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More than a Mount: A Bull Elk I’ll Never Forget

John Flakne
|  
Location: Nevada

It’s one thing to chase a bull through the Nevada mountains…it’s another to relive that moment every day in your own home.

When I got the call that my elk mount was finished, I knew it would be special. But seeing it in person and having it in my home brings it full circle in a way I didn’t anticipate.

That Nevada hunt was already unforgettable. The climb in the dark still stands out. So does the moment everything came together on that rock ledge with the team behind the glass. It was hard earned and intense. Then suddenly, it was over. Like most hunts, it left me wishing I could hold onto the moment just a little longer.

Now I can. This mount is more than a display of an incredible bull elk. It takes me right back to that hunt and everything that came with it.

More than Just Antlers

When I look at this bull now, I don’t just see antlers. I see that canyon again. I remember the cold wind and the nerves settling in as I got prone for the shot.

I remember Richie behind me talking me through it. I remember the team working together like a machine. And I remember walking up on that bull for the first time, realizing just how big he really was.

That’s what a great mount does. It holds the memory, not just the animal.

The Details Matter

The taxidermy is incredible. The posture, the expression, the way the cape falls…it feels alive. Choosing the pedestal mount was absolutely the right decision. Being able to walk around it and appreciate it from every angle brings it to life.

It commands the room in the best way possible.

When friends come over, it immediately becomes the center of attention. And it leads back to the story every time. The hunt itself. The long drive. The pack out and the people who were there for it all. I relive the entire adventure over again.

A Daily Reminder

There’s something special about having a reminder like this in your home, not just of the hunt, but of the opportunity.

Winning this hunt still feels unreal. Winning two sweepstakes in two years is something I won’t ever wrap my head around. But I can say this with confidence: these experiences are real, and they can change your life as a hunter.

Every time I walk past this bull, I’m reminded of the people involved and the moment it all came together.

And honestly, the mount turned out even better than I imagined.

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