Mine is a reminder of two of my favorite hunts ever.

The smaller bull was Yakima 2001. My favorite hunt EVER. We bugled bulls in 7 straight days (really, I promise). Never done any thing like it before or since. I called a big 6X6 to my partner on the opener, but he missed it. It got mine on day 2 (took him 45 minutes to come within range), and we called bulls in on days 3-7 (partner had a rough year). On day 6, I called in a huge 6X6 broadside at less than 30 yards to me - my partner couldn't see him. I could have nailed him but we don't party hunt (I was armed in case I saw a bear).

The bigger bull I got at 24 paces this year. I was actually scared for my safety after I shot him and he looked at me and walked my direction. He fell at about 10 yards while I was wishing there was a climbing tree nearby. What a funky rack. What a horrible pack out....

I could tell you about the really big one I almost got, but I'd start crying on my keyboard....

It just makes me smile to remember.