As an outfitter, I love hunting elk, but it’s hard getting time to hunt for myself. Finally, this year I was able to draw a bow tag here in New Mexico. I had six days to get it done before my clients showed up for their bowhunt in the same unit. After five days of hard hunting and close calls on some big bulls, it was do–or–die time.  

On morning six, I decided to change it up and try one of my honey holes that always produces some doozies. As I got out of the truck, I caught the end of a faint bugle in the distance. I let out a few soft cow calls and bulls responded in every direction. I got my gear ready while I listened to the bulls bugle back and forth; I bet I heard 200 to 300 bugles. I slowly started moving in the dark toward the bulls. As the sun started to crest, I was within 150 yards of the elk as they made their way to their beds.