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THE
REAL CANADIAN JOES
Cliff Pawliuk
The hunt took place in Grovedale just south of Grande Prairie, Alberta. I was introduced to the area, the year prior by a non-hunting friend that resides in the area. I hunted the location three times that year both with my bow and during the rifle season. Each time I was out, I had seen Elk and had an opportunity but just not for alegal Bull.
I returned the next year(2010) for 4 days during Bow season with a friend and hunted the location hard. The weather was warm and the Rut was off to a slow start, but we tried various tactics. We had a few answers and even managed to call in a Spike Bull.
On the final day, I jumped at what appeared to be a nice Bull early in the morning but was unable to draw on him
before he busted me. I was definitely looking forward to returning later in September with my rifle.
I spoke to my friend on Sept 16th and he told me that the Bulls were bugling hard across the road near the alfalfa field all that morning. That's all it took for me to pack up my gear and leave at 1 am the next morning for opening day. I arrived in Grovedale a good hour and 1/2 before
legal light, so I had plenty of time to get organized and dressed. I re-applied cover scent to all of my carefully
stored camo gear and left for the field 45 mins prior to shooting light. I had my bugles & cow calls, an elk shed and my trusty 300 in tow.
It was a cool, frosty morning with the wind blowing perfectly out of the SW. I was approximately 10 minutes into my hike, when I heard my first Bugle. The bugle immediately got a response from a second Bull, so I new the hunt and the excitement was on. I snuck down the main trail for about 1/2 mile until I reached the far edge of the alfalfa field and sat tight.
The two Bulls were Bugling back and forth. I pin-pointed the 4X4 Bull on the northern section of the field near the two willow bluffs and the larger Bull just off the angle cut-line entering the field. He was with 7 cows and each time the smaller Bull bugled, he immediately ripped out a reply that sent chills down your spine. I ranged one of the cows that he was near at 337 yards and decided to let nature take its course and not introduce any new sounds. I sat patiencely for what seemed like an eternity, until he cleared himself from the cows that he was herding in and out of the bushline.
I set-up my bipod and as he turned to Bugle back at the other Bull I squeezed off a single round. The sound of the hit was quite distinct and immediately the entire meadow
was quiet. Success at last......
Big Bull Down!!!!
The Bull Elk was a 5X6 that scored 264 3/8. I won first prize and a plaque at my Fish & Game banquet. As an avid Hunter and Father, the only thing that would make me smile more than that September morning...... would be if my son Dustin, who starts hunting this year, can duplicate his Father's feat in his 1st year....... I guess that's what makes me " A Real Canadian Joe"
Regards, Cliff Pawliuk
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