09 • 2019
Take your time and don’t act like a
human. Most importantly, don’t blow
this opportunity. You may not get
another.
After my mental pep talk, I take
up my bugle and let the fellas above
know they have a visitor — not a
big, aggressive bull looking to em-
barrass them in front of the ladies;
just a friendly little raghorn looking
to challenge them to a game of chess.
After sounding off, I go silent and let
the curiosity sink in.
Moment(s) of Truth
Nothing moves for half an hour,
including me and Joe. Then, sud-
denly, he appears. The bull doesn’t
stomp out; he doesn’t come run-
ning; he materializes, as if a wisp of
fog lifted and revealed his presence.
Instantly, blood rushes into my ears
and I can hear my heartbeat again.
Control yourself before you do some-
thing stupid!
I stay deathly still until the bull’s
head goes behind a bush. Then, with
as much patience as my feeble mind
will allow, I pull my rangefinder up
and take a reading — 108 yards. I
panic, knowing the bull’s current
course will take him farther away
from me and my bow.
I pray for a cow call from behind
me, where Joe is sitting, but he’s
silent as the grave, confirming my
suspicions that he doesn’t see the
elk strutting before me. So, I throw
caution to the wind, knowing full
well that I’ll lose this bull if I do
nothing.
I mew out as meek and mild of
a cow call as my ability will allow,
which immediately sets Joe into ac-
tion; he hops back a few steps and
begins pleading with the bull to
come in. The bull gives our calling
his complete attention, his breeding
instincts kicking into high gear. I canAbove: The author with a dandy bull —
but Bohm wasn’t the only one to arrow
an elk during this mountain adventure.
Below, right: Joe Kavanaugh with his
bull, taken seconds later. Downing two
elk at day’s end left the two bowhunters
with a long night of work ahead.