdoors.

Getting a nice 6x6 was still one of my lifelong dreams, so I decided to enter the draws for controlled areas in Arizona and New Mexico. Mick Chapel who operates New Mexico Professional Big Game Hunting Inc., assisted me in the draw process. The odds of drawing one of these popular rifle hunts aren't very good. I wasn't successful in getting drawn my first year, but luck was with me and I got drawn for a New Mexico rifle hunt on just my second year of applying!

Mick and I talked several times before the hunt was to begin. I decided to maximize my chances and also reduce the risks of potential conflicts that can arise when there are two hunters to one guide. I invested the extra money and booked my hunt to be one on one, since it is difficult to draw a tag. Also, being 61 years old, you never know how long you will keep your health and stamina that it takes to get into the terrain the big bulls occupy.

As I was getting ready for the last day of the hunt, I was glad for the change in weather, I just hoped it wouldn't get too bad too hunt. The weather up until now was cold at night and very warm in the day. Our quality hunt time was limited to only a couple of hours early in the morning and again just before sunset.

Our hunt had gone by pretty good, and we saw a couple of nice bulls, but I decided to pass on them. I was prepared to go home without an elk if I didn't find me a big bull.

The final day of the hunt began with the normal hiking, calling, and glassing without much success. We saw a few elk, and I passed up a small bull as the rain changed into sleet and snow.

We moved to another location and heard a calf calling, so my guide, Randy Holman, did some cow calling in hopes of getting a bull to respond. We heard one bull answer way off in the distance, so we didn't get too excited. We continued calling as the calf was moving in our direction. After about ten minutes, the bull bugled again. This time he sounded a little bit closer. Randy continued calling and the bull would answer about every fifteen minutes, and every time he answered he was closer! The bull bugled again and we figured he was still about 700 yards away. Then rain, sleet, snow and fog set in on us. We couldn't see more that 50 yards in front of us!

We sat there with our hopes gone of seeing anything. After about 20 minutes the wind kicked up and the fog lifted like a curtain in a theater and there, on the hillside above where we last heard the bull was an elk feeding in heavy brush. We couldn't see what it was, then Randy said "forget that one, look in the canyon bottom at the edge of the heavy timber, there's your bull!" The sight of such an enormous bull was beyond either of our wildest dreams!

The bull was standing like a statue, looking in our direction, so we didn't move or try to call anymore. It was too far to chance a shot so we waited and after about 20 anxious minutes, the bull relaxed and began to feed.

We seized this opportunity to make our move an try to close the distance for a reasonable shot. We used brush, trees, and a canyon to make the stalk. When we got to the ridge across the first canyon, we glassed and Randy spotted the bull feeding in the brush. We had cut the distance more than half, and could not risk getting any closer. I got set for the 260 yard shot. I got a good rest and squeezed the trigger. At the shot the bull shuddered. I knew I hit him, but then he turned to face our direction and Randy said to shoot him again. I held for the dark mane under his chin and shot again. This time he went down and didn't move, so we knew he was ours!

It took some time to get to him, but when we did we were overwhelmed with his size! We both felt he would score close to 400 B&C points! I finally had my nice bull, not a 6x6 but a way above average 7x7! He was far beyond my wildest expectations!

My wife of 40 years accompanied me on this hunt. She didn't hunt, but spent the time in camp and enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. It was extra special that she was there to share the joy and excitement of the hunt, and an experience of a lifetime!

Species: Elk Location of Hunt: New Mexico Weapon: Winchester 30.06 Equipment: Leupold Scope