Elk .... Let's see them!!!

[ccc23454]

 

[MuleyMB]

2011 , Wyoming

 

[jpc01101]

First elk! New Mexico. Listened to him bugle all afternoon and finally came out 406 yards up the mountain, I had been practicing shooting off of sticks while standing but man was it a nervous thing trying to get solid before he took off an went over the ridge. One shot did it and he fell and started sliding, luckily (I guess) he got wedged in a tree on his slide down. Might have been better for him to slide to the bottom because it was a steep pack out. I was with my Dad the day before when he shot his first elk, it was an experience I'll never forget.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Got my first bull elk a few days after the opener of general rifle here in Montana. It has taken me six years to successfully harvest a bull while DIY hunting on public lands. We spotted this bull from about two and a half miles away, so we made a move for that evening. The winds picked up and started howling at over 45mph, so the elk didn't come back out to feed. The following morning we stayed persistent, I went and sat 1/2 mile from where I last saw him feeding, hoping to be within striking range if he decided to come out to feed. He came to feed out on the meadow about two hours after first light. As he fed and mulled around the meadow, I worked my way closer. A few years ago I missed a bull, so I decided to get as close as I could, to ensure this opportunity wasn't wasted. I worked into 80 yards and made a double lung shot. He rolled 350 feet of elevation down to the bottom of the drainage where we worked him up and packed him out, uphill, 1700 feet. This was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to get back out next week to try and fill my buddies tag!

 

[Hem]

Got my first bull elk a few days after the opener of general rifle here in Montana. It has taken me six years to successfully harvest a bull while DIY hunting on public lands. We spotted this bull from about two and a half miles away, so we made a move for that evening. The winds picked up and started howling at over 45mph, so the elk didn't come back out to feed. The following morning we stayed persistent, I went and sat 1/2 mile from where I last saw him feeding, hoping to be within striking range if he decided to come out to feed. He came to feed out on the meadow about two hours after first light. As he fed and mulled around the meadow, I worked my way closer. A few years ago I missed a bull, so I decided to get as close as I could, to ensure this opportunity wasn't wasted. I worked into 80 yards and made a double lung shot. He rolled 350 feet of elevation down to the bottom of the drainage where we worked him up and packed him out, uphill, 1700 feet. This was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to get back out next week to try and fill my buddies tag!

Congrats!
Dandy bull.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Got my first bull elk a few days after the opener of general rifle here in Montana. It has taken me six years to successfully harvest a bull while DIY hunting on public lands. We spotted this bull from about two and a half miles away, so we made a move for that evening. The winds picked up and started howling at over 45mph, so the elk didn't come back out to feed. The following morning we stayed persistent, I went and sat 1/2 mile from where I last saw him feeding, hoping to be within striking range if he decided to come out to feed. He came to feed out on the meadow about two hours after first light. As he fed and mulled around the meadow, I worked my way closer. A few years ago I missed a bull, so I decided to get as close as I could, to ensure this opportunity wasn't wasted. I worked into 80 yards and made a double lung shot. He rolled 350 feet of elevation down to the bottom of the drainage where we worked him up and packed him out, uphill, 1700 feet. This was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to get back out next week to try and fill my buddies tag!

That's one hell of a first bull. Hate to tell you this but it's all down hill from here now

Congrats.

 

[EYJONAS!]

View attachment 201098

JFC how many freezers do you have?

Nice bull man that's great!

 

[ccc23454]

JFC how many freezers do you have?

Nice bull man that's great!

just 3... First year in a long time I haven't shot 2 or more elk, amazing what a bison does to freezer space so had to make some sacrifices. I am whitetail hunting now, can shot 6 of them here. I will just shot 2 or 3. Lol

 

[EYJONAS!]

just 3... First year in a long time I haven't shot 2 or more elk, amazing what a bison does to freezer space so had to make some sacrifices. I am whitetail hunting now, can shot 6 of them here. I will just shot 2 or 3. Lol

That's awesome. My goal in 22 is to have a walk in meat cooler and add a second freezer as well.

 

[Nick87]

That's awesome. My goal in 22 is to have a walk in meat cooler and add a second freezer as well.

We have 2 freezers now and I'm pretty positive if we bought a 3rd there would be no wasted space. Granted, there's 1/2 a steer and a hog taking up 3/4 of one of them.

 

[Spitz]

I pulled an early rifle elk tag this year. I had coolers and help ready and we made quick work of the bull after shooting him just before last light. The velvet stayed intact and turned out really nice.

 

[EYJONAS!]

That's impressive

 

[jpc01101]

I pulled an early rifle elk tag this year. I had coolers and help ready and we made quick work of the bull after shooting him just before last light. The velvet stayed intact and turned out really nice.
View attachment 202329View attachment 202332

That velvet turned out really nice

 

[jpc01101]

Got my first bull elk a few days after the opener of general rifle here in Montana. It has taken me six years to successfully harvest a bull while DIY hunting on public lands. We spotted this bull from about two and a half miles away, so we made a move for that evening. The winds picked up and started howling at over 45mph, so the elk didn't come back out to feed. The following morning we stayed persistent, I went and sat 1/2 mile from where I last saw him feeding, hoping to be within striking range if he decided to come out to feed. He came to feed out on the meadow about two hours after first light. As he fed and mulled around the meadow, I worked my way closer. A few years ago I missed a bull, so I decided to get as close as I could, to ensure this opportunity wasn't wasted. I worked into 80 yards and made a double lung shot. He rolled 350 feet of elevation down to the bottom of the drainage where we worked him up and packed him out, uphill, 1700 feet. This was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to get back out next week to try and fill my buddies tag!

NIce bull!

 

[IDHUNTNFISH]

Here is my Nevada bull. I waited 15 years to draw this tag. I scouted 1 day and hunted 13 days. This was the 101st bull I spotted on the last morning I was there. Although I never turned up Big Hank it made for a lifetime of memories looking for him. Every bull is a great bull and I'm very thankful for this one.

 

[Grizzlyman]

I pulled an early rifle elk tag this year. I had coolers and help ready and we made quick work of the bull after shooting him just before last light. The velvet stayed intact and turned out really nice.
View attachment 202329View attachment 202332

A velvet elk, how cool is that? Well done man!

 

[Grizzlyman]

Got my first bull elk a few days after the opener of general rifle here in Montana. It has taken me six years to successfully harvest a bull while DIY hunting on public lands. We spotted this bull from about two and a half miles away, so we made a move for that evening. The winds picked up and started howling at over 45mph, so the elk didn't come back out to feed. The following morning we stayed persistent, I went and sat 1/2 mile from where I last saw him feeding, hoping to be within striking range if he decided to come out to feed. He came to feed out on the meadow about two hours after first light. As he fed and mulled around the meadow, I worked my way closer. A few years ago I missed a bull, so I decided to get as close as I could, to ensure this opportunity wasn't wasted. I worked into 80 yards and made a double lung shot. He rolled 350 feet of elevation down to the bottom of the drainage where we worked him up and packed him out, uphill, 1700 feet. This was an amazing experience and I cannot wait to get back out next week to try and fill my buddies tag!

That is a helluva a first bull, well done!

 

[Grizzlyman]

Montana, September 6th, 2021. Killed him at about 8 yards as he was passing by me bugling the whole way. I had to literally take a knee I was shaking so bad haha. Only in September!!!

***if you notice the missing arrows in the quiver, I also have a hard time passing up grouse when I see them. Sorry not sorry.

 

[BRI]

2021 bull. Best day of the season by far was a day with my dad and watching him make a great shot on a big old cow. At 80 years old, could very well be the last elk he may have an opportunity at.

 

[Grizzlyman]

2021 bull. Best day of the season by far was a day with my dad and watching him make a great shot on a big old cow. At 80 years old, could very well be the last elk he may have an opportunity at.

What a special trip BRI, glad your dad got it done! Also, that looks like a cool bull, great job.