6x7 Elk

[16ga]

Hi, I was debating whether I should start a thread since I just signed up. I have been lurking for awhile though. I got this Elk early in the season, before the GOS opened in the old LEH areas in the West Kootenay's. Picture isn't to clear it was raining pretty hard. I will try and post a better picture of the antlers. Had to buy another freezer to hold all the meat.

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z429/Koot12/2010%20Elk/IMGP0316.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z429/Koot12/2010%20Elk/IMG_2649.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z429/Koot12/2010%20Elk/IMG_2648.jpg

[Brambles]

Looks like a hell of a nice bull, looking forward to more pics of him, congrats

You gonna do a little write up on how the hunt went down?

[Buckmeister]

Very nice bull....congrats! And a heck of a 1st post!!!

[16ga]

As soon as I figure out how to add more photo's :confused: I will add to the story.

[Brambles]

I use a Photobucket account, if you like I can post them up for you, you just have to email them to me

[born2hunt]

wow smoker of a bull!

[BlacktailStalker]

Wow thats a beauty !
Photobucket is the easiest way, upload your pics then copy and paste the image url here in the reply box and it will show up when you submit the reply.

[kootenayelkslayer]

Wow that looks like a great bull! Congrats. More pictures would be welcomed ;)

[proguide66]

Thats a great animal!

[parkerhale308]

very nice bull good job.

[Brambles]

Here's the Pics for 16ga

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Brambles77/WestKootenayBull2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v437/Brambles77/WestKootenayBull1.jpg

[BlacktailStalker]

That thing is impressive !
Looking forward to the story.

[Shooter]

VERY Impressive. Congrats to you.

[kootenayelkslayer]

That's what dreams are made of right there! Sweet bull, lots of character. Good job, great first post, you've set the bar high for your threads to come :D

[todbartell]

what a monster! congrats on such a great elk

[palmer]

Great Bull. I did not know there were early Leh's this year before the GOS. You should be proud.

[hotload]

Wow, great looking bull. Don't make us wait so long next time for the writeup and pics.

[16ga]

I wrote the story twice but both times I was told I don't have previliges, I will try again tomorrow.

Just to be clear, I was hunting in the GOS in the areas that have always been GOS.

[shawnwells]

holy shitballs what a monster!....congrats

[ydouask]

Beauty. Congratulations on a fine specimen.

[slicky72]

Wow that has some mass to it, way to go!

[Wild Images]

Very nice bull, have you put a tape to him yet ??

[steepNdeep]

Great bull - nice mass & cool sticker on the driver's side!!

[luckynuts]

DREAM ELK! Incredible bull you shot there. What a Cranker. Can't wait for a story. Thanks for posting pics.

W.

[rifleman]

that sucker is fricken huge. wow what a bull! can't wait to hear the story.
good job. congrats on a bull of a life time.

[325]

Wow...that thing is a hog! PLEASE put the tape to it and tell us its score

[kootenayslam]

Congrats! beauty bull

[jrjonesy]

That's a monster! Congrats!!

[16ga]

Thanks Brambles for posting the pics.

Here is the story (or parts).

I woke up at 4am, it had been raining hard all night, I debated whether I really wanted to head into the hills in this weather. Talked myself into it, gathered my stuff, snuck out of the house so as not to wake anyone. It was still dark, the rain was coming in waves there was a bit of slush on the ground.Perfect, even I can be quiet under those conditions. I walked to the back of the road (about 1km) to spot where I can overlook the slope below. Overlook may not be the right word, it was still dark and fog was drifting by. After a littel while, I heard a large animal shake the rain off (like a big dog), it was just down off the road in a thicket of alder, mountain ash, maple and other shrubs. I worked my way over, I could hear it moving around down there but couldn't see anything, it was starting to get light. After trying to get a better look and poking around for about 1/2 hour I had managed to work my way into the shrubbery, 6-7 startled blue grouse flew out of the shrubs. I had just spent 1/2 hour stalking a flock of birds. I got back up on the road, being eyed suspiciouly by a couple of grouse and looked around, noticed there was no sign of deer or Elk. Wet, hungry and probably slightly hypothermic, I was debating what to do.

[16ga]

So, I did the sensible thing and headed up the hill to see where everything was. The slope was made of small bluffs, open steep meadows, timber stands, and small brushy "saddles". After about 7 or 800 meters I started to notice fresh sign along the game trails, the weather had improved marginally, there were longer spans between the waves of rain, the slush was gone, the fog was more like thick mist. About another 100 meters along I noticed some shredded shrubs and smashed trees along the edge of a meadow in in a small copse of trees at the top. More as a lark then anything else (it was pretty early) I gave a cow call and waited about 10 minutes. I was thinking that I should not have gone out without eating and whether then was any coffee left in the cup in the truck, and not really about hunting. I headed to the top of the meadow and let out another call, after about 1 minute or so a bull bugled in the distance.

[16ga]

I headed towards the bull, after a few minutes he bugled again, so I waited a minute or so and gave another cow call, he could hear we were getting closer. I worked my way over to a small bluff where I could look over a ravine toward some meadows that I thought he was calling from. There he was, about 1 km away meandering across the meadow heading in my general direction. I scoped him to count points, 6x7, I counted about 6 times, you can never be to sure. He was heading into some timber at the top of the ravine to make his way over to me, I could see him occasionally, he called, I called, for about 1/2 hour (seemed a lot longer), when he was about 200 meters away I could tell that he was angling up around me to try and get down wind. I shifted my position to a spot where I had a good view of a "saddle" he would likely cross. I was laying down between two deadfall, my rifle was resting on one of them, when he entered the opening I would have a perfect shot about 40 m away.

[16ga]

I could hear him purring, grunting, smashing trees with his antlers as he worked towards the opening (I think he was more of a fighter then lover). Finally he headed out of the timber, I counted points again, I raised by eye to the scope and saw, well pretty much nothing, the heavy rain had pooled in the eye piece and the scope was fogged up.

[16ga]

I quickly cleaned my scope, by then he had made his way into a stand of small trees, he was about 20 meters away, I could see his head but couldn't see the rest of him, (I don't do headshots, it's an old habit from hunting moose with a 30:30 to easy to wound, you cann't break old habits, besides my father always told me that it could wreck the meat, bloodshot he called it). He was kind of swinging his head back and forth trying to entice me out I quess. From where he was he had 3 routes out (excluding running over me), back the way he came-perfect shot, the way he was heading-good shot, or directly back towards some timber--no shot. I couldn't take it anymore, I decided that I had a 2 in 3 chance that I would get a good shot, so I showed myself by raising up on one knee, I trained the rifle (6.5x55) on him, he kind of snorted and turned and headed directly away-no shot, I kept the rifle on him but all I could see was his butt swinging away (I was rehearsing how I was going to explain not shooting to my wife, then decided I just wouldn't say anything), I kept the rifle on him hoping he would swing a little to give me one last good look. After a few steps (felt like a lot more) he turned a little to look at me, just enough broad side to give me the shot I wanted, I placed a round just infront of his last rib, through the lungs and heart. He turned and ran about 10 -15 meters then fell. I walked over to him, he was pretty well bled out but was watching me, I thanked him and the mountain then finished him off. He was a beautiful animal, I spent the next 2.5 days packing him out. 520 lbs at the butcher, sans neck.

[lightmag]

wicked mass!! i dream of bulls like that!! congrats.

[Mountain Man]

Very nice ! What time of year ? Score ??

[bigben]

Very nice ! What time of year ? Score ??
what a great story ...........you have a very special trophy in your possesion and everytime you look at this animal you will appreciate the title A BULL OF A LIFETIME ........there is a great many of hunters that would of like to put there sights on a bull like this ..................CONGRATULATION

[16ga]

Thanks, he is heavy.

I shot him Sept 19, I haven't had it officially scored, I quickly measured, I was conservative, it grossed about 363, talking to a friend and comparing to mine last year I likely slightly under scored, but you know what they say, size doesn't matter it's the experience.

[BlacktailStalker]

Size is a number for others to judge by, irrelevant really.
A well written story with good humour to add to our reading pleasure, a mere fraction of the experience you were "treated" too, I'd say he's "big enough."

[trigger]

wow. what a beauty bull. congrats to you

[sniper ren]

WOW!! Great bull! Was the pack out a solo expierence aswell? Congrats!

[Kody94]

Thanks, he is heavy.

I shot him Sept 19, I haven't had it officially scored, I quickly measured, I was conservative, it grossed about 354, talking to a friend and comparing to mine last year I likely slightly under scored, but you know what they say, size doesn't matter it's the experience.

I've talked to the fella that has yours from last year, and between that and these pics, I'd bet that your bull this year will gross a fair bit higher than 354.

Congrats on a GREAT animal!

Cheers!

[eastkoothunter]

BEAUTIFUL bull!! Congrats

[16ga]

WOW!! Great bull! Was the pack out a solo expierence aswell? Congrats!

Yes, I packed it out myself, I ran into a hunter on the road when I walked back to my truck, he and some friends were packing out an Elk, he offered some help, I was reluctant to ask anyone, it was pretty steep and perhaps a little dangerous. I didn't want to debone as I think the meat tastes better hanging on the bone, so I figured rather then trying to explain this and perhaps crippling a friend or two, I better just do it. It wasn't too bad, it was staying pretty cool at night, although I admit that through general laziness ( I called it quits the 1st day when there was still light) I lost a little neck meat. Live and learn, debone the neck, only way to cool it.

[16ga]

I've talked to the fella that has yours from last year, and between that and these pics, I'd bet that your bull this year will gross a fair bit higher than 354.

Congrats on a GREAT animal!

Cheers!

Thanks, your probably right, but regardless they are plenty big for me.

[kennyj]

Thats an AWESOME bull! I really enjoyed the story. Thanks for posting.
kenny

[16ga]

thanks for all the comments, the antlers are with a friend getting mounted so I won't be measuring them soon, he did say that I should make sure that when they go up they should be secured into a stud......

[Brambles]

Thanks for taking the time to do a decent write up, lots of guys do it half assed but yours was a joy to read. Congrats once again on a fantastic bull.

[J_T]

I thanked him and the mountain then finished him off. He was a beautiful animal, Thanks for this statement. Respect for the magnificent animal that you have bested and the experience and growth his death offered you. Well done.

[5 spike]

oh man thats a bull we all dream of taking. congrats to you.

[Rattler]

Dandy bull! Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[Sitkaspruce]

Congrats on the great bull!!

and the story was one for the records, nicely done!!!

Well earned trophy and who really cares about the score, we all know it is a great bull!!!

Cheers

SS

[sniper ren]

Yes, I packed it out myself, I ran into a hunter on the road when I walked back to my truck, he and some friends were packing out an Elk, he offered some help, I was reluctant to ask anyone, it was pretty steep and perhaps a little dangerous. I didn't want to debone as I think the meat tastes better hanging on the bone, so I figured rather then trying to explain this and perhaps crippling a friend or two, I better just do it. It wasn't too bad, it was staying pretty cool at night, although I admit that through general laziness ( I called it quits the 1st day when there was still light) I lost a little neck meat. Live and learn, debone the neck, only way to cool it.

Right on congrats again! Packing a bull out like that by yourself is quit the task! I bet the legs were feeling that! Good for you!

[d6dan]

Wow!, nice Wk Bull.. Congrats and great story..Trophy bulls don't come easy and you pulled it off!. Thanks for posting..

[shantz]

Great Story. Congrats on the bull.

[JDR]

WOW :eek:!! Awesome bull and great write up. Thanks for sharing.

[44inchStone]

WOW!!!! Impressive. That bull is something that myself and ALOT of guys have dreamed of for years.
Like the boys have been saying, Who cares about the score. NETS are for FISHING ONLY!!!!!

[demlake]

Thanks for the pics and story.

And kudos on waiting for the right shot. Your heart myst have been going pretty good at that point.

dl

[boxhitch]

How did this thread hide for 10 fays.
What a great bull, congrats WK GOS gotta luv it
Good story too, thinking of coffee, wet scope, bs'ing the wife, all true stuff

[BimmerBob]

Wow! What a monster and what a great read! Congratulations 16ga, on a fantastic Bull and in my view an even better story to go along with the pictures. Thanks for sharing your story, I felt as if I was there with you and could feel those grouse looking at you as you flushed the covey, you should submit your story to a magazine.

[trigger]

I missed the story before. Great write up. What a freaking tooad thanks again for sharing

[Caveman]

Beauty Man!! Great Job!!

[35 Whelen]

Wonderful bull 16 ga. Congratulations on doing it with boot leather.

What round were you shooting out of your 6.5x55?

[ianwuzhere]

wow-incredible animal.
Are you getting a mount done??

[16ga]

Wonderful bull 16 ga. Congratulations on doing it with boot leather.

What round were you shooting out of your 6.5x55?

Thanks for the comments everyone, kind of surprised to see this on the first page again.

I used a Factory load, federal ammunition, 140 grain.

[one-shot-wonder]

I used a Factory load, federal ammunition, 140 grain.

Really not a 200 grain from a .30 caliber.....:mrgreen:

Very impressive bull congrats to you once again!

[16ga]

wow-incredible animal.
Are you getting a mount done??

I'm not really sure what to do with them, I think I will get the antlers mounted on a plaque and hang them over my fireplace at my cabin. They are a bit big to put them up in my house, might take an eye out. Besides my younger dog, who can jump pretty good, seems to have an unhealthy interest in them. I think she considers them big chew sticks.

[mark]

That right there is a dream bull!
360" gross is the first number that jumped to mind!
Congads man!

[16ga]

That right there is a dream bull!
360" gross is the first number that jumped to mind!
Congads man!

Close, who needs to measure, most people who have been guessing are pretty close, probably closer then me measuring, there seems to be alot of different methods, so I re-measured (B&C) a little more careful this time, Gross-358 6/8. (taxi measured 363 5/8)

[The Hermit]

Thanks for this statement. Respect for the magnificent animal that you have bested and the experience and growth his death offered you. Well done.

Yes my thoughts too. Well done, and great story!

[todbartell]

tremendous animal, sounded like you earned him. Well done! Good ol 6.5x55, deadly cartridge in the right hands

[LukaTisus]

Look at the MASS on that boy! Beautiful bull! :D