2025 elk meat pole

[Subzeroeng]

This is my first elk, after 3 years of chasing shadows. Solo hunt and packout on a Utah Any Bull tag.
I bumped 2-3 bulls and tracked them about 100 yards. This was the first one to give me a shot when I caught up with them. 51 yrds with a 77 gr TMK from my .223. He didn’t go 20 yards before he crumpled. If there is anyone left that doubts the value of a suppressor, I forgot the existence of my ear pro around my neck but didn’t even have the slightest ringing after the shot, and the other bulls didn’t run until he crumpled and startled them.

 

[HighUintas]

This is my first elk, after 3 years of chasing shadows. Solo hunt and packout on a Utah Any Bull tag.
I bumped 2-3 bulls and tracked them about 100 yards. This was the first one to give me a shot when I caught up with them. 51 yrds with a 77 gr TMK from my .223. He didn’t go 20 yards before he crumpled. If there is anyone left that doubts the value of a suppressor, I forgot the existence of my ear pro around my neck but didn’t even have the slightest ringing after the shot, and the other bulls didn’t run until he crumpled and startled them.

That is awesome. Congratulations. That's a hard hunt

 

[Subzeroeng]

That is awesome. Congratulations. That's a hard hunt

Thank you. From your username you know exactly how hard that area and hunt are.

 

[Floated_down]

Was very fortunate to harvest my first ever elk on Tuesday. First time hunter, solo, DIY, on public land, so I was not exactly expecting success, but I was lucky enough to run into this nice bull with a clean broadside look at 150 yds. Double lung shot put him down almost immediately in an absolutely beautiful ridgeline spot. Truly a life-changing experience. Feeling very grateful

 

[HunterGatherer]

First time hunting and you killed a bull !? Nice work man ! You’re already beating the odds.

 

[Floated_down]

First time hunting and you killed a bull !? Nice work man ! You’re already beating the odds.

well day 4 of me wandering around in the woods with my rifle, but yea my first ever hunting season for any animal. I've lived in WY for 20 years but have mostly been a skier, mountain biker and a fly fisherman, but I decided this spring it was time to learn how to hunt. Spent the last 6 months studying, preparing, practicing, etc. still in disbelief that it all came together.

sincere gratitude to the all people who share information on this forum. its been an invaluable resource for a lowly FNG like myself

 

[AdvntrSeekr]

Solo deep in the Backcountry

 

[Olsolitaire1]

Utah Manti muzzleloader bull hunt. First elk with my 58 caliber flintlock shooting patched ball and real black powder. The shorts are stalking perfection and everyone should try it. Shot at 50 yards offhand. Frontal shot slightly high dropped him with a neck and spine impact.

This was a solo hunt and hard won after 7 days of chasing bugles and cutting my teeth on close encounters with big bulls. Hopefully it is obvious from the photo it was done solo and how satisfied I am.

View attachment 944490
View attachment 944660

Great to see one taken with a real muzzleloader! Well done

 

[mcr-85]

Another Utah spike. Friday I was hunting with some friends helping one that has a big bull tag. We were looking at a couple bulls that weren't quite what he wanted. The wind shifted and the elk stood. I was on my spotter looking at a one of the bulls and my buddy told me there was a spike. I shot him once at 460 and dropped him at 597 yards. My friends headed to a different spot and I dropped off the mountain to quarter him. My wife and kids came up to a road that was about a mile below me and picked me up. We went and hauled him out the next day.

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

 

[wytx]

Small bull, private land.
We take what we can, still looking for some cows too.

 

[Wolfpack03]

Nice Bull.

 

[lgoodroe_12]

Filled a cow tag on opening morning (August 15th). I came across the herd the evening of August 14 and then found them again bright and early the next morning not too far away. Snuck into 356 yards and was able to put a gal on the ground right where she stood. Psyched to start the big game season with meat in the freezer, now I can be picky the rest of the year.

View attachment 922804View attachment 922805

Super cool photo!

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Opening morning of 1st CO. 5x5. Not a tank but lots of meat in my freezer, happy with it. Was running with about 15 cows.

First animal with my 300 wsm shooting 178 ELDX. Shot was maybe 110 yards. Hit low lungs and dropped him on the spot. ELDX was found in offside hide and the core separated from the jacket. I'll weigh it later. Lungs were absolutely shredded and opening the cavity to grab the heart there must have been 3L of blood that poured out.

Excited to eat some bacon wrapped tenderloin tonight.

 

[intunegp]

View attachment 950814

Opening morning of 1st CO. 5x5. Not a tank but lots of meat in my freezer, happy with it. Was running with about 15 cows.

First animal with my 300 wsm shooting 178 ELDX. Shot was maybe 110 yards. Hit low lungs and dropped him on the spot. ELDX was found in offside hide and the core separated from the jacket. I'll weigh it later. Lungs were absolutely shredded and opening the cavity to grab the heart there must have been 3L of blood that poured out.

Excited to eat some bacon wrapped tenderloin tonight.

I'm shooting that bull 100 times out of 100 if he comes by at 110 yards on opening morning. Nice work!

 

[ReaptheHeat]

I'm shooting that bull 100 times out of 100 if he comes by at 110 yards on opening morning. Nice work!

For sure. I take the first legal bull I see unless its a trophy unit.

 

[HighUintas]

View attachment 950814

Opening morning of 1st CO. 5x5. Not a tank but lots of meat in my freezer, happy with it. Was running with about 15 cows.

First animal with my 300 wsm shooting 178 ELDX. Shot was maybe 110 yards. Hit low lungs and dropped him on the spot. ELDX was found in offside hide and the core separated from the jacket. I'll weigh it later. Lungs were absolutely shredded and opening the cavity to grab the heart there must have been 3L of blood that poured out.

Excited to eat some bacon wrapped tenderloin tonight.

He's got an odd but beautiful color to his hide. Congratulations!

 

[bradmacmt]

Was very fortunate to harvest my first ever elk on Tuesday. First time hunter, solo, DIY, on public land, so I was not exactly expecting success, but I was lucky enough to run into this nice bull with a clean broadside look at 150 yds. Double lung shot put him down almost immediately in an absolutely beautiful ridgeline spot. Truly a life-changing experience. Feeling very grateful

Super cool - very happy for you.

I'm always interested to know what a first time elk hunter equips himself with rifle/cartridge-wise if you don't mind sharing?

 

[Floated_down]

Super cool - very happy for you.

I'm always interested to know what a first time elk hunter equips himself with rifle/cartridge-wise if you don't mind sharing?

Thanks, I'm still absolutely buzzing from the whole experience! I nearly melted into a puddle after I dropped everything off at the processor.

I went with a Tikka T3x .308. I figured I needed a ton of practice to get ready, so I didn't want something that would wreck my shoulder or make me flinch. Also I knew I wouldn't be attempting anything long range for my first elk (I set a 250yd limit), so the .308 seemed a good choice for my situation. I put a 175 grain Terminal Ascent right on target and he staggered about 20 yds and went down. I walked up to him less than 5 minutes later (I now know this wasn't the best move) but luckily he was already dead. Passed through both lungs with a large exit wound.