Who kills a bull EVERY year

M

mtmuley

Long Time Member
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Don't care about score. Spikes are fine. I like to tag every year, and normally do. Hell, let's count cows. mtmuley
 
several



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"I needed a cheesy signature saying like everyone else"
 
If I don't pull the trigger, I'm standing behind someone that does most every year, does that count?
 
Nope, not every year, but I don't get too excited about elk hunting. Been hunting 23 years and killed #19 in November.
 
23 yrs. of elking and 22 bulls so I guess that means not me. Missed it by one, but 7 cows to make up the extra space in the freezer. Now I had years without a bull as I searched for big ones without success but drew a Wy tag now and then and doubled up some years. If I'ld known it would bring me up to par I would have bought a bull tag this year, instead I got a cow tag and didn't fill it cause all I could find were bulls!
 
Gemstate usually kills his bull........Last time I did'nt kill a bull was when I drew a controlled hunt a few years back......Had several opportunities but you know the story, not big enough blah,blah,blah. Missed a spike on the last day so went home empty handed. Broke a five year streak.
 
I did. I have been hunting elk for one year and I am one for one :). I wasn't responding to say I had a long streak, I was just saying that it's possible to get a tag every year like the comment about Colorado. Sorry for the confusion.
Stuart
 
Only been elk hunting for 4 years, have 4 bulls(should be 5 but lost one in archery season) & 2 cows. Guess I'm off to a good start ;-)
Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
 
I've been hunting elk for 11 years and i have killed an elk every year but my first!!! some years more than, and i plan on putting my second elk tag of the year on a big old cow this weekend!! And i couldn't tell you the last time my dad hasn't killed a bull and a cow in the same year.
 
Been at it for 30 years and think Im at 16 or 17 bulls ? Dang now I have to go count, who thought of this anyway ? All on public land self guided.
 
Killed 11 in 17 years. Nine were bulls. I have passed up several cows and spikes in archery season and went without an elk those seasons. Was also in a car wreck and missed a season, and went to ALaska one year on a caribou hunt and missed another season.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-05-09 AT 09:26PM (MST)[p]Looks like some guys do better than the 8 percent that Montana hunters supposedly do. I shot a lot of spikes and cows in my younger years.(Montana had more liberal regs back then) Since I returned home in 2000, 6 bulls and a cow. I don't know why, I just feel good tagging every year. Plus, my freezer is full when I do. Stu, You are off to a great start. Some of you guys are killing two a year? Where? mtmuley
 
I have been doubleing up the past few years in either utah (general any bull tag) idaho, or colorado.

i really dont set out to kill an elk every year, but i am an opertunist, if an easy one comes along with tag in pocket, he's in touble, i've never owned a cow tag.

in the 5 years i have hunted deer in colorado, i have always had a chance at an elk, but only shoot if the deer hunt is slow. i have shot 5 in the last two years, for the sake of bullet testing and a full freezer.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-06-09 AT 09:15AM (MST)[p]mtmuley,

In Wyoming you have a general tag (or a limited quota either sex tag if you draw) and you're also allowed one additional cow/calf tag in many areas. I shot a bull and also a cow this year in Wyoming.

I also got lucky and drew an Arizona bull permit and took one down there as well.

I also had a MT combo tag and could have shot some elk there too, but chose not to.
 
I've hunted the gila in NM straight for the last 6 years. I've killed a bull every year. Smallest being 315 and the largest being 370ish. Next year I will be hunting in Utah so here's to the biggest gamble of my life.
 
5 of 6 spikers for me but do we get to count the number of bulls that we helped or had a hand in?? cause than i dont have enough fingers or toes to add that number up.
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Wildlife population control specialist
 
Currently on a 9 for 9 streak for archery bulls ranging from a spike to a 380 bull...

Overall since I started hunting 11 for 14 years... I started off a little slow... :)
 
Gil that is very impressive !!! I think I spoke with you earlier about Wyo archery ? Good job some of you guys are way good.
 
I just thought that the stat of 8 percent of hunters killing a bull here in Montana was interesting. Most of my friends tag at least every other year. But, we are talking public ground with heavy pressure where most of our hunting is done. Doesn't make it easy. mtmuley
 
very true dryboot. i often have to scratch my head at some folks. i.e, colorado, i've hunted in 4 units, and see guys stuggling to even see an elk, heck it isnt even a matter of getting out and hikeing, just stop the truck and glass once in awile.
 
Killed many of bulls, but they dont' do much for me!! Wouldn't hurt my feelings to give up elk hunting. Probably would by now but my hunting partner loves to hunt elk. Muleys for me!!
 
LAST EDITED ON Jan-07-09 AT 04:21PM (MST)[p]I've taken 15 bulls in 15 years in Montana, all on public land, general over the counter hunting areas. Half with a bow, all of them mature 6X6 or better.

I usually get to be guide, or tagalong on other hunts successful as well each fall..

Darn.. Probably just cursed myself.
 
I've killed 74 bulls in the last 6 years and haven't been caught yet! Gonna need a bigger shop to put all my sawed off skulls in!!!!!

OH ONE MORE THING, NEXT I'LL BE HEADED TO UTAH AND I'M BRINGING MY 4 WHEELER.

ALL CAT'S HAVE FLEAS!
 
I am impressed, if everyone that hunted in Colorado has the success of those posting on this forum we wouldn't have any elk left - think the kill percentage is around 20% - SPAZ you are the man, 15 in 15 years and all 6x6 or better.
 
one_dryboot, you're right, on the 10%-90%. I talked to a guy one day who actually got mad at me cause I shot 2 elk in my 1st year (DIY), reason was that he had to wait like 6 years to get his 1st elk and thought every one should wait that long. :)
I almost busted out laughing at him for thinking that way.

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"
 
Here is how I look at Elk hunting.


Like i said above. 10% of the hunters kill 90% of the elk.

meaning those that kill elk year after year (the 10%) have learned what it takes to kill a bull! they hunt harder and go places others wont go. It took me about 8 years to figure out how to hunt elk, and be successfull, i spent alot of time not seeing jack!

I think the most important part is learning where the elk live when pressured. And that is not next to the road! Once you find a good place with not much pressure you will be more successful.

I have never shot a bull out in the open(on public land anyway). it has always been in the thick stuff. half the elk i have shot never made it out of the bed they were sleeping in. sneaking through the timber in the bedding areas and glassing has worked really well for me. catching them before they catch you is the key.
im not claiming to be an expert. most guys on this post kill more than me. but its not rocket science! hunt harder, stay out longer, go in deeper and you will do better.
 
dryboot, that's why we are in the 8 percent, or 10 percent. BUT, we are there anyway. marcopoplo and muleybadmemories can go elsewhere. mtmuley
 
Ok, this post should include a Colorado disclaimer as most anyone who knows a decent unit in the right parts of the state and isn't lazy should harvest every year. Not that tough for anyone who puts in their time and effort. But the thing is, LOTS of hunters do the same in many states and have quietly done so for many years; usually with no fancy camo, cheap weapons, and armed with nothing more than the passion to hunt and typically knowing one hell of a nice honey hole located in some God-foresaken spot that always seems to shelter elk. Those of us blessed with these spots and the determination to put in the time are usually the 10% killing the 90%. The difference in my mind is that it is only impressive when someone who absolutely relies on the meat for subsistence for their family every year manages to harvest year after year after year. Those of us who love to eat elk but won't have a hungry family if we don't harvest should do well to keep this in perspective lest we take it for granted that we harvest every year. There are many members on this website who have harvested elk (several of them quite huge) for many many years in a row and I grin when I see how quiet they have been on this thread. Don't forget that there are a lot of great hunters out there who don't own a camera, much less use the internet...

Elk hunting success is 98% hard work and 2% luck. And, I believe that the 10% of hunters killing 90% of the elk CREATE 99% of the luck available each season.

-Cody
 
Attaway Mtmuley, too many judge the success of their season in inches of antler. I confess that I love chasing big bulls as much as the next guy but here's to freezers full of B&C LBS of meat in my freezer!

We should score elk and hunts based on the pounds of meat in the freezer. This is the true measure of a harvest and of the quality of hunter/meat care capabilities that we should all strive for. It makes me sick to read stories or watch videos where the "hunter" goes on a trophy hunt and then "donates" the meat from an ancient bull or buck to a local charity. Give me a break. I'm all for sharing my meat with those who need or appreciate it, but if you kill so many animals that the only thing you want to take home is the cape and antlers then you shouldn't hunt.

And besides, I've taken a couple of monster-bodied Colorado cows off of our hay fields that would rival damn near any of my biggest bulls for weight on the hoof! True trophies in my book.
 
I love chasing the big bulls too. But, most of the time, a rag bull gets in front of my rifle. Dammit! They taste good none the less. Someday, a big bull will fill the Leupold. mtmuley
 
HEY Grover!!!

I'VE NEVER SEEN A marcopolo I COULDN'T KNOCK RIGHT ON HIS ASS!!!

DON'T BRING JUST ONE POS WHEELER!!!

I LIKE MORE SHOOTIN PRACTICE THAN THAT!!!

"I'M NOT COMPLAINING,I'M TELLING IT THE WAY IT IS,SOME OF YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT,THATS O.K.,SOMETIMES THE TRUTH HURTS & YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT IT,OR YOU FIND OUT WHAT THE FACTS ARE,STAND UP & VOICE YOUR OWN OPINION,THIS IS STILL AMERICA THE LAST TIME I CHECKED"!!!

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REMEMBER!!!

THERE'S ONLY ONE bobcat!!!
 
I have killed thirteen elk in the past nine years in Utah.
Most of them being archery spikes, but i have taken four cows. I enjoy the meat, and like to keep my freezer full.
With our drawing system here, i might never draw a big bull tag.
 
I was averaging an elk every 4 archery hunts til I got horses in 99. Then I filled every elk tag I drew, bull or cow. This year I archery hunted again (Damn) and I'm hooked on the rut again. Hope the sucess stays up but having numerous close encounters is every bit as good as a 300 yard kill

I had to eliminate the Wy elk units that don't include archery this year.

One of the prettiest sights is panniers full of quarters and horns on top, IMO.
 
I like the mulies to much to chase elk, however in the last 5 years of hunting mulies in CO I could have killed a bull every year and these were OTC elk units.....2 of bulls were between 340-350.

Mike
 
Between 1997 and 2008 I went 8 for 11. All DIY on public land (General Any Bull) in Utah.

1 - 300+ 6 point
4 - 5 points
3 - Spikes

6 killed w/ a rifle
2 killed with a muzzleloader
 
Mike, I love chasing big mule deer as much as I can when I can here in Montana. But if a 340 to 350 bull got in the way, he's frikken DEAD! mtmuley
 
2 out of 2 is every year. I think guys that consistently take elk every year, especialy unguided on public ground, have something to brag about regardless if it is a cow or a bull. mtmuley
 
MT....19 for 16years hunting. Had to take a couple years off for college. Thanks to your state, those numbers should keep climing. Thank goodness dad started me early. Crazy to think the money a person would have in the bank if it weren't for this addiction.
 
dsg,You are over the quota allowed here in Montana for NR's. LOL It was a tough year for a lot of guys around here. mtmuley
 

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