Elk Advice

[TheObserver]

Yup, that is one bull that no matter how many times you see it, there is still something more to look at, so it never gets old.
I have had a first hand view of an R8 bull, a 9x9, that scored well into the 400's.
IT was never put in the books as the hunter didnt want to.
Although, I think there may have been more to that story for "Why" he never wanted to post it. (I will leave it at that)
It had 3 brow tines, each side. (not the standard 2)
It had 2 tines where there is generally only the 3rd.
Super wide, super long and heavy.
I would go over there from time to time, not because he liked to drink and offered great Scotch, but to just stare at it.
He passed away, and I think the wife just gave it away to some Asian fellow to get it out of the house.
And no, she didn't sell it for cash, just wanted the thing gone!

"but to just stare at it."

hahaha no doubt! I have seen pictures on the google with the triple brow tines very unique! usually always huge

[KodiakHntr]

If you go solo in September and you get an elk then you are at risk of meat spoilage if you're hunting the koots.

Getting an animal is one thing but to then waste part of it is a disrespect to that animal.

I got my elk Oct 16th. Shot it at 730am and I had dressed it up by around 3pm. Friend came to help with the pack out. It likely would've been 4 trips bone in.

It's a big job dealing with an elk by yourself. If you're doing it in 25 degree temps then the pressure is on.

I have to ask, what do you mean by “dressed it up”? I’m assuming that you mean completely boneless as that is a 7.5 hour time frame.

To the OP, don’t over think it. Ourea alluded to this (I think), but you have to hunt elk where they are, not where you want them to be. Find sign, find where they live, and hunt them there. Sometimes that means diving over the edge and hunting them deep in the hell hole.

Once you have a bull dead, break it down into manageable pieces right front the start. A bull is physically intimidating when you first walk up to it, but all you really need is a backpack and a knife. A small saw and a few feet of paracord will help, but isn’t essential.

Split hide down the spine ears to tail, and skin off a side down to the hocks. Lift and cut the hind off and you will have a chunk of meat and bone that you can manage.
If you are mentally tough enough you can solo pack an elk in 4 trips, but you are going to feel it for a few days after. 5 trips is feasible but that load of neck meat/tenderloin/rib roll/backstraps/horns/and your stuff is gonna be a good’er.
6 loads and you are looking at some pretty easy trips, depending on terrain. The sense of accomplishment can’t be put into words though.

Soft, dead weight on a pack isn’t the same as a tidy, snug package that weighs the same. It WILL be off balance, and it might shift around, but it isn’t likely as heavy as you think it is. Packing meat is a mental game, break it down into manageable loads and get it done. (I always have a pack scale in my truck or in the shop, and record weights on everything. They are never as heavy as your mind is telling you, and when you weigh that first one and find out what it actually is, it gets easier mentally).

If the weather is warm, put your quarters up on brush or blowdown so air gets under it. If you are really concerned find the sinew seam on the hinds and open it up to the leg bone and put a little stick in there to keep it open before you bag it. That will let that heavy bone cool a lot faster and will really reduce the chance of bone sour.

Solo big game isn’t for everyone, but if you can prepare yourself mentally for it then you have the battle half won.

[moosinaround]

I've killed a few moose/elk in my time. I usually like them to be killed as close to the truck as possible. Saying this, I've packed out a few over the years on my back. Learn to bone out the critters! No need to pack out bone, if you do not need to! Remember, elk/moose burger is still as good to eat as a moose/elk roast or steak! Getting the meat and hide off the bone is critical to preventing spoilage in warmer temperatures!! Good quality game bags is also essential!! The packs of meat will be heavy, dead weigh that shifts around is :interesting" to carry, but like others have said, you remember the trip with every meal from that critter! Good luck with the solo hunt. I heard my first in nature elk bugle in 2007, and I haven't missed an elk season since!! I grew up listening to moose calling and grunting, and I still take every moose rut off from work!! Moosinaround

[Linksman313]

There are boys in reg 8 that get their bull pretty much every year while others complain.
Think about that.

The above statement is absolutely true

Our elk scout starts on July 1 weekend (usually a week long camp out to see what was logged and locate their water/food sources and check in on a couple of Bull haunts we know of, water is the key though)

does not stop until successful harvest or end of season

I have learned the that to be successful with elk in my corner of region 8 you almost have to sleep with them once located

Good luck

[dapesche]

I have to ask, what do you mean by “dressed it up”? I’m assuming that you mean completely boneless as that is a 7.5 hour time frame.

So the bull was shot at 730am. Probably started working on him around 8am. Sent this photo to friend at 1:30.

Dressed for me is quartered up (bone-in) good cuts in a bag, and trimmings and neck meat in another.

Had to deal with head and neck meat. Friend arrived around 2 I'd say, and we got the head down to bone with no lower jaw. Tossed in last bit of neck meat and were gone.


When I head North it'll be bone out.

[mike31154]

I haven't applied for draws in years but am going to this year. My Dad's and my buddy guides at the back of Pitt Lake, he guided the last boone and crockett rosie that broke the record, so I was thinking about applying there. But I could imagine the odds for the Island draw are better than Pitt Lake.

Yeah Mike that is rough so many Islander's put in for those draws and never seem to get them. Poaching seems to be common with Elk in region 8. I mean it happens all over i'm sure unfortunately, but i've heard lots. I bet that Rosie was delicious, and that is a nice Bull Moose for sure what Region did you guys get that draw for?

Again appreciate the replies guys!

The moose was 6-01, south of Vanderhoof. Experienced Van Isle buddy Rick has been there a number of times & knows the area. Like on the elk hunt, we got the bull at the end of the 1st week. We applied for the LEH there again this year no success. Rick, Colin (who got the moose 201 & another fellow from the Island went up for GOS last fall but no joy. I had to sit out with case of severe back pain. I would have been a liability haha. The tent would be a bit crowded with 4 vs 3 as well.

"Falscher Hase" made with ground moose


Elk roast on the BBQ spit



Plated! German dumplings & 2 salads, a cucumber mixed & butter lettuce. Stout & a good red wine

[boilerroom]

^^^^ wow, just wow! right before dinner too...

[TheObserver]

I have to ask, what do you mean by “dressed it up”? I’m assuming that you mean completely boneless as that is a 7.5 hour time frame.

To the OP, don’t over think it. Ourea alluded to this (I think), but you have to hunt elk where they are, not where you want them to be. Find sign, find where they live, and hunt them there. Sometimes that means diving over the edge and hunting them deep in the hell hole.

Once you have a bull dead, break it down into manageable pieces right front the start. A bull is physically intimidating when you first walk up to it, but all you really need is a backpack and a knife. A small saw and a few feet of paracord will help, but isn’t essential.

Split hide down the spine ears to tail, and skin off a side down to the hocks. Lift and cut the hind off and you will have a chunk of meat and bone that you can manage.
If you are mentally tough enough you can solo pack an elk in 4 trips, but you are going to feel it for a few days after. 5 trips is feasible but that load of neck meat/tenderloin/rib roll/backstraps/horns/and your stuff is gonna be a good’er.
6 loads and you are looking at some pretty easy trips, depending on terrain. The sense of accomplishment can’t be put into words though.

Soft, dead weight on a pack isn’t the same as a tidy, snug package that weighs the same. It WILL be off balance, and it might shift around, but it isn’t likely as heavy as you think it is. Packing meat is a mental game, break it down into manageable loads and get it done. (I always have a pack scale in my truck or in the shop, and record weights on everything. They are never as heavy as your mind is telling you, and when you weigh that first one and find out what it actually is, it gets easier mentally).

If the weather is warm, put your quarters up on brush or blowdown so air gets under it. If you are really concerned find the sinew seam on the hinds and open it up to the leg bone and put a little stick in there to keep it open before you bag it. That will let that heavy bone cool a lot faster and will really reduce the chance of bone sour.

Solo big game isn’t for everyone, but if you can prepare yourself mentally for it then you have the battle half won.

Nice man thanks for the tips! I wouldn't have known about opening up the sinew seam and putting a wedge in there. I'm good with skinning and gutting, and with deboning it is pretty much the same for all ungulates correct? Like an Elk will pretty much be the same breakdown but a much larger scale

[TheObserver]

The above statement is absolutely true

Our elk scout starts on July 1 weekend (usually a week long camp out to see what was logged and locate their water/food sources and check in on a couple of Bull haunts we know of, water is the key though)

does not stop until successful harvest or end of season

I have learned the that to be successful with elk in my corner of region 8 you almost have to sleep with them once located

Good luck

I am definitely willing to put in a lot of time. I just love being in the woods and the adventure, can't get enough. Finding sheds and skulls and stuff. If I focus on region 8 I am going to start looking in Spring

[TheObserver]

Man that looks killer Mike! is the top like a cheese stuffed Meatball? I am going to make my first batch of Jerky ever, going to do Hickory smoked Blacktail, and then some Alder Sockeye in the next couple weeks.

I have yet to get a Moose either, lots of Deer and Grouse since I was young, about time to reach my next right of pass as a hunter hopefully with a Bull Elk this year hahaha