Preparing for a first elk hunt

[Robert]

Above all, have fun!

 

[95XL883]

Hi guys,

Just a quick report right now as I've got hunt chores to finish up. Got back late yesterday. Exhausted but happy. I got my first ever elk on Thursday afternoon about 6 pm. A very nice 6x6 bull. Took it at about 80 yards in a howling wind. Nice symmetrical dark brown antlers with white tips. I have to take the head to the taxidermist now but will be back with a recap of what prep went well and what could have been done better. And a better report of the actual hunt and hopefully some pics if I can figure out how to post them. Had a blast with a great group of guys. Even got stopped by a really cute NM game warden. She was very nice and did her job professionally with a smile. I'll be back later today with more.

 

[95XL883]

A very little about the trip and the how well my prep did or did not work out.

The highlight of the trip was hunting with my nephew. Watching his mannerisms I felt like I was watching my brother and to some extent my dad. I felt like I was hunting with my brother for the very first time (I've never hunted with my brother as he is 10 years older than me.) and that Dad was watching over us. It was a tremendous, unexpected and emotional surprise. While the goal was to get an elk, that feeling alone made the trip worthwhile even if I hadn't gotten an elk.

The prep that went very well was the target practice with different calibers. When the moment came I made an unexpected switch grabbing my nephew's 7 mag. Kneeling from 80 yards I put two where it really counted, just above and behind the heart. Both rounds penetrated both lungs and at least one must have got a big artery as the elk got in one, maybe two steps and collapsed. I could have used my 30-30 or the 30-06 but the ground was so rough and wooded that I went with as much power as I could get to minimize any tracking and hauling out that would have to be done. The next most successful prep was the Schnee Hunter II Pac boots and smart wool socks. Other parts of me were cold and damp at times but my feet were always dry and comfortable. The 8 mile a day walks I was doing were good but a slightly different regimen would have been better. The most I walked in any one day was 6 miles but the ground was so rough that more work on my ankles and climbing ability would have been very beneficial Right now I'm thinking a daily 5 mile walk with daily 150 lunges on each leg and hitting the stair master three times a week would have served me better in the rugged terrain. I didn't need Immodium but the Mucinex was very helpful. An unexpected situation was that the air was so dry, I couldn't wear contacts. I've really glad I brought glasses as a back up. I've got to get to bed now. More tomorrow.

 

[Robert]

That is AWESOME! I love my Schnees, they ain't the cheapest out there but they are worth every cent. I'm glad you had a successful hunt! Well done sir.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Advice from an old infantryman, backpacker and elk hunter:

Rifle: If you can shoot your .30-30 well, it will be adequate.

Boots: Buy a size larger than normal. If buying in a store, fit them wearing TWO pairs of THICK socks. Carry at least two spare pairs, and change your socks when you stop to rest.

Clothing; Dress cold and carry warm. I wear a pair of Army camo pants with a light shirt, and carry a thicker shirt, a set of waffle weave under wear, a down vest and a Gore-Tex jacket. Wear a wool knit cap, and bring a spare or two -- much heat loss is through the head.

Hunting: The best tactic I've round is a still-drive. Elk feed at lower altitudes and start uphill at first light. Find where a trail tops out on a ridge, and have one man there a couple of hours before sunrise. He should carry a thick closed cell foam pad to sit on -- heat will leak out of your body if you sit on the ground. Just about first light, another man or two begin climbing the ridge, and with any luck will push an elk toward the sitter.

After the kill; I like to carry large trash bags and butcher the kill on the spot -- much easier to pack out boned meat than a whole carcass.

 

[harrygunner]

I enjoyed your sharing your preparation for your hunting trip.

You improved your health, spent time with your nephew and got an elk.

 

[Mr. Hill]

Great job!

 

[95XL883]

The following is a little long but thought I should share the hunt experience. (I need to work on the pics, get them sized and post some of the better ones.)

Three of us, Ray (my nephew), Mike (another first time elk hunter) and myself left Kansas City, MO at 5 am on a Saturday morning. We met the fourth of our party, Griff, in Hays, KS about 10 am. Griff is an experienced and impassioned hunter. (He also was recovering from West Nile virus and still ran circles around the rest of us. Griff is also an Iraq war combat veteran. It was an honor to hunt with him.) We got into Chama NM that night about 7 pm. (Chama is apparently a hot spot for elk hunting with many outfitters there and many outdoor shows being filmed there. The town is very focused on elk hunting. We were asked several times about our hunt and other travelers were clearly hunters.) Checked into our hotel, got dinner out, went back to the hotel and sharpened knives (Griff is almost fanatical about having sharp knives) and called it a night. Sunday morning we had breakfast, shopped for groceries and frosty beverages and headed to the cabin. The cabin was only 26 miles from Chama but only two or three miles is pavement. After that we were on a rock, not gravel, road as we climbed from 7,500 feet to 9,800 feet. The road quickly became private as we passed through two gates. It was rough going with much of it at 5 to 10 miles an hour. The cabin was at 9,800 feet and at the end of the road. My nephew built the cabin about 8 years ago. He, with three helpers did it in three and a half days using pine and aspen logs cut on site. The cabin is about 20 x 24 plus an 8 foot deck off the front. Solar power for an electric light, no running water, an outhouse and a five gallon bucket mounted on boards for an outdoor privy. One window in the cabin. Wood stove for heat. Rustic as it is, it is very impressive and was the only cabin in the last 50 years built at that elevation.


Sunday evening we climbed the mountain top behind the cabin (about a 600’ ascent at a 65 degree incline) to overlook the meadow about 500’ below the cabin. In the fading light, our hopes were elevated as a herd of maybe a 100 elk flowed into the meadow. (The meadow is about a mile wide and two miles long.) Little did we know that it would be just about the last elk we saw in the meadow.


Monday we split into two teams, Griff and I went west and Ray and Mike went east. Griff and I spent the morning in a blind as a bugling bull circled us about 200 yards out. He never came into sight and we never saw the cows that were almost certainly with him. Ray and Mike were having better luck. They saw two nice bulls (One would turn out to be the one I got) but neither one gave them a shot. Mike passed on a 4x4 hoping to get one of the two bigger bulls. Ray tagged out early picking off a cow that was with the 4x4. That afternoon and evening Griff and I hunted the meadow. We saw five cows a mile away. I learned later they were following one of the common paths and would not come near us. I spotted a huge porcupine at about 800 yards. It was the size of a small bear. We didn’t go after it as we were hopeful that the herd we saw the night before would soon be walking only a 125 yards from our blind. Unfortunately we were disappointed and saw no more elk. Ray and Mike also struck out.


Tuesday was more of the same. Plenty of sign, some bugling but no elk within shooting range.


Wednesday morning brought a new aggravation, a kind of walker. Griff and I were in a blind where we could here a couple of cows calling. After 30 minutes or so, the cows stopped calling. Suddenly Griff said he could hear a motor. It took a while before I could hear it. The rancher to the north of us sent two workers along the property line. (Our blind was maybe a 100 yards on our side of the line.) We got disgusted that that spot was ruined for the morning and started back to the cabin. The workers spotted us, took down a section of the fence and drove around us another 100 yards into our property before circling back to us. The young one was clearly apologetic and said they had been sent to check the fence. He also said they would be finished that day. I almost asked them how they would check the fence when they were trespassing so far into our property. The older one mocked us and made fun of us. Griff and I were both on a slow boil and saying nothing just stared at him. After a few seconds he made another rude remark and they drove on. I noted that they were no longer checking the fence but driving further through our property. To me it was clear that they had been sent to disrupt our hunt. My nephew, who knows the landowner, was not happy. He had also heard them but they weren’t close enough to the fence line to see them. He said he would talk to the landowner but if it continued we would move further into our hunting area.


Wednesday night was particularly exciting as we hiked to an area Ray calls the honeymoon suite (due to its elevation, layout and the large number of elk there.) It was a hard 2 mile hike up rough terrain to about 10,500 feet. All four of us were there and the possibility of filling all three remaining tags seemed a distinct possibility. The spot was very promising, a small central tree grove in a high meadow surrounded by woods. The smell of elk was extremely strong. Soon much bugling and cow calling was heard. But it was not to be. They never came out of the woods during shooting hours.


Thursday we realized why the elk were being so secluded. Heavy rain the week left lots of water in the woods. The elk didn’t have to come to the meadow or a wallow for water. Plus the wind really picked up, blowing almost constantly between 20 and 30 mph. The type of wind that deer bed down and outwait. Apparently elk do the same.


Thursday morning, Ray and I were hunting the field where the elk came out Sunday evening. Griff and Mike were hunting the western edge of the property in the trees at the far end of the meadow. Suddenly a shot rang out. Four elk came trotting out, following the same path we saw Monday night. Another shot rang out, three elk continued on while one veered right. After 15 minutes or so, we could see Griff and Mike in the distance tracking the elk. I went to a narrow ravine to hunt over the gut pile (from Ray’s cow on Monday) hoping for an elk or bear to pass by. Ray took the four wheeler and trailer to help Griff and Mike.


After a couple of hours, I heard them return and headed back to the cabin. Unfortunately they couldn’t find the cow that Griff had hit twice (with a 7 Mag). He pegged it first at 350 yards and again at 500 yards. It just kept going until the blood trail quit and then it just kept going. Spirits were down as we rested for the afternoon hunt.


The plan was for the four us to go back to the honeymoon suite Thursday afternoon and evening. Something told me not to go. I volunteered to stay behind and hunt a narrow ravine that elk and bear travel. I explained I had a feeling that two would fare better than four and somehow I liked my chances in the ravine. Ray was determined to lead me to a bull and changed plans. Griff and Mike would go to the honeymoon suite. Ray and I would head to a wallow at the eastern edge of the property. This was the spot where Ray and Mike had seen the three bulls on Monday morning, but nothing since. Griff and Mike were stoked and headed out. I wasn’t hopeful but knew I would enjoy the hunt even if we didn’t see a thing. Ray wasn’t very optimistic either as after Monday morning he hadn’t seen a thing where we were going. It was a 1.5 mile hike to the wallow at 10,200’. Ray was suddenly excited. A tree had been mutilated, and I do mean mutilated, by a bull elk. Many limbs were on the ground. It was an impressive sight. We set up in a small tree grove 165 yards from the wallow. The wind was still blowing 20 to 30 miles an hour. Ray asked if I wanted to be picky about a bull. I responded that I wanted the meat and was ready to shoot the first bull we saw.


We didn’t have long to wait. We got situated and soon two cows came to the wallow. We watched and they left after a few minutes. Ray whispered “Be ready. They’ll be back.” His spirits were now really elevated and he clearly expected action. In just a few minutes, more cows appeared and in the blowing wind we could hear a bull bugling. He was close. Ray asked if I wanted to go in after him. “If you think it wise, let’s go.” And the stalk started. There were about 15 cows now visible in and around the wallow. We picked our way from pine to pine using them as cover to keep from being seen. The wind was really in our favor, blowing our scent away from the elk. At about 80 yards, two cows saw us. Ray froze and I turned my back and dropped behind a pine. Apparently, elk aren’t so concerned with what they see and but are very alarmed by what they smell. The cows calmed and went back to eating. I peeked around the other side of the pine and there he was, standing in the wallow. Bugling his head off. Suddenly the 30.06 I was carrying seemed small. Ray had shifted to my side. I took his 7 Mag and kneeling put two shots into the bull. Ray’s scope is set a little funny. At least it seems that way to me. I aimed at the top of front leg planning to break both front legs and shoulders and drop it where it stood. Both bullets went a couple of inches higher and about three inches back. It had the same effect. It maybe took a step or two and then just dropped and rolled over into the wallow. I was just stunned by his size and what had just happened. Even now it doesn’t seem completely real. At that moment, I was so focused on the shots that nothing else registered. All I could see and all I can remember seeing is his shoulder area. Settling the crosshairs, a firm grip on the forestock, a gentle squeeze, cycling the rifle, settling the crosshairs, a firm grip on the forestock and a gentle squeeze. And suddenly that huge animal just dropped and rolled onto his side. Congratulations were given, Ray was smiling a mile wide, I was trying to make intelligent comments but I’m guessing I sounded like a village idiot as Ray was chuckling. Pictures were taken. I looked behind me and saw Brazos Peak a few miles in the distance. Ray estimated he weighed over a 1,000 lbs. He isn’t a trophy bull but a nice symmetrical 6 x 6. Ray smiled said congratulations again and commented that most don’t get an animal on their first hunt. I noted that without Ray’s help, I never would have even seen that bull.


Ray went back for the ATV and trailer. The rope to drag him on to the trailer broke three times before we got him out of the wallow. Did I mention that elk are big, really big. I walked behind the trailer as Ray drove him back in the dark. I’m still a little stunned by it all. I doubt I get the chance but I would like to go again. Knowing better what to expect, I might appreciate it a little more and not be so overwhelmed at the moment. (Many thanks to all who encouraged target practice. When the moment came, the training and target focus kicked in. Without it, we would probably have had to track that bull for several miles.)


While the elk was a big deal and certainly a high point it wasn’t the highlight of the trip. The real highlight was watching my nephew. He is so like my brother and to a lesser extent my dad, that I felt like I was getting to hunt with my brother. I’ve never been able to and as Larry is quite a bit older than me, I figured I would never get to hunt with him. The emotion of that and feeling like Dad was watching over us is overwhelming and joyous. Even if I hadn’t gotten an elk, that alone would have made the trip worthwhile.


Unfortunately, Griff and Mike didn’t fill their tags. They reported a lot of elk in the honeymoon suite but the bulls stayed at the edges and didn’t present a shot. Griff waited too long for a bull (for Mike) and couldn’t see to take one of the cows in the growing dark. I wish Griff could have filled his cow tag. When Mike saw my bull, he said it was one of the two he spotted on day one. As we left on Saturday, he was really regretting not taking the 4x4 that presented a shot on Monday. I felt bad for him but I’m glad I didn’t have to make that decision.


The head and antlers are at the taxidermist. I’m having a European mount done. My house just isn’t big enough for a full shoulder mount. The antlers alone are 36” wide x 36” tall x 24” deep. It should be done in another couple of weeks. I’ll post a picture when I get it back. I’m having the cape tanned but that will take months to get back. I plan on building a small stand for it and covering the stand with cape. I’ll add a plaque giving some hunt details, i.e., date, place, elevation, taken by me, guided by Ray. I’ve also got the brass from the two rounds and the taxidermist is supposed to save the ivories) I should have enough to make the mount more than just a mount, something full of memories and to give others a small feel for the hunt.


The quarters and neck are at the processor. I’m expecting about 225 pounds of meat when it is done. I processed the brisket, tenderloins and scraps myself. The tenderloins weighed in at 31 pounds. Salvaged a couple of roasts and a steak off the rib cage and ground the rest. That came to another 25 pounds. So far we’ve had two meals of the ground meat, one taco seasoned and the other a batch of chili. Absolutely delicious. Elk has its own flavor and consistency. Definitely not beef or chicken, somewhat like venison only stronger and heavier, yet very tender. I can see why my nephew goes elk hunting every year. It truly is a magnificent animal that provides a challenging hunt and tremendous satisfaction. I may never get to go again but somehow I think I will. I’m already dreaming and keeping up the fitness regimen and checking draw procedures in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. I’ll even put in for one of the few Kansas elk tags next year. (Apparently there is a nice herd near Fort Riley, KS.)


Many thanks to all who advised me on prep. I could cover the distance, not at the speed of Ray or Griff but distance was not a problem. The hunt was truly enjoyable. I hope everyone has a successful year. May much meat on the hoof be in your crosshairs.


Pics in a few days.

 

[H&Hhunter]

95XL885,

Congrats on your first elk!

A couple of meditations on your story. First off the experience you had with the trespassing neighbors. Unfortunately that is a not uncommon experience in Northern NM and the Chama area in particular. There are a certain sect of locals in that area that pride themselves in being the biggest jack asses they can possibly be. It's kind of a local tradition. I'm glad it didn't ruin your hunt.

Second it shocks and amazes me the hype that surrounds the 7MM. The 7MM has almost exactly no advantage over an 06 when it comes to killing power on an elk sized critter. But I hear and read stuff like your comment about putting down an 06 to pick up a 7MM to make sure the job gets done. Now I am not in any way disparaging your experience, but I will tell you this. The 06 is a slightly BETTER elk killer than the 7MM inside of 400 yards, there was no earthly reason to have not used your 06. The myth of the 7MM continues it seems, your bull would have reacted exactly the same had you shot him with your rifle. I've seen more elk wounded and lost with the 7MM than any other caliber by a wide margin. That has nothing to do with the 7MM and its capabilities BTW. It had to do with guys thinking it's a magical laser beam and taking shots at way to far away with their brand spanking new 7 Mags.

Your story brought me back to many elk hunts that are stored in my memory. I could smell the mountain air tinted with elk musk. I felt my blood starting to boil with excitement at spotting elk coming out of the tree line. I was taken back to those moments of glory when that big bull topples over and the sweet labor of love that results during the recovery. Thank you for taking the time to write it and sharing your hunt with us. Your enthusiasm and understanding of what an incredible experience that was really shined through. This is an excellent write up.

 

[Newtosavage]

The 8 mile a day walks I was doing were good but a slightly different regimen would have been better. The most I walked in any one day was 6 miles but the ground was so rough that more work on my ankles and climbing ability would have been very beneficial Right now I'm thinking a daily 5 mile walk with daily 150 lunges on each leg and hitting the stair master three times a week would have served me better in the rugged terrain.

Last year, I prepped by running a lot but it was on very level ground. When I got to the mountains, my lungs were ready but my legs were not. This year, I prepped by running bleachers at the local HS football stadium. For the first time in 3 years, my legs and lungs were both ready for the mountains. I'm a big believer in bleachers now. I started out just running them, then I gradually added a pack up to 30 lbs.

Great story and congratulations!

 

[H&Hhunter]

I am fortunate to live in elk country where I can just throw on a back pack and go hike the high country. However I started doing high intensity training workouts about 8 years ago and I've never looked back. I went from all day capable in the mountains to absoloutley crushing it for days on end. The difference in my fitness and endourance isn't just noticeable it is exponentially better.

I highly recommend that you add some HIT to your fitness training regime. Cross fit, P-90x, circuit training its all great stuff!

 

[horsey300]

The following is a little long but thought I should share the hunt experience. (I need to work on the pics, get them sized and post some of the better ones.)

Three of us, Ray (my nephew), Mike (another first time elk hunter) and myself left Kansas City, MO at 5 am on a Saturday morning. We met the fourth of our party, Griff, in Hays, KS about 10 am. Griff is an experienced and impassioned hunter. (He also was recovering from West Nile virus and still ran circles around the rest of us. Griff is also an Iraq war combat veteran. It was an honor to hunt with him.) We got into Chama NM that night about 7 pm. (Chama is apparently a hot spot for elk hunting with many outfitters there and many outdoor shows being filmed there. The town is very focused on elk hunting. We were asked several times about our hunt and other travelers were clearly hunters.) Checked into our hotel, got dinner out, went back to the hotel and sharpened knives (Griff is almost fanatical about having sharp knives) and called it a night. Sunday morning we had breakfast, shopped for groceries and frosty beverages and headed to the cabin. The cabin was only 26 miles from Chama but only two or three miles is pavement. After that we were on a rock, not gravel, road as we climbed from 7,500 feet to 9,800 feet. The road quickly became private as we passed through two gates. It was rough going with much of it at 5 to 10 miles an hour. The cabin was at 9,800 feet and at the end of the road. My nephew built the cabin about 8 years ago. He, with three helpers did it in three and a half days using pine and aspen logs cut on site. The cabin is about 20 x 24 plus an 8 foot deck off the front. Solar power for an electric light, no running water, an outhouse and a five gallon bucket mounted on boards for an outdoor privy. One window in the cabin. Wood stove for heat. Rustic as it is, it is very impressive and was the only cabin in the last 50 years built at that elevation.


Sunday evening we climbed the mountain top behind the cabin (about a 600’ ascent at a 65 degree incline) to overlook the meadow about 500’ below the cabin. In the fading light, our hopes were elevated as a herd of maybe a 100 elk flowed into the meadow. (The meadow is about a mile wide and two miles long.) Little did we know that it would be just about the last elk we saw in the meadow.


Monday we split into two teams, Griff and I went west and Ray and Mike went east. Griff and I spent the morning in a blind as a bugling bull circled us about 200 yards out. He never came into sight and we never saw the cows that were almost certainly with him. Ray and Mike were having better luck. They saw two nice bulls (One would turn out to be the one I got) but neither one gave them a shot. Mike passed on a 4x4 hoping to get one of the two bigger bulls. Ray tagged out early picking off a cow that was with the 4x4. That afternoon and evening Griff and I hunted the meadow. We saw five cows a mile away. I learned later they were following one of the common paths and would not come near us. I spotted a huge porcupine at about 800 yards. It was the size of a small bear. We didn’t go after it as we were hopeful that the herd we saw the night before would soon be walking only a 125 yards from our blind. Unfortunately we were disappointed and saw no more elk. Ray and Mike also struck out.


Tuesday was more of the same. Plenty of sign, some bugling but no elk within shooting range.


Wednesday morning brought a new aggravation, a kind of walker. Griff and I were in a blind where we could here a couple of cows calling. After 30 minutes or so, the cows stopped calling. Suddenly Griff said he could hear a motor. It took a while before I could hear it. The rancher to the north of us sent two workers along the property line. (Our blind was maybe a 100 yards on our side of the line.) We got disgusted that that spot was ruined for the morning and started back to the cabin. The workers spotted us, took down a section of the fence and drove around us another 100 yards into our property before circling back to us. The young one was clearly apologetic and said they had been sent to check the fence. He also said they would be finished that day. I almost asked them how they would check the fence when they were trespassing so far into our property. The older one mocked us and made fun of us. Griff and I were both on a slow boil and saying nothing just stared at him. After a few seconds he made another rude remark and they drove on. I noted that they were no longer checking the fence but driving further through our property. To me it was clear that they had been sent to disrupt our hunt. My nephew, who knows the landowner, was not happy. He had also heard them but they weren’t close enough to the fence line to see them. He said he would talk to the landowner but if it continued we would move further into our hunting area.


Wednesday night was particularly exciting as we hiked to an area Ray calls the honeymoon suite (due to its elevation, layout and the large number of elk there.) It was a hard 2 mile hike up rough terrain to about 10,500 feet. All four of us were there and the possibility of filling all three remaining tags seemed a distinct possibility. The spot was very promising, a small central tree grove in a high meadow surrounded by woods. The smell of elk was extremely strong. Soon much bugling and cow calling was heard. But it was not to be. They never came out of the woods during shooting hours.


Thursday we realized why the elk were being so secluded. Heavy rain the week left lots of water in the woods. The elk didn’t have to come to the meadow or a wallow for water. Plus the wind really picked up, blowing almost constantly between 20 and 30 mph. The type of wind that deer bed down and outwait. Apparently elk do the same.


Thursday morning, Ray and I were hunting the field where the elk came out Sunday evening. Griff and Mike were hunting the western edge of the property in the trees at the far end of the meadow. Suddenly a shot rang out. Four elk came trotting out, following the same path we saw Monday night. Another shot rang out, three elk continued on while one veered right. After 15 minutes or so, we could see Griff and Mike in the distance tracking the elk. I went to a narrow ravine to hunt over the gut pile (from Ray’s cow on Monday) hoping for an elk or bear to pass by. Ray took the four wheeler and trailer to help Griff and Mike.


After a couple of hours, I heard them return and headed back to the cabin. Unfortunately they couldn’t find the cow that Griff had hit twice (with a 7 Mag). He pegged it first at 350 yards and again at 500 yards. It just kept going until the blood trail quit and then it just kept going. Spirits were down as we rested for the afternoon hunt.


The plan was for the four us to go back to the honeymoon suite Thursday afternoon and evening. Something told me not to go. I volunteered to stay behind and hunt a narrow ravine that elk and bear travel. I explained I had a feeling that two would fare better than four and somehow I liked my chances in the ravine. Ray was determined to lead me to a bull and changed plans. Griff and Mike would go to the honeymoon suite. Ray and I would head to a wallow at the eastern edge of the property. This was the spot where Ray and Mike had seen the three bulls on Monday morning, but nothing since. Griff and Mike were stoked and headed out. I wasn’t hopeful but knew I would enjoy the hunt even if we didn’t see a thing. Ray wasn’t very optimistic either as after Monday morning he hadn’t seen a thing where we were going. It was a 1.5 mile hike to the wallow at 10,200’. Ray was suddenly excited. A tree had been mutilated, and I do mean mutilated, by a bull elk. Many limbs were on the ground. It was an impressive sight. We set up in a small tree grove 165 yards from the wallow. The wind was still blowing 20 to 30 miles an hour. Ray asked if I wanted to be picky about a bull. I responded that I wanted the meat and was ready to shoot the first bull we saw.


We didn’t have long to wait. We got situated and soon two cows came to the wallow. We watched and they left after a few minutes. Ray whispered “Be ready. They’ll be back.” His spirits were now really elevated and he clearly expected action. In just a few minutes, more cows appeared and in the blowing wind we could hear a bull bugling. He was close. Ray asked if I wanted to go in after him. “If you think it wise, let’s go.” And the stalk started. There were about 15 cows now visible in and around the wallow. We picked our way from pine to pine using them as cover to keep from being seen. The wind was really in our favor, blowing our scent away from the elk. At about 80 yards, two cows saw us. Ray froze and I turned my back and dropped behind a pine. Apparently, elk aren’t so concerned with what they see and but are very alarmed by what they smell. The cows calmed and went back to eating. I peeked around the other side of the pine and there he was, standing in the wallow. Bugling his head off. Suddenly the 30.06 I was carrying seemed small. Ray had shifted to my side. I took his 7 Mag and kneeling put two shots into the bull. Ray’s scope is set a little funny. At least it seems that way to me. I aimed at the top of front leg planning to break both front legs and shoulders and drop it where it stood. Both bullets went a couple of inches higher and about three inches back. It had the same effect. It maybe took a step or two and then just dropped and rolled over into the wallow. I was just stunned by his size and what had just happened. Even now it doesn’t seem completely real. At that moment, I was so focused on the shots that nothing else registered. All I could see and all I can remember seeing is his shoulder area. Settling the crosshairs, a firm grip on the forestock, a gentle squeeze, cycling the rifle, settling the crosshairs, a firm grip on the forestock and a gentle squeeze. And suddenly that huge animal just dropped and rolled onto his side. Congratulations were given, Ray was smiling a mile wide, I was trying to make intelligent comments but I’m guessing I sounded like a village idiot as Ray was chuckling. Pictures were taken. I looked behind me and saw Brazos Peak a few miles in the distance. Ray estimated he weighed over a 1,000 lbs. He isn’t a trophy bull but a nice symmetrical 6 x 6. Ray smiled said congratulations again and commented that most don’t get an animal on their first hunt. I noted that without Ray’s help, I never would have even seen that bull.


Ray went back for the ATV and trailer. The rope to drag him on to the trailer broke three times before we got him out of the wallow. Did I mention that elk are big, really big. I walked behind the trailer as Ray drove him back in the dark. I’m still a little stunned by it all. I doubt I get the chance but I would like to go again. Knowing better what to expect, I might appreciate it a little more and not be so overwhelmed at the moment. (Many thanks to all who encouraged target practice. When the moment came, the training and target focus kicked in. Without it, we would probably have had to track that bull for several miles.)


While the elk was a big deal and certainly a high point it wasn’t the highlight of the trip. The real highlight was watching my nephew. He is so like my brother and to a lesser extent my dad, that I felt like I was getting to hunt with my brother. I’ve never been able to and as Larry is quite a bit older than me, I figured I would never get to hunt with him. The emotion of that and feeling like Dad was watching over us is overwhelming and joyous. Even if I hadn’t gotten an elk, that alone would have made the trip worthwhile.


Unfortunately, Griff and Mike didn’t fill their tags. They reported a lot of elk in the honeymoon suite but the bulls stayed at the edges and didn’t present a shot. Griff waited too long for a bull (for Mike) and couldn’t see to take one of the cows in the growing dark. I wish Griff could have filled his cow tag. When Mike saw my bull, he said it was one of the two he spotted on day one. As we left on Saturday, he was really regretting not taking the 4x4 that presented a shot on Monday. I felt bad for him but I’m glad I didn’t have to make that decision.


The head and antlers are at the taxidermist. I’m having a European mount done. My house just isn’t big enough for a full shoulder mount. The antlers alone are 36” wide x 36” tall x 24” deep. It should be done in another couple of weeks. I’ll post a picture when I get it back. I’m having the cape tanned but that will take months to get back. I plan on building a small stand for it and covering the stand with cape. I’ll add a plaque giving some hunt details, i.e., date, place, elevation, taken by me, guided by Ray. I’ve also got the brass from the two rounds and the taxidermist is supposed to save the ivories) I should have enough to make the mount more than just a mount, something full of memories and to give others a small feel for the hunt.


The quarters and neck are at the processor. I’m expecting about 225 pounds of meat when it is done. I processed the brisket, tenderloins and scraps myself. The tenderloins weighed in at 31 pounds. Salvaged a couple of roasts and a steak off the rib cage and ground the rest. That came to another 25 pounds. So far we’ve had two meals of the ground meat, one taco seasoned and the other a batch of chili. Absolutely delicious. Elk has its own flavor and consistency. Definitely not beef or chicken, somewhat like venison only stronger and heavier, yet very tender. I can see why my nephew goes elk hunting every year. It truly is a magnificent animal that provides a challenging hunt and tremendous satisfaction. I may never get to go again but somehow I think I will. I’m already dreaming and keeping up the fitness regimen and checking draw procedures in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona. I’ll even put in for one of the few Kansas elk tags next year. (Apparently there is a nice herd near Fort Riley, KS.)


Many thanks to all who advised me on prep. I could cover the distance, not at the speed of Ray or Griff but distance was not a problem. The hunt was truly enjoyable. I hope everyone has a successful year. May much meat on the hoof be in your crosshairs.


Pics in a few days.

I only wish to point out the possible explanation about Ray's scope being set different than yours.....
I would be willing to bet that Ray is a bit heftier than you or that you are a bit heftier than Ray. My wife and I have the same issues with the .243 we pass back and forth from time to time. Bart explained it nicely once in a way that makes sense. The way my body takes the recoil vs the way hers does causes the muzzle to move differently for her than for me. I'm sure Ray has a dead zero on his scope for him, but I doubt that you shot it during his zeroing session.
All in all, that was a wonderful tale and I personally enjoyed reading it! Thank you for sharing it with us.