Opening Day Elk

[todbartell]

half hour after sunrise myself and my two parnters slip into the timber, slowly cow calling our way into the wind, heading for an elk wallow found the year before

5 minutes later, a bull bugles ahead of us a hundred yards. I hang back as my partners sneak up. I catch movement through the trees, here comes a nice bull quartering towards us left to right. He stops behind a thick wall of trees with only his head showing. Looked like a nice 6x6. Wind is still perfect, I'm back 30 yards doing my best imitation of a sleazy cow. After a minute standoff @ 50 yards (from my partners) he begins on, not offering a clear shot. He eventually is out of sight in the thick bush to our front right.

That is when bull #2 bugles, he sounded like a fire breathing dragon when he growled and chuckled. Life at this moment just doesn't get better, seemed like a dream. I cant see him, but keep cow calling. A couple minutes go by, it seemed like alot longer, when I am snapped out of my daze by the muzzle blast of a 300 Winchester.

[Avalanche123]

and the rest of the story is obvious....! Well done. First day to boot.

[moosinaround]

That's it???

[browningboy]

You Make It Sound So Easy, Pics?

[todbartell]

....I still cant see him from my position, but I begin to hyper cow call. He lurches into view, I can see the tops of his antlers, he looks good. He stops, another shot goes off, bull is still standing there...another quick shot is fired and the antlers dissapear from view. I rush up there, and here's what we had












http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/Elk081.jpg

...it *was* easy :mrgreen:

[Wildman]

Excellent....looking forward to seeing the pics.

[killman]

Elk opens on the 7 there? Cool we have to wait till the 10.

[killman]

Nice bull bartell.

[Gateholio]

The mighty Bartell has retuned to the intraweb!!:p

[steepNdeep]

Right on - savour that moment!! Great bull! When they're hot, it's a huge rush... hopefully you get lucky again... ;)

[The Dawg]

Awesome bull!

[Shed Hunter]

nice bull elk congrats to you and your buddies

[Caveman]

Great Job Tod!!! ........................Next week it's my turn :wink: Hope to have a simular story.

[todbartell]

here's the lucky hunter

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/Elk200837.jpg


and the three of us

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/Elk08.jpg



he was 620 lbs dressed in 4 quarters, 7x6 frame. Should be some good eating! :D

[rocksteady]

So how is your addiction to elk hunting???? Afters last years hunt, I knew you were hooked...Nice bull, looks like a good eater...


Been kinda quiet around here without you TB, you gotta get satellite internet for when you go on a trip like that again...We missed you.....Well, Gate did...

[hunter1947]

Very nice bull Tod B http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif.

That is a very heavy bull for weight.

The heaviest bull that I ever got in the EK was 595 thats ready to butcher on the meat hook.

This bull you got will be a dandy bull on the supper table.
Congrats to you and your party on a very successfully hunt.

Is there a 6 point restriction where you shot this bull???.

[Fisher-Dude]

Nice bull Toddler, congrats to you and the boys. Those northern elk sure pack the weight - 620 is huge compared to EK elk that tend to average in the 420 - 440 range. Did Rishu appear out of nowhere so he could hold a leg while you cleaned it?

[Little Hawk]

So that's the secret... teamwork!

Congrats to you and your Buddies'!

Cheers,
Terry

[Deaddog]

great job guys!! always a blast bugling in those big bulls, congrats.

[mcrae]

Awesome bull he is a brute..

[Kechika]

Bartell....Tell us about your failure..mr Marksman:tongue:

[todbartell]

ok. I tried to thread a bullet through a maze of poplar and willow at 25 yards into a 5x5 and hit some branches! Triple Shock is still probably orbiting the earth as we speak. I feel shame, I go now

[lunatic]

Northern bulls are definately usually heavier than EK bulls. The one I got last year weighed in @ 720 Lbs hanging on the hook quartered and skinned. Good job you guys. I head home tomorrow for 2 weeks of bliss. Can hardly wait!

[Mr. Dean]

Holy crap!
TB is acually huntin' sumthin other than yotes!?!?!

It feels like a different world.
Nice Elk. Next year you'll do better.

[moosinaround]

Wicked bull! Congrats! Moosin

[BCrams]

Why he goes hunting up north when he can hunt them in his back yard is perplexing!!!

Thats a great looking bull! Congrats on a good hunt.

[brotherjack]

Congratulations. I'm just a wee bit jealous. :)

[Tikka7mm]

Looks like a beautiful area to hunt...great bull. Congrats!

[Derp]

congrats on a awesome hunt, elk is on to do list!

[Big7]

Good work TB. I bet JR is pretty pumped as well! Good start to the season hey?!!

[mark]

Very nice bull congrads! If its so easy, why didnt you guys shoot 2 more???? No worries, Im heading up there on friday for leftovers!

[trigger]

awesome bull man.

[bwhnter]

Nice bull Congrats!!!

[tikkat3]

awesome bull, great story congrats!!

[todbartell]

180 grainers vs Elk :

Bullet on left is a 180 grain Winchester Elite Xp3 (new Fail Safe w/ ballistic tip), on the right is a 180 grain Winchester CT Accubond

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/180grainers005.jpg

both hit the elk at about 2900 fps impact

the Accubond was the first shot, quartering towards angle, hit right behind the shoulder, through the ribs, lung, liver destroyed, angled into the rear hip and pulled from the hide, about 3-4 feet of penetration, retained weight is 67%

second shot ripped through the ribs broadside exit with the Accubond

last shot was an Elite Xp3 in his magazine, right through the shoulders. Bullet was found on offside hide, 78% weight retention - it really took a beating

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/180grainers.jpg

[ianwuzhere]

ahh- i always like to find the bullet on the inside of the hide. Good pix!

[Buckman]

Nice bull, I can't wait for opening day down here!

[Shed Hunter]

180 grainer's vs Elk :

Bullet on left is a 180 grain Winchester Elite Xp3 (new Fail Safe w/ ballistic tip), on the right is a 180 grain Winchester CT Accubond

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/180grainers005.jpg

both hit the elk at about 2900 fps impact

the Accubond was the first shot, quartering towards angle, hit right behind the shoulder, through the ribs, lung, liver destroyed, angled into the rear hip and pulled from the hide, about 3-4 feet of penetration, retained weight is 67%

second shot ripped through the ribs broadside exit with the Accubond

last shot was an Elite Xp3 in his magazine, right through the shoulders. Bullet was found on offside hide, 78% weight retention - it really took a beating

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o205/todbartell/180grainers.jpg
Huuummmm Hamburger

[Elkhound]

nice job mark............I am jealous. No telling when I can get out this year