Went Elk Hunting last weekend...
 

So, I was finally drawn for a special Elk hunt in eastern Wyoming last weekend. Stayed in a great Cabin and had a wonderful time.
The Hunt lasted for two days, (one for spotting and one for hunting) until I finally spotted the one I wanted. Unfortunately, I only had a cow tag (female Elk for you non-hunters) but it was my first Elk and I'm damn proud of it!
She was estimated at 11 years old and weighed in at 780 lbs. Shot her with a Browning, 300 Winchester Magnum from 195 yds.

(FYI: It was on private land and the bulls were kept out so none of the cows were carrying calves).
The landscape was gorgeous, 5,000 acres of rough terrain. Tough walking but was well worth it. We probably walked about 7-8 miles non-stop.

The next morning I went out on the front porch and watched a 17 point Bull watch me drink a cup of coffee at about 120 yds.

Pics to follow:

The Cabin (and my truck) :

My Elk, (and myself of course) :

There is an elk season in late March/early April?? Or, when you say private - you mean like game preserve?

The season is through the Game and Parks department, but for landowners only that have been approved. In other words, Wild Elk in an enclosed enviroment. No more that nine elk per 3,000 acres. The gentelman who owned this property fenced in his land about 5 yrs. ago and has not had to "trap" any elk since. The sucess rate is around 30% but he only allows one Elk to be taken in this season from each section of land, (Three sections total).
I paid for the lodging from a friend of mine and only had to pay for the license.

It's not like those preserves in Texas where the deer or whatever come up to you expecting food and you throw a round in it's head, (thank god).

I went to Jackson about 11 years ago in January. Worst snow storm ever. Closed down Yellowstone for a few days. After we able to get in, we snow mobiled around Yellowstone, an all day thing. We took a break near some hot springs and I look down in a bunch of brush and there was a cow and her calf. Needless to say we got the hell out of there. That cow was bigger than the one one got. I would do that trip in a heartbeat. Beautiful country...

Me gusta elk hunt

I'm not one for hunting, but after spending a few nights up at Estes, I'm perfectly fine with eliminating the entire species.

ROFL

No doubt. I'll never forget the charm of seeing my first few elk in Colorado, then how quickly that charm wore thin after watching the elk walking all over the golf course, through the middle of downtown, and hanging out on the porches of condominiums in Estes. They're like giant squirrels there.

The best quote of that little excursion?

From my wife at 3 am: "Oh my God! Just find her and fuck her already!!"

Nice cow there're better eating anyway ....

Glad you had a good hunt, I want to go elk hunting sometime.

I don't see the sport in killing a beautiful animal like that. At least with deer you are helping to control the population. Elk are incredible in person-I could never shoot one.

In Colorado, elk are a pain in the a$$ like deer are here in Missouri.

I would rather watch it walk around my property then shoot it.