BLooDTRaCKeR
Very Active Member
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Just got back from the utah general season elk hunt. This was by far the most memorable hunt I have been on. Never seen so many elk in 5 days of hunting as I did this trip. Again, it was just dad and I. We usually hunt until one of us fills our tag and then call it a hunt but this year was different. I figured since the hunt was pushed back a week I wouldn't see any rutting behavior. Boy was I wrong!! I arrived at camp Sunday night, missed the opening weekend because of work. Dad was already up there and gave me a negative report about the first two days of hunting. Bad weather killed the opener. On tuesday, the weather cleared and warmed up. Perfect weather for an afternoon nap. Caught dad doing what he does best.
During the middle of the day, there isn't a whole lot to do when your waiting for those last few minutes of light (prime time for elk movement) So, like a couple of kids, we built a fort.
On wednesday night, I got a shot at a 6 point and missed, dad was over in the area we dubbed the "cheese hole" because of all the elk we see there in the evening. At 6:45 pm out walked a rag horn and the rest is history. (not fun moving that elk from that spot to clean it because it was on a hill).
One happy 63 year old!
got it to the trusty old red neck contraption that has saved our butts over the years.
Dad headed out Friday morning to take his meat to the locker. I stayed to see if I could fill my tag. Friday morning I stumbled across this guy at 7:40 am.
I jumped him out of his bed, he was looking directly into the sun trying to see me which is what gave me the advantage to shoot. I was only 80 yards. I put one in his shoulder with the 300 ultra mag. He dropped but got right back up. So I let him have a second. Here is the shot placement.
Those are the entrance holes.
I packed the elk out by myself for the rest of the day Friday and finally had it all in the truck by 6:00 pm.
I saw over 3 dozen elk, 7 were bulls (counting the two we got) I passed on two spikes, they were still in the velvet, didn't have the heart to shoot one of those little guys. The elk were going nuts Wednesday night. I found myself in the middle of 3 screaming bulls with cows mewing everywhere. That is when I got the shot at the 6 point but missed. Hopefully this gives someof you discouraged fellow hunters hope for your public land tag. Be consistant with one area and you will find them.
During the middle of the day, there isn't a whole lot to do when your waiting for those last few minutes of light (prime time for elk movement) So, like a couple of kids, we built a fort.
On wednesday night, I got a shot at a 6 point and missed, dad was over in the area we dubbed the "cheese hole" because of all the elk we see there in the evening. At 6:45 pm out walked a rag horn and the rest is history. (not fun moving that elk from that spot to clean it because it was on a hill).
One happy 63 year old!
got it to the trusty old red neck contraption that has saved our butts over the years.
Dad headed out Friday morning to take his meat to the locker. I stayed to see if I could fill my tag. Friday morning I stumbled across this guy at 7:40 am.
I jumped him out of his bed, he was looking directly into the sun trying to see me which is what gave me the advantage to shoot. I was only 80 yards. I put one in his shoulder with the 300 ultra mag. He dropped but got right back up. So I let him have a second. Here is the shot placement.
Those are the entrance holes.
I packed the elk out by myself for the rest of the day Friday and finally had it all in the truck by 6:00 pm.
I saw over 3 dozen elk, 7 were bulls (counting the two we got) I passed on two spikes, they were still in the velvet, didn't have the heart to shoot one of those little guys. The elk were going nuts Wednesday night. I found myself in the middle of 3 screaming bulls with cows mewing everywhere. That is when I got the shot at the 6 point but missed. Hopefully this gives someof you discouraged fellow hunters hope for your public land tag. Be consistant with one area and you will find them.
Thanks for posting your hunt.
