Shoot or no shoot?

by **cnelk** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 1]

Its just after noon on opening day.
You are set up on a wallow [ground blind or tree stand] or you see this ahead of you in the timber
Its 73 degrees

Shoot or no shoot?

by **Lark Bunting** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 2]

Shoot. It would be my first ever elk. I am taking the first legal animal I encounter, cow or bull.

by **Washington Wapiti** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 3]

If he's legal, and there is marginal elk activity in the area in general . . . I'm shooting. If there is more abundant activity, then I may consider passing and waiting for an older animal, but I'd have to weigh that in the moment. I've played this game before on deer, where I passed up a perfectly good shot opportunity on a good animal, only to go the next 8 or 9 days without another opportunity. I don't play Outdoor Channel, "I'm gonna pass on this 'too smal' of animal," TV hunter anymore. :lol:

Maybe when I have more elk under my belt . . .

by **Indian Summer** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 4]

Depends on my time schedule for the rest of the season. If I can gun hunt no. If I can bow hunt the whole season no. If I have one week to hunt yes. But no matter what.. I consider any bull elk with a bow to be a trophy.

by **ctdad** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 5]

Shoot.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 6]

If in WA and he was a Roosey, "thwack" as soon as he stops. If in ID or MT, probably not on day one; although I've been down this road many times before and ended up not bringing an elk home. I'll learn someday

by **Still Hunter** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 7]

Looks legal to me. Meat in the freezer.

by **Willie makit** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 8]

I'm OTC, whack.
I'm hunting anywhere with a buddy for my whole trip, whack. No need to gamble on both of us going home elk less.
Solo in a place I've got years tied up in , I'd have to pass but most likely I'd shoot him with my camera so I can have a place to mount my tag if I don't get close to his dad, grand dad or great granddad. From that point on, that's " my " first bull and no one can take that away from me.

Been burned by whitetails on my Midwest hunts almost every trip in encounters just like this, but to me the memories/experiences I'll have from toughing out the next 10-20 days are worth a tag any day.

by **bnsafe** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 9]

id shoot, even if it was a cow. I like being in the 10 percent club

by **>>>---WW---->** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 10]

What I like is how that picture shows the bone structure of the leg and shoulder. You can clearly see the scapula, the so called V and where the crease is. All in HD detail.

Oops! Almost forgot, I don't think I'd take him. Let him grow another year or two.

by **Mikeha33** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 11]

If it's this close of a shot, then I am shooting without thinking twice. He's a legal elk, and I havent punched an elk tag yet.

by **Swede** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 12]

My elk hunt is over. Now I will take some pictures, help out around camp, and look for a decent buck.

by **timberland** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 13]

If I'm hunting with my normal group who collectively has only shot one cow and we split all the meat, I'll pass and hope they can bring home the bacon. I'll wait for something bigger than I've already shot. If its just me or me and one other, its go time

by **itsnlkthing** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 14]

If I just cashed in a bunch of preference points for a trophy once in a lifetime unit and it's opening day, I would probably pass. Anywhere else...time to get to work. It's warm and those quarters need packed.

by **flystrait** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 15]

No shoot

by **Jaquomo** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 16]

Not on opening day unless I only have a few days to hunt.

by **cnelk** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 17]

I read too many 'ifs' reading thru the posts.
Jaquomo posted on another thread about knowing when to shoot.
This is very similar.
'IF' you are hesitant, or undecided, your opportunity just walked thru a shooting lane.

You need to know!

by **BMF11** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 18]

I'm shooting, then time to be the caller.

by fm » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 19]

I would all ready be thinking about getting the meat cooled down fast.

I shot a younger cow this year and she is the best tasteing elk I have shot so I have no problem shooting a young legal bull.

by **Toby** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 20]

I'd shoot.

by **Huntrgathr** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 21]

Depends on what's in my freezer. If I'm low on steaks, he's goin down. If I'm " meat rich" I'll let him walk - at least on opening day of a rut hunt. If its the 15th of November and 8 degrees, TWANG !

by **Jaquomo** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 22]

Brad, clarifying - there were many seasons when I'd have shot that bull on opening day in a heartbeat, and been thrilled about it.

Now I'm at the point where I'd just as soon shoot a cow as that little guy just to hang his rack in the garage rafters.

by **Still Hunter** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 23]

Shoot him for the meat, and because you have a bull tag.

by **stringunner** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 24]

I would shoot him. Then off to fill my bear, buck and cougar tag and be the caller for the rest in camp. Probably would drop by Swede's camp as well and wait till he needs me to be a packer for him.

by **cnelk** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 25]

Jaquomo wrote:Brad, clarifying - there were many seasons when I'd have shot that bull on opening day in a heartbeat, and been thrilled about it.
Now I'm at the point where I'd just as soon shoot a cow as that little guy just to hang his rack in the garage rafters.

Hey Lou,
Gonna pick on you just bit...

Why shoot a cow over a raghorn?
For herd management, wouldnt you want the cows to reproduce and cull the bulls?
If its for meat, they both would give the same amount in the freezer.
If antlers are the reason, then why shoot a cow?

by **JJ Overkill** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 26]

id let him walk and grow if it was a draw unit. if its otc I might shoot but until im in that situation I don't know

by **scrubs** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 27]

Would to shoot, even if it didn`t have horns.

by **Elkonthebrain** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 28]

I'd shoot and I'd probably miss cause I just can't get it done on a branched bull. Someday!

by **JGH** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 29]

Done ... in fact, that looks like and reminds me of my first and only archery bull.

Day one + dumb luck = full freezer. No regrets.

by **wewarev** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 30]

He's dead already...(hope I don't get bull fever)

by **cohunter14** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 31]

bnsafe wrote:id shoot, even if it was a cow. I like being in the 10 percent club

Love this answer... +1 for me! Obviously if I am in a big time draw unit where I have saved up a bunch of points for the hunt, then that answer is different. Otherwise, I'm camp cook

by **elkmtngear** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 32]

Wait until he gets out of the mud hole...then shoot!

by **Buglemaster** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 33]

I'd pass if in a limited entree unit but prolly smoke him in an OTC unit. Don't disagree with you Jeff very often, but I'm gonna stick him before he has a chance to plop down in that mud. Hate working on muddy stinky bulls!

by **Jaquomo** » 01 28, 2014 • [Post 34]

Brad, we should chew on this at your birthday party. Where I normally hunt, the bull-cow ratio is way out of whack, so shooting a cow instead of a bull is biologically responsible. Where I hunted this past season, we only saw three cows and 60 bulls during the scouting/hunting, so I'd have felt really bad shooting one of those poor cows.

From a table standpoint, not much better than a young, dry yearling cow.

I'd shoot him and proudly post the pic within the meat pole thread.

by **Madison COunty** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 36]

I would shoot this guy in a heartbeat. I cant wait to shoot my first elk (never been elk hunting YET) :mrgreen:

by **Puttncut** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 37]

No way would I take the shot. But I'm speaking as an Easterner who only gets to chase elk every few years and the biggest pleasure I get from being on the mountain in Colorado is hearing a scream from just over the next ridge and all the anticipation that goes with it. If I take that shot I'm done for at least two if not three years. I've never killed one but this small fact has little to do with my pleasure level while out there or my measure of success. I've SEEN 300" bulls in my drainage...and I annoyed the heck out of them!

by **Bowhunter** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 38]

Last year my ONLY shot was opening day. I would not have to think about it. I would shoot and get to work moving that meat to the shade then a cooler full of ice.

I would then spend some time scouting the area for next year and enjoying my time in the mountains.

by **NCelkhtr** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 39]

shooting, no doubt in my mind at all

by **Trumkin the Dwarf** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 40]

He is in my "small enough to still make tender steaks" kill zone! Unless the bull is as big as, or bigger than, my bull from this year, I'm wishing for it to be as young as legally allowable. I never did like horn stew. :lol:

by **Indian Summer** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 41]

As far as a cow over a raghorn: I'll take the cow. Big bulls come from little bulls. There are plenty of cows to go around and most areas have a bull/cow ratio that would suggest one cow won't have an effect on the herd dynamics. One year I shot a fat cow standing next to a little 4x4 raghorn. I suppose it may depend on whether or not you are hunting an area you call home. For all I know I killed that little guy a few years later as a big 5 point or with a 6x6 rack.

by **cnelk** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 42]

Lets say this is an OTC area [which it is]
So you pass on this raghorn only to see it hanging in someone's camp a couple days later.
Why pass on it when the chances are good it wont live to see next year?

by **itsnlkthing** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 43]

Otc I would not hesitate. I only said "if" relating to the unit. I always plan ahead for what I will and won't shoot. I passed on a bull last fall that I just couldn't be sure was legal in the time I had the opportunity. It was last light during 2nd rifle. I'm not one to shoot first and ask questions later. ..It was OTC and I would have pulled the trigger as long as he was legal.

by **timberland** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 44]

cnelk-
I here this argument a lot in our quality deer management group. There is no place for envy or greed in deciding to harvest an animal so we have to be careful we don't start judging others decisions to harvest an animal you wouldn't. Shoot if you want, pass if you want. However, everybody has the same "right" to the critters we pursue. Everybody buys a tag, pays the taxes, puts the time in, etc. I can guarantee one thing though, if you DO shoot it, it will DEFINITELY not be around next year. I'm not trying to rant, just stating don't do it because others are going to anyway.

by **cnelk** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 45]

Timberland
I am merely prompting a conversation with this thread - no judgement intended.
I am happy with anyone's decision to shoot or no shoot - just as I am happy with my own decisions

by **Trophyhill** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 46]

I'm shooting. I'm an equal opportunity killer

by **husky390** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 47]

If it's brown, it's down. I'd take the shot if that walked in front of me this year.

by **Backcountry** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 48]

Dead.

by **Willie makit** » 01 29, 2014 • [Post 49]

Cnelk if I did return to camp and see that bull there, I would hope it was a young kid that got it but congratulate whoever for it, for all anyone knows he might would have killed one anyway. I would also ask to get my pic with it,because that bull is still "mine", my encounter experience with that bull will last much longer than the meat they got out of him.

by **Lostagiain** » 02 16, 2014 • [Post 50]

Too much tag soup over the years. No question, no regrets. Tag filled.

by **ishy** » 02 16, 2014 • [Post 51]

Thwack!

by **mrganser** » 02 16, 2014 • [Post 52]

I like eating elk way more than tags! Shoot!

by **Csrbowhunter** » 02 16, 2014 • [Post 53]

If I had my recurve in my hand I'd shoot, if I had compound I'd pass.

by **tdirks** » 02 16, 2014 • [Post 54]

shoot!

by **zpd307** » 02 16, 2014 • [Post 55]

shoot!!!!! i have not shot a bull and going otc, i would be extremely happy with this bull. so would the wife! plus met in the freezer!!!!

by **Fireball** » 02 17, 2014 • [Post 56]

No shoot for me.

To early.

Last day maybe.

by **jswbga** » 02 17, 2014 • [Post 57]

I'm picking ribs to aim between.