Ashamed

[Swede]

Twice in my life I have observed hunters acting as though they were ashamed of the elk they killed. They weren't too ashamed to shoot it but were embarrassed to own it. Both elk were good looking spikes. The first one came when I was rifle hunting in about 1970. The hunter was complaining that the good ones had gotten away and some other hunters got the better bulls. Soon after meeting the hunter, we heard something coming up the draw below us. I was immediately on the alert to see what it was. As we waited and I had my gun ready, he said to me, "You can have the first shot, but if you miss, it is mine." I just looked at him. It was getting close so I would not have missed, but I knew he was not getting any shot at it. The crunching we were hearing was a hunter, so it did not matter. The second situation is posted on another forum where we are presented with the picture of the hunter with his "worst" bull. Actually, it is a fine normal spike

Over the years I have killed a number of spikes, cows and rag horns. I am as proud of them as any other animal I kill. They make fine table fare and I took everything from them feed myself and my family. I again enjoy God's blessing of His great love and provision for me. When I shoot an animal, I pray instantly to find it, then when I do, I kneel and thank God for His wonderful love and care for me. I hope you do too.

[7mmfan]

People get to hung up on antlers. If that is what does it for you, then that's great and you shouldn't shoot a smaller animal knowing you won't be happy with it, or that you settled. Over the years I've killed one branch antler bull, a small 6 pt, and numerous spikes and cows. I would likely shoot a spike every year if it was presented to me, they taste too good.

[Qwhacker18]

The saying goes, any elk is a good elk! True


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[Swede]

Thanks guys: Big racks are all about boasting. Smaller critters are about quality meat to eat. I like the hunting attitude of people like WW and Saddlesore. They have killed a lot of elk, but I scarcely know how large the antlers were on their bull from any hunt. I don't think they care to talk about it all that much. They come from a different time like Glen St Charles. Glen was about to shoot a "trophy" bull when his guide stopped him and told him to shoot a cow. The bull would be so tough "you couldn't put a fork in the gravy" he was told. He shot the cow. My dad always preferred a three-point buck to an older one, but we did not pass on any legal critter. I came from nearly that same era and mindset as Bill and Vince.
Like Saddlesore and WW I tell you about my successes so you can trust the advice I share with you. No clear-thinking hunter would pay a lot of attention to someone that killed his first elk on season seven even if it was huge but has not been able to repeat that success. I don't pay too much attention to anyone trying to peddle gadgets, books or other media while they hunt highly restricted areas.
I am near the end of my hunting trail, and I hope my legacy is that I passed on what I learned to others that would be coming along. I have loved hunting and have never feared others might come along and do better than me. I am not embarrassed by any of my spikes or cows.

[7mmfan]

Don't get me wrong, if I draw a coveted limited entry tag where the opportunity to kill a very large bull is a real possibility, I will be more selective. Primarily because hunts like those don't come along often in ones life and you need to savor the time, not because I won't be happy with a smaller animal. A few years ago I drew a premium Washington late season mule deer tag. As a person that had never passed a legal animal in Washington, it was an odd feeling to happen upon a very nice 3x4 on the first day of the hunt and just look on. It wasn't that I wouldn't have been happy with that buck, it was just that I had 2 weeks of hunting mule deer in the rut ahead of me and I didn't want to end the hunt. When I finally came across the buck that I knew I would be nuts to pass late in the hunt, there was no hesitation in shooting that one. I drew a similar tag this year and hope to have the same experience. Plus, rutted up old mule deer bucks don't taste as good as spike elk

[Swede]

I feel the same way as you 7mm. I appreciate you pointing it out. There is something majestic and noble about a huge buck or bull. I enjoy just seeing one and would hold out in hunting season for one too. What I was writing about was pulling the trigger on an animal and then belittling it.
I have passed on a few elk and shot one that I had second thoughts about. The one mentioned was a 5x5 reghorn. After examining it I saw that it just a yearling with an incredible rack for its age. I wondered what it would have become if it had not wandered too close to my stand. I still have pictures of it and one of its antlers is now a beautiful cribbage board.

[Tigger]

Any elk is a really big accomplishment. The percent of the population that has harvested an elk is decimal dust. If you harvest any elk, you should be proud of it. I have shot branch antlered bulls, but on my hunt this fall, my goal is to get my son a bull. If a cow wanders by, it is in grave danger.

However, I kinda disagree on the meat aspect. I have been a part of hundreds of whitetail harvests where we have eaten it. From does to small bucks to big bucks. I cannot ever remember even 1 that tasted any different on the grill than any other one. I can tell the difference between elk and deer and pronghorn and muleys. I did have one bull that was a little tough, but I believe that was due to the fact we processed him too quick and rigor had not set in. I have had old rutted up bulls that are tender and taste awesome. That is my .02. Everyone who reads this should mail me the .02.

[Swede]

Thanks, Tigger, for your observations. I don't know why some elk are tough and some are not. I have never had a tough young elk, but at least two older ones were. I have had at least one bull and one cow that were tough and rigor mortice was not the problem. What is crazy is that they were exceptionally fat. The fat was deep over the hind quarters. They both died easy with a clean shot while they were expecting noting. I can't explain it.

[>>>---WW---->]

I've had tough ones and I have had tender ones. But I'll tell you what! They are all tender and will melt in your mouth if you cut them up into Swiss Steak and let them simmer all day in a crockpot. So, shoot whatever you want and just remember, big or small, old or young, A trophy is in the eyes of the beholder!!!!!!!

[Lefty]

My father in law use to state every animal is a trophy