Rifle Scenario 1

[Swede]

You have dropped down from off of the ridge which parallels the river. The ridge is about 3/4 mile above you as you walk along a brushy semi-bog area on the flood plain. Suddenly you see 10-12 elk about 60 yards in front of you. All of the leading ones that you can identify are cows. You have a bull only tag. Just as you think no shooter will show up with them, you see a large muscular animal. The color of the hide is similar to a bleached out old gunny sack. This animal is at the back of the herd, but its head is behind some heavy brush and you cant be positive if it has antlers. You know that in only a few seconds it will move ahead with the cows, and you will never likely see it again. You have no call immediately available to you. What do you do?

[Tigger]

I certainly don't shoot as the tag in my pocket says "antlered elk", not "bleached out colored" elk. I do everything possible to find some antlers, the most likely choice is a nervous grunt with my voice to get it to lift its head. Better be on it with the safety off ready to hammer it if I see those coveted horns!

[ishy]

Nervous grunt with my voice.

[oldnovice]

If its only 60 yards ahead, it is likely that you will get plenty of opportunities to see it again unless you spook it or they are running. In either case, you never shoot unless you can positively identify it.

[Swede]

This situation actually happened to me. It was about 1973 in late October about the 4th day of the rifle elk season, and I was next to a NE Oregon river. I knew of nothing to do, but watch and hope. The elk moved forward, and went out of sight forever. I have relived this incident a thousand times. I wish I had Elknut's tapes back then. If I remember right, cassette tapes were out but Elknut wasn't.

[Tigger]

Swede, So what you are saying is that it is Elknuts fault? I agree wholeheartedly by the way! Doggone it Paul, you caused Swede to not get that elk in 1973!

[Swede]

Well Duh Tigger. It was said Nero fiddled as Rome burned. Paul was fiddling around and did not even have a cassette on the market at the time.

[Tigger]

I was knee high to a grasshopper in 1973, but I think that was 8-track territory. Cassettes were more early 80s, weren't they? Still pretty disappointed in Paul for not preparing you properly.

[Tigger]

I am betting Paul is going to show up on this thread and talk about statute of limitations....just wait for it.......

[Swede]

I was working at the Toketee Falls Ranger Station in 1973. We had fairly recently been serviced with the new dial telephones. Previously, everyone in the camp, had to go to the station to call out on a crank phone. Only the Ranger had a phone in his office where you could possibly have any privacy. All calls out went through an operator in Roseburg. The reception was lousy, so you spoke loudly. I have no idea how you would pay, if you needed to make a personal long distance call. By about 1971 or 1972 individual homes were equipped with telephones. By about 1973 we had individual telephone lines and no more party lines. The reception on the lines was far superior to the old line to the station. Life was good then. Now I don't remember when the cassettes came on the market. I never had a 8 track and was very late in getting a cassette, but Elknut could have at least called me.

[saddlesore]

Here in Co, most units are 4 pt or better or a 6" brow tine. So waiting would have been a must. Even with a nervous grunt,most likely a person would not have had time for a shot.In those type of circumstances,you usually have to chalk it up to the elk wins. Over the years I have had similar encounters as described and didn't punch my tag my tag.

BTW, in1976 ,I still had a 4 party line

[ElkNut1]

I take full responsibility In my parents having me a few years too late! (grin) Yep, the first instruction we came out with was on Cassettes & VHS, it took some arm twisting for ones to convince me to go to DVD & CD! Man that was awhile ago! (grin) Yes sir the nervous grunt with your voice sounds to be your only real chance at a visual, no harm no foul if he didn't give you a solid visual! You don't know if you don't try! It's a powerful sound to the elk!

ElkNut1

[elkstalker]

Get set up for a shot if it presents itself and be ready for a quick one! At 60 yards just about anything will work, neck, head, or on the crease. I agree, trying to make a nervous grunt with your voice may be the best option, unless you see a clearing in the brush ahead "he" will likely have to walk through.