Will you kill an elk anywhere?

[Andrewlonghi]

Yes I would kill a elk wherever I could

 

[String&stick]

I'm not very smart . . . So as long as I'm not going to lose meat to spoilage I'd kill one. Couple years back we topped a ridge and dropped down the back side into a wicked hole, my buddy said 6x6 or better or no shot. He was shaking his head when he was at full draw on a rag horn at 40 yards. Lucky for him there was a tree covering his vitals because I was absolutely going to stick him if he took another step!!!

 

[PineBrook413]

If its a decent bull I won't consider where it is.

 

[Indian Summer]

Depends on the bull, lots of spots where I've passed up smaller bulls or even some questionable bulls due to them being in a hell hole. The juice just has to be worth the squeeze, I would kill a good 6x6 bull anywhere I've hunted.

Exactly. I’ve been in places where I’ve asked myself what the hell are you doing here? Do you really want to kill an elk here? The answer was yes, six point bulls only. It also has something to do with how much time I have left on my hunt. You don’t kill bulls and far away hell holes on the last day of your hunt.

 

[waldo9190]

Seeing as how I haven't killed one yet....absolutely! Maybe when I'm old and grey with a fair number under my belt I'll let myself get picky, but I'm not there yet. I've chased a few bulls into massive hell holes but wouldn't have given it a second thought to let one fly had the opportunity presented itself.

 

[taskswap]

Modern tech has changed my answer here. I feel like I can always find SOME path out of an area without having to climb the wall of a steep gully. it may not be the most direct route - last year I went a mile out of my way on a pack out. But it avoided two nasty rifts and was 90% downhill the way I went. so it was totally worth it.

I'd say at this point my two deciding factors would be a) if an area is just downright dangerous (steep sides, loose shale, no anchors - I fractured my heel in a gully like that 4 years ago and it still twinges today) or b) I thought I might not recover an elk at all (so steep the elk would fall into the river, for example).

 

[TxhunterPRC]

I would personally shoot any size bull anywhere since I have never taken one. Now an Aoudad or something I have taken plenty of, I would consider the location before pulling the trigger.

 

[Coveyleader]

Bumping this up, as I am in a new unit, and uff, looks like I may have bit off more than I can chew. I have called a packing service just in case. Been hiking around it a bit, and I don't want to pack one out of there alone.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I kill them where I find them then saw a trail out to get my horses to them.

 

[stalkingwolf]

This thread reminds me of a guy who shot a moose and was online begging for help for the pack out, heck I think he is even on this thread

 

[Trr15]

It’s primarily about the temperature for me. If there is a question as to whether or not I could get the packout done without losing meat to spoilage I’d probably hold off. I’ve had some miserable packouts, but apparently not enough to be too picky about the terrain I kill one in

 

[Fullfan]

Elk are where you find them, and mine always seem to die in the nasty of places..

 

[Hnthrdr]

If I have a place to keep the meat cool, and time sure, but if I’m going to kill one in a rough spot it better be a dandy…

 

[Ucsdryder]

Bumping this up, as I am in a new unit, and uff, looks like I may have bit off more than I can chew. I have called a packing service just in case. Been hiking around it a bit, and I don't want to pack one out of there alone.

I thought you killed them behind your camp!

I think I replied to this thread a few years ago but size matters. I’ll eat a 350” bull on the mountain if I have to, but im not shooting a 240” rag in a hell hole!

 

[Coveyleader]

I thought you killed them behind your camp!

I think I replied to this thread a few years ago but size matters. I’ll eat a 350” bull on the mountain if I have to, but im not shooting a 240” rag in a hell hole!

In my OTC spot I do. Maybe this place too, but the area that interests me is way way in. So even if it’s behind “camp” camp is going to be a long ways in, and a long ways up. Lined a packer up today, expensive but I’ll make the call if I kill in the drainage I’m looking at. I should hire him to pack me in as well for the price.

It’s going to have to be a solid P&Y bull to warrant the pack out. Closer, nice 5 point will work.

 

[waspocrew]

No, I won't kill an elk just anywhere. I hunt by myself quite a bit and have learned to be more selective on where I'd be willing to pack out. Done a few less than ideal pack outs haha.

Here's a decent bull. Again, by myself and evening. Did not pull the trigger.



He's in the green box in the 2nd photo

 

[Accubond]

Yep

 

[Accubond]

Old saying I always liked: You Gota kill them where they are….. not where you want’’em to be!

 

[Idahobugler]

During archery season I’ve passed elk solo that I felt I couldn’t get out by myself in time or get help to fast enough. Rifle season I’ve killed bulls that hung for a day or two before I could get horses or other help to them.

 

[Diamondback]

No, I hunt alone and there are some real nasty hell holes I avoid dropping into. You get injured back in there, breaking an ankle, leg, or lose your footing, you will be crawling out. The juice isn't worth the squeeze on some things.