First elk scenario

[Laramie]

Any elk is a trophy but it's all personal perspective. Archery elk hunting is hard, even in 5 point units. 6 days isn't very long. If you really want to take an elk home, don't pass a legal elk.

 

[BBob]

is there a significant distinction between hunting BULLS versus bulls?

Hell yes there’s a difference! I’d put spikes and rag horns into that same category as cows as far as learning to hunt and killing BULLS

 

[Hnthrdr]

@Ucsdryder can attest to the elk dumbness in the household of @KickinNDishin and I, so this is a genuine question.

Can I learn much about "hunting bulls" by fiddling with small ones, or is there a significant distinction between hunting BULLS versus bulls?

Personally I feel there is a big difference between BULLS and bulls, some of the rags I have tagged are dumb…. Like really, really dumb. Now getting a 6 + year old or older bull to come in for a shot feels like a different skill set.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Kill elk. That’s the most important thing. Passing rag horns when you don’t have dead elk under your belt makes no sense to me, unless you’re on a guided hunt or in a trophy unit. Any bull is a trophy and killing a rag horn will help your odds of sealing the deal on a big bull when the chance presents itself!

 

[Captnky]

My first elk hunt I passed a group of cows on day two. Things stalled out and we were out of the elk for a few days and I was really regretting my decision. “Shoulda shot the cow” I told myself many times. On the 6th day I shot a nice 6x6.

Last year I passed a cow and a spike on day one, that was the only opportunity of the trip I had to draw my bow, I don’t wildly regret it. Though I do wish I had some elk in the freezer today.

That being said, I’m shooting cows on day 3 given the opportunity.

Other than a spike I’m shooting the first legal bull I can. But I’ve only killed one elk in my life.

 

[sndmn11]

Hell yes there’s a difference! I’d put spikes and rag horns into that same category as cows as far as learning to hunt and killing BULLS

Personally I feel there is a big difference between BULLS and bulls, some of the rags I have tagged are dumb…. Like really, really dumb. Now getting a 6 + year old or older bull to come in for a shot feels like a different skill set.

I think you guys are right.


I'm in the no archery bulls category though...

Kill elk. That’s the most important thing. Passing rag horns when you don’t have dead elk under your belt makes no sense to me, unless you’re on a guided hunt or in a trophy unit. Any bull is a trophy and killing a rag horn will help your odds of sealing the deal on a big bull when the chance presents itself!

 

[Laramie]

Personally I feel there is a big difference between BULLS and bulls, some of the rags I have tagged are dumb…. Like really, really dumb. Now getting a 6 + year old or older bull to come in for a shot feels like a different skill set.

I would definitely agree. I think smaller bulls/spikes are easier to kill with a bow than a cow.

That said, there are a pile of guys out there who have never even shot an elk with their bow talking down about shooting whatever- makes no sense. 5 point units today are what 1 points units were 5 years ago. They are by no means an easy hunt for those who haven't pulled it off in the past. Even for really experienced guys, it can be a challenge to get it done.

 

[cnelk]

On my first ever elk hunt, I shot the first elk I had a good shot at with my bow. It was a VERY large cow elk.

I regretted the decision to this day. She tasted like a pinecone and was tougher than a boiled owl...

Tell us more about what a pine cone and boiled owl taste like…

 

[cnelk]

To the OP

Many have missed this detail:

You used 5 PPs for an E/S archery tag, does the unit have antler point restrictions? Or is it an any bull unit?

 

[BBob]

killing a rag horn will help your odds of sealing the deal on a big bull when the chance presents itself!

I could agree with this starting out especially these days with less opportunities. Making a kill will definitely be a help when the next kill opportunity comes around. I didn’t do it when I started out but I used to get to hunt elk in AZ and or NM about every year back then.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I think you guys are right.


I'm in the no archery bulls category though...

Then I’d suggest was ucs said and kill elk.

 

[MTHokie]

How much do you like elk meat?

 

[sndmn11]

Then I’d suggest was ucs said and kill elk.

I have that archery pronghorn doe license in the same hood that will be calling my name and they are my favorites so....

 

[gobears870]

To the OP

Many have missed this detail:

You used 5 PPs for an E/S archery tag, does the unit have antler point restrictions? Or is it an any bull unit?

It’s CO so 4pt minimum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cnelk]

It’s CO so 4pt minimum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not all draw units have antler point restrictions in Colorado

 

[Ucsdryder]

Dumb

 

[Ucsdryder]

I have that archery pronghorn doe license in the same hood that will be calling my name and they are my favorites so....

Dumb

 

[TaperPin]

It all depends on what you want. You can’t shoot a bull if you shoot a cow first. You can’t shoot a big bull if you shoot a small one first.

Personally, if I’m 5 miles in by myself and it’s steep rough country I’d rather not pack out an elk just for meat. However, if its what you want to do then go for it.

I hunted antelope hard for 3 weeks one year - 3 weeks is a long time creeping around in a jeep all day. Winters were light - we scoped multiple 15” bucks each day, but with short prongs, or broken prongs. The late afternoon of the last day (just after the rut), we worked within range of a big herd - maybe 40 animals and at least 10 bucks. My wife took the largest buck, half a second later I took another good buck. As we stood up to walk over, the biggest buck of the season stepped out of a hidden draw and starred at us and slowly walked off. 15-1/4” with 4” prongs and heavy throughout. That has been my reminder all these years - hunt until the very end for the buck or bull you really want.

 

[sndmn11]

Dumb

Ain't no turkey!

 

[gobears870]

Not all draw units have antler point restrictions in Colorado

Right, I forgot a few don’t. But this one does