Last ditch effort elk

[Carl 9.3x62]

Mainly don't shoot doe pronghorn because I can get 2 buck tags and if my wife shoots one, that's plenty of pronghorn steaks. Plus, I've just shot enough of them and would rather see others get the tags that I would have otherwise drawn. Spread the opportunity to others if you will.

I shoot cow elk because its a lot of meat quick and they're really plentiful. I also really enjoy hunting cows and in this case, just flat didn't see any good reason to kill an average bull this year, that will be a better bull next year. I also want to see opportunity persist as far as hunting days go in the area I hunt, which means bull to cow ratio's need to stay above 18/100 to keep the longer season. If it drops below 18/100 the GF will reduce days and/or make spike bulls off limits. I like opportunity, in particular future opportunity verses just what I can legally kill today.

I also try incredibly hard to never shoot a cow with a calf...that's more a personal choice and a way to limit myself on what I choose to kill.

I have no problem with people shooting whatever they choose to, doe pronghorn, cow elk, bull elk, big bulls, spikes, doesn't matter to me. What I choose to kill does matter to ME.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[8andcounting]

With spending so much time sheep hunting, I didn't get a single day to hunt on my general tag.

George and I decided to give it a go, yesterday, the last day of the season.

First spot we looked, found a cow and calf but decided to pass.

Went to the next spot, with the local winds cooperating perfectly and found a knot of 50 or so elk, 7 bulls the rest cows and calves.

Nothing real good bull wise, 5 rags and 2 spikes. Had them over a barrel with the closest elk at 150, furthest at 200. I looked them all over and decided to leave the bulls alone as its open for any elk. Found a cow off by herself on the edge of the herd, obviously no calf with her.

Shot it tight behind the shoulder at 175 yards with my 7-08 and 140 grain nosler accubond. She whirled went about 20 yards and fell in the foot of snow. Balmy 3 degrees and perfect elk hunting weather for the one morning I got to spend hunting general elk this year. Had it back to the truck by lunchtime. George and I found several other herds of elk, some in rifle range, but with George and I each having a tag good until the end of January in another unit...we called it good with the one.

Good job !

 

[Duck-Slayer]

Hunting machine you are Buzz, congrats!
Matt

 

[LopeHunter]

Nicely done! I like how you thought through the impact of how chose to fill that tag. You are a wise man and will set foot on the soil of many lands.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

Damn Buzz, you fill elk tags easier than most guys bag a jackrabbit. I'm amazed how well you know Wyoming's wildlife and country. Well done!

 

[rmyoung1]

You always make it look and sound easy. Nice work!

 

[BuzzH]

Nice choice on taking the cow vs a rag horn. Not many would of made that choice, well done!
Curious, your 7mm-08 with 140gr Accubonds, are you shooting off the shelf or are you rolling your own?

I reload...43 grains varget

 

[Mtnhunter1]

I reload...43 grains varget

Nice! Congrats again and, as always, thanks for sharing your thoughts and adventures.

 

[deer_shooter]

Congrats Buzz. It is humbling how easy you make it look, but understand it takes a lifetime of experience to do so.

 

[wytex]

Nice job, our last day hunt ended with a dig. Cows on the menu now for us as well.

 

[midwesthunter]

Congrats on the quick elk hunt, those bulls will turn into larger more mature bulls next year.