Utah recently came out with a multi-season season spike elk tag that's good for the archery, rifle and muzzleloader seasons. I bought one and also signed Bron up for the youth mentor program which allows the two of us hunt together on my one tag.
We both shot our bows during the summer in preparation for the archery season. Opening morning we hiked into Sheep Creek and got against the Bar J fence. just as I hoped it would play out a big herd was feeding towards us anf there were a few spikes in the bunch. We waited until one got broadside at 40 yds. and Bron took a shot. I was right behind him watching the flight of the arrow. I think Bron was a little excited and jerk the shot right hitting the bull at the base of his neck. Oh no! Long story short, we lost that bull and we didn't go out again with the bows and went back a couple times to try to find it.
Fast forward to the rifle spike hunt. We didn't see a spike the first day just some cows and big bulls. Two days later on Monday I took off work leaving Bron at school and with fresh snow I got right in on a bedded herd. There was two spikes in the bunch. I could have easily shot one but decided to go get Bron out of school. While I was putting my pack on Boom, Boom! I didn't know another hunter was in the canyon with me. He missed four shots.
The next morning Bron and I set up in the dark where I thought this herd would be again and we caught them just perfectly heading to bed moving right to left slightly below us at 150 yds. Bron took the first shot when the spike stopped broadside. I could tell he was hit hard probably a liver shot but he was getting out of there in a hurry so I busted him down with a follow up shot. I was yet another great hunting memory with Bron,
