214M Elk Report

[Wreckless]

A week or so ago I made a post mentioning, my elk hunt that happening and several people asked for a report so....... I just picked up my meat from the butcher.....how's that for "zipper lip" report!

Seriously, it was TOUGH!!! The beginning of the season was WET!!! The end was FROZEN! But in between we (3 tags) did manage to scrounge up some elk to harrass. We snuck up on one small herd on Stimpson property, 3 of us, one down the middle and one on each side and while they watched my buddy John I managed to sneak to within about 80 yds. I leaned against a tree for a shot and looked for horns. No luck 5 cows. I was about to shoot when I realized I could get closer, so as they watched my friend I "tree hopped" to within about 60 yds, picked out a 2 1/2 year old cow and sent a 460 gr. bullet propelled by 100 gr. ffg 777 right through the spot where her neck meets her chest (the only clear spot through the brush). She dropped dead. As I was reloading I heard another shot. I walked out into the clear cut and John was standing 50yds to my left pointing in the direction the herd had moved off. I was pretty sure of my shot, but it was a relief to find her "piled up" in her tracks, neck severed. As i turned to help John track I hear a 3rd shot and a WWWHHOOOHOOOOOO!! His cow was hit hard and bleeding (double lunged) and as she tried to make it up the other side of the canyon he made a "Quigley" shot and hit her behind the ear at about 110yds. He "claims" that's where he was aiming .
On the next to the last day of the season (lots of snow) My other friend missed a long shot on a spike. We hunted ALL OVER the unit. Above Flying M Ranch, the summit, Hagg Lake private land and Stimpsons land. We saw elk every time, except 3. I'm not saying this to cover my tracks, we scouted a lot and covered A LOT of ground and spent a lot of time OUT OF OR RIGS!! (novel concept to some) But it was a fun hunt :grin:

For those of you thinking about muzzleloader hunting, I've done it for a few years and this was my 2 friends first time, and they agree. Muzzleloader hunting is closer to archery hunting than rifle hunting. My friend John who got the other cow was an avid archery hunter for years until work schedules made him switch and he agrees you have to practice, know YOU and your weapons limitations

Any other 214m reports?

P.S. as I am a hunt and peck typist this felt like a NOVEL!!! [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[Radke]

Congradulations Wreckless, I was hoping you would post your story. After this experience, would you put in for this hunt again? I ask because I'm starting to plan for my wife's next muzzlloader elk hunt. We have hunt E Grant county a couple times, plus W. Cascades twice. I love the hunting conditions (and time of year) for E. Grant co. but we have found more success in the cascades. I was wondering about puting in for a costal hunt. How many preference points did you have when you applied for this hunt?

[outdoor.spec.ops]

Nice report!

[Wreckless]

Radke, Sorry it's taken so long for me to respond....I was busy......Actually I got my first bobber and jig steelhead today, but that's a different story :grin: . As for the hunt, it was frustrating and exciting at the same time, we spent a lot of time hunting where there were very few elk...Having said that we ended up seeing quite a few elk, almost every time out.
To anwswer the "would I do it again" question......this is the 3rd time I've drawn it and the second elk I've taken ( and I passed a long shot, about 130yds, on a 4+ point on the year I didn't get one). YES, I will put in again!!!!
We had 7 preference points between 3 guys..I figure every 3rd year you'll draw it. I've talked to people who would NEVER do this hunt again and some who love it. The weather is nasty wet and it's hard to keep your powder dry but it is a quality hunt.......don't tell anybody!

Don't hesitate to ask more questions, it's a big unit with LOTS of private land and elk. I hope this helps.

Dennis