The big bull only bugled every 20 minutes or so, hurrying along, a destination in mind, pushing deeper across thick PJ flats. Ulmer stalked along, catching only occasional glimpses of the bull, losing him in the thick vegetation. He managed to get ahead of him a couple of times, missing him in the limited visibility. The bull would bugle left or right and Ulmer would adjust trajectory, with the bull nearly always 200 yards ahead. Ulmer thought the bull should bed soon, but he kept moving. Finally he heard a half-hearted, grunting bugle, maybe 75 yards ahead. Ulmer slowed down and began stalking. In a short time he saw the bull, suddenly just there, only 32 yards away. Ulmer sank to his knees and waited.

A patch of clear vitals showed through the trees. The bull had no idea Ulmer was near. Ulmer took his time, savoring the moment, placing his pin just so, knowing it was done, but cautioning himself to carry through carefully. Time seemed to stand still momentarily. The arrow slammed into the bull's side, disappearing a few inches behind the massive shoulder, sucking into the tan hair and vanishing almost instantly.

Time raced forward again, everything happening fast and all at once, the bull spinning and smashing through dry wood, raising dust as he departed in a desperate rush. Ulmer knew he had succeeded even before he heard the bull crash to earth 150 yards away and breathe his last.

NEVADA ELK HUNTING PRIMER Traditionally, small numbers of Rocky Mountain elk were found in the eastern portion of Nevada, with some reintroduction as early as the 1930s. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that the Nevada Division of Wildlife began to aggressively transplant elk and foster range expansion. Today the Silver State supports about 7,000 elk, a number NDOW officials hope to maintain. There is plenty of room for elk to expand, but Nevada managers have been aggressive in keeping numbers at this level to limit habitat damage and social conflicts to ranchers. Population guidelines have been set that assure elk numbers remain stable. Consequently, fewer than 2,000 tags are issued to rifle, muzzleloader and archery hunters each season. Any-weapons, primarily rifle, tags top around 600 for residents and 30 for non-residents. Eighty-four muzzleloader tags are offered to residents only, and 66 resident and four non-resident archery tags are issued. The northeastern portion of the state, including unit groups 061-071, 072, 111-115, 221, 222, 161-162, 231, 241, and 242, affords the greatest number of tags for resident and non-resident hunters. Non-resident archery tags are available only in unit groups 111-115, 221, 222 (two tags issued in each), 161-164, 231, 241, and 242 (one tag issued in each). Fifteen depredation landowner tags are also issued; the price for those can top $10,000. Another 1,171 antlerless tags are issued to resident hunters only, and are heavily sought. For information, contact the Nevada DOW, 1100 Valley Rd., Reno, NV 89514; (775) 688-1500; www.nevadadivisionofwildlife.org/. — Patrick Meitin

Ulmer approached the bull with a feeling of utter triumph and unavoidable sadness, awed by the sheer size of him, seeing just how big the bull's antlers really were for the first time, humbled by his good fortune, understanding the sacredness of the moment. It was a moment to be savored and Ulmer was happy to be alone at that very moment, just he and the tremendous bull. He realized for the first time the bull would break 400 inches.

Ulmer ran several miles back to his truck, racing a rising sun and heat, pushing his truck across rough desert. Soon he heard a telltale sound known to all backcountry hunters. A tire was gushing air. He jumped out to inspect his predicament and found both front tires losing pressure quickly. He unloaded his ATV and marooned the truck. He had a big day ahead of him. There was much to be done. It just didn't seem to matter right then.

By comparison, Nevada's top three typical bulls include a 425 3/8-inch monster taken in 1999 by Jerry McKoen, a 400 4/8 taken in 1999 by W. Steve Perry, and a 399 6/8 taken in 2000 by Troy Means. Six of Nevada's top 10 B&C typical bulls have come from White Pine County, with nine of Nevada's all-time book bulls coming from this county.

The top non-typical American elk listed in B&C records include a 465 2/8-inch bull picked up in British Columbia, a 450 6/8 taken on Arizona's White Mountain Apache Reservation in 1998, and a 449 7/8 North Dakota bull taken in 1997. Information provided courtesy of the Boone & Crockett Club.

To see how your trophy stacks up, subscribe to B&C's trophy search service. A $50 yearly fee allows unlimited access. Find the site at www.booneandcrockettclub.com.