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Steamboat Springs — Roger Bedell

Age: 46

Occupation: Maintenance/Hunting guide for Steamboat Lake Outfitters

Years hunting: 34 years, 25 as a guide

Guide/outfitter name: Self

Club measurement (Boone and Crockett): 348

Weapon used: Remington 7mm Magnum

Distance out: Approximately 300 yards

Time and date: Second rifle season

Area (public or private and GMU): North Routt

Hunt details

Under normal circumstances, I'd have been guiding during the rifle seasons. But due to a cancellation, I found myself with time to hunt during the second rifle season. I set myself in an area where I knew elk were traveling in and out of hunting pressure. It was early morning, and I was watching and oak brush ridge as about 40 elk came out. Although they were about 600 yards away, I could see a light colored animal that I picked as a bull.

I knew I'd have to close the distance in order to get a shot. The elk were moving uphill fast, and I didn't have time to sneak. I chose to go straight at them at a fast walk. The cows were watching me, but the bull never noticed. I cut the distance down to 300 yards and found a place to rest as I waited for the bull to step into the open. Five minutes later, he stepped out. I shot him then he walked uphill a ways. I then shot him a second time.

Although I was sure this was an exceptional bull, I didn't realize how big he really was until I walked up to him. In all my years as a hunter, I never imagined I'd harvest an animal as rare to this area. I was truly a dream come true. I'd like to thank my friends and fellow guides Don Creason and Tom Foster for their help on this hunt.