2016 Minimum Elk Standard?

[WapitiTalk1]

So, for those who are fortunate enough to be able to hunt elk this fall, do you have a minimum standard before you take a shot at an elk? Is it any legal elk? First legal branch bull? Only mature bull (5 point or better)? No shot on anything less than a 300+ class bull? Just sparking some elk chat

[Kentrek]

Alot depends on the hunt and prior hunts

If archery season in wa is going full swing and things are looking good il hold out for a nice branch bull, if not il prolly smoke a cow..then in idaho depending on weather and if I shot a cow il hold out for a herd bull, if I struck out in September il probably get trigger happy on a spiker in idaho

[Swede]

I will probably take any mature elk. I would rather have a mature dry cow, than a spike or rag horn, but don't like to shoot a cow with a calf until after September 1st. It is better for the calves to nurse a little longer before they are orphaned.

[oldnovice]

Beings that I was skunked completely last year, I will take any mature elk I have a tag for. Meat is the goal right now.

[Swede]

Novice, it looks like you and I would make a good pair. I would rather get a good cow near a road, than get a 5x5 down in some canyon a mile or more out somewhere. I think it is called getting old.

[lamrith]

After striking out 2 years in a row I am in the mindset of anything legal, where I am hunting that means bulls only. I know the area I am going to has some good bulls in it, many given the chance to hunt it would laugh and shake their head at what I am willing to give a dirt nap. Don't get me wrong, the more ivory the better of course, I would love to take a nice solid branched bull for my 1st, but I need to fill my tag and freezer this year so if it is legal and gives me a chance, down it goes.

The one thing I would regret about dropping a really young bull is that I am taking it out before it gets a chance to develop, potentially removing some good genetics from the gene pool, but that will quickly pass when the backstraps are sizzling their way toward my plate!!

[CurlyTail]

I will have an either sex Archery tag this season. Since I have never killed anything except a Turkey with a bow , my minimum requirement will be 4 legs and tasty.

[Lefty]

Ive lowered my requirements
Im feeling desperate Bull only the first 3 weeks.
The size of the bull may depend on what I see the week before while scouting.
And the how close to the truck or ATV trail. So maybe a cow the 2nd week if really close to the truck. I wont shoot a cow if its 90 degrees and a mile and 1000 foot elevation gain
After last year and the early season bull responses I may take a few days off earlier in the season

[JJ Overkill]

my freezer is empty, any legal elk within bow range is going to catch an arrow in their off side shoulder blade.

[ishy]

Anything legal.

[saddlesore]

In all years of hunting I have never passed up a legal elk, except two hunts. One was the only time I had an outfitter and it was required in Alberta and another was a tag that took m 21 years to draw.
I have had enough tough shoe leather bulls and I will shoot a cow now unless it is very young bull . Less than 3 years old

[baddaddy]

Lets see.. My minimun is 4 legs and breathing. I tend to shoot more cows than bulls. Headgear is nice but not as nice as a tender steak.

[six]

Any legal bull will do for me. If elk are scarce by day 3 things will change to any legal elk.

[oldnovice]

Novice, it looks like you and I would make a good pair. I would rather get a good cow near a road, than get a 5x5 down in some canyon a mile or more out somewhere. I think it is called getting old.

Funny how that sneaks up on you! I would hunt with you anytime!

[Heartwood]

Any bull is my plan for now.

[AlexG]

For me I want hold out for for a bull bigger than my bull last year.

[Ghost]

Anything legal.

[Elkonthebrain]

Looking for a branch bull the first six days. After that any legal elk.

[slick trick]

whats that they say if its brown its down!!! that will be this year for sure well I hope

[Hot Cow]

MEAT. First legal animal for me.

[wawhitey]

Im going any bull. That being said the 5+ point bulls here seem to outnumber the 4- point bulls. I think thats due to a combination of no hunter pressure and high calf predation. The bulls that survive their first year or two are pretty safe.

[Elkduds]

Whether I draw either sex or cow tag, I'm after a young cow without a calf. I prefer my trophies in the freezer. I won't break up a cow-calf pair, which kept me from pulling the trigger last fall.

[Fullabull]

Over the last two years,I have had bulls in bow range in both Idaho and WA but didn't get a chance to pull the trigger. My freezer is empty so it will be a hard decision when the time comes. Still deciding on Idaho or WA for this year. My son graduates college in May and he will have his first week long archery elk hunt with me this year so my main priority will be calling for him.

[cohunter]

I'm going to say the first legal animal. BUT on the first weekend, I'm going to have a hard time letting fly at just about anything! I know, I know... "Never pass on the first day what you would be willing to shoot on the last..." Who else is slightly disappointed when the hunt ends early?

[T.B.]

With only 2 weeks to hunt it will be anything with fur

[huntnfolk]

The area I hunt in Western Washington is 3 pt. or better so that's my minimum standard. Opportunities are usually limited so anything legal is a go for me.

[bald9eagle]

M E A T.

[WapitiTalk1]

M E A T.

That would translate to any legal elk Good plan!

[njdoxie]

I shoot the first legal bull I can, has to be 4 point or better where I hunt in CO, I usually only get one opportunity a year, so if it's legal, I'm shooting it....if I don't, then I go home empty handed.

[twinkieman]

A big 5, or any good six point. The last few days of the season, any bull will do.

[IdahoD]

I look for 2 things. An elk and a pulse.

[stringunner]

Any elk except for a calf gets the arrow. tag soup in 2015 is still hard to eat.

[Ben Nicholson]

Any legal for this guy.

[Stick]

6x6 or something over 300 only want to lower that in the last 2 days of the hunt!

Aim high you just might hit it!

[Osprey]

Depends on the hunt if its a good limited trophy unit then I will adjust my standards accordingly for the area however any easy to draw or general units any legel elk so first legal branch bull gets shot. If its an either tag I would mostly likely hold out for a branch bull, but put a fat cow in front of me on the last day and it may be in trouble.

[Waygoner]

I should draw a muzzle loader bull tag. I'll shoot the 1st legal bull I see.

[elkstalker]

If I draw a rifle tag it'll be a nice 6 point or better, if not, I'll be archery hunting and if its brown its down Need to keep the family fed!

[scrubs]

Any legal elk without hoof rot.

[CurlyTail]

I am surprised that we do not have more "Trophy" hunters posting. I personally consider the meat to be the "true" trophy. Along with the experience. And don't get me wrong - I do think big antlers are amazing.

[Deanmac]

anything legal only my second year

[rowdycwby1]

I'm with pointy sticks if it's brown it's down!

[Northman]

I'll be bow hunting with my daughter. We will each have a Spike/cow and cow tags for 2016 (two tags each). They will just be over the counter tags. The area we hunt is over its objective for how many elk are in that unit. That's why they let you buy a over the counter cow tag. So it will be spikes and cows for us. Honestly if I can get one good mature bull in my lifetime I'm good with that. Spikes and cows keep me entertained and eat real good!

[Indian Summer]

I have a couple cardinal rules. I never shoot 2 cows in a row. I've only ever shot 3 but they were many years apart. The last elk I shot was a cow so bulls only for me this year even though my tag is either sex.

Also... if I shoot a 6 point bull one year I am thankful so the following year I'll take the first big 5 point I see. The last bull I killed was a nice 6 point BUT...... I'm in an area with the potential for big bulls. Also I have 2 full weeks to rifle hunt. So for the first week it is 290+ 6 point bulls only for me. My partner isn't nearly as selective. He's never killed an elk. My normal code of ethics is "if you spot it you got it" So if I happen to be hunting alongside my partner and he spots an elk first he can choose to shoot it or pass and the same goes for me. So things work out good with me giving him first shot at anything I see unless it's a mature bull I want to try to take.

The second week I'll hunt a few days with a 5 point minimum. Once I have about 4 days left I'll shoot any legal bull. The last day I'll shoot any legal elk. The day after the last day if I don't have an elk down I think I'll call work and tell them my truck broke down and is being looked at right now and I'll get back to you once they tell me what's wrong or fix it. I am DEAD serious too! Then I'll buy a leftover cow tag and go into search seek and destroy mode! Grocery shopping is a whole other ball game. Cover ground until I trip over them and then make something happen.

[scrubs]

I have a couple cardinal rules. I never shoot 2 cows in a row. I've only ever shot 3 but they were many years apart. The last elk I shot was a cow so bulls only for me this year even though my tag is either sex.

Also... if I shoot a 6 point bull one year I am thankful so the following year I'll take the first big 5 point I see. The last bull I killed was a nice 6 point BUT...... I'm in an area with the potential for big bulls. Also I have 2 full weeks to rifle hunt. So for the first week it is 290+ 6 point bulls only for me. My partner isn't nearly as selective. He's never killed an elk. My normal code of ethics is "if you spot it you got it" So if I happen to be hunting alongside my partner and he spots an elk first he can choose to shoot it or pass and the same goes for me. So things work out good with me giving him first shot at anything I see unless it's a mature bull I want to try to take.

The second week I'll hunt a few days with a 5 point minimum. Once I have about 4 days left I'll shoot any legal bull. The last day I'll shoot any legal elk. The day after the last day if I don't have an elk down I think I'll call work and tell them my truck broke down and is being looked at right now and I'll get back to you once they tell me what's wrong or fix it. I am DEAD serious too! Then I'll buy a leftover cow tag and go into search seek and destroy mode! Grocery shopping is a whole other ball game. Cover ground until I trip over them and then make something happen.

LOL, I might be using that one myself.

[Indian Summer]

It's good to be good at what you do. It must suck to call into work and have them get mad because you are late or won't be in. When I call they say "Just be careful and keep us posted. Hope you had a good trip"

To me freedom is above all else. I've had jobs where they gave me a hard time about my elkaholism. If they really put pressure on me I'd just lay it on the line "If I can't go hunt elk working here I guess I'll have to go job hunting" What can an employer say at that point? I'll tell you! "Ok you *#@ing lowdown dirty a*#@*ole but when you get back you better be ready to hit it hard and this isn't happening next year"

Whateverrrrr

So I fixed that and bought a hunting outfit in Montana.

Disclaimer: Do not listen to what I say! I've many tons of foolish sacrifices in the name of elk hunting. TONS! I have no regrets, well maybe a few, but I could probably have a lot of other things in life if I wasn't born to walk the mountains of Montana and Wyoming. If you are new to elk hunting you might want to ask yourself if there's room in your life for an obsession.

MountainsAreCalling.jpg (10.58 KiB) Viewed 17777 times

Not "My boss is calling and I must go" lol

[N&N Waterfowl]

Have only harvest two elk (archery Hunter) one cow and a decent 5x5...so any legal elk is a target.

[Lefty]

"If I can't go hunt elk working here I guess I'll have to go job hunting" What can an employer say at that point? ,...

A guy I knew since high school was a senior three years running. Never got a diploma.
Every fall he quit what ever job he had to duck hunt. Just after his 30th birthday he graduated with a degree in Business management.
He was managing a motel in Vegas (1991?) 100K at the time. He asked corporate about taking off for hunting, The answer was no.
He packed his stuff and told an assistant he wasn't coming back.
He flew back to Minnesota and became a self employed furniture maker,.. 9 months a year

[Fridaythe13th]

New zone, new chose of weapon (muzzleloader), no point restriction but it has to be a bull. Looking for a unicorn bull and up.

[Osprey]

I would never stay with a job that I was not able to take hunting trips every year reguardless of pay. To me life is more than money, I would rather have a job that I could go hunt every year and experience new places and make a decent living than make 100k+ and have little time off. I have friends that do make a lot of money and have little time off they always seem deperessed when they see how much I spend time outdoors. This year I'm not hunting Elk but I'm pretty much taking most of Oct off to hunt Moose which will be cool to leave early oct and say see you in Nov , have a vac with the GF in Aug to another country for relaxing on a beach and hiding from the sun (this pays big brownie points for when I'm gone hunting every chance from sept-Feb), have off in April for Turkey hunting 2 states, and will have the bow season portion of the whitetail rut off at home plus have off every weekend since my schedule is m-f. Honestly its not enough time off I actually don't think there is such thing as enough well maybe not working at all in the fall!

[Indian Summer]

I love it Osprey. You only live once. I'm pretty sure nobody ever sat on their death bed and said man..... I wish I had worked more. Lots of business owners are so consumed by their business world that they assume everyone is. Lots of them never even take a vacation or any time off each year. So when it comes time for me to go they are floored that I would even want to spend a grand on a hunting license and be away from work that long.

Harley Davidson has a slogan that goes "Live to ride, ride to live" So when I explain to them that it is non-negotiable I said look.... I come to work to make money so I can live. My sole purpose in life is not to live at work. I don't live to work. If I come here and make money but can't step back and spend some of it what's the point? That usually shuts them up. If that doesn't work I just say see you in a couple weeks, wish me luck! Mind you I do a good enough job and ALL of the customers love me so if they stop to ask themselves do we really need this guy they answer themselves.... yes..... dammit.

[slim9300]

WA: any legal bull.
MT: decent 6 point or giant 5. After a miss a couple I may settle on a raghorn 5. Lol.