Elk hunting TR

[Beaver]

Saturday morning I started hiking before it got light. The location was chosen on the advice of the old guy that runs the saw shop. Following his directions I head up the mountain, as I exit the thick bush and enter an area of lodgepole pine I see something move off behind a bush. It looked to be about mule deer sized so I liflted the binoculars for a look and could not see whatever it was. I lowered the binoculars and noticed 2 big tan coloured rocks so I looked again and saw 2 huge bull elk, one was a 5 point and the other was the same or bigger. Unfortunately my limited entry tag was for a cow/calf so I couldn't legaly shoot so I hiked on. The bulls saw me and trotted away, at 50 meters I could hear thier hoof beats. I followed thier tracks until it started pissing rain at which point I sat down under a tree to wait it out. Ten minutes later the rain stopped and I continued in the direction I was traversing. The elk trail went up a little steep pitch and I chose to travers instead of climb. I now know why it went up, I came to a nasty thick stand of alder and bush. Instead of backtracking I decided to go through. Next time I'll backtrack. I emerged from the bush after a getting stuck, falling down, and surprisingly cursing numerous times. About 10 minuted later I hiked over alittle ridge and there they were Moma and daughter standing haveing breakfast. I crouched down and took aim. Bang, nothing, the elk just looked at me, I fucking missed. I got into a better position and fired again and she fell on the spot and rolled 10 meters down the mountain. I stood up and noticed the others standing around the corner as they all decided I was bad news.

I walked over and she was dead. So began the work. I cleaned her and started dragging her down the mountain until I got to the bush. I cut off a hind quarter and headed down the mountain. It was really steep and rocky and the bush was thick. Not a lot of fun. I made it to the road and stashed the quarter and went for my truck. Picture a guy walking down the road covered in blood, with a cut on his nose (scoped, doh), and a pack with a rifle strapped to it. I got to the truck and retieved my quarter and went home for a bigger pack and a snack. As I was about to leave a friend showed up. Perfect timeing. He was keen to help so we went back and brought the rest down in a single trip. I think if I had to do it all myself it would have taken another 4 trips. We loaded our packs with the quarters then put the ribs on a stick and carried them between us. Down through the bush from hell again. By the time we reached the road I was jelly legging pretty bad. We loaded up and I looked at the time and said, "I bet I can have beers in our handes in 9 minutes." and headed for home and said beers.

Our estimated pack weights were both about 75 pounds and the rib cage about 90lbs. That, added to the first quarter put the total weight at just over 300lbs. I slept well on saturday night.

[Canuk]

mmm...jerky

[Beaver]

Jerky? No, veal. I took the calf.

I was talking to my mom last night and she asked what time I got her. When I said "About 9:00." she said she heard two shots about 5 seconds apart about then. Apparently the little draw I was shooting into reflected the sound out into town. My mom was about 5 km away and heard it like it was just down the street.

I could see the kill site from my office this morning but visibility is now poor due to SNOW.

[Buster Highmen]

Picture a guy walking down the road covered in blood, with a cut on his nose (scoped, doh), and a pack with a rifle strapped to it.

In America, we call them candidates.

[Viva]

In America, we call them candidates.

Unless they're running for President; then they're covered with shit.

[Lumpy]

[QUOTE=Beaver] The location was chosen on the advice of the old guy that runs the saw shop.

More people should heed the advice of old sawyers, not just for hunting info...the world would be a much simpler place to understand.

[Beaver]

[QUOTE=Lumpy]

The location was chosen on the advice of the old guy that runs the saw shop.

More people should heed the advice of old sawyers, not just for hunting info...the world would be a much simpler place to understand.

The guy is a classic exlogger. He is about 70 years old he gave his guns to his son because "Hunting is too much fucking work when you get old." If you need a small part for your saw chances are he has one off an old saw and he'll put it on and tell you to get lost when you ask "How much." I'm bummed though because he is closing shop forever at the end of the year.

[The Reverend Floater]

Nice, Beav. I've never been big game hunting but I'd consider elk only because they're so damned tasty. Cheers.