View Full Version : My crews 2010 elk season!
Last year one of my hunting buds got a pretty sweet elk locally. This inspired me to get on the local elk program. I did tons of scouting and shed hunting and decided to pass on my regular trip to reg.7b this year and get my elk locally!
Bagging an elk around here is not something easily done, not sure what the success rates are but they got to be low!
A while back I dropped a little tease, and Ive been getting razzed to get with a thread, Ive finally got all the pics together.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/102_0077_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20602&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=501)
Here was the tease pic, but who is the mystery hunter, I dont run a tatonka frame???
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/102_0069_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20820&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=501)
Yup thats meathead, he broke the ice and put the first bull down in my crew!
Im beginning to think his eyesight is bad, as he only seems to see animals with giant racks attached???
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/102_0072_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20821&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=501)
A fine 6x7 that gross's 331, shot in a nasty place, on a wet day!
We all made a deal, that whoever bags an elk, we'd all drop what were doing and show up to pack it out.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/102_0076_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20823&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=501)
4 of us with packs over 100lb. each, fought a mile of waist deep blowdown, crossed 3 ravines, laced with alder, in the rain and fog.
That just might be the longest mile Ive ever hiked!
The mule on the right was next to bag one!
The rest of us hunted very hard, covering 2 regions & 4 different sub regions. Lots of close calls, but the elk gods were being quite cruel!
Luck changed for buddy when this hit the ground!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/John_s_elk_001_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20825&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
He was by himself at the time, but heres the pics!
This one came in screaming mad as he got between the bull and his cows!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/John_s_elk_011_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20826&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
The pack out was a fairly easy one, only half mile from a road, so only one other mule, and 2 trips, was needed to haul this beast!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/John_s_elk_013_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20827&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
I Havnt laid a tape to this one myself, but a taxi gross scored this one at 349". Is an awesome and heavy rack to hold!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/John_s_elk_014_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20828&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
When buddy called this guy in, he heard another bull screaming off in the distance. Told me to get my ass out there and find it!
bcbooner
10-25-2010, 04:44 PM
A couple of very nice Bulls,congrats.Love thoose Elk.
My spirits were down as the season was coming to the end, I had tried all my spots several times, frustration was beginning to get the best of me!
I packed my gear and headed off to a new area, planned to stay a few days.
My first day revealed little sign, buddys elk remains had already been claimed and half burried by a grizz.
I was camping alone, spirits were down, but wasnt going to stop till closing day.
On the second days hike I found this, figured it was from buddy's bull!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/my_2010_elk_001_Small_.jpg
Found a few other fresh ones also, which helped with motivation!
I was a long ways into my days hike, way up the steep side of a mountain, was debating to turn around.
I started to find more and more elk sign, even started to smell them.
I had been doing a fair bit of calling all day with no responces.
I was just sitting down, pack off, having some lunch, and I hear some noise in the bush????
As far as I could see through the pecker poles, through a tiny window, I make out a bull raking a tree!
Rack, nose and belly is all I could see of him, It took me over 5 minutes to determine he was legal.
I could hear other elk closing in on me from several directions, some only 60 yards away, but couldnt see them?
I knew I was going to get busted any second, the bull was smaller than I hoped to find this year, but my freezer was down to 1 steak from last years elk.
The bull took a step forward to rub scent on the tree he was raking, this gave me a narrow slot to thread one into his neck at 100 yards.
He dropped in his tracks, my bull was down, leaning against the very tree he was rubbing for nearly 10 minutes!
Somehow 9 cow elk popped out of the woodwork and assembled at 60 yards in front of me????
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/my_2010_elk_010_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20830&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
I spent a week in the west koots, called in a whopper bull, but could only count 3 on top. Had his whole body in the clear at 60 yards, but couldnt see his bottoms before he bolted. That was my only chance at a big bull all year, after that I needed meat.....
Yes he's no monster, just a squeeker legal bull but I do enjoy eating them and the way my luck had gone, there was no being selective.
I had to hike a quarter mile just to get cell service, barely got a call out to the mule team with my location.... While I waited for the mules I took him apart...
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/my_2010_elk_012_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20831&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
While the walk looks easy on this little bench, we had 2 extremely steep ascends to overcome, over the course of a mile to the nearest road.
To make matters worse only 2 of my mule team showed up???
We proceeded to debone the quarters to cut on some weight, but all our packs were around 120 lbs.
My new mystery ranch pack got lots of use this year!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/my_2010_elk_014_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20832&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
Our haul out also included a thigh high deep river crossing....sometimes ya got to think outside the box to avoid the crowds!
http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/data/500/medium/my_2010_elk_020_Small_.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/../photos/showphoto.php?photo=20833&size=big&cat=recent&limit=recent)
I should note that buddy with the black antlered bull, spent 25 days in pursuit, and I did 28 days, elk dont come easy around here!
And with that Im done, now were switching gears into muley mode!
Bighorn hunter
10-25-2010, 04:55 PM
Can't wait for the rest of the posts Mark, been waiting for this one
Cheers
BH
steepNdeep
10-25-2010, 05:15 PM
Right on Mark... sounds like you guys pounded hard and were rewarded! Between meathead & your other buddy you have the ultimate packhorse team. ;) Nice friggin' bulls. Was that black horned bull in a burn? Congrats.
Congrats to you and your crew!
(please hold the "nice elk" comments for a while, lots of pics to come)[/quote]
I can't wait any longer,
Congrats, 3 beauts (so far) looks like you worked for it.
BimmerBob
10-25-2010, 05:32 PM
Wow, 3 fine elk for you and the crew Mark, great trophies and great friends go well together! Congrats to you all...
kennyj
10-25-2010, 05:40 PM
Way to persevere Mark. You guys nailed some nice ones. Great photos.
kenny
proguide66
10-25-2010, 05:41 PM
Holy shit , thats pretty awesome elk hunting!!!...that 'Meathead' dude doesnt have any horseshoes er anything , he IS A FRIKKIN HORSESHOE !...wish we had bulls like that up north.
d6dan
10-25-2010, 05:43 PM
Way to go Mark!...Congrats all around..My brother was wondering why he hasn't seen you up north this year,now i know why.:-D.
Caveman
10-25-2010, 05:45 PM
Awesome Buddy! Persistance pays off. Freezers full now for a beaut of a mule deer.
Brambles
10-25-2010, 05:45 PM
hell of a good elk season, real nice work
whitetailsheds
10-25-2010, 05:52 PM
You sure you didn't relocate your elk spot to Jasper! Very nice Mark, congrats to the crew! Beauty bulls!
Well done on your elk. Looks like all the time and effort paid off in a big way.
quadrakid
10-25-2010, 05:53 PM
Some hardcore bulls from some hardcore hunters,well done.
BlacktailStalker
10-25-2010, 05:56 PM
Nice bulls guys, like that black one especially, unique.
I imagine there will be a couple "hanging partys" for the first two, mount worthy for certain.
moosinaround
10-25-2010, 05:57 PM
Wicked bulls Mark! I will dedicate a little more time to elk next year myself! I would love a bull like any of the 3 you guys bagged! Tough country, but thats where them buggers are! Congrats again! Moosin
Great story and pics, Mark! Way to persevere!! Love the dark antlers of the second bull :cool:!
luckynuts
10-25-2010, 06:23 PM
Thumbs up to you and the crew! way to persevere and get the job done! Excellent bulls guys. All 3 bulls are great bulls due to the effort and time put in harvesting them no matter the size. Though Mark it was a dink bull :tongue::tongue:I will let you make it up by shooting a cranker Mulie! Mark Style.
Good Luck! Season starts up here in 6 days for us.
W.
Rattler
10-25-2010, 06:26 PM
Way to go Mark! Those are some beauty bulls....
Nice bulls, looks like you earned them!
boxhitch
10-25-2010, 06:30 PM
Way to go mule team.
Genes mixed with good feed make for some nice critters
Too bad you had to stray from your reg8 quest.
BCLongshot
10-25-2010, 06:46 PM
Absolutely AMAZING !!!!!
308Lover
10-25-2010, 06:50 PM
Packing meat! Awesome work you guys. Maybe I'd better not try that in those conditions but hey! Aren't those nice elk! Way to go and great pics too.
trigger
10-25-2010, 06:53 PM
Wow. Those are some awesome bulls. Looks like an amazing season. Good for you mark. And a the pack team
ElectricDyck
10-25-2010, 07:01 PM
Great story and pics, thanks for sharing.
Right on Mark... sounds like you guys pounded hard and were rewarded! Between meathead & your other buddy you have the ultimate packhorse team. ;) Nice friggin' bulls. Was that black horned bull in a burn? Congrats.
Nope no burn for many miles, I believe he was raking the pekerpole pines like the one in the pic!
Holy shit , thats pretty awesome elk hunting!!!...that 'Meathead' dude doesnt have any horseshoes er anything , he IS A FRIKKIN HORSESHOE !...wish we had bulls like that up north.
Yup he does pretty well, but after 5 years of working the same turf he deserved it!
Lots of big ones from the north too, but you know that! :wink:
Way to go Mark!...Congrats all around..My brother was wondering why he hasn't seen you up north this year,now i know why.:-D.
I really did miss my annual chetwynd trip, was beginning to think I made a mistake by not going.....
Say hi to Mike for me, send him the link to this thread, seeing as he never logs in!
Nice bulls guys, like that black one especially, unique.
I imagine there will be a couple "hanging partys" for the first two, mount worthy for certain.
Euromounts is all they are getting.....mine will just go in the pile with the others....:neutral:
I could of shot a fine 300+ elk today, while looking for a moose????
That's hunting I suppose :confused:
kootenayelkslayer
10-25-2010, 07:05 PM
Sweeeet bulls, nice going. Good thing elk season is just around the corner.... :(
Always nice to get time right away from home/work/responsibility and go somewhere, and tradition is the hardest thing to give up. Seems staying local was a good decision. Nice story. Congrats.
Stone Sheep Steve
10-25-2010, 07:11 PM
Congrats gentlemen!! Nicely done!
When you have the time, drive and knowhow, Mark, you'll find success where ever you hunt!!
SSS
Brian011
10-25-2010, 07:12 PM
nice bulls! hard work definately paid off!
ufishifish2
10-25-2010, 07:19 PM
Thanks for the stories and pics Mark. Awesome Elk all around. Congrats to all of you. Now you can say you shot an Okay Elk this year, but we all know you'll probably shoot a cranker Mulie again.
jrjonesy
10-25-2010, 07:27 PM
Congrats to you and your crew Mark! There's no substitute for hard work and perseverance.
hotload
10-25-2010, 07:54 PM
Kinda wondered how your season was going. Great way to explode back onto the scene. Can't say enough how you hung onto a dream and kept at it. The young guys on this site should read and heed. As usual, great writeup and great bull Mark. Now for your next love, Muley's.
Way to go Meathead.
Gateholio
10-25-2010, 07:57 PM
Been waiting for this thread...:-D
Well done!:mrgreen:
tomahawk
10-25-2010, 08:05 PM
Nice work boys, that black anterled bull looks extra cool. Lots of steaks, roasts and burger!!
Blainer
10-25-2010, 08:09 PM
You never seem to dissapoint!
I'll keep watching for the November mulie?
patdel
10-25-2010, 08:35 PM
Wow, Great Elk and story! Congrats to the Crew! How many elk did you encounter in your 28 days pursuing them?
BCrams
10-25-2010, 08:41 PM
Great bulls for all of you!! You sure put in an effort and it payed off!! Love that dark antlered bull!
trencher
10-25-2010, 09:09 PM
Wow good job. We put some time in local for elk this year too. But work and crowded bush got the best of us. Those were some incredible bulls!
GRIZZEZE
10-25-2010, 09:13 PM
looks like a lot of work, good to have budies that are willing to come out and lend a hand. Congrats to all of you, those are some fine looking bulls
GoatGuy
10-25-2010, 09:20 PM
Looks tasty and like a lot of work.
2x4x16
10-25-2010, 09:31 PM
Now this is a worthy thread. Great job guys. love the pics.
snareman1234
10-25-2010, 09:37 PM
Congrats to all you guys, way to make it happen around here!
Wrayzer
10-25-2010, 09:40 PM
Your hunting stories never fail to disappoint. Those dark antlers are incredible.
peashooter
10-25-2010, 09:55 PM
That's a nice….....…...................................PILL OW CASE! Lol. Nice work Mark and crew.
Those Okanagan bulls have nice color.You fellas know how to get it done.Congrats
Moose72
10-26-2010, 12:17 AM
Ecellent story and excellent critters there Mark. I can see why ya live there now.
sawmill
10-26-2010, 03:52 AM
Way to giterdone!Love the black antlered bull!
Dually
10-26-2010, 04:21 AM
Wow! what a season for you three, gets my blood going to go chase some mulie's myself. Come on days off!!!!
Those are all beautiful bulls. Congratulations!
dawn2dusk
10-26-2010, 08:44 AM
Very inspiring post! I like the fact that you set the goal, persisted, and scored. THat is always a great feeling. Well done.
shantz
10-26-2010, 09:01 AM
Congrats Mark!! You earned it!
rifleman
10-26-2010, 10:06 AM
those sure are a few beauty elk, man i would love to get one of those like that one day. congrats a a successful elk hunting year . thanx 4 posting
xtremearchery
10-26-2010, 02:35 PM
awesome job! Great pics and thanx for sharing. Gotta love those Island Rossies.
DaBears
10-26-2010, 03:11 PM
Congrats guys!!! amazing photos!!!
Ecellent story and excellent critters there Mark. I can see why ya live there now.
Jeez Jimmy, there arnt many drawback to living in the okanagan! Elk hunting is just another plus!
awesome job! Great pics and thanx for sharing. Gotta love those Island Rossies.
Huh???? :confused:
cainer
10-31-2010, 10:05 PM
nicely done fellas...but i think your mulie rack from last year outscored your Elk this year Mark ;)
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