2023 AK moose, ID deer, ID elk

[Caseknife]

Wow, great story, adventure, bull and photos.  Thanks for sharing with us.

[Machias]

LOVE it when you can hear and smell photos!!    Congrats on a awesome hunt!  I was worried for you, generally it never works out well for me when spots are filled up like that and I just start going to random spots.  So happy you were able to connect and everything went safely and smoothly!!!  Thanks for sharing!

[Karl Blanchard]

Well done dude!!! Big congrats on a killer trip! So high on my bucket list still.

[2MANY]

Damn no wonder you didn't have bear problems.
Those 2 with you look like they could've made any inland boar grizz tap out.
Congrats on your lifetime memory and thanks.

[Taco280AI]

Thanks again 

Planning on going again next year 

[Timberstalker]

Awesome write up. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[Falcon]

 Great write up and a hell of a bull      Huge congrats

[Platensek-po]

Wow this is what dreams look like! Congrats on an awesome bull and even better memories!

[elkoholic1]

 

[elkboy]

Awesome writeup! Thanks for taking us along! The photos are great. Looks like you got to see a phenomenal amount of cool stuff up there!

An Alaska moose trip is on my bucket list for sure!

[Taco280AI]

Although I'm really liking the new 7-08, I haven't settled on a load yet and ranges tend to be longer where I hunt in Idaho which isn't ideal with the fixed 6x on it. I can always count on the Ackley so took it out the other day, only 3 shots needed at 200 yards, 0.84" and done.

Didn't plan on getting a deer today unless it was a decent buck. Mainly wanted to get out and look for elk. Saw two smallish 5 points and two big bulls. Only saw one buck, about 1.2 miles away. Finally gave in and got a spotting scope for this season and it was perfect. I caught a glimpse of a deer moving between bushes, but way too far for the 10x Swaros to tell what it was. Spotter showed a 3x4, I figured why not.

The area I was going to didn't look terrible, half way was flat without having to bust through brush, then hike up a hill, look across the way to the other hill, should be right there. Well I got up there and couldn't find the deer. Got out my phone to look at the brush he was around, couldn't match it up. Different perspective maybe? Did see a big 6 point bull on that hill, perfectly broadside, standing still while eating, and in range. Kept sneaking glances at him while looking for the deer, but where was he? Looked higher up the mountain, a lot farther away and fffffffffff.... I wasn't even close. Still had a long way to go, and then it started to suck.

Eventually got to 466 yards quartering away, dialed the scope, and first time recovering a 145 LRX. Retained weight was 144.3 gr with expansion going from .284 to .567. The 4 mile pack out sucked, but more meat in the freezer. My deer season lasted one day.







Some elk footage I got
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyW11QcvalQ/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[Taco280AI]

Based on what I saw deer hunting I had an idea where to go opening day of elk. About a 90 minute drive, another 90 minutes hiking. Wanted to hustle up not only because it was about 21 degrees where I was and wanted to stay warm (while wearing a t-shirt and gloves so I'm not sweating like crazy while hustling up), but also because of the Black Friday sale like parking lot at the trail head. There were so many people it was ridiculous.

Anyway I stuck to my gameplan, got passed by four people on horses, kept hustling, and caught up to the horses as we were all going to the same area. Also saw a parked e-bike that wasn't supposed to be up there, F&G was waiting for him when I finally came out.

About four to 4.5 miles later, I didn't know where exactly the horse guys were going and didn't wait to find out. Off the trail I headed up to this small saddle to look out over the next few ridges.

I got up there as it was reaching official sunrise, took just a quick look with my bare eyes, didn't see anything so went to my pack about 10 yards back to relieve myself, change my shirt, and put on my mid layer and jacket to get ready for glassing. I happened to look back and there's an elk on the next ridge. I grab my Swaros and see that it's a bull. It's the only elk on this middle ridge, which is in range. The next ridge has a decent herd including a 6 point and a few other bulls, but oh well. This many people around, the e-bike guy's location unknown, the horses locations unknown, possibly other people I don't know about, and lots of trucks at the trail head, I'm taking the first legal bull I can.

I ranged him at 433, adjusted my scope, and waited for a shot. He was facing too far away without much shot opportunity at first and I tried to mimmick a cow call. I had one on my pack, but wasn't getting up to get it. He turned enough, I felt solid, and let the 145 LRX fly.

Hit. He stumbled and spun around, stood more broadside with the opposite side this time, and hit! If an elk is still standing, I'm still shooting, especially with that many people around. He was done, as was my elk season in maybe 3 minutes after getting to my spot.

The herd on the next ridge actually went down and not up, and a few of those bulls got taken by people down lower. Word is the e-bike guy got the 6x, curious how that chat will go with the game warden.

What a season, been blessed. Bull moose, buck, bull... I'm very grateful for it all.



My bull died in the yellow bushes. Can see the herd on the next slope over.





Forward was the first shot, rear was the second and exit.




Only the second LRX I've recovered, from the quartering shot. Retained weight was 143.9

[7mmfan]

Well done. The bullet looks perfect. I've yet to recover one.

[Caseknife]

Way to go, you've had quite the season.  Those Barnes look the same as many I have recovered under the hide on the off-side.

[Widgeondeke]

Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed the read.

   Congrats.