Elk or sheep hunt-yiu can only choose one!

[ab3]

Curious what others thoughts are. I'm weighing the options between a solo sheep hunt vs a Rocky mtn elk hunt. No guide, just me and hopefully some good luck. Not after a trophy, just an enjoyable hunt.
Wondering what others would pick and why?
Thanks

[RackStar]

How many days?

[Chrispryn]

Sheep, you can pack that bugger solo.

[RackStar]

Elk if you want a years worth of meat,
or would you prefer a sheep head?

[jac]

Elk is a bit more of a team sport when it comes to packing it out. If you have already got one of them do the other

[ab3]

How many days?

Was thinking 3 days or so.
Good points by you guys re: packing it solo. Elk would likely be damn difficult with just me doing the lifting.

[Bugle M In]

Having a Bull Elk respond with a bugle from your calls, gives you an extra dimension to hunting that gives you a "connection" between you and your pursuit.
The sense of accomplishment and self fortitude you experience when you finally reach to peaks of the mountains in which you try to pursue sheep on is another experience in itself.
Both beasts offer a completely different hunt and experience that is euphoric in its own ways.
Guess you have to decide if you want a hard climb and an awesome view.
Or a chance to talk to the animals like Dr.Doolittle??

[monasheemountainman]

Was thinking 3 days or so.
Good points by you guys re: packing it solo. Elk would likely be damn difficult with just me doing the lifting.


Whichever you pick I hope you can get more time off sheep hunt will probably take 3 days of travel depending on where you are going and where you live

[Wild one]

3 days is not much time for either hunt in my opinion

They are both very different hunts in my opinion as well. Kinda have to go with what you personally enjoy. I have limited experience hunting sheep and elk but out of the 2 elk I enjoyed most. Sheep I may never hunt again elk I plan on trying to improve my skills

For me the calling and timber is what I enjoyed with elk

[Jordan f.]

Depending on your location if it's 3ish days.

Which is closer? Elk spots or sheep spots?

Go with the one that will allow the most time scouting and out there hunting. But packing an elk solo ain't gonna be easy.

[BCbillies]

Treat yourself . . . one week and go deep for sheep

[.264winmag]

Takes me 3 days to backpack into sheep country, and usually at least 3 days to figure out elk in an area I've never been to. I have however been lucky enough to call bulls in on the first day, exciting but ain't no sheep hunt...

[murph83]

A few factors to consider here, but if its me then I am going elk hunting. Nothing against sheep but bugling in elk is just a whole lot of fun.

[Jack Russell]

On a solo effort - sheep

[RackStar]

I wouldn’t let being solo be the deciding factor. Be prepared to hang your game up a tree and take several manageable trips out. Given your short time line I would go for the elk. Pack some rope, game bags and a folding saw.

[eatram]

https://i.postimg.cc/9f86vBHN/IMG-1367.jpg (https://postimages.org/)photo album upload (https://postimages.org/)

Three days is plenty. Go for both...

[Wild one]

https://i.postimg.cc/9f86vBHN/IMG-1367.jpg (https://postimages.org/)photo album upload (https://postimages.org/)

Three days is plenty. Go for both...

Can I barrow your horse shoe lol

[Squamch]

https://i.postimg.cc/9f86vBHN/IMG-1367.jpg (https://postimages.org/)photo album upload (https://postimages.org/)

Three days is plenty. Go for both...

Holy shit. Well, you don't lack commitment...although after that you may lack meniscus!

[RackStar]

Wow.... eatram... your a beast

[ab3]

This is turning into a very cool thread.
Eatram, that pic is amazing.

Thoughts on edibilty/taste of a sheep?
Obviously elk is pretty universally liked, but haven't heard as much about sheep meat.

[Lukeez88]

Wow.... eatram... your a beast
yes eatram is a machine!!!

[Bugle M In]

I have seen a few folks who were going for sheep in the EK and came down (or never got up there), with
a bull elk.
But definitely a beast to do a solo hunt, take a sheep, then an elk that you will need several trips to pack out on your own.
Remember, the rules have changed, and much more of your game has to come out, like ribs.
So there is a lot more work involved now, imo.
So yes, plan a sheep hunt where there is elk.
You never know!

[Jack Russell]

Sheep meat is great eating.

[Bugle M In]

Sheep meat is great eating.
Better then the goat.
That was just some good "chewing":razz:

[backcountry99]

Elk all the way, nothing beats bugling bulls!

[HarryToolips]

https://i.postimg.cc/9f86vBHN/IMG-1367.jpg (https://postimages.org/)photo album upload (https://postimages.org/)

Three days is plenty. Go for both...
Lol as previously mentioned, your a beast....how long was the packout?

[eatram]

Lol as previously mentioned, your a beast....how long was the packout?

Haha. Naw, I'm just average. Just don't quit. Live by it and success is inevitable. This was on day 4 of a 14 day trip, so maybe make it a bit longer than 3 days. The sheep was pretty deep, but the elk was an hour from our basecamp. This is the second time we could have shot an elk bull WHILE packing out a sheep. Just such a cool pic. My partner had his boots off cooling his feet; it had been an intense four days. One last push and we'd be back to our basecamp. As we were there talking, a cow elk comes out 100 meters away. I literally bugle (without a reed or a bugle, which sounded aweful and i started to laugh loudly as the cow ran away), and behind her steps out this bull. Partner shot him without boots on and with a sheep on his back. We wouldn't have had this opertunity had we shot the other ram as well that was with him. I went home empty, but that other ram should be close to full curl and 11 years old now. Hopefully we find him this year... Maybe I'll write a story about this trip. 2017. Yes, my knees are sore...