This week we had the pleasure of guiding Mr. Tom Pinello Jr. Tom is 84 years old and needed a bison to complete his Super Ten of North American Big Game. On a bitter cold morning, January 27, 2012, Tom Pinello Jr, his son Dave Pinello and Stan (Doc) Southward joined myself and the rest of the High Plains Adventures crew in Hartsel Colorado.
We spent a few hours glassing, looking in draws and ravines where these massive bulls like to hang out. I wanted to find the best bull I could for Tom to finish his super ten with. I got a call from one of my guides that a monster bison bull was spotted in a wooded ravine a few miles west from where we were. Tom and I made our
way over to the area, and once I had the bull spotted we made our way around the hillside to get above him. I got him set up in a clearing where I thought the bull was headed towards. As the bull made his way through the timbered hill side, Dave and Doc Southward had joined up with us. Tom is a little hard of hearing, so Dave was "silently" yelling as he told his dad to wait until the bull was broad side in the clearing before shooting. Dave also told Tom not to shoot through the trees and "Don't shoot him in the head Dad." A few minutes went by as we were waiting for the bull to enter the clearing, Dave was telling Tom again to wait until the bull was clear from the trees, then BOOM! The bull fell to the ground, he didn't even twitch. Dave asked Tom, "Where the hell did you hit him?" Tom replied, "In the head like you told me to..." Later Tom had told Doc Southward, "I may not get around worth a damn, but I can still shoot alright."
At 84 years old and still having the passion to finish a life long goal, Tom Pinello Jr is in a class of his own. I want to thank Tom for letting me be apart of helping him finish his life long goal.
Here is a picture of Tom and his monster bull. And just to let you all know we still have a few slots open from now til the end of February.
84 year old Pinello finishes his Super Ten
