Do you go "Ugly Early"?

[elkyinzer]

I'll hold out for a decent 5 point the first few days, after that my release finger could get itchy depending what the rest of our group is doing. I have to fly the meat home and I have two months of deer hunting ahead to fill the freezer, so I can be a little picky.

 

[justinspicher]

Day one. I'm not picky. I'll usually choose a cow/doe over a bull/buck.

 

[IdahoElk]

I've gotten them the first week and the last,I'll pick the last hour of the last day so that I've spent as much time as possible in the woods.

 

[JPHuntingAUS]

Trophy animals can taste just as good!

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[Where's Bruce?]

Shoot whatever you can the first time to get the stripe off your back. That's coming from a guy who has been eating elk tags for years. <g>

 

[jmez]

If it is legal I'll shoot it. The only thing I discern is whether or not it is an elk.

 

[Jesse Minish]

Not a lot of elk in the unit of Idaho I hunt and its bull only now so first opportunity for a legal elk for me.

 

[Vandal 44]

I go into the season telling myself hold out for a nice bull with that said I end up shooting the first legal elk I see.

 

[robby denning]

If you like 'em, kill 'em.

Trophy hunting is what I prefer but sure nice to fill a tag more than once in a while, have a freezer full of succulent, and to rest from all the work.

To me, it's all hunting, meat hunters=trophy hunters=meat hunters. It's what you prefer. Don't be like anyone else. Be you. Be thankful. Enjoy the hunt.

 

[Ridge Ghost]

Unless it's a special draw tag or a serious trophy area I'm shooting the first legal bull I can. It's good experience, meat in the freezer, and then the pressure's off. You can call & pack for your buddies the rest of the season and not have the worry of tag soup hanging over you.

 

[Mmcan]

my rag horn bull from last year was a elk of opportunity, everything was perfect.
Spotted him the night before and made a move in on him that morning. Got well inside of 100yrds to have him present a perfect calm broadside shot. He was dead before he knew i was there. The pack out was what really sealed the deal i could almost see the truck from where i shot and it was all down hill!
Some times it just seems like its meant to be, making it hard to pass on a shot when everything is perfect!

fantastic!

 

[Mmcan]

If it is legal I'll shoot it. The only thing I discern is whether or not it is an elk.

This made me LOL!

 

[Mmcan]

So after 5 days out there, and having a total shut out (haven't seen a single elk, no bugling, rare signs of recent activity in 2 different areas), I am going to take the first legal elk that gets within bow range. Anyone else having any luck so far?

 

[Elkfitness]

I haven't read through this thread, but I would say your first elk should be any elk. Whatever is legal should be a target. I still remember my first elk, a small rag horn, and having to get over buck fever all over again (whitetail hunted as a teen). Its quite amazing to see such a large majestic animal come into bow range. I still remember talking to myself and thinking "sh!t, this is gonna happen". Aim small, miss small, and if it's a bull, on your first one, just make sure it's legal in your unit. Then pick a hair in the crease and wait for the moment to let the arrow go. Flashing back, but I still remember trying to flip over the rag horn after quartering the one side having a "you better man up" moment.

 

[efnm]

I have to draw for elk and deer here in NM, so I have yet to be picky about trophy quality on the deer. For elk, if I ever draw bull I will wait to get a chance at a 5x5 since I may only get a bull tag once every 10 years and cow every other.

 

[theleo91386]

OTC tags I'm generally taking the first legal animal that's in range, but I prefer to pass on cows and calves the first couple of days. Trophies are in the eye of the beholder. I'd love to shoot an old bull with a massive rack, it'd be the one I shoot if it was standing next to a spike, but the family would rather me shoot the spike as a freezer trophy. The only animal I'm really not interested in is an old cow, no horns and tough. What I normally seem to end up taking are 5x5's. They're my favorite freezer trophy, more meat than a spike and not as tough as a monster 6x6.