Elk advice, 2 lost in a row where am i going wrong?

[sndmn11]

Since it looks like the thread has pretty well accomplished what it was supposed to, I'll just add on to this that you're incorrect that it is full-stop illegal. It is specifically given as a caveat that if a permitted dog handler is tracking a wounded animal and obtains permission from a wildlife officer, that they may continue tracking after legal hunting hours and dispatch the animal if it is still alive. https://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/state-regulations/co/

That's good info!

I'm driving and skimmed. Does that link, or the dog tracking provision outline if the hunter can be armed while tracking?

When I've talked to Scott and Lyndsey i think I remember them saying the hunter needed to be unarmed, but am unsure if that was their requirement or a legal one.

 

[np307]

That's good info!

I'm driving and skimmed. Does that link, or the dog tracking provision outline if the hunter can be armed while tracking?

When I've talked to Scott and Lyndsey i think I remember them saying the hunter needed to be unarmed, but am unsure if that was their requirement or a legal one.

It appears they may be armed during the track, only with a weapon legal for their season. The UBT site quotes the whole relevant statute but here's a relevant snippet: "The properly licensed hunter is required to be present while the dog is tracking and the animal must be dispatched by the hunter using a legal method of take based on their license."

 

[sndmn11]

It appears they may be armed during the track, only with a weapon legal for their season. The UBT site quotes the whole relevant statute but here's a relevant snippet: "The properly licensed hunter is required to be present while the dog is tracking and the animal must be dispatched by the hunter using a legal method of take based on their license."

I reached out to my LE contact and he said this is the best documentation of the statute.

2 CCR 406-0-004 - AIDS IN TAKING WILDLIFE

www.law.cornell.edu

He said pay attention to the word "may" and understand that it is a separate authorization and not implied with the permission to track at night.

 

[np307]

I reached out to my LE contact and he said this is the best documentation of the statute.

2 CCR 406-0-004 - AIDS IN TAKING WILDLIFE

www.law.cornell.edu

He said pay attention to the word "may" and understand that it is a separate authorization and not implied with the permission to track at night.
View attachment 950387

100%. I was simply objecting to the idea that it's always outside the law to put down a wounded animal outside of legal hunting hours. As narrow as the window may be, theres still a little daylight there.

 

[CMF]

100%. I was simply objecting to the idea that it's always outside the law to put down a wounded animal outside of legal hunting hours. As narrow as the window may be, theres still a little daylight there.

I think it's usually ethical to finish off an animal regardless of the "legal hours". Assuming you track it and find it obviously wounded.

I haven't seen it happen much. If I'm questioning the shot or track, I usually just wait until morning. It's rarely so warm that you can't leave an animal overnight. Even in MS with lows in the 50-60, I've let em lie overnight.

I've only had the opportunity once with a whitetail doe that I blood-trailed after dark and found bedded and still alive. I put another arrow in her. Crazy thing is, she jumped up, ran off, and I couldn't find her even the next morning after two arrows in her.

 

[mt terry d]

Do that to a pet or one of your livestock and you'd be charged with animal cruelty
at the least.

Guess a lot of people paid no attention to the Nuremberg trials.

 

[WaltherDawg]

Looks lie a conflict between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law (not an uncommon thing at all anymore) Where the letter states no hunting after dark but the spirit of so many hunting laws is a clean humane kill with little or no suffering.
Which path is more important to you?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Can you spot your impacts in your scope with a .300 win mag? Not trying to be overly blunt but I know I sure as heck couldn’t do it, so it kind of skews of where the actual shot landed if you catch my drift, helped out on quite a few wounded elk track jobs and like smdman said common theme is speculation on where the shot actually landed… elk are tough but definitely not armored a well placed shot in the vitals will kill them in short order, I like bullets that disrupt a little more than a ttsx

 

[ReaptheHeat]

Since it looks like the thread has pretty well accomplished what it was supposed to, I'll just add on to this that you're incorrect that it is full-stop illegal. It is specifically given as a caveat that if a permitted dog handler is tracking a wounded animal and obtains permission from a wildlife officer, that they may continue tracking after legal hunting hours and dispatch the animal if it is still alive. https://www.unitedbloodtrackers.org/state-regulations/co/

Thank you, this is the exact information I was looking for and the reason I ask these questions.

 

[Tmac]

These are all recovered after moderate to high velocity impacts, 2,300 ish fps to 2,800 ish fps. Loads were chronographed so impact velocities are close.

All worked very well. One mono, one partition and two cup and core with mechanical measures to lock the core in.

My best guess is your bullet selection was not the issue at the ranges you listed, placement was. A mono is deadly when velocity is kept up, but ime not as quick a killer as a cup and core. I use both styles often.

Odds are your broadside shot did not hit where you think you aimed. My guess is it impacted higher.

If you hit the second one where indicated it probably did not get a second lung and is a little high of an aim point for that shot.

 

[BucksNBulls]

Download the new TrackNTrail app. It actually works well.
Tim Wells helped design it.

 

[Idaboy]

I'm looking for advice to improve my ability to kill elk, I have just lost my second elk in a row over the last 2 seasons and the feeling is sickening. Any and all advice is welcome and I'll do my best to go over both shots for you all you analyze.

Elk 1 was a cow broadside at 200 yards. Shooting a 180gr TTSX out of my 300 win. Aimed for the crease halfway down and shot felt great I was steady on my bipod and confident I punched both lungs. She immediately turned around and ran into the bush, I heard her run in breaking branches then stop and cough blood. Wait about 30min and begun tracking. Blood trail was very strong spray on trees and plenty of blood on the ground there was so much blood I expected to find her any step. We even found where she had stopped coughed up a few piles of coagulated blood, after that the blood trail got smaller and smaller eventually down to drips every 50 feet and then nothing. Tracked for around 500 yards total and no elk, tried grid search after loosing blood and no elk. Tried looking the next day for birds or any sign and nothing

Now shot 2, bull elk quarting to at a very slight angle. About 80 yards. After my experience last year I turned away from the Barnes and was using standard federal blue box ammo, 180 gr again 300 win mag. I aimed just infront of the Shoulder facing me on the line of the tan and black hair aming to exit just behind the offside Shoulder. Bull went down hard almost as if spined, dropping in his tracks. I could see he was trying to stand but none of his legs would work and I was sure he was done. So much so I failed to chamber another round. Huge mistake. He managed to get himself turned broadside to me still unable to stand and I thought I had better give him another one, by the time I chambered around he was on his feet out of there. Waited about and hour and started trailing not tons of blood and no spray but enough drops to follow easily. Went about 400 yards and decided it was best to back off and come back in the am. Tracked the bull all the next day for about 2 miles, he traveled mostly downhill but jumped a 4 wire fence like nothing. Got on some very fresh still wet blood the next morning leading me to believe he made it through the night. Eventually lost blood but continued to follow what I think was his tracks for another mile and no elk. Returned a 3rd day and no signs of a dead elk.

I can't believe centerpunching him so close with a 300 win wouldn't be fatal. My guess is maybe I missed and had a heavy bone hit or the bullet exploded and didn't penatrate?

I also don't understand what happened with the cow, I used the exact same round and lung punched a bull the year before who didn't make it 100. What am I doing wrong here? What am I missing? I pride myself on ethical hunting and this last bull I shot is killing me. My decision to not make a follow up shot until it was too late haunts me and I want to do everything in my power to make sure it never happens again. I'm not proud to share these experiences but I'm hopeful I will learn from it and perhaps some of you all will too.

. He also points out an app that can help simulate shot angles, not sure how accurate that model is, but it's interesting

Do you always hunt solo. It's amazing what your partner can spot, observe and help with in the heat of the moment about the shot.

Cow. Why did you go pursue after 30"? Usually would rec waiting at least an hr, once pushed or bumped it becomes quite a problem given how far elk can run. And if not sure wait even longer.

Bull. It sounds like you hit him high