By Trip Kinard

My elk hunt of a lifetime started back in July when I received word that I had drawn one of only twenty archery tags issued nationwide to hunt the Valles Caldera National Forest in northern New Mexico. Upon receiving word, I immediately booked my hunt through United States Outfitters.

I later found out that my hunt would be filmed for an upcoming TV show. When I found this out I was thrilled. It had been a dream of mine for a long time to be on a hunting show or video, and this was my big chance. Now this should have been a great opportunity for me, however things became a little more complicated. One of the main sponsors for the TV show was Realtree Camouflage, and I was informed that I would have to wear Realtree if I wanted to be filmed. This proved to be a problem for me. I have been a huge fan of Mossy Oak since I began hunting, and everything I own is Mossy Oak. Now I have nothing against Realtree, I have just been a firm believer in Mossy Oak's ability to conceal me in any situation. When all my friends found out about me having to wear Realtree they really started to give me a hard time, but I did not care. If it took me wearing Realtree to capture my dream, then Realtree it was. As it turned out out I am glad I chose to wear Realtree. The Hardwoods pattern blended in perfectly and was a key factor in the success of my hunt.

Well, September finally rolled around and after months of practicing with my new BowTech bow, I left for my elk hunt of a lifetime. I decided to arrive a few days early so I could rest up for the hunt. This proved to be a good choice. It gave me a chance to get to know all the guys in camp and assist in the one day we were allowed to scout. This proved invaluable because even though there were a lot of bulls, patterning them so as to get close enough to harvest one with a bow proved to be quite a challenge. We did manage to get in close on a few bulls early in the hunt, but I decided to pass, hoping to get a chance at something bigger. As the week progressed, the weather took a turn for the worse with wind and heavy rain moving in. I began to question my decision to pass on the bulls earlier in the week, especially after seeing some of the bulls other hunters in the camp were lucky enough to harvest. My time was running out fast and I was worried that I might not get my chance, but that was all about to change.

The hunt was supposed to be over on the fifteenth; however, after talking with George Taulman we agreed that I would stay a few more days in hopes of making something happen. Finally on the morning of the seventeenth, I got my chance. George Taulman, Richard Strattford my cameraman, and I left camp around five a.m., heading to a new area where a few good bulls had been spotted during the week. The morning was perfect, cool and calm with several bulls bugling in the predawn light. We quickly devised a game plan and started up the mountain, hoping to get in front of the bulls as they headed up the mountain to bed down for the day. The first bull we set up on answered every call George made with his Primus Hoochie Mama elk call, however the bull would never come close enough and I had to pass. After the Bull had gone out of sight we quickly gathered our gear and headed out chasing another bull that had been answering our call further up the mountain. After about ten minutes of climbing, George said he believed we were in a good position and that I should hurry up and get set up. The cameraman and I quickly set up next to a blow down, while George moved back and to the side to start calling.

Now I don't know what George was saying to this old bull but he got very excited and bugled at every call George made. Things were looking good and I realized I might finally get my chance. Minutes passed like hours and I was having a hard time controlling my emotions. With each bugle the elk grew closer and closer and I knew this was going to be my chance. I began preparing for the shot, and then all of a sudden a flash of antler appeared through the timber. As soon as I saw him I knew he was a shooter, I motioned to the cameraman that I saw the bull, and he began recording. As the bull grew closer I could tell that he was a good 6x6, with long tines and heavy mass. I tried my best to not concentrate on the antlers and pick a spot, but it was not easy. As the bull walked behind a tree at 25 yards I came to full draw.

As the bull continued on his path the cameraman whispered that he had it and I could shoot when I was ready. At 15 yards the bull stopped, looked right at me and bugled. I settled the pin and released my shot. As I watched everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. Then my worst nightmare came true as I watched the arrow strike the bull a little far back. The Bull took off down the hill as I sat there in dismay. A million thoughts raced through my mind. I started to believe I had blown my chance after so many days of hard hunting. When the Bull was out of sight George came over to me and confirmed that I had hit the bull back. We decided to back out and return later to search for the bull later in the day. One of the great things about hunting with a camera is that you can go back and look at the footage to see exactly where the arrow hit. Upon reviewing the footage, we found that the arrow hit a small limb on the way to the bull which caused it to hit a little far back.

George assured me he thought the hit was lethal and that we should find the bull. The time that passed until we returned to look for the bull were the longest few hours of my life. We finally returned to the spot where I had shot the bull and began trailing. The sign was good and I began feeling better about the shot. After only a short distance George spotted the bull and he was down! I could not believe the size of this animal. He was a nice 6x6 with heavy long tines and a good spread. George said he believed the bull to score at least 320, and weigh around 800 pounds. My emotions were overwhelming; I had done it, killed my first bull with a bow, and managed to get the whole thing on video.

The Valles Caldera is an incredible place, with tons of elk and some truly huge bulls. The great thing about the Caldera is that anyone can hunt there, all they have to do is be lucky enough to draw the tag. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to my elk hunt of a lifetime, it was truly a dream come true. For your chance at an elk hunt of a lifetime contact United States Outfitters at 505-758-9774 or on the internet at huntuso.com.