2014 Elk

[dk17hmr]

Finally was able to get my elk this year. The weather has been really screwy with highs in the mid to upper 40's. There is 18-24" of snow in the mountains but not enough in the "in between" to get the herd all they way down to the winter grounds.

After spotting the herd on Tuesday my dad and I were finally able to pick our way through the hills and trails via my 4 wheeler to get to them on Thursday....it took us over an hour to get from my truck to the elk on my 4 wheeler. There were two distinct herds on the side of the hill we were on, one was easily 500 animals strong. I shot the lead cow out of a herd of around 200 animals. She took two 208gr A-max bullets from my 300wsm into the chest, she wasn't convinced she was suppose to be dead when I got up to her so she took a 45acp Hollow Point in the base of the skull.....I shoot until the animal is done moving the first 208gr bullet broke a shoulder and popped the lungs, the second shot was hard quartering and went through the last rib and never exited the chest cavity.....the first shot was at about 375-380 yards the next was close to 400.....late season meat hunt

This was from about 1200 yards out.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/DSCN3169_zpsa093d1b0.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/dk17hmr/media/DSCN3169_zpsa093d1b0.jpg.html)
Nice older cow with a good bit of fat on her....the ivories were worn down pretty far.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/DSCN3174_zpsa9bdcade.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/dk17hmr/media/DSCN3174_zpsa9bdcade.jpg.html)

Dad and I at 8000' above sea level
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/DSCN3172_zpse1937e20.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/dk17hmr/media/DSCN3172_zpse1937e20.jpg.html)

Loaded up and ready to roll.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/DSCN3175_zpsc8b9bbe2.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/dk17hmr/media/DSCN3175_zpsc8b9bbe2.jpg.html)

[IraqVet1982]

The scenery is simply amazing. I love the wide open. Is this public or private land?

Thanks for the write up and the scope pic is amazing.

[CastingFool]

I'm jealous! Congrats on the cow!

[Wolfer]

Congrats
I didn't go this year. I really miss it.

[dk17hmr]

The scenery is simply amazing. I love the wide open. Is this public or private land?

Thanks for the write up and the scope pic is amazing.

Public land. Combination of BLM, Forest Service, and State Lands.

[T-Bird]

WOW! all I can say! T-Bird

[Djones]

Great hunt and thank you for sharing the story!

[Mtnfolk75]

Beautiful country in December with the snow. I spent my 60th Birthday, last December as a tag-a-long on a Cow Elk hunt at Cottonwood Ranch near Wycova. Stayed at the ranch and hunted BLM lands in the Rattlesnake Mountains. We were there from 11-30 until 12-13, on Monday 12-2 the temp dropped & it never got over -10* until after we left, lowest I saw it was -28*. Was planned as an ATV hunt so I hauled my up there, all were carbureted & on Tuesday 12-3 none would start so we hunted from my Dodge 4x4. Saw lots of Elk and had a great time, came home empty handed. It didn't get above 0* until we hit Mona, UT on the way home. Came home to a low of 13* and broken pipes ....... :cry:

Congrats on a nice winter meat supply ..... [smilie=s:

[reloader28]

Shame on you for using A-max target bullets on an animal hunt.:kidding:

Most people will argue til they are blue that that is a huge NO NO.
A-max are in fact some of the most impressive hunting bullets on the market. At least in the 7mag's, 280's and STW's that we have tested them in.
Going to start on the 30 cal's shortly.

Congrats on the hunt. Looks like good eating.
I'm glad we're done butchering. 5 elk in 1 1/2 weeks is enough for us.

[dk17hmr]

Heavy for caliber A-max for the win...105gr in 6mms, 162gr in 7mms, and 208s in 30 calibers. I have killed several animals ranging from p-dogs to elk with A-max bullets and they work. Internal damage on this elk was just what I like to see.

We got this one butchered today and in the freezer already. I normally like to let them hang at least a couple days but we were in a time crunch. I'm pretty fast with a knife but we butchered all day, mostly because my grinder is old and small...more for deer/antelope sized jobs....I had 50 packages of burger at 1 to 1.5 pounds each by the time we were done. Along with several packages of steaks, roasts, and 1-gallon bags for canning that I will do after the first of the year.

[GaryN]

An elk usually takes me eight hours to cut up. A deer I can do in two.

[TXGunNut]

Good job, glad you got your freezer filled and a good hunt with your dad as well. Doesn't get much better than that.

[RugerFan]

Nice shooting! That will be good eating for sure.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I had 50 packages of burger at 1 to 1.5 pounds each by the time we were done. Along with several packages of steaks, roasts, and 1-gallon bags for canning that I will do after the first of the year.

Nice! Next time my wife groans about grinding some deer meat, I'll just tell her to be glad we don't live in elk country!

[white eagle]

or Moose country
nice shooting no matter what bullet you use
great to share with your Father

[dk17hmr]

I'll gladly run my grinder for a couple hours and my wife is more than willing to run the vacuum sealer for a while if it means we have quality meat for the year.

Although next year I am likely getting a larger grinder to make it go a little faster. I do three grinds to make our burger meat, red meat, pork shoulders, I hand mix the two together than run it through the grinder again. I like about 1/3 pork shoulder mixed in with our red meat, it makes it sticky for patties and gives just enough fat for pan frying without butter.

[TXGunNut]

A big grinder makes a difference, my commercial 3/4 hp grinder is a bit big for my needs but it was on sale for a stupid price. I sometimes have the local grocery store meat counter save me some pork or beef fat for processing. Last year I bought a brisket for burger/chili meat and used the extra fat in my venison.

[dk17hmr]

We just buy a couple pork shoulders. My wife usually finds a pretty good deal on them throughout the year and sticks them in the freezer.....we had to buy a couple last week because we didn't have any. Makes pretty good grind meat. My buddies dad runs the butcher shop in the grocery store in my hometown he use to get us some pork fat for our grind meat, he told me to get some pork shoulders when I moved away.

[TXGunNut]

Pork shoulders also make awesome pulled pork. Some stores you have to call ahead and ask them not to trim the fat off the pork shoulders. A trimmed pork shoulder only has enough fat to match the meat on the shooulder, none to spare for mixing. Around here I have the best luck with pork fat and shoulders before Memorial and Labor day, just watch the ads for a pork sale. I know a very good local butcher but they look down their noses on wild pork and even venison.:shock: They make their own sausage and other things so they don't have any pork fat to spare anyway.
I won't have to worry about it much for awhile this year, shot a little sow had over 12 lbs of fat.

[smilin jack]

Good job on the hunt. I loved the scope photo. I've tried it many times and have only got 1 picture that turned out as good as yours. Guess I need more practice or a better rest for rifle and camera.

Dave

[paul s]

Nice, you westerners are lucky and blessed! Jealous in the east.