Elk Hunting 2014

[van7559]

Spent the last 9 days hunting in 58 for my first time ever. Learned a lot, saw a lot of animals I hadn't ever seen in the wild before (turkeys, badger, owl, etc). We saw every listed game animal in our unit but a bear or a cat. There was ZERO bugling. I think it was too hot, but I'm new and don't know much. A single spike walked by in the woods and we had cow tags. My hunting partners told me I'll never have a hunt like this again in my life, because we came across exactly zero other hunters in the area we were in. There were a couple on the other side of the road and mountain, but no one else within miles of us.

I could have filled either a doe or buck tag every single day. Due to the zero pressure from hunters, the deer were just cruising around and wouldn't run away unless you spooked them. Excited to try again (and hopefully get deer) next year.

What part of 58 are you hunting. I too hunt that area for the last several years. We pulled a smaller 5x5 out on Thursday. Of the muzzleloading season. We didn't see any other hunters the whole time either but we hike in to where most wouldn't dream of going.

[Irving]

I don't want to give up my spot because it is looking good for deer next year. We also had to hike in.

[Caithford]

No elk, no deer. Damn weather. Plus, new, so I suck.

[Rucker61]

Two buddies and I hunting private land that previously had yielded one elk in 3rd rifle took four legally in about 3 minutes, about 30 minutes before sunset. One 5x5 and three cows. It was a long, long night and busy next day. The herd ran onto National Forest land where some other hunters fired about shots. Not that herd's day, for sure.

[GilpinGuy]

Been really enjoying the 180 lbs of burger and sausage that we got back from the butcher, plus the back straps that I cut and wrapped myself and misc. cuts that I made into jerky. The tenderloins are freaking awesome!

Sorry to brag, but it's been 6 years in the making...and worth every single minute.

[bruceleroy]

Fourth year chasing elk and this cow decided she would be my first. 20 yards, walked right into my crosshairs.

[Hummer]

Fourth year chasing elk and this cow decided she would be my first. 20 yards, walked right into my crosshairs.

Nice work, congrats! Looks like you're doing your own meat cutting. I hope you package the better portions of the hind quarters as steaks. Elk "round" pieces often make better, more tender steak than the backstraps. Many people just grind it for burger or sausage and miss out on good steak. Just remove all fat and any silverskin.

[Lars]

Just got home from my 4th season hunt. I was only up for 2 days but we manage to find 9 cows across a big canyon, I had a few leads on some bulls so I left the cows be. Never did find the bulls but did manage to find this nice buck and his buddy.

[Robb]

Just got home from my 4th season hunt. I was only up for 2 days but we manage to find 9 cows across a big canyon, I had a few leads on some bulls so I left the cows be. Never did find the bulls but did manage to find this nice buck and his buddy.

Holy Cow! Nice bucks, to say the least.

[davsel]

Not elk hunting, but it reminded me of what happens when you have the chance to shoot an elk lying in the woods.
Wait for it.