CONQUEST FOR TITAN

The guides at Star Mountain Ranch named him Titan. I tried to envision what a bull with such a colossal name would look like, I wasn’t even close. I have spent two grueling days hunting this incredible ranch near Nephi, Utah and have yet to catch a glimpse of this mythical beast. The third day is just beginning and I wonder what it will bring. Daylight is breaking as we cross an endless sage brush meadow. Our destination is the dark cedar timber on the North Slope. Titan has not been cooperative and I wonder if he even exists. My guide has been trying to keep my spirits up, telling me how incredible this bull really is; I only have today and tomorrow to find him before I must leave!

Elk hunting with a bow has always been my passion. Until now, I have hunted in Colorado exclusively and have taken an occasional bull, but none were large enough to put on my den wall. This was never an issue as every bull taken with a bow is a trophy. I resigned myself to the fact that I would probably never have an opportunity to pull string on a bull big enough to have mounted. As time went on I realized if I wanted a trophy bull, I had to go elsewhere. I researched several ranches offering trophy hunts and was impressed with what Star Mountain Ranch in Nephi, Utah (1-877-2- ELK HUNT) had to offer. I contacted the owner, John Romero and his enthusiasm about his 2,500 acre ranch and the animals roaming there convinced me this is where I would finally realize my dream… The opportunity to bow hunt truly massive bulls in velvet!

I am not disappointed, the elk are everywhere! Cows and calves, huge massive bulls;

raghorns and spikes, in the meadows, in the cedars, in the rugged canyon bottoms; it is a dream come true! I see bulls I have only dreamed of, unbelievable bulls 360 to 400+ inches SCI; my fingers are itching; “Did you see that bull? He’s incredible; I’ve got to have that bull!

My guide laughs; “Titan will dwarf every bull you have seen”. My hands are shaking; I don’t know if I can take much more of this torture. “Be patient, we’ll find him”… Yeah, Right.

We reach the North Slope and begin glassing. We see several bulls bedded in the cedars on a steep ridge. Among them is a massive bull with an unbelievably wide rack.

This bull…. “dwarfs every bull on the mountain”…… IT’S HIM! …..IT’S….. TITAN!

The stalk will not be easy; he is bedded thirty yards below the ridge facing downhill. The breeze is blowing up hill straight toward him; we will have to circle around the ridge and drop down from the top. An hour later we are in position and begin a slow descent toward my dream bull. The breeze is in our faces; so far so good. It is difficult to see through the thick cedars but we spot a massive velvet antler between the branches below. I nock an arrow and pray I don’t botch the shot. We belly crawl for an eternity to within twenty yards. I can see Titan’s upper shoulder through a narrow shooting lane between the branches.

Time ceases to exist; my arrow, the shooting lane and Titan are the center of my being. My entire life has come down to this moment! My hands are numb; I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. The time has come; I draw back and begin to release…

“STOP…..DON’T SHOOT….. IT’S NOT HIM!”

The bulls jump straight up and barrel down the canyon in a mad rush. I am shaking so badly my arrow falls from the rest. The noise of pounding hooves and snapping branches fade as the drifting dust settles from the startled bulls’ departure. My heart races after them; I suddenly remember to breath. I have never experienced anything like this; that bull was massive, nothing could possibly be bigger…..“Wait until you see Titan!”

It is now evening and we continue the search. We have seen more bulls in three days then I will see in my entire life. If there is an elk hunter’s paradise; this is definitely it.

The sun sets as the day comes to a close…..Still no sign of Titan! I have one more day before I return to the city. If I don’t get the shot, I pray I at least get to see him before I leave.

Morning of day four has arrived and I have decided to take Titan or return home empty handed. This is no longer a hunt, it has become an obsession; I cannot compromise it by taking another bull. Titan has managed to elude us for three days by staying in the thick cedars. Visibility at best is limited, making it extremely difficult to hunt in. We must somehow penetrate his hideout, get within forty yards and take the shot. We will need every trick in the book and a ton of luck to have any chance of success.

The vast cedar forest is engulfed in a drifting fog. Our vision is reduced to less than twenty feet. We kneel down often, desperately searching for pieces of hidden elk in the thick canopy. The bulls are here; the pungent odor announces their presence long before we hear them crashing away into the swirling mist. Patience has now become a four letter word and I am almost looking forward to days end so this nightmare can finally be over. Titan is the smartest bull I have ever had the pleasure of hunting, but frustration and exhaustion are taking their toll. We trudge on, glassing every nook and cranny…..Where is he?

Common sense would suggest Titan would hole up in the thickest steepest terrain he can find. This is where we have been searching for the past four days. He is running circles around us; everything we have tried has failed. Time is running out, we need another plan!

The sun begins to set on the final evening of this hunt, we have less then two hours of light left. We search the South end of the ranch as this is the only place we have not looked. The cedars here are not as thick and visibility is much improved. This is the reason we have not hunted here until now; we couldn’t imagine Titan choosing such a vulnerable hiding place. We slow to a crawl as the cedars open. We search every opening carefully; moving only when we are satisfied it is safe to proceed. We have one hour before dark; we can’t make a mistake now!

A tree stands alone at the edge of a small meadow. A first glance reveals nothing; “Wait, something just moved, is there something at the base of that cedar tree?” My binoculars pick apart the thick branches, bits and pieces of hide and horn appear; an unbelievably incredible amount of horn! “Oh My God; it’s Him…..It’s TITAN”!

There is no way we can stalk from behind; our scent will give us away. We will have to circle and try a frontal assault. My entire body is wrapped as tight as a spring, my hands and legs are shaking uncontrollably and my heart is beating a hundred miles per hour. A half- hour later we are finally in position to move in. The wind is perfect; Titan is unaware of our presence. We move forward slowly, using a cedar tree as cover; sixty yards, forty yards, so far….so good.

I nock an arrow at thirty yards and take a deep breath; four more steps…..twenty six yards.

I pull to a full draw and hold; you could cut the tension with a knife.

Titan senses something is amiss and begins to rise. He stands testing the air for danger.

Our eyes meet as I release the arrow………

Editors note:

Shawn Conquest shot Titan through the heart on day four with a half hour of daylight remaining…. Titan collapsed within ten steps. He was a 7x7 in full velvet with an incredible 49” inside spread. Titan green scored 466” SCI.

A video of this hunt is available on the Star Mountain Ranch website: www.utahtrophyelk.com

Written by John Romero

719-661-1339

P.O.Box 3400

Pagosa Springs, CO

81147