Elk Shull Hacker

[Wapititalk1]

In my on-going search to find the best bull skull capper, I’ve got one of these on the way. Oh yeah, I’ve dabbled in them all. The best top knot remover has got to be effective (sharp, good on bone with goo mixed in as well as serve a secondary role to saw up small chunks of wood for the Lite Outdoors tipi stove) and as light as possible (particularly as I get a bit longer in the tooth). The best I’ve found so far is the old standard, Wyoming Saw but it’s a bit heavy. Yep, I’ve tried a handful of the folding saws (insert brand here) but my buddy and I have broke them all on hard elk skulls. I’ll let you know how the Dandy Saw works out this fall on elk/deer. More to follow......

https://www.robertsonenterprises.net/store/p16/12"_MINI_DANDY®.html

 

[WeiserBucks]

I witnessed a friend cap a bull last season with a small tomahawk. It was awesome and worked great. He uses it for all kinds of things, elk faces, elk joints, driving tent stakes, processing firewood ect. I was so impressed with it that I bought one immediately.

 

[5MilesBack]

I would stop your search at the WY saw and just accept that it's a little heavy. I don't think it's ever taken me more than a minute to skull cap a bull with mine, even big ones. That's worth not messing with some lightweight option that will drive you crazy.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

I’ll second 5Miles. The WY saw is my least favorite thing to put in my pack, but is worth it every time I get an animal down.

 

[drmatara]

You should really give the WY Saw a chance, it's a little heavy but it always gets the job done.

 

[rayporter]

i have used the 12 in dandy on 4elk and it worked but i sure wished for a 16 or 18 in model. i also tried a hawk, a hatchet and an axe. my hawk is just too light wt.

after that i got a 21 in sven and it does ok [ it has over a dozen elk plus 2 moose and 2 bou on it] but the triangular shape hinders it some.

 

[Beendare]

I don’t pack a saw around anymore unless it’s my silky for building ground blinds or trimming trees I am climbing.

I take the head off at the last vertebrae so less messing with brain material that could contain CWD. Plus my knife is easier to clean and sterilize.

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[coloradocelt]

Sawz-all. Except backpack, works wonders on pelvis too

 

[MBubley]

For everyone saying it heavy whats the weight? Is it really that heavy? Or is it heavy if your ultralight?

 

[Indian Summer]

I don’t use a saw for that. A knife separates the skull from the spine at the atlas joint. I take the entire skull minus the lower jaw.

 

[umpquah20designs]

Used a chain saw once....A tad messy....maybe a little over kill.

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[rayporter]

a question.

is it easier to pack a light saw and cut the skull cap off or cut off the head and pack out the head? which is heavier?

keep in mind that many are not allowed to bring brains back home so they must get the brains out before hitting the road. this means boiling [ usually ]

 

[Jethro]

18” Wyoming saw listed at 23 oz. It does work great for the skull cap. None of our group carries it everyday, but we’ve all taken it in for 2nd load and capped.

 

[Aaron Warpony]

alotta Guys here in Alaska use these stanley saws for moose since we have to take the ribs bone in. I'm trying it this fall. I've never capped a critter with one but they're cheap, lighter that my Wyoming saw and can do wood or whatever. when it's dull, go to home depot and get another one for $10

 

[5MilesBack]

18” Wyoming saw listed at 23 oz.

And that's for the big one, I use the smaller one. But I rarely ever just carry it around with me. I'll bring it back with me for my second trip out and skull cap it then.

 

[Wapititalk1]

Don’t tell Mrs Wapiti, but I think I’m in love again. This little critter is a beast (blade is crafted for both wood and bone)! Built rock solid, sharp as a politicians tongue, and at only a bit over 11 ounces, is much lighter than the WY saw. Ya, I think I’ve finally found my saw. It’s only taken 40 years, I’m a bit slow....

 

[Extrapale]

I am a hatchet guy myself. Skull capped many deer and elk with them.

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[wytx]

Most times we just remove the lower jaw and then take off ears and hide from rest of skull. Not that heavy to haul out that way. A pocket knife does the job.