Successful Mi Elk Hunt

[rbentle2]

My friend Dave got pulled for a cow tag for this years early hunt and was successful in taking a nice cow on opening day. It dressed out at 316lbs. Even though his hunt only lasted the one day, we both had a great time. Our guides were awesome (Bruce K and Brett M) and I would highly recommend them if anyone needs an elk guide. We saw some beautiful bulls in this one section of woods on private land. I was within 75yds of a really nice 6x5 with orange-ish colored antlers. Figures I didn't have my camera on me.

We were the last elk to be field checked on Saturday. At that time, 8 elk had been taken, 6 bulls and two cows (both from our hunting group). The wildlife biologist that checked out the cow figures it was 3.5 to 4 years old.

At the orientation, there was a 14 y/o hunter with a bull tag. Talk about lucky. They said in all, 168 tags were given out this year. And they weren't kidding about the early hunt being difficult. We walked our butts off through some thick woods, looking for the elk. I think I've finally dried out from the drenching we got Saturday morning. Wet boots sure do get heavy.

I've posted a pic in the gallery, under Elk.

Bob

[Hemidan]

Congrats,Good job.

[JGF@Gratiot]

Sounds like fun, congrats

[tjfishinboy]

here you go, congratshttp://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee316/rbentle2/MeandDave-1024.jpg?t=1188251185http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee316/rbentle2/DaveandhisCow-small-1.jpg?t=1188251204

[rbentle2]

thanks TJ. That's me in the top picture along with Dave. Notice how we got the elk to smile too? ;-)

[Sprytle]

Awesome job & pics!! Looks like the spring turkey woods in those pics!;)

-Bob:)

[Hemidan]

MMMMM......MMMMMMM...........Thats gonna taste,good:D
Now you have to share that with everyone on this site:yikes:

What caliber gun is that?

Good job.

[jim sasser]

Im glad to see guys proud of ther animal,and not stuck on the theroy if it aint a wall hanger it isnt worth showing off.so congrats to u and your guides..

[rbentle2]

Hemidan, it's a Savage 30-06. He used 180g Remington's.

[Hemidan]

Hemidan, it's a Savage 30-06. He used 180g Remington's.


Good choice,and thanks

[srconnell22]

Congrats on the Cow! Im sure you found it was alot harder to find the cows than the bulls! When I hunted my bull here in MI when I was 15 (10 years ago) we saw 32 different bulls and only two cows over the 5 days it took me to get mine. Cow elk could be by far the toughest hunt in MI.

Congrats again...

P.S. I used the same combination, 180gr. Remington Soft points out of an .06

[rbentle2]

Congrats on the Cow! Im sure you found it was alot harder to find the cows than the bulls! When I hunted my bull here in MI when I was 15 (10 years ago) we saw 32 different bulls and only two cows over the 5 days it took me to get mine. Cow elk could be by far the toughest hunt in MI.

Congrats again...

P.S. I used the same combination, 180gr. Remington Soft points out of an .06

That's exactly it. Seems like everyone was seeing bulls, but very few cows. We knew of two that we hunted in the late morning in a different area of woods. We kicked them up at one point along with a bull, but it was too thick to get anything more than look. Our plan was to let them go for a few hours and come back in the afternoon and try again. Just so happened we tried a different spot that held quite a few bulls and a couple of cows, one of which my friend took.

[tinman3030]

Congrats on the cow.

I was one of the 6 bull hunters to get one opening day with this 5x5. He was violently raking the trees to get the remaining velvet off it's antlers when we spotted and snuck over to an opening for a shot.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/519/medium/dcp_1804_v2.jpg

[srconnell22]

what'd he score? Im thinking about 240? Congrats, thats a great bull. Who was your guide?

[rbentle2]

Congrats Tinman. Nice bull. I can see you were just like us, soaked from all the morning rain.

[tinman3030]

what'd he score? Im thinking about 240? Congrats, thats a great bull. Who was your guide?

I didn't have it scored, I'll play around measuring it when the mount is back. The age was estimated at 3.5-4.5 yrs. The Kassuba brothers guided and did a very good job. They filled the tags of 3 of their 4 hunters as of this morning with another 5x5 in the bunch.

[srconnell22]

Is Dennis Casselman still guiding? He is who I went with...top notch.

[Gobblerman]

Awesome hunts and kills to both of you. Maybe one of these days I'll be lucky to draw a tag.

[ARROWEM]

Congrats Tinman, Which area did you hunt? Ive got a December Bull tag and cant wait! From what Ive heard the early season is one tough hunt. Great Bull!

[hoyt8]

Congrats to both on the successful hunts.

[Horseshoe]

Congrats to both of you. Quite an opportunity to do one of those hunts. Glad it worked out well for you both.

[TNL]

Congrats to the both of you! It's no small task to get one in the early season.

I imagine that animal has to be cut up and cooled down right away. Again, no small task. But they're gonna be good eats for sure!

[peppino]

looks like fun