First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
12-08-2002, 05:14 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: xx WI USA
Posts: 2
First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
I just came back from my first elk hunt and I had a great time! I chose one of the sponsors listed on this web site, Old Stone Fence Hunting Adventures as I had never been on an elk hunt before. Old Stone Fence is a hunting preserve in upstate NY. I took a beautiful 7 x 7, that I estimate scored at 400+.
The day was crystal clear and about 4 below zero when we started out. It had snowed 2 days before and there was about 4 inches of the white stuff on the ground. It was the powdery kind that makes it easy to move through the woods silently. We were making our way to the stand when we came across several elk moving through the woods. We scouted out 7 or 8 elk and I was ready to take an 8 x 8 when I spotted a huge bull bringing up the rear. He was quietly picking his way through the timbers when I put the crosshairs on him. I counted the points and saw that his rack was much longer. My guide told me he estimated the bull to score between 375 and 400. We waited until he came to a small clearing before I took the safety off and squeezed off a round.
I had been told that elk were tough to take down and after putting a shot through both lungs and the elk never flinched, I believe it. At first I thought I had missed because the bull didn't react like he had just been hit. The guide told me it was a good hit but the bull just walked off. We trailed him for a few minutes and then I had another opportunity for a second shot. It was only after the second shot that his legs became rubbery and it was clear he was going down.
If anyone is considering going on an elk hunt and you'd like to bring back something for the time and money invested, I heartily recommend this outfitter. It's not the Rockies but you'll be treated honestly and you'll have something to hang on the wall. Hope you enjoy the pictures! Take care and God bless!
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kl_willia...t+2002&.src=ph
The day was crystal clear and about 4 below zero when we started out. It had snowed 2 days before and there was about 4 inches of the white stuff on the ground. It was the powdery kind that makes it easy to move through the woods silently. We were making our way to the stand when we came across several elk moving through the woods. We scouted out 7 or 8 elk and I was ready to take an 8 x 8 when I spotted a huge bull bringing up the rear. He was quietly picking his way through the timbers when I put the crosshairs on him. I counted the points and saw that his rack was much longer. My guide told me he estimated the bull to score between 375 and 400. We waited until he came to a small clearing before I took the safety off and squeezed off a round.
I had been told that elk were tough to take down and after putting a shot through both lungs and the elk never flinched, I believe it. At first I thought I had missed because the bull didn't react like he had just been hit. The guide told me it was a good hit but the bull just walked off. We trailed him for a few minutes and then I had another opportunity for a second shot. It was only after the second shot that his legs became rubbery and it was clear he was going down.
If anyone is considering going on an elk hunt and you'd like to bring back something for the time and money invested, I heartily recommend this outfitter. It's not the Rockies but you'll be treated honestly and you'll have something to hang on the wall. Hope you enjoy the pictures! Take care and God bless!
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kl_willia...t+2002&.src=ph
12-08-2002, 06:23 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rocky Mountains, Colorado
Posts: 1,964
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
MarkW, congrats! What a way to start out your elk hunting career! Score dude. Just out of curiosity what caliber where you using on that bad boy?
By the way Mark, I see you have only been on the site twice. Just so you know there is a real anti-outfitter, self-rightous, "it's only good if you are out hunting on your own" attitude on the part of many of those who post here! Same folks will try to tell you your experience was not as "deep", or as "rich" as if you did it all by your lonesome!
I am more from the "whatever it takes" school of elk hunting. Just ignore them! Good job! East of the Mississippi even, that's great!
EKM
Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!
Edited by - ELKampMaster on 12/09/2002 01:19:04
By the way Mark, I see you have only been on the site twice. Just so you know there is a real anti-outfitter, self-rightous, "it's only good if you are out hunting on your own" attitude on the part of many of those who post here! Same folks will try to tell you your experience was not as "deep", or as "rich" as if you did it all by your lonesome!
I am more from the "whatever it takes" school of elk hunting. Just ignore them! Good job! East of the Mississippi even, that's great!
EKM
Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!
Edited by - ELKampMaster on 12/09/2002 01:19:04
12-08-2002, 06:58 PM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: fort mcmurray alberta canada
Posts: 5,667
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
Congratulations on the elk.I have used outfitters in the past to learn about hunting a species and see nothing wrong with doing so.I personally would not hunt on a preserve but if you are happy that is what really counts.Out of curiosity what do they charge for an elk that size?
12-08-2002, 07:13 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 1,665
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
Congrats Mark and welcome to the boards. I couldn't get the pictures to enlarge, but it looks like a dandy bull. Good to hear a positive review on one of the sponsored outfitters here.
ArcticBowMan's Hunting Photo's
ArcticBowMan's Hunting Photo's
12-08-2002, 11:39 PM
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Highlands Out there! Canada
Posts: 100
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
Right on, Mark - sounds like you enjoyed yourself and got a great trophy! How long was your hunt? What was the area like?
As for the anti-outfitter sentiment, I think it's more about the attitude of the person - what goes around comes around...some people like fast food and some only eat what they grow - whatever you like...<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
As for the anti-outfitter sentiment, I think it's more about the attitude of the person - what goes around comes around...some people like fast food and some only eat what they grow - whatever you like...<img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
12-09-2002, 07:48 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: ......
Posts: 3,643
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
markw - I couldn't get the pictures full size either ... are you sure its a 400+ bull though ??
Stealthycat's Photo's
Stealthycat's Photo's
12-09-2002, 10:27 AM
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cedar Valley Utah
Posts: 977
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
Congrats on the bull. I've only seen positive posts on this thread so I'd work on your flinch ElKampMaster. To be honest I have never really seen an anti-outfitter thread at all. Just people being burned by em and ticked about it. Nothing wrong with outfitten, its not for me but my personality has always been do it on my own.
I couldn't enlarge the pics but he doesn't quite look 400+ but it is a great bull. Hope you have more stories ahead of ya.
I couldn't enlarge the pics but he doesn't quite look 400+ but it is a great bull. Hope you have more stories ahead of ya.
12-09-2002, 11:37 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: ......
Posts: 3,643
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
On the outfitter thing ...
http://www.huntingoutfitters.com/oldstonefence/
I'll jump ... just many acres of land was this hunt on ? Was it a preserve hunt in NY and a no kill - no pay ? How many different types of animals were available to hunt on how many acres ??
Sounds fishy to me and questionable. Hey, if its legal, I don't begrudge anyone killing an animal this way, however depending on the circumstances, I woulnd't call it a hunt.
Care to clarify ?
Stealthycat's Photo's
http://www.huntingoutfitters.com/oldstonefence/
I'll jump ... just many acres of land was this hunt on ? Was it a preserve hunt in NY and a no kill - no pay ? How many different types of animals were available to hunt on how many acres ??
Sounds fishy to me and questionable. Hey, if its legal, I don't begrudge anyone killing an animal this way, however depending on the circumstances, I woulnd't call it a hunt.
Care to clarify ?
Stealthycat's Photo's
12-09-2002, 03:12 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 22
RE: First Elk Hunt, 7 x 7, with pictures
Huntin' on a preserve AND usin' a outfitt'n guide? Good thing sumpt'm was said early on 'cuz I'm bettin' them boys would'a fried thet poor feller in oil 'n served 'im up litely season'd wit' salt 'n pepper. Kin see the same herd grazn from one thread to de oth'r!