First Post

[TriggerHappy]

My name is Rob and yes this is my first post even though i have been following H/W for many years. I enjoy following everyones hunt stories from the drawing results though the season. That being said a little bit about myself i am an archery hunter but love the multi season permit. I try to get out as much as i can by either helping friend or with my own tags. This year i was lucky enough to fill my elk tag on a cow on the second day of the season(This was my first elk in 6 years) . This only a day after being face to face (5 to 7 yrds) with a nice size 5x5 bull elk for over 5 minutes with no luck. I have had countless chances at both cows and bulls over the years with no luck, until this year when i finally was able to close the deal. Now is the part where i ask the question , in my pocket i hold my 2012 Bull permit for Lewis River this was my second choice in my draws and was not expecting to be 1 of 5 that was drawn. My question is did i mess up by taking my first ever elk and not holding out for a bull? I have hunted Lewis River, i know a little about that unit but i have never hunted it in the winter time which is when my tag was for. Just hope i am not kicking myself for not holding out but thankful for a full freezer. Just looking for thoughts and hoping to meet some great people.  PS  i do have to thank Jason Phelps for making the game call that i used to call in both the bull and cow this season. i called the cow in over 300 yrds in a clear cut

Rob

[MountainWalk]

Welcome, friend. It's a good haul of info you can get from here.

[724wd]

how do you like your antlers cooked?  braised?    boiled? 

can't eat the antlers!  a freezer full of elk and the experience of being in close while hunting is a helluva trophy!   

[gaddy]

you closed the deal which is a lot more than most of us were able to do. be happy & enjoy. might not be exactly what you had hoped for but that cow is going to eat real good. & good job on calling the cow in & thats good testimony on the phelps calls.

[TriggerHappy]

724 -- That is true, and there was no thoughts of the bull tag after i shot my elk, but i did have 6 points, So with nothing to do the rest of the year besides cook elk and deer steaks and duck hunt. I can still think about being out chasing the bulls in Lewis River. even if i cant BBQ the antlers...

[erk444]

My buddy had that tag last year, and I dont think he saw an elk. Lotsa fresh sign, but no animals. He did miss a real nice buck though. Im sure theres tons of elk there. He just couldnt get into them.

[JPhelps]

Rob, congrats

She will be good eating!  It's only a mistake if you say it was.  This way you are 100% sure you have killed your first elk.

[pianoman9701]

I guess if I had wanted to draw a bull tag and used my points to do it, I would've waited. But, I also might've eaten tag soup for Christmas dinner. Elk in the freezer is good elk.

Welcome to the site!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

A dead elk is a great elk!!!

[BK Dave]

Cow in the hand is better than a Bull in the bush!

[Austrian Hunter]

  You got a full freezer, that's all that counts.  Can't eat points and antlers. 

[HUNT-HARD]

I think you made the right choice!! I just got back from hunting that unit during the general season and I really don't think that it is really that great of a tag to have for a late season. This year the snow is not as deep as it has been the last few years but the elk numbers are not what they use to be. This is my opinion and mine only but I am sure there are others on here that may not agree. So with that said congrats on a great elk and I hope you enjoy her this winter!!

[CplRaines]

I have hunted the Lewis river unit (formerly Marble) for the past 17 season during modern firearm.
I would say you would be hard pressed to find a bull that you could get close enough to stick after modern is over.
Lewis unit is hit hard by a large amount of hunters. The elk are pushed and by the time you would get to them, are extremely spooky.
You made the right choice.
I'm just sayin.

[Kc_Kracker]

can't eat the antlers!  a freezer full of elk is a helluva trophy!   

[Swatson]

Had that tag three years ago when it was 3pt or cow and spent a whole week up high.  Had lots of snow above 3500' and saw a ton of cows and only a couple of small bulls.  I don't think you made a bad decision at all!