What is is with elk hunters?

[WapitiTalk1]

Just had a thought (ya, I know dangerous for me) about the elk hunters I know on this site and personally. What the heck is it with most of the elk (or even other critter) hunters we come across in our journeys nowadays? Yep, some of them are characters for sure but I'll bet my last pack of elk meat, that the majority of them would bend over backwards to help a person out in any way they can. In this changing environment we're living in, it seems that I can always bank on a straight answer, an honest opinion, or an offer of "I'd be glad to lend you a hand if I can swing it", from the majority of the evil animal hunters I currently am in contact with. What do we attribute this to? Each and every time I bump into one of you characters, I know that if I every wanted to call you and talk hunting, or, you asked me something I could possibly shed some light on..... the answer would always be, "you betcha, no problem". What is it with elk hunters?

[CurlyTail]

Couldn't agree more

How about Elk Hunters are hard workers, and self sufficient, and know how to persevere through tough times. That tends to be a certain type of person - usually handy to know.

And just to clarify - persevering through tough times means - reading, understanding, and applying for a Wyoming Elk permit. I swear it took 6 months and 5 times through the regs to understand that system. I think. Maybe.

[Swede]

I ran into a fellow that was alone a couple of seasons back. He stood there looking at the head of his bull in the back of the pickup. The remainder of his elk was still out in the forest waiting to be packed in. I had a pack frame in my truck and my elk in town in the cooler. I asked if he could use a hand getting his elk out. He said "no". I have often wondered why, especially since he was alone. Was there something he did not want me to see? Was he thinking he would need to pay me somehow? Maybe he was just being considerate.
I have had people offer to help me pack if I got one. I have not come across anyone, I was not familiar with, while in the process of packing. I suppose that is due to mostly carrying out elk at night.

[olympushunt]

Good topic. I might offer up a qualifying statement of "True" Elk hunters. I'm sure most of us have met some slob hunters that didn't fit the mold of what I am calling a "True" Elk hunter. I've put out a cameras in a nasty canyon and didn't lock them up because I felt anybody that went through that kinda effort to get in that hell hole was a respectable hunter.... so far I've been right. Why is it also that you can tell within 5 minutes of talking to another hunter you know if they are a....uh....non good person (there are other less kid friendly terms) or a legit person you could hang with?

[Elkduds]

Elk hunting is more cooperative than competitive, unless you meet some tool that really works @ making it a contest. Packing out an elk is such a big job that it invokes the Golden Rule: assist a successful hunter as you would hope someone would assist w your successful hunt.

[Tigger]

I would agree and have already been the beneficiary of it. I only wish that I could repay those that have helped me (and you are one of them Phantom!!). I also think it has to do with someone willing to put that much effort into a hunt that most likely (for anyone not named Elknut or Saddlesore!) is going to end in not harvesting an animal.

Olympushunt, Your comment really hit home. not only can I tell if they are a good person, but also a true or fake hunter. To a person that has done it, you can just tell. I had a person not long ago tell me about how hard of a hunt they had from a physical standpoint. They talked a good game and I was believing them right up until I saw the picture of their bull. Definitely a nice bull. But it was whole. As in not quartered. As in, they drove a vehicle up to it and loaded it whole.

[TimeOnTarget]

My buddy and I helped a fella pack his bull out last year. To this day i wonder what his plan was if we hadn't helped. He had a packpack fit for 2nd grade. My gut tells me he would have taken the tenderlions and the head and left the rest, or he had an entire week off and about 12 trips planned to get all of it out.

We helped him most the day, then basically ran back into where we wanted to be with about 2 hrs of light left. I shot a big cow right at last light way across a canyon. Well after dark by the time we got to my downed elk. Saw the sun come up right as we got back to the trail on that one.


There's just something so peaceful about packing an elk all night long. I love it!!

[olympushunt]

Olympushunt, Your comment really hit home. not only can I tell if they are a good person, but also a true or fake hunter. To a person that has done it, you can just tell. I had a person not long ago tell me about how hard of a hunt they had from a physical standpoint. They talked a good game and I was believing them right up until I saw the picture of their bull. Definitely a nice bull. But it was whole. As in not quartered. As in, they drove a vehicle up to it and loaded it whole.

Ya....lol....it usually doesn't take long to know how much the poo is piling up. Unless.....what if he DID pack that animal out whole?! Dang I would be grabbing his phone number!

[lamrith]

Part of it I also think is that we tend to draw like minded people, RJ and his hunting partner are good people always willing to help a new person, Karma goes both ways..

Elk hunting is more cooperative than competitive, unless you meet some tool that really works @ making it a contest. Packing out an elk is such a big job that it invokes the Golden Rule: assist a successful hunter as you would hope someone would assist w your successful hunt.

Welcome to much of WA once the flag drops on elk season. Based on what I have seen during the last two modern season in WA and on some local WA based boards, coopertive is not what I would call it. Lot of this is my spot, get out mentality.

Makes me even more thankful I did happen upon a real elk hunter. I am very glad and fortunate that I connected with RJ and his camp. They are good people there to hunt and have fun doing it. The teamwork and camp 1st mindset is very refreshing.

I should add, the people on THIS forum have all been great, and in that same class or "real elk hunter" like RJ and crew.

[Lefty]

Couldn't agree more. How about Elk Hunters are hard workers, and self sufficient, and know how to persevere through tough times. That tends to be a certain type of person - usually handy to know.,,,,,,,,,.

Elk hunting is hard physically and mentally. Those that pursue what some consider "challenging" activities, it is a solo, or small group adventure. It is a whole different mindset than many other activities.

[Tigger]

It is a different mindset. An elk hunter is willing to be uncomfortable for a week or more of their precious vacation time with the slim hope of bagging a beast. It isn't sitting on a beach in the Caribbean (uh, wait, my wife signed the family up for one of these.... ....I will soon be cruisin'!). Those that have that type of mentality and energy usually do pretty well in life and gravitate towards others of the same cloth.

[ElkNut1]

I certainly agree with the various responses! I've had the privilege of giving many Seminars in a variety of States & towns, I can honestly say after talking with several thousand hunters over the years that they are great sincere & family oriented people! Elk hunters by & large are great folks, I'm proud to be part of this unique group of hunters!

ElkNut1

[Tigger]

Paul said, "I am proud to be part of this unique group of hunters".

Hmmm. Self proclaiming you are a true elk hunter? I think this forum may need to see your credentials before we let you into the club! Maybe all of your pictures are photoshopped and your knowledged was gleaned from a book?

Just pulling your chain; once is a while, we even have a sense of humor!