Good weekend chasing elk

[AmericanBwana]

Just came back from another youth hunt where we saw well over 400 elk, with most of them huntable.

This herd actually came from the far side of the valley (about 1.6 miles according to GE), in about 15 minutes. Just prior to their arrival, we had another little 6x6 run right past us at about 100 yards. He stopped long enough to bugle at the herd coming across the valley.

We counted 72 elk in this herd, one of which is a nice 6x6 (on the far left).

They would have kept coming our direction, but were redirected when our hunter (off to the left, not in photo), took his shot.

Herd bull to the left

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Another photo with most of the herd back together. There are more coming over rise in the back.

Most of the herd back together

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Way to much fun.

AB

[Elkduds]

Looks like balmy weather. My nephew took his 1st elk on a youth hunt with Elkhorn Outfitters/Dick Dodd about 5 years ago. I got to tag along. We saw 200+ elk in one day, early December. What a great program to get young adults into hunting. But then they have to adjust to the reality of DIY on public lands. Thanks again to the Dodds, just great folks.

[ElkNut1]

Wow, now that's a lot of elk right there! You don't see herds like that here in our parts, bummer! (grin) I take it the hunter missed? (no photo)

ElkNut1

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

Come on down Paul. That is an extremely SMALL herd. It isn't uncommon to see herds that number 1500 or more during the migration around here.

[AmericanBwana]

The kid did connect with the first shot. Those elk just stood their looking around.

In fact it took two more shots before the elk finally kinda walked off.

I do have the success photos, but really can't post them due to privacy concerns (not my kid, and I didn't ask Dad for permission to post his son's picture online).

The hunt is part of the CPW Youth Outreach program. I'm one of the volunteer guides. This particular event took place on a private ranch in western Colorado.

Sunset the night before, we saw two herds on public (Accessible BLM) land with close to 100 head each. One of the herds, just outside the ranch boundary, stretched at least 1/4 mile on a hill side, with a herd bull constantly screaming at the several satellite bulls up the hill. When the hunter (Don't know them, just saw them in the binos) shot, it took about 3 minutes for all of the elk to stream out of that pocket. Really fun to watch.

We also watched another group getting from point A to point B (Going to a watering hole) which covered a quarter mile in less time than it took to read this post. You really can't out walk an elk.

AB

[elkmtngear]

What a thrill for a kid! Very cool.