Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: go4steelhd on February 07, 2022, 06:24:44 PM

Title: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: go4steelhd on February 07, 2022, 06:24:44 PM: Let’s see your first elk, I doesn’t matter if it’s a cow or a bull.

Here’s mine.

After years of close calls, and a lot of learning on my part. I was able to harvest this bull in Idaho. I called him into 35 yards. He ran 30 yards and piled up. Needless to say this was a big day for me.

Let’s see your first elk and a brief story.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Bob33 on February 07, 2022, 07:09:08 PM: Bethel Ridge cow (from the days when you could draw a cow tag every three or four years. :chuckle:)
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: johnbmyersii on February 07, 2022, 07:28:58 PM: True spike with my grandpa 2015
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: ASHQUACK on February 07, 2022, 08:37:15 PM: Not the best picture, but my 1st archery kill and my 1st western WA bull.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Jrtishchuk on February 07, 2022, 08:41:21 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220208/59bee0a383be21166117a6a3d40035bb.jpeg)
Archery 2018.
First elk for me

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Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: BoomWhop on February 07, 2022, 08:45:25 PM: Muzzy 2009
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: riverrun on February 07, 2022, 09:09:45 PM: 2016 muzzy
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: riverrun on February 07, 2022, 09:12:19 PM: Nice bull BoomWhop!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: BoomWhop on February 07, 2022, 10:40:04 PM: Yours is a dandy as well.
Quote from: riverrun on February 07, 2022, 09:12:19 PM
Nice bull BoomWhop!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: kball4 on February 08, 2022, 09:52:44 AM: First year hunting Idaho. Weiser River 2 point, 2017.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: time2hunt on February 08, 2022, 04:27:06 PM: Not sure if I can find a Polaroid pic that far back lol

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Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: go4steelhd on February 08, 2022, 07:25:44 PM: Quote from: time2hunt on February 08, 2022, 04:27:06 PM
Not sure if I can find a Polaroid pic that far back lol

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Let’s see them!!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Farmer72 on February 08, 2022, 08:03:39 PM: My first was a nice Roosevelt spike. Good eating. I'm the good looking one on the left.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: buglebuster on February 08, 2022, 09:41:18 PM: I wish I had a picture of my first, but I was 16 and had an umtanum rifle cow tag. We lived in the unit so I drove up Saturday morning and went on a solo hunt. 2 miles from the truck I took a big cow with my 30.06. At that point I had no clue what to do so I gutted it out and hiked back. Drove home, got my neighbor and grandpa, and we all went back up with game cart and quartered her up and got back to the truck. Wow I’ve learned a lot.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: ThurstonCokid on February 08, 2022, 09:44:58 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220209/6b0e8a43839e6ecdeb2049f27216eeb4.jpg)
Just a few years ago.. HAHAH

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Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: go4steelhd on February 09, 2022, 11:29:02 AM: Quote from: buglebuster on February 08, 2022, 09:41:18 PM
I wish I had a picture of my first, but I was 16 and had an umtanum rifle cow tag. We lived in the unit so I drove up Saturday morning and went on a solo hunt. 2 miles from the truck I took a big cow with my 30.06. At that point I had no clue what to do so I gutted it out and hiked back. Drove home, got my neighbor and grandpa, and we all went back up with game cart and quartered her up and got back to the truck. Wow I’ve learned a lot.

On my bull above. Our version of quartering was to saw down the spine. We took out the whole ribcage with the front quarters, and the hip sockets on the rear quarters.

As you said, I have learned a lot since then :chuckle:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: 2MANY on February 09, 2022, 11:36:02 AM: That's how my dad always packed em on horseback too.

Aw the good ole days. lol
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: steeleywhopper on February 09, 2022, 11:48:41 AM: My first elk, opening day rifle 1999 Halloween day. My younger brother had died a month earlier and this Elk camp was the hardest I’d ever endured as he was not there with us. I don’t think I had ever seen my gramps so happy in my life as my buddy and I pulled into camp with that spike in back of the truck. Those days of the Dayton elk camps are missed and some of my greatest memories.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: go4steelhd on February 10, 2022, 06:38:38 AM: Quote from: steeleywhopper on February 09, 2022, 11:48:41 AM
My first elk, opening day rifle 1999 Halloween day. My younger brother had died a month earlier and this Elk camp was the hardest I’d ever endured as he was not there with us. I don’t think I had ever seen my gramps so happy in my life as my buddy and I pulled into camp with that spike in back of the truck. Those days of the Dayton elk camps are missed and some of my greatest memories.

Sorry for your loss....

But that will be a bull to remember for many reasons. Thanks for sharing :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: jstone on February 10, 2022, 06:41:30 AM: Love those pictures
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 10, 2022, 07:00:29 AM: Great smiles all around there!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: trophyhunt on February 10, 2022, 07:15:08 AM: First elk was a spike, had the herd cross the FS road in front of my future wife and I, spike only that year in the white river. snuck up on them and shot him about 30 yards away, first guy in my group of hunters to kill an elk, I'll never forget it. Must have drove back to that spot to look at the kill site 10 times. Also killed my first branch antlered buck in republic that year, what a year. That was prob 30 years ago.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: 10mmg on February 10, 2022, 07:41:26 AM: Wyoming 2021. Got to hunt with my dad where he took his first bull elk as well. Being newbies to elk we used a guide on this one. I am afraid the addiction might have gotten a hold of me.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: 10mmg on February 10, 2022, 07:42:57 AM: Dads bull.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: 7mmfan on February 10, 2022, 08:16:36 AM: My first, a big spike in the Bethel unit. I was 19 I think. Also, my Dad's first elk, killed after many years of hunting spikes when he finally drew a bull tag, also in the Bethel unit. Lots of memories made in there.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: hunter399 on February 10, 2022, 08:56:36 AM: All the pics look great guys!!!
Wish I had one to share,my elk is still free range I guess.
I've been putting in for elk permits for 5+ years,and still haven't hit the slot machine on regular season yet.
GREAT PICS GUYS!!!!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: HUNT JR on February 10, 2022, 09:22:59 AM: Missed a couple of bulls in years prior to this, but killed this bull opening morning of my 2017 quality tag.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 10, 2022, 09:32:05 AM: Wish I had a pic of my first. I'm sure some of the older guys remember the early muzzy season up elk heights area? I remember it being like an Aug 15th type thing? Anyways, I was 12, and it was hot as hell. It was me, my older brother Aaron, and my dad. We were hiking down the hill within eye sight of the truck. Here come a group of elk down the opposite canyon wall. About that time here comes a truck bouncing down the road. The elk paused, watched the truck drive by and then here they come! Across the road, up the hill, and single filed right passed us at 60 yards. With a my eyes closed and a good solid trigger jerk I magically drilled the spike. Thank god it was close to the truck as we sawed that spike into quarters 🤦‍♂️.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: C-Money on February 10, 2022, 04:03:58 PM: My first elk. Profile picture. Man I dreamed a long time of finally getting an elk. My Uncle, my Dad, my friends filling tags over the years. I had been around a few successful hunts...finally it was my turn. Colockum spike.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Skywagon_185 on February 10, 2022, 07:06:08 PM: 1962. Nobody packed a camera then. Don't know if they had been invented yet!!!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: NRA4LIFE on February 10, 2022, 07:18:55 PM: Steeleywhopper's post with his gramps is one of the greatest pics I've ever seen posted. I wish I could have just had one day hunting with either of my granddads.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: BD1 on February 10, 2022, 07:35:43 PM: :yeah: Me too....
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: fishngamereaper on February 10, 2022, 08:16:21 PM: Some cool pics..

I'm in the I didn't own a camera group for my first elk...or second....

I have a pic of my first Idaho elk..does that count :chuckle:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on February 10, 2022, 08:49:31 PM: Quote from: fishngamereaper on February 10, 2022, 08:16:21 PM
Some cool pics..

I'm in the I didn't own a camera group for my first elk...or second....

I have a pic of my first Idaho elk..does that count :chuckle:

I’m with you brother. Nobody carried a camera in my generation for many moons. When we started, it was the old plastic disposables. At some point, the disposable cams I had collecting dust in a junk drawer got trashed. Here’s one that survived the junk drawer, circa 1987ish? Not my first, but one of the earliest pics I have.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: C-Money on February 11, 2022, 08:06:06 AM: I was just explaining to my son how my elk pics were taken with a film camera, and developed pictures were scanned into the computer. He had a puzzled look on his face...LOL!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: elkrack on February 17, 2022, 09:11:22 PM: 14 years old. this cow almost ran into me luckily for me she was only 10-15’ away so the jerk on the trigger didn’t matter to much. Good ole disposable camera
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: ASienkiewich on February 21, 2022, 09:22:27 PM: (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220222/974918a63265e7251c6b4820ceb60ddd.jpg)

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Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: MADMAX on February 21, 2022, 09:57:56 PM: First elk
Early 90s
Archery @ camp 9
Everybody went home to save some leave time mid week and then come back after Labor Day
I stayed shot a spike packed him all out alone no truck
Just the motor home and my bicycle
No meat split needed on that one 🤪
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: dreamingbig on February 22, 2022, 06:28:30 AM: My first elk was 2005. I wish I knew then how quickly we would lose opportunity in this state. A lot has changed in 20 years.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220222/6ba2ea552961b7e0f9af9ff40184e97c.jpg)

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Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: trophyhunt on February 22, 2022, 06:51:17 AM: Quote from: Karl Blanchard on February 10, 2022, 09:32:05 AM
Wish I had a pic of my first. I'm sure some of the older guys remember the early muzzy season up elk heights area? I remember it being like an Aug 15th type thing? Anyways, I was 12, and it was hot as hell. It was me, my older brother Aaron, and my dad. We were hiking down the hill within eye sight of the truck. Here come a group of elk down the opposite canyon wall. About that time here comes a truck bouncing down the road. The elk paused, watched the truck drive by and then here they come! Across the road, up the hill, and single filed right passed us at 60 yards. With a my eyes closed and a good solid trigger jerk I magically drilled the spike. Thank god it was close to the truck as we sawed that spike into quarters 🤦‍♂️.
Isn't it funny how just a few years ago you learned to saw your elk in quarters, now I don't even carry a saw and most take elk apart with only a blade. Or debone.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Fish4Fun on February 22, 2022, 11:34:28 AM: Back in the day we didn't take a lot of pictures, my first elk was on Bethel Ridge in 1970 when I was 10 years old. We have killed a lot of elk in that area over the years, with not a lot of pictures of them. My brother and I have something like 39 bulls between us over that 50 year span and a handful of cows.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: shehushin on February 22, 2022, 01:26:10 PM: This is my first elk! Got her in 2019 with my muzzleloader! After 8 years of elk hunting!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: trophyhunt on February 22, 2022, 01:40:22 PM: Nice cow, great eating!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Hilltop123 on February 22, 2022, 01:44:23 PM: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: go4steelhd on February 22, 2022, 03:56:01 PM: Nice work hilltop

If insurance picked that up, it’s way cheaper than a guided hunt
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: NOCK NOCK on February 22, 2022, 05:20:12 PM: Is that a headlight laying there? Gives a whole new perspective on "spotlighting" :chuckle:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Casey on February 22, 2022, 08:59:20 PM: Got my first elk in 2014. Went muzzle one year and had some good luck in the late season. Found 2 legal bulls in a clear cut around 9 am and was able to get a 50 yard shot.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220223/62326547e06d5524bbbb13da2193180c.jpg)

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Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 23, 2022, 05:23:57 AM: Good Job!!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Bucks2Ducks on February 23, 2022, 06:26:50 AM: Awesome Bull Casey, love those red antlers
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: trophyhunt on February 23, 2022, 06:36:19 AM: WAAAAAAY too young to get your first bull kid!!! :chuckle:

Awesome job!!!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: bench beast on February 23, 2022, 06:54:04 AM: 1984
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: bigmacc on February 23, 2022, 11:38:08 AM: Quote from: bench beast on February 23, 2022, 06:54:04 AM
1984
Love this picture, who says you need a thousand dollars worth of fancy camo equipment to kill an animal :chuckle:. That looks like our bunch to this day :tup:
:chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Twispriver on February 23, 2022, 08:46:11 PM: Riggin pants and a hickory shirt :tup:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 24, 2022, 05:27:36 AM: What no Stihl suspenders??
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: bench beast on February 24, 2022, 09:01:25 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on February 24, 2022, 05:27:36 AM
What no Stihl suspenders??
they might have been
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Damnimissed on March 03, 2022, 06:34:08 PM: 2013 early muzzleloader. Rag 5pt
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: zwickeyman on March 12, 2022, 06:18:04 AM: 1981 My first back country hunt. With a couple buddies but solo this day and 3 miles the wrong way from camp. A little 6pt with my Black Widow Recurve. We went in the next morning, boned him and got back to camp around midnight in a snow storm. Woke up to 8". Packed him and the Buck I shot 3 days earlier out that day then back up for camp the next. Brutal 3 days, he was 7 1/2 miles and 6000 vertical with 2/3 no trail. Hooked me hard hunting deep with a bow
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: bowhntr on March 21, 2022, 04:20:42 PM: 2012 otc westside - Showed up with the trailer and set up camp. Went out scouting and found a herd but too late to pursue. Went in at first light and this bull came in screaming through the timber right away. After a full draw frontal standoff around 45 seconds, he turned and I flung the arrow. Talk about an easy weekend hunt. I’ve since gotten three more bulls. Still hoping for a permit one of these days.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: huntinkid20 on March 22, 2022, 02:34:32 PM: Quote from: zwickeyman on March 12, 2022, 06:18:04 AM
1981 My first back country hunt. With a couple buddies but solo this day and 3 miles the wrong way from camp. A little 6pt with my Black Widow Recurve. We went in the next morning, boned him and got back to camp around midnight in a snow storm. Woke up to 8". Packed him and the Buck I shot 3 days earlier out that day then back up for camp the next. Brutal 3 days, he was 7 1/2 miles and 6000 vertical with 2/3 no trail. Hooked me hard hunting deep with a bow

So cool!! And with a real bow too!
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: tgomez on May 14, 2022, 10:54:17 PM: 5x5 Bull Elk Northport, WA. (Unit 105)
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: spin05 on May 16, 2022, 02:52:04 AM: 2 years ago after many years of going empty handed
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: ewustu on June 01, 2022, 08:04:11 PM: 2021. After putting in for 23 years.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: CackleBird98 on June 01, 2022, 08:22:29 PM: Blue mountain spike 2019. First chance after 12 years of chasing em. Got another in 20. Drew bethel 21 and ate the tag. Way the cookie crumbles i guess
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: grundy53 on June 01, 2022, 08:40:15 PM: My first. Still my biggest. 15 years ago.

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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220602/aa2cd4c3213c46582d3aa6489b308594.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220602/120e056fda3cb7d5cc100cfbec81a2c2.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: HunterStrait on June 01, 2022, 09:24:38 PM: Went elk hunting for the first time in 2021 and got my first elk. Hit him on the run.
got another one last year too.

(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/621832392323235840/981772169858142208/20201104_072341.jpg?width=651&height=488)
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: 6haase6 on June 01, 2022, 09:41:33 PM: 2012 Little Naches archery
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Pete112288 on June 02, 2022, 05:28:38 AM: 2009
Pound for pound still one of the two heaviest I have shot so far. Including bulls. 9 elk out of 12 years. I have been lucky. This cow, my very first. A 12 sabot slug to the center neck, dropped on the spot. 2 mile pack up hill, dad even left work to come help. Which is saying a lot :chuckle:
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: blackymaster20 on June 02, 2022, 11:14:24 AM: First elk shot in lewis county. This year will be my first year for archery! Ps sorry for the entrails. I was excited and field dressed before pictures lol
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: MeepDog on June 02, 2022, 02:10:27 PM: Quote from: Pete112288 on June 02, 2022, 05:28:38 AM
2009
Pound for pound still one of the two heaviest I have shot so far. Including bulls. 9 elk out of 12 years. I have been lucky. This cow, my very first. A 12 sabot slug to the center neck, dropped on the spot. 2 mile pack up hill, dad even left work to come help. Which is saying a lot :chuckle:

You're a legend for taking an elk with a slug. One of very few I've ever heard of. How far of a shot?
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: seaduckhunter on June 02, 2022, 04:26:40 PM: First one
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Pete112288 on June 03, 2022, 03:51:53 PM: Quote from: MeepDog on June 02, 2022, 02:10:27 PM
Quote from: Pete112288 on June 02, 2022, 05:28:38 AM
2009
Pound for pound still one of the two heaviest I have shot so far. Including bulls. 9 elk out of 12 years. I have been lucky. This cow, my very first. A 12 sabot slug to the center neck, dropped on the spot. 2 mile pack up hill, dad even left work to come help. Which is saying a lot :chuckle:

You're a legend for taking an elk with a slug. One of very few I've ever heard of. How far of a shot?

80 yards. It's all about the right load. I used winchester partition golds expensive but worth it. Clover leaf groups at 100 yards out of both mossbergs I have used. Power and penetration and reliability have always been amazing. Taken a lot of animals with them from 10 to 130 yards. Never failed me. Too bad I can't find em anymore
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: wall of wood camp on June 11, 2022, 07:15:28 PM: 1992 my first cow still get the same excitement today when one hits the dirt.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 11, 2022, 08:33:34 PM: Guided my Dad to his first and only Bull in 1973.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: Matth on June 12, 2022, 05:52:30 AM: Cool picture.
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: swanderek on June 13, 2022, 12:45:45 PM: Last year
Title: Re: Let’s see your first elk
Post by: deer_hnter on June 13, 2022, 01:10:55 PM: First and only….so far….