Okanagan 8x7 bull elk

[JDR]

Well it’s been a tough year for elk in the Okanagan: very little bugling and very few elk seen. It seemed the elk just weren’t where they normally should be. September 30th was probably the last day I would get out for elk. I checked out several areas in the morning, but saw very little sign. Before I knew it the morning was over and I contemplated going home in defeat; however, I had one last spot to check, which I had never hiked before. The previous day I was doing my usual homework on Google Earth and figured this could be an area the elk would be pushed to with all the pressure. I convinced myself it would be a worthwhile hike even if I didn’t see any elk, at least I’d get to see new country.

I hiked to the top of a long ridge to a heavily timbered flat. I immediately noticed what looked like an elk rump about 75 yards away, but thought it might just be the butt end of a log. I checked with the binos and confirmed it was an elk and thought I could see a right antler; however, I was confused because it wasn’t moving. Finally it moved its head and I could see it was a good bull. He then turned to his right and bedded. I was excited because he had no idea I was there, but then, unexpectedly, the wind changed direction and was blowing hard at my back. I was getting real nervous that he was going to wind me at any moment.

While bedded I was able to see his three lower points. As expected, he either winded me or just sensed something was wrong. He stood up, tilting his head back in the process, allowing me to see his back three points. Right when it looked like he was about to bolt, I fired a shot. After the shot, an unseen cow jumped up and followed him. After waiting ten minutes or so I anxiously approached his bed hoping to see a pile of blood. I was very disappointed to only find a spec of blood. I followed his trail for a bit and saw absolutely no blood. I peered into the timber and was relieved when I saw him laying there only 60 yards away. When I got to him he was surrounded by blood and had been double lunged. I was pleasantly surprised to see he was an 8x7 and bigger than I originally thought.

Being by myself I phoned my hunting partner (TIKKA TIGER on this site) and he was able to get the rest of the day off work. Thank the good Lord for good hunting buddies :mrgreen:.

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx113/Muleybuck/Hunting%202011/BullElk20117-2.jpg


http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx113/Muleybuck/Hunting%202011/BullElk20114-1.jpg


http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx113/Muleybuck/Hunting%202011/BullElk201115-1.jpg


http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx113/Muleybuck/Hunting%202011/BullElk201114-1.jpg

[ufishifish2]

Holy crap. What a cranker. Great write-up man. Awesome. Thank for the pics too!!!!

[Skull Hunter]

Great looking bull! I've got to get myself out chasing those one of these years!

[warren0427]

Beauty of an elk! Congrats

[Jelvis]

JDRRRRRRRRRRRRRR what a rack attack! Now that is a once in a lifetimer right there.
Jello - HELLO .. Let's hear it folks .. jdr Jdr JDr JDR JDRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR whoa!

[kayjayess]

Great looking bull. Congrats

[The Hermit]

Sweet!! I think next year I'm going to have to stay past the archery season if it doesn't come together and hunt for the rest of the month. Yep thats it... Sept is booked for Elk, Oct for Moose, Nov for BTs, and Dec for late season WT. ! LOL I like this semi-retirement thing!

[Darksith]

nice, thats a keeper for sure.

[Deeboe]

Awesome bull! Well done!

[Allen50]

thats quit the rack, bet your heart was apumping when you downed him, nice, congrats

[spear]

Wow, some great character on that bull, nice work.

[adamgarbett]

nice bull. thanx for proving you dont gotta travel to the koots for a good elk in bc, now shhhhhhh lets keep it a secret LOL.
CONGRATULATIONS

[Elkaholic2010]

Good job. Thats a decent bull for region 8!

[SR80]

wow thats a great elk! good job!

[Rubberfist]

Congratz and thanks for sharing! That rack is gnarly! And a good hunting partner is worth more than a good wife...unless of course your wife hunts and/or reads HBC.

[kennyj]

Wow! Awesome last minute bull. Way to persevere and get it done. Lots of character on that heavy rack.
Congratulations.
kenny

[big game chaser]

Wow thats a hog !great story too! yes it has been a tough year for elk i can relate not alot of bugles!congrats !and thanks for sharing your pics!

[cainer]

That's a beauty bull jdr. Gotta love new areas!

[barry6.5x55]

Awesome lots of great trophies seem to be getting taken this year , Elk, Bears, Rams ect
great pics keep them coming.

[d6dan]

Great bull JDR!, he's a stud.:-D..Congrats.

[Call of the Wild]

That's a great elk and I love the palmation. Going the extra mile payed off!!!

[urbanhermit]

what a great bull!!

[nano]

Nice bull, congrats!

[dana]

Congrats on one sweet looking bull!

[Caveman]

Brute of a bull, nice job!!

[Fisher-Dude]

What a stud of a bull! Nice work!

[rockdog]

Great bull! Congrats!

[BC4Bowhunter]

Awesome bull!! Congrats Thats a keeper

[scottwh]

OFY! Nice bull! Its alway worth the extra walk! Thats why I always get home so late!!! Congrats on a beauty bull!

[ELK Seeker]

your hard work paid off congrats!! these Okanogan elk are being extra sneaky this year lol

[jaeger]

A Keeper for sure!! Congrats JDR Nice to see the animals harvested by locals!

[patdel]

Wow! Thats a cranker! There sure are some big bulls coming out of the Okanagan. Congrats on a real Beauty!

[matt420]

holy crap that is a giant!!! congrats on your trophy elk

[Doc Sprat]

wow. I am full of jello-c. holy****

[pse&remington]

Nice, bull and good on your buddy for comin out to help out. Thats the kinda hunting buddy you need, one you can rely on when things go
better than well

[300H&H]

Holly Crap !!!

Thats one of the best Okanagan bulls I have ever seen.
Good for you.
Next time call me and I will help you pack him out. :-)

[BearSniper]

Awesome Elk. Good shot. They are out there for sure

[JDR]

Thanks for comments guys, appreciate it!


Yep thats it... Sept is booked for Elk, Oct for Moose, Nov for BTs, and Dec for late season WT. ! LOL I like this semi-retirement thing!

Sounds just like my season except you can swap mulies for BTs.

[chainsaw]

That is a dandy good for you

[frenchbar]

Good stuff Chris. hell of a start stocking the freezer!

[JDR]

Good stuff Chris. hell of a start stocking the freezer!

Lol, who's Chris?

[frenchbar]

Lol, who's Chris? oops wrong thread ... lol great bull by the way !

[LeverActionJunkie]

Nice Work!! That is a dandy bull in my books, congratulations!

[aj1493]

congrats on him

[mark]

A very impressive bull!

Might just be the biggest taken from the okanagan this year!

Trying very hard to find something like that myself!

[mark]

Well, when I saw this thread earlier today.....I thought this bull looked familiar?????
Ironically, I managed to have a look at the rack in person and confirmed my suspicion.....
Heres the last years sheds from this bull, I have had them side by side today and there is no mistake, 100% match.
The bull didnt grow much in any way except the rear point on the left as well a couple tickers!
Im guessing he'll now gross score about 315"


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2011_sheds_009_Small_.jpg

These sheds measured 134" & 136"

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/2011_sheds_008_Small_.jpg

I also have dozens of t-cam pics of this bull alive last winter......I guess I can cross this one off my list of potentials!

Congrads again on a nice bull!

[JDR]

Well, when I saw this thread earlier today.....I thought this bull looked familiar?????
Ironically, I managed to have a look at the rack in person and confirmed my suspicion.....
Heres the last years sheds from this bull, I have had them side by side today and there is no mistake, 100% match.
The bull didnt grow much in any way except the rear point on the left as well a couple tickers!
Im guessing he'll now gross score about 315"

I also have dozens of t-cam pics of this bull alive last winter......I guess I can cross this one off my list of potentials!

Congrads again on a nice bull!

Thanks for posting, Mark, that's VERY cool - pics and sheds!! Indeed it does look like him. Would you mind sending me a couple of his trail cam pics? I'll shoot you a pm with my email.

[mark]

Thanks for posting, Mark, that's VERY cool - pics and sheds!! Indeed it does look like him. Would you mind sending me a couple of his trail cam pics? I'll shoot you a pm with my email.

Its him 100% I spent some time comparing them at "the shop" today, I also left them there so you can compare them as well!
Im trying to scratch out the background on my t-cam pics, then Ill post them!

[180grainer]

Really nice bull. Congrats

[Ourea]

These bulls may be somewhat similar ....at the very best.
If you review closely, you will see they are not remotely related.
Look at the left beam royal and sur-royal.
Look at the right beam royal and sur-royal.
Look at the beam length. ...Numerous discrepencies.
Not even close.
Not trying to be critical in any way but these animals are not the same, not even close.
Not trying to discredit mark.






http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/mark2.jpg

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[meathunter]

Great bull! congrats on the success

[mark]

[QUOTE=Ourea;990361]These bulls may be somewhat similar ....at the very best.
If you review closely, you will see they are not remotely related.
Look at the left beam royal and sur-royal.
Look at the right beam royal and sur-royal.
Look at the beam length. ...Numerous discrepencies.
Not even close.
Not trying to be critical in any way but these animals are not the same, not even close.
Not trying to discredit mark.
http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/browndog100/mark2.jpg



Hate to burst your "know it all bubble" but they are of the same bull without question!!! While I realize the pics dont show everything necessary to prove this, Ive had the sheds and rack together and there is no doubt whatsoever!!!!!!

I guarantee, that many others will see the antlers in coming days and second my opinion!!!
The main 6 point frame is identical in size and shape, many, many details in the curvature and shape of the tines, from the base right to the tip of the mainbeam, make it unmistakable!
Main beam length is nearly identical!

Piss on my posts all you want ourea, but you couldnt be more wrong!!!!

[kootenayelkslayer]

What an awesome bull, congratulations! A little bit jealous over here.

[BlacktailStalker]

Who cares ! Its dead lol

[grizzlydueck]

Thats a dream bull ........congats ! I would love a non typical elk !

[moose2]

Great looking bull way to stick with it. Your homework and energy paid off. Congratulations on a beauty elk.
Mike