2025 Best Elk Hunt Photo, sponsored by Kifaru

[robby denning]

1/1/26 update: Staff has picked the 10 Finalists! Members can vote here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/vote-on-the-2025-best-elk-hunt-photo.434379/

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Here we go!!!!

KIFARU is in for 1st-3rd with another incredible prize package...

1st place winner: ARK Frame and pack of their choice plus $500 Gift Card

2nd place winner: Shape Charge plus $500 Gift Card

3rd place winner: Mesa Bino Harness plus $500 Gift Card


For 4th place, Iron Will Outfitters is back, this time with a Custom Engraved 6 Pack of Broadheads here





For 5th place is the always-generous Phone Skope with a digiscoping bundle:

-Phone Skope Case
-Phone Skope C3 Optic Adapter
-Phone Skope Lens Cap
-Bino Loops
-Cleaning Cloth




Rounding out 6th place, S&S Archery is in with a Guardian Chest Plate here



Check out all the 2024 finalists here so you know what we're looking for.

(There will be a 2025 Meatpole thread for your images that aren't contest worthy on the Elk subforum, ( @philos @fngTony @Travis Bertrand @mtnwrunner @Maidenfan539, any time for the meatpole thread guys))

Rules:

This is NOT a biggest bull contest, but a "best photo" contest. The winning photo will be judged on the following criteria and rules:

*to note you can't enter a photo for someone else. They must enter it themselves (per rules #4-6) , otherwise the guides and those with big families/friend circles would have better odds.

1) WOW Factor. Is it a great photo that grabs the viewer? This takes in lighting, color, uniqueness, etc.

2) Composition- by that I mean the way in which the different parts that make up your photo are arranged- is there too much background, not enough animal? or visa versa? Are the antler tips out of the frame or the hunters head cut off? Or is it a good balance between the bull, the hunter, the terrain? (the hunter is not required to appear in the photo.)

3) Size of animal. This doesn't mean biggest animal wins, but it could!

4) Must be a photo of a bull harvested fair chase in 2025 (or after December 10th of 2024--you must be able to prove date of harvest)

5) Between archery season and December 10th, post up your best single harvest photo on this thread

6) Must be a Rokslide member to enter your photo. One Photo Per Entry, (multiple photos entries will be deleted without notice). If you harvest multiple bulls, you can enter one photo for each (lucky dog, you!)

7) Also, by posting on this thread, you agree to let Rokslide and contest sponsors use any of the photos in promotional material without compensation

8) Any international winner is responsible for border tax, custom fees, excessive postage fees, etc.

Good luck Roksliders!

 

[Acorn]

I’ll go first.

 

[juglow]

There is nothing easy about elk hunting but still smiling on the last load. Hash Tag "The Grind!"
Raw, no professional, no edits...just an iphone lol.
Sept 5 2025, 7:30AM, 560gr arrow tipped with a 125gr Iron Will Single Bevel.

 

[tylerb4613]

My first true 6!

 

[nphunter]

Seventh 6+ point in eight years with my bow. OR

 

[mooster]

 

[bhowren]

My 78 year old Dad got a spike. I called it in with Cow Calls. Played cat and mouse with him until Dad snuck in and shot him. Went @ 75 Yards and expired, right before dark. I got a 4 x 5 on Sept. 11th in the Snake River Unit in Oregon. Slow played him until I got him fired up enough to come across a meadow to me. Started with Cow Call and weak Bugles, escalated to - Raking, Bugling, Cutting him off! Thought I was going to have to shoot him from underneath! He started to come right through the bushes I was hiding behind. Slightly spooked but mellowed with cow calls. Shot him once at @ 8 feet, then again at @ 30 yards. Both shots would have killed him. Watched him die at @ 40 yards.
The Harvests were Great, but the best was getting to hunt one more year with my Dad. He taught me how to hunt, mostly with a rifle throughout my life. Now I get to pay him back just a little by teaching him more about Archery Hunting. Very Proud of my Dad for who he is and all he has taught me about life and the outdoors!

Attachments​

 

[MTbowhunter36]

It's always challenging for me to take good photos when solo hunting. Here's my phone in selfie mode to capture the moment.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

 

[Andrewlonghi]

First Bull elk for this Florida crew in Montana. High grizzly and wolf unit and we got in done. Pack out was rough on us flat landers

 

[Redbaron307]

2025 public land archery bull. Made the right play and got a 22 yard shot at him.

 

[fatlander]

2025 General Archery MT DIY. 3 for 3 the first week with two great buddies.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PaBone]

Hauling out the final load, Montana public land archery bull 9/15/2025

 

[HUNTMAN]

 

[kylem]

Found the perfect rock to balance my pack and take a break on the last load of my solo packout.

 

[Brado16]

 

[Zebediah]

First bull on a solo public land hunt. Came in screaming to my cow calls and shot him at 18 yards. He went roughly 50 yards and I listened to him take his last breaths. Absolutely amazing experience and I’m very fortunate to have drawn one of the big 3 in Oregon.

 

[Eagle]

Wilderness Bull

 

[Tsimms]

 

[Rabbit46]

Montana archery bull.

 

[Brontosaurus]

Wyoming rifle bull.