2024 OFFICIAL ELK MEAT POLE

[IdahoSwede]

2024 Idaho Bull. Got it done opening day for the second year in a row. Good thing because there were elk bugling all over opening day, then the shots started and the elk activity went to basically 0 over the next 3 days

 

[GSPHUNTER]

2024 Idaho Bull. Got it done opening day for the second year in a row. Good thing because there were elk bugling all over opening day, then the shots started and the elk activity went to basically 0 over the next 3 daysView attachment 787516

Great bull. I was hunting northern Wisconsin some years back during earn a buck. season. I dropped a nice doe early opening morning, then the shooting really started. After that every deer I saw was running at full speed.

 

[farmermail]

First elk ever for my daughter. 10-yard shot and she dropped him.
I can't tell you how proud I was of her. One of the most memorable hunts I have ever been on bar none. We are still in shock as to how it all went down. A special thanks to the man who helped make this hunt happen. Thanks so much John.

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There is nothing quite like seeing your children earn an opportunity, then seal the deal when presented with it. Congrats, and way to go dad for putting it all together!

 

[JustSeth]

This was my 14 year old son, Josiah's first bull. I've taught him and his 2 older brothers to shoot since they were young. We noticed that he had developed a flinch while practicing this summer so we spent a lot of time dry firing and shooting and he worked it out on targets. Shooting at live game is a different story and we hoped it wouldn't return during hunting season. We also took the opportunity to practice building shooting positions quickly and shooting at various distances. It all paid off when this bull stepped out at 322 yards. Josiah stayed focused and put 1 round through both lungs, the bull ran 60 yards, stopped, then tipped over. I couldn't be more proud. He was shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor with factory Hornady 120 grain ELD-M ammunition out of a Tikka. Installing the vertical grip on his factory stock along with installing a @Unknown Munitions trigger spring, made a big difference for him.

I heard one of the questions on the most recent @ExoMtnGear podcast with @Formidilosus about using the 120 grain ELD-M bullets so I have included pictures of the entrance wound and both lung lobes. We found a (roughly) 3/8" wide by 1/8" thick lead disc just barely under the epidermis on the opposite side. Really happy with the performance.

 

[JustSeth]

Finally did it! First elk! 2nd season OTC. I backpacked for 8 nights total. Got in Thursday before season and packed out the last load yesterday morning. The first spot I went I turned up the bull in the picture on Friday night before season. Spent 3. days trying to get eyes on him again and couldn’t find him or any other elk. Haha naturally, 12 hours before season I’ve got 2 bulls and 9 cows under 400 yards from me. Not wanting to keep chasing a ghost I pulled camp and had to relocate 2 more times to get on elk. Wednesday morning got eyes on some elk slipping into the timber. Never got a count or great look to see what they were exactly. So I moved camp closer for that evening. Never showed that night. Thursday morning had this bull, a better 6 point, a spike and 5 cows work across an open face. I had a cow tag too and wasn’t afraid to shoot one if one of the bulls didn’t give me a shot. The 6 point stayed just out of sight and I could only see his head and neck when he’d lift it from feeding. The cows were starting to work up and over the edge so I wasn’t about to wait to see if he was going to come into the open. Made a good shot, anchoring him. Immediately followed up with a second. Turned out I wouldn’t have needed it but when I drop an animal I’m always quick to get another one on them just in case. Packed him and camp out in two loads. Had a blast and got my but whooped. Still on a high from it.


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Finally did it! First elk! 2nd season OTC. I backpacked for 8 nights total. Got in Thursday before season and packed out the last load yesterday morning. The first spot I went I turned up the bull in the picture on Friday night before season. Spent 3. days trying to get eyes on him again and couldn’t find him or any other elk. Haha naturally, 12 hours before season I’ve got 2 bulls and 9 cows under 400 yards from me. Not wanting to keep chasing a ghost I pulled camp and had to relocate 2 more times to get on elk. Wednesday morning got eyes on some elk slipping into the timber. Never got a count or great look to see what they were exactly. So I moved camp closer for that evening. Never showed that night. Thursday morning had this bull, a better 6 point, a spike and 5 cows work across an open face. I had a cow tag too and wasn’t afraid to shoot one if one of the bulls didn’t give me a shot. The 6 point stayed just out of sight and I could only see his head and neck when he’d lift it from feeding. The cows were starting to work up and over the edge so I wasn’t about to wait to see if he was going to come into the open. Made a good shot, anchoring him. Immediately followed up with a second. Turned out I wouldn’t have needed it but when I drop an animal I’m always quick to get another one on them just in case. Packed him and camp out in two loads. Had a blast and got my but whooped. Still on a high from it.


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Thanks for sharing the story man! Congratulations. Glad you were rewarded for all the hard work.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

This was my 14 year old son, Josiah's first bull. I've taught him and his 2 older brothers to shoot since they were young. We noticed that he had developed a flinch while practicing this summer so we spent a lot of time dry firing and shooting and he worked it out on targets. Shooting at live game is a different story and we hoped it wouldn't return during hunting season. We also took the opportunity to practice building shooting positions quickly and shooting at various distances. It all paid off when this bull stepped out at 322 yards. Josiah stayed focused and put 1 round through both lungs, the bull ran 60 yards, stopped, then tipped over. I couldn't be more proud. He was shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor with factory Hornady 120 grain ELD-M ammunition out of a Tikka. Installing the vertical grip on his factory stock along with installing a @Unknown Munitions trigger spring, made a big difference for him.

I heard one of the questions on the most recent @ExoMtnGear podcast with @Formidilosus about using the 120 grain ELD-M bullets so I have included pictures of the entrance wound and both lung lobes. We found a (roughly) 3/8" wide by 1/8" thick lead disc just barely under the epidermis on the opposite side. Really happy with the performance.
View attachment 788425

I like the way you spent time with him correcting his flinch issue. I have found dry firing to be very important correcting multiple bad habits. I also urge people to practice not from just the bench, but from actual in the field hunting position one may encounter. Way to go young man. First of many to come, but the first is always the best.

 

[JustSeth]

Thanks! I wish I knew what caused the flinch and I'm likely to blame for it. Installing the @Unknown Munitions trigger spring almost eliminated the flinch entirely. I think that the heavy squeeze built tension/target panic even though the Tikka trigger breaks nicely.

 

[EvanG17]

My first elk. 2nd season OTC tag.

 

[LostWapiti]

Literal meat pole. Buddy and I got our 2 small meat elk we wanted and a couple nice bucks. Sore feet and knees persist.

 

[BigSkyHntr]

Didn’t get an elk the last 2 years so it was time! He’s small but did have some meat!
Watched him bedded across a canyon for about an hour and a half with about 20 cows before he finally got up and presented a shot. 630 yds. Tikka .270 Win.
Congrats to everyone else!

 

[One-shot]

Idaho OTC DIY Solo

50 yard shot and 40 yard recovery. Hoyt Rx-1, Easton 5mm arrows and RAD van dyke broadhead.

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That will be outstanding meat.

 

[dreamingbig]

MT B Tag filled

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[TrailDog]

View attachment 789028Didn’t get an elk the last 2 years so it was time! He’s small but did have some meat!
Watched him bedded across a canyon for about an hour and a half with about 20 cows before he finally got up and presented a shot. 630 yds. Tikka .270 Win.
Congrats to everyone else!

Man! What's your bullet drop at 630 yards with a .270?? Nice shooting!

 

[Packer9037]

2nd bull...1st with my daughter. 2nd season OTC colorado

 

[BigSkyHntr]

Man! What's your bullet drop at 630 yards with a .270?? Nice shooting!

Thanks! I think it’d be just over 50”.. I’ve practiced a bit though and know exactly where to dial the scope Unlike a lot of Rsliders I’m loving my VX5 so far!! Haha