2020 Elk Meat Pole

[cohunter14]

Many seasons will be here soon and some have already started. Be sure to share your elk trophy picture here!


Good luck to everyone this season!

 

[Bull_Fighter]

So happy and proud to have successfully taken this magnificent animal, which will provide delicious meat for my family for months to come. After 5 days alone in the backcountry, after multiple failed attempts and many grueling mountain miles climbed, the stars finally aligned. 5 miles and hundreds of pounds of meat packed out on foot and by dirt bike. This is what I work hard towards every day of the year and I?m super pumped and also grateful to my wife/family for their support!  @ Idaho

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[bryan m]

Awesome! Congratulations on a great bull. Hard work pays off.

 

[cohunter14]

Congrats bull_fighter!!!!

 

[SteveR]

In 2019 I posted a story here where my son and I went on a horseback hunt into the Northern BC Rockies looking for elk.
We harvested a nice moose, but the elk were uncooperative.
We found a couple nice bulls, but in the alpine, above treeline, there is no cover. The elk were out past 500 yards, and with cows that they would not leave them.
Without cover, no amount of calling would close the gap.
I did not have the rifle, optics, or confidence to make such a long shot.

This year we went back into the same spot, a 6 hour ride, 22 kilometers,  from the highway up into our base camp. No ATV?s, roads, or runways....horse access only.
We hunted there for 3 days, saw some cow elk and a spike, but no bulls.  So we packed up and rode up into the alpine above 5000 ft and set up a spike camp where we hunted for 4 days.
Day 8 of a 10 day hunt, we went up a mountain and ridge walked over a 2nd mtn back to the same place we had the long distance encounter last year.

But this time I was better prepared. In the off season I took a 1000 yard long range shooting course, built a new rifle in 300 WSM, worked up a consistent handload with 200 grain ELD-X pills,  and practiced...ringing steel at 400, 500, 600, 750, and 1000 yards. I practiced a lot, and was confident.

We came over the ridge on the 2nd mountain and looked down across a saddle to a far hillside, and there was a bull, standing in the exact same place as last year.
We hunkered down behind a small spruce and some buck brush, broke out the spotting scope, and watched. His head was turned slightly so it was a challenge counting points....needed 6 to be legal.  I see 1, 2, 3.....no, 1, 2, 3, 4,......ok now see 5 on one side.....watch some more...there was a tiny but legal 6th point....ok he is legal.

There is no point in getting into a calling duel with him like last year. He might come 50 yards closer, but the downhill angle will be steeper.
I range him at 745 yards, angle compensated, standing broadside. He keeps watching our way so its hard to get the rifle set up and in a prone position to make the shot without the bull seeing movement.
I run the ballistics solution on my phone app, set the elevation dial, 17.4 MOA, set up the bipod, and use my pack for a solid butt rest.
I dry fire 4 times, then flick off the safety, settle, and touch one off.
He flinched hard, ran downhill 25 yards, and piled up.

Sweet Revenge!!

He was on the hillside above my head in the photo below.

 

[cohunter14]

Congratulations Steve, heck of a shot! Way to overcome the obstacle and take a great bull  :upthumb:

 

[wl704]

She came in all coy and cautious, and stood in the trees at 50yds for a long time. But I had already decided first ES that I had a shot, when she stepped in the lane at 35yds the arrow flew.

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[/size]Best part, the pack out was only 270yds down to the road.

 

[Bull_Fighter]

Congrats!

 

[cohunter14]

Congratulations! Love those short pack outs!

 

[Big John]

I was blessed in Wyoming, 6X6 herd bull...I've been hunting elk for 45 years and this is my best bull ever!!!

 

[ChrisB20]

Had back to back years with tag getting filled! My first elk with a muzzleloader and same for archery. Last year we dogged a bull and called him in midday. This year on the last day of the hunt after many close encounters I finally connected. They were bugling in our otc Colorado unit before and after the snowstorm. We my brother and brother in law have gotten much better at calling them in, much thanks to UEH!

 

[cohunter14]

What a toad Big John, congratulations!!! And way to go Chris, you guys had a great trip!!!

 

[Lprough87]

2020 stickbow bull


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[cohunter14]

2020 stickbow bull


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Great job, and welcome to the forum!!  :welcome:

 

[Lprough87]

Thank you! Excited to be here.


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[Bartman]

I posted the video of my hunt in the main forum.

 

[82ndreddevil]

This is my smallest elk yet. My intentions were to take the first clean shot I got since my freezer is empty. Anyway I was wrong on the range and got his spine with the first arrow. I did follow up with another arrow to his vitals though. And I am happy to have some meat in the freezer!!

 

[Bluewave14]

Was able to get my first ever Elk with my Dad and Uncle who taught me everything I know about hunting. 7 day public land hunt and it came down to the last morning where my dad called this guy in for me to 12 yards away!!.. Beyond feel lucky and blessed to have gotten this magnificent bull.

 

[cohunter14]

Congrats guys!!!!!

 

[sjl2012]

Figured I'd post a picture of my 2020 New Mexico bull since it's been quiet around here lately. Shot him 3 hours into my first day, I was full draw on a 4x 30 minutes earlier that if he would've turned broadside he would be in the photo.