Just applied for an elk tag

[richhodg66]

I've lived here in the flint hills of Kansas most of the past 21 years and am a permanent resident now (Army brought me here and I liked it from the start). Before I got here, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reintroduced Elk to Fort Riley and a few other places and they are huntable.

I haven't put in for this draw in quite a few years and never have hunted Elk. I really kind of hope I get drawn. I see them enough and am familiar with the area enough that I think I'll have a good shot at getting one if I can get a tag. Not sure what to use, probably the Savage 99 in .358 or a .45-70 or .35 Whelen Handi Rifle. Guess I could use an '06 or break out the J words in the 7 mag again.

No real point to this post, just kind of excited about the possibility of being able to do this. Guess I better develop a plan for how to recover it if I get drawn, might be the reason I need to get a better truck.

[TCLouis]

Good Luck on the draw and be sure to use a BOOLIT to bag one if you get the tag!

AND of course be sure to post the hunt here.

[Djones]

Good luck. I would like to read about a nice boolit hunt in a few months!

[utahtrapper]

Pulling for you.
I would guess a Kansas Elk tag would be along the lines of us out West drawing a Limited entry Elk tag.

[runfiverun]

or any tag in Utah...
it was easier for me to move here than draw there, although I do miss the duck hunting I took up in lieu of deer/elk hunting.

0-6 and some store boughts would be my choice, it would really suck to sit there and watch them stand around the edge of a clearing 200 yds away.

[quilbilly]

Any one of those calibers will do just fine. There are no degrees of dead. If there is a lot of competition, I would opt for the "big-and-slow" boolit to knock them over fast so you can get your tag on it before the guy 100 yards away tags it.

[utahtrapper]

8 years worth of points on Limited Bull Elk and 8 on Moose but on Moose I think it will be 8 more LOL:cry: Black Bear should be the next year or 2. Always do general Bull but that is not easy with every Tom and Hairy chasing. That's why I went horse back 10 miles in and still see people.

[CLAYPOOL]

Start planning NOW. Be prepared is the old boy scout motto. Talk to people and ask questions. Take a short hike or 2 to try out your stuff and foot wear.

[runfiverun]

I put in for moose for about 20 years, my buddy is going on 30 sumthin now. [in Utah]
I used to shoo them through the brush to bust out the deer hiding in the willows and scrub oak in my younger day's.
literally poking them with sticks.

[elk hunter]

Always do general Bull but that is not easy with every Tom and Hairy chasing. That's why I went horse back 10 miles in and still see people.

utahtrapper, to expand on your comment about chasing I'll offer the following:

There are four kinds of people looking for elk, the sellers and buyers meaning guides and their clients, the client is a shooter not a hunter, elk chasers meaning the average guy in the woods who chases elk every year and once in a while bumps in to and shoots one and elk hunters, the guys that consistently punch their tag. The difference between the shooters, chasers and the hunters is knowledge of elk behavior. The true elk hunters understand elk behavior and kill most of the elk. The more time you spend studying elk the better hunter you will be.

I'll quit preaching now.

[Muskyhunter1]

Good luck on your draw. That is a critter on my bucket list. Maybe once I Retire.

[Red River Rick]

I applied this year as well, hopefully I'll get drawn again.

From a previous year......

143552

[.45Cole]

Elk are tough and extremely athletic, but in the end they are animals just like bunnies. I have seen them run straight up mountains, followed track out to points, and then stopped as the elk went down suicide tracks along the cliff face.

I hunt the San Juans. In general they will stay as high as possible. They will all move together, not as spread out as deer. They will trot for a bit, but will stop and look just like deer. The best way to find them is to map out the most rugged, high terrain with one way in (except for a hellacious back door) and that's where you will find them. If you hoof around enough you will see one. In heavy snow storms they like to try to get under large pines here, close to aspen stands. Good luck! (I use a 7mm/08 and j-words)

[utahtrapper]

I understand sir.

I learn more every year. And hopefully become an Elk hunter some day.
Drew my cow tag so during the General Bull hunt it expands my odds of bringing meat home.
I try to get back in as far and as high as i can. I still hunt and glass the travel corridors, water, and grazing areas. What I need is some one like you to mentor a flat lander, and then I could take you back to Nebraska for Whitetail Pheasants Grouse Quail Ducks and Geese we also have some real nice Mulies.
Hopefully I figure it out sooner than later Thanks







utahtrapper, to expand on your comment about chasing I'll offer the following:

There are four kinds of people looking for elk, the sellers and buyers meaning guides and their clients, the client is a shooter not a hunter, elk chasers meaning the average guy in the woods who chases elk every year and once in a while bumps in to and shoots one and elk hunters, the guys that consistently punch their tag. The difference between the shooters, chasers and the hunters is knowledge of elk behavior. The true elk hunters understand elk behavior and kill most of the elk. The more time you spend studying elk the better hunter you will be.

I'll quit preaching now.

[Dr. A]

I have applied in Kansas every year for the past 25. Never got a tag and have only known one person to do so. Obviously a once in a lifetime tag! They do have some beauties over there! Good luck! I'm going to Idaho this year.

[MT Gianni]

How to Kill an Elk:
First draw an Elk tag
Second, when you get a good shot, keep shooting until the animal is on the ground and keep it in your sights until his head is down.

Good luck to you.

[sixshot]

I've lived in Idaho almost all my life, I've taken 25 elk & over half have been with sixguns & lead slugs & I can't ever remember one of them being easy. I would have taken more but I coached high school football for 13 years & that really cuts into elk hunting. The best way to hunt elk in this country is find out where everyone else is hunting & then go somewhere else, hard to do but it is still possible.
We get so many non residents now that it makes it tough & most of them hunt harder than the locals, they pay big money & work hard in filling their tag. If its warm hunt the north facing & east facing slopes for best success, stay high & close to heavy cover, elk don't like direct sunlight. They will move a long way in a hurry to find good feed, including hay fields or good grassy meadows but they are gone before daylight & you have to cut them off to get a shot. Keep moving & use your nose, if there's elk close by many times you can smell them. For the most part bugling is a waste of time but cow calling is worth a try about anytime. Always play the wind, they do!

Dick

[TXGunNut]

Good luck, hope you get drawn. Elk, like buffalo, were nearly wiped out with lead boolits so I suspect one will serve you well. As the experienced elk hunters here have hinted the elk has evolved into a very elusive and shy critter. The ones around now are experts on hunter behavior, scouting and studying them is probably necessary to improve your odds of filling your freezer.

[dk17hmr]

How to Kill an Elk:
First draw an Elk tag
Second, when you get a good shot, keep shooting until the animal is on the ground and keep it in your sights until his head is down.

Good luck to you.

I will second that. I have shot a handful of elk three of which fell so fast I couldnt get another shot into them, I shoot until they are done moving or I am out of bullets. The cow elk I killed last year was hit twice in the chest with a 208gr bullet from my 300wsm and once in the skull with a 45acp, the one the year before took a 160gr Partition through the shoulders and and one between the eyes. They are crazy tough animals and bullets are cheap.

[utahtrapper]

We will have 5 general Bull and 2 cow tags for October 3rd this year.
44 mag marlin with 290 btb for the daughter and the 444 with the same 290 btb just faster for the wife and the 45 colt limited 280 wfn, for the bulls
My other friends will shoot jacketed bullets in 300 short mag and 30/06

[richhodg66]

I've known a few other people who have been drawn for these tags. The success rate if you get drawn is very high. I see them now and then where I deer hunt both on and off Fort Riley. Elk were indigenous to this area at one time. You think of them as being high country animals, but they were here on the prairie.

I'll probably opt for a jacketed load in the .30-06. Hate to do it, been doing all my deer hunting with cast for a while now, but I really don't want to get an opportunity and be undergunned.

[utahtrapper]

Ok Elk hunters I have a Cow Tag that I can use during General Bull.
Until I get my Bull I will use my 1965 444 with the 290 LFN at 2200 fps with Reloader 7
I have a Ruger Hunter Bisley Hunter 44 Mag shooting the 290 BTB 23 grains H110 scope will be a Burris 2x7
Other option is the 45 Colt Ruger Bisley Williamson run shooting 280 BTB under 22 grains of 4227. Open sites
Recommended Distance to stay below and any experience with either?
Thank you

[sixshot]

I've taken 5 elk with the 44 magnum using the 250 gr. Keith slug over 21 grs. of 2400, your load is more powerful than mine & I never had a problem. The problem is bullet placement, so whatever distance you are comfortable with your sixgun within reason is your answer. I've also taken 4 elk with the 45 Colt, using either a 7 1/2" OM Blackhawk or a 5 1/2" Bisley like yours. One was taken with the 260 gr. Keith & the other 3 were taken with a 325 gr. LBT LFN, never really seen any difference in the two slugs on how they killed elk. I always want placement & penetration, especially on elk, they are harder to kill than moose but good, heavy bullets in the right spot will get the job done. Also killed 2 elk with the 41 magnum, one with a 230 Keith & the other with a 250 gr. LBT. Good luck on your hunt.

Dick

[utahtrapper]

Thank you
Are you placing the shots in heart lung area or shoulder
Close enough my initial thought is shoulder 50yds or under over that 50 plus heart lung?

[sixshot]

It depends on what they give me, with good heavy for caliber cast slugs I can usually reach the vitals with angling shots. This is my last cow, taken with a 250 gr. LBT 41 maggie from a 5 1/2" Bisley at 74 yds. It broke both front shoulders & exited, she dropped at the shot. Most times I double lung them, but again it depends on the angle.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/100_2228-7.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/100_2228-7.jpg.html)
This is a very large bull taken several years ago with the Ruger OM flattop 44 maggie in the Lawrence shoulder rig & the 250 Keith & 21 grs. of 2400. The shot was steep downhill at about 55 yds, double lung, he ran about 20 & died running.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/022_22.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/022_22.jpg.html)
Took this cow elk on a late hunt with my Ruger OM brass frame 45 7 1/2" & the 260 gr. Keith at 168 yds, you can see the hit behind the shoulder, got both lungs & an exit, she ran hard down hill about 30 yds & dropped, lots of blood.http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/100_1054-13.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/100_1054-13.jpg.html)
I made a mstake in my first reply, one of the elk with the 44 maggie was taken with a 270 gr. Speer Gold Dot, all the others were taken with cast slugs.

Dick

[utahtrapper]

Sixshot
Thank you for a Great post and great pics. Very much appreciated. Those Cast bullets continue to impress.

[birddog]

Fear not for it was the buffalo hunters that would lay back and launch 500gr slugs as they seen fit to topple many buffalo.
Charlie

[sixshot]

Thats true, heavy cast slugs are your friend, they have a big, wide flat nose which allows you to take quartering shots on elk with a sixgun that you probably can't take with jacketed slugs, the nose is smaller & they are designed to expand, when they expand you lose that penetration that is so important when using a sixgun on big animals. I'll repeat, if you make good hits & get penetration you'll eat backstraps for supper. There's no substitue for that wide meplat.
My best sixgunned bear (of 6) taken with my 10 1/2" Ruger 44 maggie & the 250 Keith over 21 grs. of 2400. Shot was prone off my backpack at about 65 yds, took out both lungs & exited, he did a back flip at the shot, rolled about 20 yds down the hill towards me & died.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/100_1428-20.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/100_1428-20.jpg.html)
Want penetration, I shot this cow with my model 57 S&W 41 maggie & a 230 gr. Keith. She was walking almost head on towards me at about 45-50 yds, I shot her just behind the right front shoulder, got one lung, went through the guts, hit a kidney & exited in front of the left hip, you can see the exit, looks like a big blister. Went about 3/4 length through her, she ran in a tight little circle for 10-15 seconds & dropped.

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/028334-R1-110-110.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/028334-R1-110-110.jpg.html)

Dick

[runfiverun]

woah the 45 colt bisley hunter does exist.
I have seen the 44 and have a 41 I'd like to find a 45 to go with it.
the hunter is definitely as accurate as any of my Dan Wesson revolvers, and at 25 yds it will shoot tighter groups than all but one of them. [the 44 mag which is set up for silhouette shooting]


2400 is also my powder of choice using cast boolits in the bigger revolvers.

[Idaho Mule]

I just love your stories and pics, sixshot. One day I will make it back to your end of the state and hopefully meet up and share some stories. I LOVE killing elk too, but so far none with a cast bullet hand gun load. One day maybe. JW

[sixshot]

Thanks JW, stop in anytime, would enjoy meeting you. I shot this bull in 88 or 89 with one of my Ruger 44 magnums, I think it was the flattop again. He was steep above me & it was very early in the morning. He was watching me at about 40 yds & trying to sneak out. Not sure if I made a bad shot or hit a limb but I hit him behind the diaphram & I saw him hump up then turn & run back the way he had came. I took off running for about 100 yds then started climbing uphill towards him. When I got about where I thought we were level I hit a game trail & I could smell elk. I started easing back towards the last place I had seen him & he was standing in the trail looking at me at about 30 yds. He turned around & started to head out & I pulled up & aimed for the root of his tail, hoping to break his back. At the shot he simply dropped out of sight.
I was pretty happy, usually when they get out of sight its tough to ever locate them again. He had fell off the trail & down into some heavy brush, what I thought was a great shot was actually a lucky shot. I hadn't broke his back, I had shot high, hitting him in the back of the skull & it killed him instantly, the 250 gr. Keith exited his forehead. I was alone but luckily he fell in a shady spot so I could take my time getting him quartered out & loaded on my horse. Two trips to the truck, 4 miles each way & I had him headed back to town. He is my second best bull with a sixgun.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/026_26-8.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/026_26-8.jpg.html)
I did leave a very good custom knife there, never did find it.

Dick

[white eagle]

Livin the dream Dick
hate loosing stuff to have had to back track many times to find something I
had left or fell out of my pocket

[Idaho Mule]

sixshot, I will get back in that country one day. I need to meet you and run5run and you'er both in Soda so that makes it easy. Besides, I need to fish the Blackfoot again and cook up a nice cut throat. JW

[sixshot]

Watch out for Run5Run, he puts bullet lube on his oatmeal.

Dick

[runfiverun]

I wouldn't go quite that far.
but I may have accidentally made a cat fish bait taste a bit different with some 45/45/10 lube.

[Anschutz]

Thanks JW, stop in anytime, would enjoy meeting you. I shot this bull in 88 or 89 with one of my Ruger 44 magnums, I think it was the flattop again. He was steep above me & it was very early in the morning. He was watching me at about 40 yds & trying to sneak out. Not sure if I made a bad shot or hit a limb but I hit him behind the diaphram & I saw him hump up then turn & run back the way he had came. I took off running for about 100 yds then started climbing uphill towards him. When I got about where I thought we were level I hit a game trail & I could smell elk. I started easing back towards the last place I had seen him & he was standing in the trail looking at me at about 30 yds. He turned around & started to head out & I pulled up & aimed for the root of his tail, hoping to break his back. At the shot he simply dropped out of sight.
I was pretty happy, usually when they get out of sight its tough to ever locate them again. He had fell off the trail & down into some heavy brush, what I thought was a great shot was actually a lucky shot. I hadn't broke his back, I had shot high, hitting him in the back of the skull & it killed him instantly, the 250 gr. Keith exited his forehead. I was alone but luckily he fell in a shady spot so I could take my time getting him quartered out & loaded on my horse. Two trips to the truck, 4 miles each way & I had him headed back to town. He is my second best bull with a sixgun.
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k3/6shot_01/026_26-8.jpg (http://s84.photobucket.com/user/6shot_01/media/026_26-8.jpg.html)
I did leave a very good custom knife there, never did find it.

Dick
Nice elk. I hunted the same patch of woods growing up and lost a knife one time. Kershaw chive that was a good little knife. Two years later almost to the day I came around a thicket to a coyote standing there. I dropped to a knee to load a varmint round and as I broke the rifle open I saw my knife pressed into the mid where rain had washed the leaves away. The blade was brittle from two years of weather but I still have it. Missed the coyote on the run btw. Should've just pooped it with the deer load. One day the knife will make its way to Kershaw with a letter and check for a new blade.

[Geezer in NH]

Good luck it can happen. I put in for a NH Moose permit, took 2 years got a big cow! Then my first Maine application I won a permit, shot a nice mulligan bull that year. My wife then put in for a NH permit and got it, last day of season my son (14 year old shot a nice cow)

My family extended puts in every year and only1 permit was won by a nephew. He also shot a nice eating cow.

Seems there is a pattern here as we all do not eat horns.

Note my two moose were shot with a flintlock and son shot his with a side lock TC.

Nephews was with a FAL I built him. Barnes bullet is like advertisement on my bullet block. None of our round balls were found after complete penetration.