Elk hunting....I want to possibly try it. Give me the reasons you enjoy it
- Thread starter Biggie1976
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I took this in Colorado. Tags are very expensive and some areas need a draw. I really enjoyed the trips for photographs. Where I was at was poor hunting that year but Id definitely go again.
Cause I like 8-10 miles of hard off trail travel with 4k+ vert in a day.
Add knee deep or more snow and frostnip -3F and its more fun.
@Claymorx can tell you about the little hills we climb.
carrying out 80 lb quarters is a hoot too.
edited for spelling.
Add knee deep or more snow and frostnip -3F and its more fun.
@Claymorx can tell you about the little hills we climb.
carrying out 80 lb quarters is a hoot too.
edited for spelling.
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I am drawn to the physical challenge of the hunt and the reward of being tough enough to outwit a big bull. Get Tough or Die! I am looking forward to the next trip up the hill in 2021.
If you don’t want to go, can I go in your place? I want to go elk hunting so fucking bad. I need to sack up and make the time/plans to go
If it were easy, everyone would do it. It is the hard that makes it good. Scenery, camping, miles and miles of hiking. No cell coverage. Not seeing another human. cooking over a camp stove. Several trips on foot to bring out a big animal, piece by piece. There's nothing that I don't enjoy. Did I mention no cell coverage?
If you are going to be in a forested environment, may I suggest hammock camping? Sleeping on the ground is for grunts...
If you are going to be in a forested environment, may I suggest hammock camping? Sleeping on the ground is for grunts...
Being on trails that the only prints you see are animal... the difficulty and knowing that only a small percentage of people and even hunters are willing to put in the work to do what you're doing. The feeling of success after all the work, and failures (learning moments).
Not elk, but same country. Was out all day today scouting for mountain muleys. Took a good hour before I stopped seeing signs of human, then nothing, then finally animal signs...
Not elk, but same country. Was out all day today scouting for mountain muleys. Took a good hour before I stopped seeing signs of human, then nothing, then finally animal signs...
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Being out in the middle of nowhere for a week with just you, the elk, and whatever other critters are out there.
Lots of hard hiking coupled with gorgeous views.
Elk meat.
Elk are just huge cool animals to begin with.
I was supposed to go general season in Utah next month but had to back out due to injury, im not at all happy about it.
Lots of hard hiking coupled with gorgeous views.
Elk meat.
Elk are just huge cool animals to begin with.
I was supposed to go general season in Utah next month but had to back out due to injury, im not at all happy about it.
One of my rancher buddies calls me, I go out, drive through a few pastures, sneak over the hill and plant a 120grn .257 partition in the ribs.
Drive up and hoist it into the truck. Sometimes the snow is deep and I run over in the snowmobile and drag it out in a calving sled.
It's more like harvesting, but I do have to spend $32 on a tag.
I've had the displeasure of eating a big rutted up bull. I shoot yearling cows now. Much tastier and no figuring out where to hang a mount.
Drive up and hoist it into the truck. Sometimes the snow is deep and I run over in the snowmobile and drag it out in a calving sled.
It's more like harvesting, but I do have to spend $32 on a tag.
I've had the displeasure of eating a big rutted up bull. I shoot yearling cows now. Much tastier and no figuring out where to hang a mount.
No cell phone, no TV, no news, no internet, no honey do list, no work (or none of what I call work), good friends, great memories, sunrise at 10k feet.
Tenderloin, tbones, sirloins, leg roast, brisket, short ribs, burger.
It's a real hardship to do it well. Don't be the jackass that takes unethical shots because you are good at the range some days. Elk hunting is about the experience, not the kill. Fun and games are over once they're on the ground. Make sure you are hard as a coffin nails fit and respectful to the life you want to take.
A full freezer!
fresh elk loin!
fresh elk meatballs!
fresh elk loin!
fresh elk meatballs!
The rut hunt is amazing, as started above. Nothing like a bull bugling in your sights. It’s adrenaline thumping for sure. You really need to focus when you’ve got crosshairs on a rutting bull. Nothing like it. Once it’s down, the spoils are amazing.
Brah....the cool camo outfits....that's all you need to know.
Wonderful big country, solitude makes a solid dude. Elk hunting is not deer hunting, they are tough, amazing animals that can travel terrain tirelessly that puts a horse to shame.
So for me, hunting public lands on foot w/o an outfitter is extremely satisfying. I harvest on the average two a year. The meat is fabulous and the reward of all that time and effort is definitely worthwhile.
Additionally I love watching elk and not pulling the trigger - they are beautiful beasts!
So for me, hunting public lands on foot w/o an outfitter is extremely satisfying. I harvest on the average two a year. The meat is fabulous and the reward of all that time and effort is definitely worthwhile.
Additionally I love watching elk and not pulling the trigger - they are beautiful beasts!
Hard as hell, hiking mile after mile across some shit side hills all while hoping that they will be where you think they are ~ they won't be. When you do finally find them it's like taking a shot at a horse, assuming you don't get busted. Amazing views as well. Doesn't get much better.
Unfortunately Colorado hunting sucks, you should try Utah...lol
Unfortunately Colorado hunting sucks, you should try Utah...lol
^^^^ This.
No point in going without one.
Never been able to drop one with a non magnum. The ‘06 is simply too anemic.
No point in going without one.
Never been able to drop one with a non magnum. The ‘06 is simply too anemic.
My ex-wife's dad used a .257 Robert's. Very successfully.^^^^ This.
No point in going without one.
Never been able to drop one with a non magnum. The ‘06 is simply too anemic.
And I know more than 1 dropped with a 243, 6.5 “man bun gun” Creedmore, 260 Rem, etc
I was being a smart alec (surprise!)
i have never used a magnum.
they all drop.
.308 or ‘06.
no fancy stuff either.
Just decent rifle skills, hard work, and patience.
I was being a smart alec (surprise!)
i have never used a magnum.
they all drop.
.308 or ‘06.
no fancy stuff either.
Just decent rifle skills, hard work, and patience.
243 wont kill Elk, it just splashes on them like they are made of AR500. 
I will say if using a 6mm, one better be a solid shot.
you wants a good double lung. Heart if you can.
they can be hard to convince to die. Or so I have heard.
Im not a top end shot kinda guy. I guess good enough to hit em where I plan to though
you wants a good double lung. Heart if you can.
they can be hard to convince to die. Or so I have heard.
Im not a top end shot kinda guy. I guess good enough to hit em where I plan to though
Elk hunting with my bow is probably my 2nd favorite thing to do...
I was fortunate enough to live in a place that had some of the best public land elk hunting in the world. Unfortunately, that was over 20 years ago and things have gone downhill so fast I regret not appreciating it more when I had it. More people, more predators, and the prevalence of YouTube and Internet self promotional tell all "experts" have led to it's demise in my opinion. It is still doable however, and elk do live in some awesome country if you can find em. My advice would be to keep your expectations low and make it more about the goin than the gettin. Good luck and have fun.
I was fortunate enough to live in a place that had some of the best public land elk hunting in the world. Unfortunately, that was over 20 years ago and things have gone downhill so fast I regret not appreciating it more when I had it. More people, more predators, and the prevalence of YouTube and Internet self promotional tell all "experts" have led to it's demise in my opinion. It is still doable however, and elk do live in some awesome country if you can find em. My advice would be to keep your expectations low and make it more about the goin than the gettin. Good luck and have fun.
The guy I know, who I bet has killed the most Elk by a long shot, always used a 243. He always got one, and rumor is he filled many family member tags also. Its sad how much hunting in CO has changed over the last 20 years. It used to be pretty easy to find a ranch to hunt on.
I live a couple of hours from the Gila and several years ago we would draw archery of rifle tags every year. Then the bloody TV shows started blabbing how great the elk hunting was in the Gila and everything went to shit. Haven't drawn a tag in 7 years and damn frustrating. Landowner tags account for 50% of allocated elk tags of which 85% go to non-residents. Great source of income for the ranches but a big suck for residents.
Waking up during the rut to multiple bulls bugling around you. Then spending all day hiking through the mountains for that one perfect opportunity. I prefer bow hunting hunting in general.
This bull was taken with a bow at 28 yards.
However, I took a nice cow this year from 408 yards with a cheap ass walmart Winchester 30-06, factory shelf ammo and a Simmons scope (about $500 total setup). She never took a step.
This bull was taken with a bow at 28 yards.
However, I took a nice cow this year from 408 yards with a cheap ass walmart Winchester 30-06, factory shelf ammo and a Simmons scope (about $500 total setup). She never took a step.
Ha he doesnt want anyone there from what I can tell. Its full apparently..
If you are out of state get in touch with someone that lives here. The Elk travel in groups from now to the end of spring. The bulls are in the rut through October and then that is over. They go off into bands separate fro the Cows and Calf's. The next best thing if you don't know anyone or have a good outfitter is to contact the Division of Wildlife here " Colorado "and find out where the herds are traveling. The major herds are around Craig and Meeker off the Flat Tops.
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