Just got back from first my elk hunt (nice 6x7) with pics

J

justinbaker

New member
just got back from valle vidal in new mexico. This was my first elk hunt, and it was a blast. The shot was about 330 yards with a 300 win mag loaded with 168 gr barnes triple shocks. Took the shot, and he went about another ten yards, and dropped.

I am definitely hooked, it just sucks that i have to wait till next year to even find out if i get to go again:mad:\\

but we cooked up some backstrap steaks tonight, and they were amazing!!

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Very nice bull! He doesn't have the longest main beams but sure looks like he carries the mass all the way through. I'd be happy with a bull like that any day.
 
Justin,

I'll bet you were pumped! :D

Congrats on a nice 1st elk. That's a lot bigger than most people kill for their 1st elk.

Great pictures.

Brad
 
Justin - did you go guided or unguided? If you don't mind, could you sum up your costs - just in general terms? My buddy and I are on a five year plan to go on an out-of-state elk hunt.

Great looking bull!
 
it was an unguided hunt, and i am from new mexico, so all my tag cost me was $89, and alot of luck, this particular hunt that i got is a once in a lifetime hunt, my dad has friends who have put in for this same hunt for the last 20 years and have never drawn out for it, And i get it my first time!

But i did alot of scouting in the weeks before the hunt, and i live about 4.5 hours from this area so it cost quite a bit in gas overall. But i know i still saved a bunch of money by going unguided, ya it was more work but it was well worth it.

I tell you what cost me the most money was trying to find a good load for my rifle:D but i got lots of shooting in so it was worth it. 2007 is my first year to hunt any type of big game, much less shoot a high powered rifle. The only other big game i have shot was an antelope and that was in august.

So overall for this hunt, not including scouting

Elk tag $89
Food $100
Gas $100


So what around 300 for the actual hunt, but then i have to get the meat processed which is another 150 or so. But it is all worth it.
 
Justin that hunt is priceless, no need to put a dollar figure too it. I'm sure you would pay to do it all over again. I've yet to get a bull, most of my hunting is done on cow tags as the place I want to hunt my bull takes an average of 16 years to draw, got 5 points 11 more to go if I can even catch up. I like to hunt so I'm happy with cows for now, but I do want a good bull some time in the next 20 years. Are you going to mount that trophy?
 
you are right i would prolly pay twice that for it all again. Just the whole experience was amazing. My only regret is that i did not start hunting earlier, im almost 24 now, but i would have loved to began much younger.

And now that i have a bull i will prolly just just do cow tags for a while,

As for mounting, i am doing a European mount. Couldnt afford a regular mount, and i dont think the future wifey would let me put it in the living room and i am tanning the hide.
 
Good for you Justin!!
This past Friday night, I shot a cow elk right at dusk.
I'm totally addicted to elk hunting ever since I shot my first one.
 
European mounts look great and save on space. Later on if you ever want to do a shoulder mount you still can. Just take the antlers down to the taxidermist and have him get you a cape and have that bad boy mounted.

Don't worry about starting late on hunting, I din't start until I was 18. I didn't have anyone to take me so when I could legally buy a rifle I went hunting. Would have been nice to have someone show me the ropes, but everything I've done I've done myself. I'm still learning how to hunt and that is what keeps it fun.

Sorry davlandrum, didn't read you were asking on the price.:o
 
Duh....I feel a little silly since I assumed you went out of state - even though your sig said NM...Guess I should not try and read and post at work, keeping an eye out for "the man" trying to bust me :D
 
davlandrum, dont worry about it, i added it to my sig after you asked the question.

taylorce1, i too have taught myself alot this year, i went by myself on the antelope hunt, and i tell you what that was alot of fun to field dress! (before that the largest animal i had ever cleaned was a rabbit)
But at least i was able to have an experienced hunter with my on the elk hunt (he was a friend of the family)
 
Congratulations, great animal great hunt. Even more impressive that you did it on your own.

I am very impressed. Great load to Elk hunt with.
 
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