Finding Your Bull After the Shot in Colorado
Photo: The Moment…. @MountianViewAdventures
The Moment of Triumph
There are few experiences in hunting that compare to the feeling of finding your bull after the shot. Hours, days, or even weeks of preparation, scouting, and anticipation all culminate in this single, heart-pounding moment. For hunters in Colorado, it’s a mixture of excitement, relief, and awe that makes elk hunting unforgettable.
At Mountain View Adventures, we’ve guided countless hunters through this incredible experience — and every single one is unique.
The Shot
You’ve been in the mountains for days, hiking ridges, glassing valleys, listening for bugles, and stalking elk through timbered slopes. Then, finally, you see your bull: majestic, alert, and massive.
The shot is precise, controlled — all your training and patience pay off. And in that instant, a wave of emotions hits:
Focus: Your mind sharpens as the shot lands.
Excitement: Adrenaline surges through your veins.
Hope and Anticipation: Will it go as planned?
That shot is more than just a physical act — it’s the culmination of your journey through the mountains.
The Tracking
After the shot, the hunt isn’t over. Following the bull through the rugged Colorado terrain is a test of patience and skill:
Observing Signs: Tracks, broken brush, and blood trails guide your path.
Quiet Reflection: Each step gives you time to take in the mountains, the wildlife, and the journey that led here.
Anticipation Builds: Every ridge you crest brings the possibility of seeing your bull again.
This part of the hunt teaches hunters humility, respect for the animal, and perseverance.
The Moment You Find Your Bull
Then it happens — you see your bull. Standing there in the Colorado wilderness, massive antlers silhouetted against the sky, the realization sinks in: you did it.
The emotions are overwhelming:
Pride: Months of preparation, strategy, and physical effort have led to this triumph.
Joy: The pure thrill of a successful hunt is unmatched.
Connection: A profound respect for the elk, the land, and the experience you’ve just shared.
Hunters often describe this as a once-in-a-lifetime moment, one that words alone struggle to capture. It’s a mixture of exhilaration, gratitude, and awe — a feeling that stays with you forever.
Celebrating the Experience
Whether you’re taking a trophy bull home or preserving memories with photos, the experience is deeply personal:
Telling the Story: Sharing your journey with family, friends, or your guides is part of the joy.
Reflection: Thinking back on the hunt, the challenges, and the triumph deepens your connection to the mountains and the sport.
Preserving the Memory: Many hunters choose to mount the bull’s head or antlers as a lasting reminder of this incredible day.
At Mountain View Adventures, we ensure every hunter can savor this moment safely, ethically, and with expert guidance.
Why This Moment Matters
Finding your bull after the shot isn’t just about the harvest — it’s about the journey, the struggle, and the reward. It’s the heartbeat of elk hunting in Colorado, where every decision, every step, and every ounce of effort leads to that singular, unforgettable experience.
Book Your Colorado Elk Hunt
If you want to feel this moment for yourself, Mountain View Adventures provides the guidance, terrain, and expertise to make it happen. From the first glassing ridge to the final discovery of your bull, every part of the hunt is designed to be safe, thrilling, and unforgettable.
Book your elk hunt today and experience the rush of finding your bull in Colorado’s wild mountains.
The Excitement of Getting Your Elk Mounted
One of the most exciting parts of elk hunting comes after the hunt — when you finally get your mount back. Whether you choose a European mount or a full shoulder head mount, it’s more than just a trophy. It’s a memory you’ll see every day, a story that lives on your wall forever.
A European mount is simple, clean, and timeless. It shows off the skull and antlers in a way that highlights the natural beauty of the elk. Many hunters love this look because it captures the raw, rugged side of the mountains.
A head mount, on the other hand, brings the elk back to life. It’s full of detail and expression — a perfect reminder of that moment when you spotted your bull or heard that echoing bugle across the valley.
For most hunters, having a mount done is more than decoration. It’s a reward for all the work, patience, and effort that went into the hunt. Every time you see it, you’re taken back to those cold mornings, the miles of hiking, and the excitement of finally making the perfect shot.
At Mountain View Adventures, we know what those moments mean to our hunters. A mount is more than just antlers — it’s the story behind them. And for most elk hunters, that’s something they’ll never forget.
Bringing Home the Rack
Every Hunter’s Dream Elk Hunt
For most hunters, there’s one image that lives in their mind long before the hunt ever begins — standing proudly behind a massive elk rack after a successful hunt in the Colorado mountains. It’s not just about antlers. It’s about the challenge, the dedication, and the moment you finally bring home a symbol of everything the hunt stood for.
At Mountain View Adventures, we’ve seen that dream come true for hunters from all over the country. Bringing home an elk rack isn’t just a trophy — it’s a lifelong memory carved in antlers.
Why the Elk Rack Means So Much
Elk antlers are more than bone — they’re a story. Each tine, each curve, tells a piece of your hunt. It represents the miles hiked, the early mornings, and the patience it took to get within range.
For many hunters, harvesting a bull and bringing home his rack is a bucket-list achievement — the moment they’ve worked toward for years. Whether it’s your first bull or the biggest you’ve ever taken, that rack becomes a lasting reminder of a hunt you’ll never forget.
A Trophy That Lasts a Lifetime
Unlike meat that’s enjoyed and shared, the rack lasts forever. It becomes part of your home — a conversation piece, a reminder of nature’s beauty, and a personal symbol of success.
Some hunters choose to:
Mount it as a European mount for a clean, natural look.
Do a full shoulder mount to capture the power of the bull.
Build a custom plaque or rustic display for cabins or trophy rooms.
Every time you walk by it, you’re taken back to that moment — the sound of the bugle, the mountain air, and the heart-pounding excitement of the shot.
The Journey to Earn It
An elk rack isn’t something handed out — it’s earned. It takes scouting, skill, and perseverance. The Colorado mountains are as challenging as they are beautiful, and that’s what makes success so rewarding.
At Mountain View Adventures, we guide hunters through over 350,000 acres of prime elk habitat in Rangely, Colorado. With the right preparation, guidance, and determination, that bucket-list bull is closer than you think.
More Than a Trophy
Bringing home the rack is about more than just the hunt — it’s about connection. To the wild, to tradition, and to something bigger than yourself.
It’s a feeling that can’t be explained — only experienced. It’s why we hunt. And it’s why every time you see that rack hanging on your wall, you can’t help but smile and remember exactly how it all happened.
Make It Happen This Season
If taking home an elk rack is on your bucket list, make this the year you check it off. With the experienced guides at Mountain View Adventures, you’ll have the knowledge, land access, and support to make your dream hunt a reality.
Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing quite like standing behind your bull and knowing you’ve earned every inch of that rack.
Book your elk hunt in Rangely, Colorado, today and take home the trophy you’ve always dreamed of.
Every Hunter’s Dream
Taking a Trophy Elk and Hanging the European Mount
Every hunter dreams of that one perfect moment — the crisp mountain air, the echo of a bugle across the canyon, and the sight of a massive bull elk stepping into view. Bringing down a trophy elk is one of the most memorable achievements in the hunting world. But the story doesn’t end in the field. Hanging your European mount in your home is a proud reminder of the adventure, the effort, and the respect you have for the animal.
The Moment Every Hunter Waits For
If you’ve hunted long enough, you know there’s nothing like hearing a bull elk bugle on a cold Colorado morning. The adrenaline rush, the stillness before the shot, and the feeling of success when you finally tag that bull — it’s unforgettable.
At Mountain View Adventures, we see it happen every season. Whether it’s your first bull or your biggest yet, that moment becomes part of who you are as a hunter. And that’s exactly why so many choose to preserve it with a European mount.
Why a European Mount?
European mounts have become one of the most popular ways to display a trophy elk. They’re clean, timeless, and showcase the raw beauty of the antlers and skull without distraction.
Here’s why hunters love them:
Natural Look: Keeps the focus on the antlers and character of the animal.
Affordable & Durable: Easier to maintain than a full shoulder mount.
Meaningful Story Piece: A European mount looks great in cabins, trophy rooms, or above a fireplace — always sparking conversation.
Every time you walk past that mount, it takes you right back to the hunt — the early mornings, the calling, and the reward of patience and persistence.
The Work Behind the Trophy
A true trophy isn’t just measured in inches — it’s measured in effort. It’s the miles you hiked, the days you scouted, and the shots you passed waiting for the right bull.
Many hunters spend years chasing the perfect elk, and when it finally comes together, the satisfaction is unmatched. The European mount becomes a symbol of that journey — a reminder that hard work and respect for the hunt always pay off.
Preserving the Memory
After your hunt, it’s important to take care of your trophy right away.
Clean the skull carefully to prevent damage.
Keep it cool and dry until it can be properly processed.
Choose a reliable taxidermist who specializes in European mounts for elk.
At Mountain View Adventures, we can connect hunters with trusted professionals who handle mounts with care, ensuring your trophy looks as impressive as it deserves to.
A Trophy That Lasts a Lifetime
For most hunters, the dream of harvesting a big bull elk is about more than antlers — it’s about the story. The early mornings, the challenges, the highs and lows, and the bond between hunter and nature.
When you hang your mount in your home, you’re not just displaying an animal — you’re honoring the experience, the effort, and the respect that defines true hunting.
So if you’re ready to chase your dream bull this season, Mountain View Adventures can help make it happen. With access to over 350,000 acres of prime elk country in Rangely, Colorado, your next hunt might just be the one you’ll remember forever.