Our Elk hunting trip in Idaho

[bmoore2156]

I just got back from our 2 week hunting in Idaho.
We had a great trip and thought I would share some photos. I shot my elk at 630 yards. We camp about 4 miles up the trail head and pack in on motorcycles. We had to clear off about 12'' of snow so we could put the tent up. The coldest we seen it this year was 7 deg F. Because of the snow, the Elk had moved down lower than normal and it made hunting alot more work. We set up our camp at around 9,000 msl. The air is very thin and it makes walking up hill a challenge. The sunrises and sunsets are the best I have ever seen anywhere else.
Brad

[Russ Hobbs]

Good job Brad. I live in a true spike area because they have a special draw for a premium elk hunt every year. Modern rifle started today, wish me luck.

Russ

[bmoore2156]

Good luck Russ. Just post picks when you get one!

[Scary Gary]

I hunted Elk on horseback in Idaho. We seen everything but Elk. Still had a great time.

[Gyro_Kai]

Hello,

Good one, so for the next weeks the question "what's for dinner?" is futile

i always thought this was an elk. How is this critter called? A moose?


Kai

[Scary Gary]

Cuzz it's a Moose.

[scottessex]

Mmmmm Elk roast, elk chili, elk burgers,
Nice one!

[Arnie Madsen]

Originally Posted by bmoore2156

I shot my elk at 630 yards.
Brad

....7mm .... ???

[Russ Hobbs]

OK Brad, it's down. Can't get to excited over a spike, but the meat is great. It was running across and up hill with a 5 point. Hit it behind the front shoulder, but I caught the shoulder on the opposite side. Used my 308 vs my 7mm and it still dropped in it's tracks.
Where part of Idaho were you in?

Russ

[bmoore2156]

Russ,
That was a quick hunt! Good job. The spikes eat better anyway. Any pics?
We were hunting around the Stanley area. I always use my 7mm for elk. That is unless I have my .50 cal handy and its over 700 yards away.
Brad

[GyroDoug]

Brad.

Congratulations! 630 yards is a pretty long shot, I'm impressed. That does look like so rough country to be hauling it out of. But certainly worth it when you get to start having elk steaks for dinner. Steve & Rose brought some elk steaks for the steak BBQ at El Mirage and were nice enough to share some and it was some of the best steak I have ever eaten. Some of it may have been the marinade that Rose used, but it sure was incredibly good tasting and tender. Hope yours is just as good.

[Scary Gary]

My 12 year old boy just bought with his own money a left handed Remington 700 in 30-06 . It was made in 1979 but was in really good shape. He's excited about hunting next year. He now has the rifle for it.

[bmoore2156]

Originally Posted by Arnie Madsen

....7mm .... ???

Good guess!!
I was shooting the Berger 168g hp but that match grade ammo I was getting was probably too hot for the Sako. It was shooting around a 2" moa. The factory Remington core lokt 150's are shooting a sub moa group. I need to work up a hand load for the gun, I have been flying instead.

[GyroCFI]

My son loves to hunt deer, he gets enough that we don't have to buy meat from the store very often.

He's always wanted to go on an Elk hunt but i'm not sure where to begin looking for places or what kind of rifle he would need.


Any suggestions?

[bmoore2156]

Don,
Each person would probably have a different answer on the "perfect caliber" for elk. I have used a 7mm Remington mag on 9 elk and a 338 on 2. The 7mm has a real good ballistic coefficient (BC) and plenty enough energy for elk. This would be my first choice for distances out to 800 yards or so. The 7mm is also a fine deer rifle.
As far as location, you'll probably have to search on the Internet for a guided hunt. If you have to drive to another state to find elk, your probably going to have trouble either finding the elk or finding a good place to hunt. A guided hunt would be the quickest and easiest way to bag your first elk.
Brad