2024 Elk Adventures

gonhunting247

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2024 turned out pretty darn good considering I didn't think I was going to have the opportunity to hunt for elk at home in OR. I knew I had a busy schedule with a surgery scheduled in late October. Spring was filled with the usual turkey and bear at home along with NM Oryx and AK bear. Then would be OR deer at home and AK caribou. I had pretty much figured I had already overbooked and decided to grab a late season elk tag just in case, recovery went well and I could get out and look around near home. As luck would have it, I was going to have a tag in my pocket for a late season AZ elk also! I was getting seriously overbooked (I know tough problem to have :) )! Now if I could get enough Vacation and comp time to cover it all; it would be amazing.
I ended up having an amazing year in AK with family and friends. I was able to make a trip up in the spring and tagged a nice grizzly and a small black bear. I made a return trip and I was finally able to connect with a nice mature bull caribou and a beautiful wolf in September. The medical procedure went as scheduled and I was out hunting way before I probably should have been and on a cold wet soggy day, as is the norm that time of year here at home in OR; I connected with one of my better OR bulls to date. I had no real expextations for this hunt, except to get out and start getting loosened up for my AZ hunt, so i was pretty happy to say the least. The pack out was kind of tough on my wounds, but I recovered just enough to get my elk cut up and head out on the long drive to AZ.
2024 OR Elk
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AZ was a fun time and although I was on a solo hunt again. I was met at camp throughout my hunt with some great friends I have been lucky to meet while javelina and coues hunting. The hunt went well and I lucked out on a nice bull shortly into the hunt. The weather was perfect and I took my time taking pics, skinning and starting the quartering process. I soon found out I not only had good company, but was also treated to a surprise as I was preparing to pack my elk out. Earlier I had let the guys know I had been successful and they sent in the troops to help quarter and pack out! My solo hunt, definitely didn't end up as a solo pack out! I ended up with so much help, I almost felt like I cheated :) .
2024 AZ Elk
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I spent the next couple days cleaning and bleaching the skull, while enjoying some great weather. It was a good trip back home with a great weather window. As usual I'm already looking forward to my next trip south :). It won't be long since I was lucky and drew my spring javelina hunt for February :)
 
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Nice bulls and great pics!
Thank you :) I was sure happy to find mature bulls on both hunts. Honestly, I'd have been tickled with any legal bull at home on my OR hunt. I will say there is a definite difference in body size with the Roosevelt influence versus the Rocky Mt.
Taking the pics on solo hunts can be a challenge at times, but I've came up with a way to stick my phone in my binos and set them on my pack. it works pretty well really. Sometimes I feel a little silly hitting the timer and running back and fotth, but I'm always glad I took the time to do it when I get a chance to sit back a look at the pics.
 
Taking the pics on solo hunts can be a challenge at times, but I've came up with a way to stick my phone in my binos and set them on my pack. it works pretty well really. Sometimes I feel a little silly hitting the timer and running back and fotth,
Been there. I think most of us have lol. Even harder if a dog is involved.
 
Those are beautiful bulls! Congratulations and will be some great eating. Is the top one the Roosevelt?
Thank you. Yes, we are loaded up with great meat this year for sure. The kids and grandkids are happy about that :)
Yes, we are not considered pure Roosie as far as the books are concerned. These areas kind of get a mix, but it's definitely noticable in body size, coloration and some of his antler characteristics.
 
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Congrats on an amazing season! Love the dark antlers of the roosie bull! Got any pics from your Alaska trips?
Thank you, I love those dark antlers too, those old bulls are really cool.
Yes, I did a write up on my caribou/wolf hunt. I think it's titled "second time is a charm", can't remember exactly, but it's on here. It was an awesome trip :). I am not sure if I put my grizzly on here or not. This is my AK year in pictures, still hard to believe how well all my hunts went :)2024 AK  Spring Griz (1).jpg2024 AK Spring Black Bear.jpg20240829_121026.jpg20240831_103409.jpg
 
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I see a lot of griz where I hunt in NW MT and that is one badass looking bear.
Thanks, They seem to have that color a lot up there. I have had 3 successful hunts in that area and they all seem to resemble that. My BIL's have been anywhere from Blonde to a more solid chocolate color.
 
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