What is a 4000$ elk??

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I was discussing this with my buddy the other day.. On my moose hunt i will have a elk tag.. There is a very good chance i could get a shot at a elk on my moose hunt. The trophy fee is 4000$.. So how big of a bull is worth 4000$ I have never killed a elk but in my mind it will have to be a 315+ bull for me to drop that kind of money..

So what would it be for you.. Your there and have a 270, 290, 300 inch bull at 20 yards.. Whats the smallest you shoot..
 

Bughalli

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Yeah, I was thinking 320 or better and a rack style you like. That's the minimum really, ideally hold out for something 340-350+
 

spdcrazy

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maybe i'm spoiled coming from AZ but for 4k? it better be over 400. I can get alot of good memories and better meat out of a smaller bull and for alot cheaper
 

JPD350

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I would pass as well but I hunt elk all the time, if it were me I would split the hunts up, go on the moose hunt and go elk hunt somewhere else at another time.

The question has to be what is it worth to you! lots of people pay that amount of money for a guided elk hunt and end up shooting bulls well under 300
 
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I wouldn't pay $4000 for any elk! Not even the world record...
If you lived in the Midwest or east coast you may feel different. I feel the same way. But for guys who never hunt them that's no that bad. 350ish is what I would say.
 

lintond

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If you were talking about $4k for a hunt then to me it's more about the hunt and experience then the inches on the wall. But because you are already on the hunt the $4k is all about the inches. If you don't plan to hunt elk in the future then I would think 325+ is a good goal, but if you are hunting elk quite often I may pass altogether.
 

realunlucky

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People wait double digits years to hunt units that have realistic chances at 350 bulls. In the realm of guided or that matter land owner tags 4 grand is entry level. If you see one that makes you want to pull out the check book harvest it and enjoy. Without a great tag a public lands 300 is a great mature bull. A 350 bull is probably going to a once in time event.
 

Bar

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I wouldn't pay a penny for any elk. I've shot too many of them for free. Other than tag fees of course. $49
 

Poser

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If I had the money to spend, I might spend $4,000 to go somewhere remote and hunt elk, but I wouldn't spend $4,000 to incidentally shoot an elk someone had put a price tag on.
 

shamlin88

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Wow, that sounds like Texas! Guys pay up to 10K to kill a 200"'whitetail!! I would hope it's not getting that crazy on the Western slopes. I wouldn't do it. It's more about the hunt for me than the size of the bone!
 

wapitibob

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It'll cost a NR about $650 in license and tag to Elk hunt scrubs in OR, and you haven't left home yet.
Almost $800 for better units in NM, if you ever draw a tag. A NM LO tag in a better unit with 10 day seasons will cost you $3500.
$1100 in WY to hunt a GEN unit every year.
AZ unit 9 is free if you just take a camera.
 

Bar

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It cost me about $100 to hunt for elk including the cost of the tag. Those are my kind of figures.
 

realunlucky

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It cost me about $100 to hunt for elk including the cost of the tag. Those are my kind of figures.

This isn't about how cheap you can do it. The op is going to be on a guided moose hunt already and can add on a elk for a trophy fee.
 

mt100gr.

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I would let the stalk and hunt decide. If you have a bull in range and all you can think about is how much it's going to cost, it probably not worth it. If you pull off a stalk of a lifetime or an aggressive bull shreds a tree not 20 feet away and screams in your ear before offering an opportunity and all you can think about is capitalizing on your hard work and how much the hunt, animal, and experience moves you and means to you as a hunter, shoot!! Money is a renewable resource. Opportunities to build memories like that don't just happen.
 

mAv

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A $4000 elk means an amazing mount to start off decorating my new bachelor pad of an apartment if my wife found out...
 
OP
Jtelarkin08
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You guys are funny.. For you that live out west i agree 4000$ is alot.. But for me being from Texas and not having the time to go scout every inch of public land.. 4000$ isnt that bad. Heck most decent guided elk hunts are running 4-9K now..

I agree with it being only a trophy fee that 4k is a little steep.. But being that I have never shot a bull.. I guess if one i like walks in i may be paying for him.. LOL

Besides my moose and bison are going to be around 15K so whats another 4 :confused:
 
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