By Luke Holding

October 22, 2013

It all had started when I purchased an OTC earlier in the year. As the hunt approached, I started scouting different areas trying to find the elk. About a week before opening day I had finally found a good herd with two different bulls. My plan was then made and opening morning I was going to set up on the ridge where I had last seen them. As light approached plans changed quickly, as they usually do in any general season unit. Day one was over and still no elk. After six straight days and countless miles I had began to lose hope, but I stayed persistent. Day seven I began the hike earlier than previous mornings and planned to set up at the opening of a big meadow I had found earlier. As light grew, I started to catch movement, Elk! I snuck in a little further hoping a bull would step out of the tree line. Sure enough the stars had finally aligned and there he was 480 yards away. Time was limited so I had to move fast. I moved into prone position and set my Vortex scope high behind his shoulder. Boom! I put one well placed shot using my Remington 700 7mm right behind his shoulder with a Hornady 154 Grain SST bullet. As I watched the shock wave of the bullet rumble through the bull, I knew I had made that shot count. Within a matter of seconds the bull was down. I couldn't have been any happier, and there I learned that persistence and determination pays. My first bull elk!