ayone hear about a huge elk shot..

[rancid]

By a 13 yr. old girl?I heard a story up in blaney park this week and just wondered if it's true and if anyone has a pic.Thanks

[miruss]

http://www.cheboygannews.com/news/x1277296764

Elk season was winding to a close for 13-year-old Courtney Williams when she and her father, Craig, made the trip to Cheboygan County in search of a last-second bull, little did she know what would transpire as the sun rose Tuesday.
As the first rays of sun peeked over the eastern horizon Tuesday morning, Courtney, Craig and local guide Dustin MacLeod sat nestled behind the cover of a fallen tree as wind-driven snow stung their cheeks. Visions of a massive bull elk filled their imaginations, fueled by the accounts given by land owner Brad Forrester the night before.
The snow continued to fall as Courtney picked up movement along the edge of a picked corn field.
Once in clear view, it was apparent that she was face to face with the bull of a lifetime, but she could not get a shot.
The trio of hunters waited breathlessly as the minutes ticked by like hours. After 25 minutes, the bull finally turned, giving Courtney a clear shot.
In one motion she raised her .308 Winchester and clicked off the safety. Fighting her pounding heart and frozen muscles, Courtney centered her cross-hairs on the bulls chest.
Boom! The bull shuttered, but didn’t fall. She quickly racked another cartridge into the chamber and squeezed the trigger. Boom! Again the bull was hit, but kept is feet. Courtney again cycled the action, injecting a third cartridge into the chamber. Boom!
The third bullet delivered the finishing blow.
Shocked by the reality of the past 25 minutes, the trio of hunters sat for a second to gather their nerves before approaching the fallen giant.
With each step the bull grew larger, its giant 8’ x 7’ rack lunging further and further toward the sky.
After walking up to the huge specimen, the group of hunters were amazed.
The enormous rack almost belittled the body of the animal, which weighed 640 pounds dressed.
“I couldn’t believe how big is was,” said Courtney. “I was more excited after I got up to it than I was before I shot.”
At 7:57 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Courtney harvested what scorers estimate to be the new state record typical bull elk in Michigan.


Tentative top of the state elk list
By MARK SPENCLEY
Tribune Staff Writer

Courtney Williams joined elite company after harvesting her soon-to-be state record elk Tuesday.
Currently there are nine state record categories for Michigan elk and Williams’ is the largest in each of the categories.
• Williams Bull - * 383 0/8 taken in Cheboygan County in 2008.
• Current Typical State Record - 349 2/8 taken in Presque Isle County in 1998 by Daniel Marks.
• Current Non-typical State Record - 375 2/8 taken in Cheboygan County in 1993 by Robert Solomon.
• Current Youth Typical State Record - 327 0/8 taken in 1987 in Montmorency County by 14 year-old Joe Judge.
• Current Women’s Typical State Record - 333 0/8 taken in 2000 by Olga Callahan.
• Current Women’s Non-typical State Record - 335 7/8 taken in 2000 by Angela Schopieray.
• Current Senior Typical Record - 342 7/8 taken in 1993 by Keith Stewart.
• Current Senior Non-typical Record - 334 1/8 taken in 1993 by Jack Riness.
• Current Muzzleloader Typical State Record - 309 0/8 taken in Montmorency County in 1991 by Leonard Kauffman.

[rancid]

Thank you very much!

[miruss]

Aloha Township -

Elk season was winding to a close for 13-year-old Courtney Williams when she and her father, Craig, made the trip to Cheboygan County in search of a last-second bull.

As the first rays of sun peeked over the eastern horizon Tuesday morning, Courtney, Craig and local guide Dustin MacLeod sat nestled behind the cover of a fallen tree as wind-driven snow stung their cheeks. Visions of a massive bull elk filled their imaginations, fueled by the accounts given by land owner Brad Forrester the night before.

The snow continued to fall as Courtney picked up movement along the edge of a picked corn field.

Once in clear view, it was apparent that she was face to face with the bull of a lifetime, but she could not get a shot.

The trio of hunters waited breathlessly as the minutes ticked by like hours. After 25 minutes, the bull finally turned, giving Courtney a clear shot.

In one motion she raised her .308 Winchester and clicked off the safety. Fighting her pounding heart and frozen muscles, Courtney centered her cross-hairs on the bulls chest.

Boom! The bull shuttered, but didn’t fall. She quickly racked another cartridge into the chamber and squeezed the trigger. Boom! Again the bull was hit, but kept is feet. Courtney again cycled the action, injecting a third cartridge into the chamber. Boom!

The third bullet delivered the finishing blow.

Shocked by the reality of the past 25 minutes, the trio of hunters sat for a second to gather their nerves before approaching the fallen giant.

With each step the bull grew larger, its giant 8’ x 7’ rack lunging further and further toward the sky.

After walking up to the huge specimen, the group of hunters were amazed.

The enormous rack almost belittled the body of the animal, which weighed 640 pounds dressed.

“I couldn’t believe how big is was,” said Courtney. “I was more excited after I got up to it than I was before I shot.”

At 7:57 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Courtney harvested what scorers estimate to be the new state record typical bull elk in Michigan.

Her began weeks earlier, however. Courtney and Craig had been making elk hunting trips to Cheboygan from their home in Manistique to since Dec. 9 with little luck. With tired legs and thinning wallets, the duo planned one last try, only this time they would consult local taxidermist Todd Zeller. That conversation would prove to be the most valuable five minutes of their elk hunting season.

The evening before he received the call from Craig, Zeller spotted a giant bull while driving down Olsen Road.

“I immediately knew this thing was a giant,” said Zeller. “My headlights hit it and could see that it was a 7’ x 7’. That’s something you never expect to see.”

The next night, Zeller’s phone rang. It was Craig calling to see if Zeller knew of a place that Courtney might be able to harvest an elk.

Zeller knew just the spot, he just needed to make a phone call first to Brad Forrester, a friend who owned the piece of property he saw the huge bull cross onto the night before.

After hearing of Courtney and Craig’s situation, Forrester was happy to grant them hunting permission.

“We’d seen that bull a few times this year and last year,” said Forrester. “I think his rack was a little bigger last year, but his body was larger this year.”

Zeller returned Craig’s phone call with the good news, which just happened to come on Courtney’s 13th birthday.

“I was happy the have her try to harvest that big elk in the first place, but when I heard it was her birthday, that just sealed the deal,” Forester said with excitement.

Craig and Courtney left Manistique minutes after hearing of their new hunting spot from Zeller.

They would stay at Forester’s that night, then go after the bull in the morning.

It didn’t take long for word of the big bull to spread. Within an hour the driveway was full of area residents who’d heard the rumor, each offering hand shakes and passing along congratulations.
After Zeller heard the news of Courtney’s success he joined in on the celebration, inviting the hunters to his nearby Great Lake Taxidermy studio.

After looking over the antlers, Zeller suspected Courtney’s trophy would challenge the existing state record of 349 2/8 inches, taken by Daniel Marks in 1998. He pulled out a tape measure, pencil and paper and went to town scoring the world class bull.

As we went about measuring and jotting down figures he began the realize that he was, infact measuring the new state record typical elk and it wasn’t even close.

“I green scored the elk at 383 inches, which blows away the current record,” said Zeller. “When I was scoring it was taking a quarter inch off a lot of the measurements to account for shrinking. I bet that elk will score in the high 370’s after drying. That’s amazing.”

All record book qualifying animals are required to undergo a 60-day drying period before they are officially scored.

Zeller said, he expects Courtney’s elk to lose about 10 inches during that 60-day period, which would come out to a final score of 373 inches, nearly 23 inches larger than the current state record.

After celebrating Christmas with the Williams family in Manistique, Craig said he will bring the trophy back to Zeller for the taxidermy work.

“This has been an amazing experience and from everything I’ve heard, Todd is the best guy to complete this experience for us,” said Craig.

[swampbuck]

If you ever get to Higgins Lake... B. Solomans record non-typ. is displayed in the country corners BP. A couple miles north of the south state park.

[Ron L]

Great story, great elk, but no pics??

Wait - edit - found one:
http://www.cheboygannews.com/archive/x1277296762/g258258216ef27ce51988b92511111df4456678a7c295c1.jp g

[Gone Fishing]

There was a pic with the story, here you go:

http://www.cheboygannews.com/archive/x1277296762/g13c0ed8b3515bfac61250c4b42c4617726f65cc046f52c.jp g

[Cobramach1]

That's a darn nice elk, but 3 shots?!? Really!!?

[CL-Lewiston]

8’ x 7’

Newsman that never hunted. Kinda the same kind that has us hunting with automatic rifles, double barrelled automatics etc,

As far as the 3 shots go, why not. Maybe the first and second missed. The DNR orientation tells hunters to only shoot once assuming there are more than one elk in the group. Hunter like to see the quarry knocked down or blowed over. They point out that dont happen with elk from one shot . Shooting several times and soon you have several dead elk on the ground when target animal is in a group. For that "they will work with you" whatever that means.

[Cobramach1]

I wish there were more details in the article such as how far the shot was etc. 3 shots still seems excessive to me and you're probably right that the first two may have missed since it sounded like the third pretty much dropped the animal. Though the article makes it sound like the first two hit the animal as well, leading me to think that it could have been a poor bullet choice. Poorly placed shots would have gotten the animal moving and it sounds like it didn't move at all though it could have been in shock from the first two shots. It just "shuttered" as they so eloquently put it in the article. There's a real obvious sound when a bullet hits the animal. None-the-less it's a beautiful animal and pretty cool that such a young hunter looks to have gotten a state record. :)

[2PawsRiver]

I've been putting in for Elk Licenses longer then she's been alive;):lol:

She should play the lottery.:D

[Gina Fox]

I've been putting in for Elk Licenses longer then she's been alive;):lol:

She should play the lottery.:D


she did! :lol: Well I think that it is wonderful that a 13 year old young lady took the record Elk...no matter how many shots it took to bring it down:)

[TroutSeeker71]

After reading a few of the posted articles, I think it is about time I get off my butt and start applying for myself and my wife. She seems to have a lucky streak when it comes to drawings and casinos!:idea:

[QuakrTrakr]

That's a darn nice elk, but 3 shots?!? Really!!?

Ever see an elk? They're huge! Many people have been taught to keep shooting!

[tgafish]

I wish there were more details in the article such as how far the shot was etc. 3 shots still seems excessive to me and you're probably right that the first two may have missed since it sounded like the third pretty much dropped the animal. Though the article makes it sound like the first two hit the animal as well, leading me to think that it could have been a poor bullet choice. Poorly placed shots would have gotten the animal moving and it sounds like it didn't move at all though it could have been in shock from the first two shots. It just "shuttered" as they so eloquently put it in the article. There's a real obvious sound when a bullet hits the animal. None-the-less it's a beautiful animal and pretty cool that such a young hunter looks to have gotten a state record. :)

I've seen an elk take 3 shots from a .300 weatherby 180 grain Barnes X and just "shutter" before it dropped. All shots through the lungs. One of the elk I've taken had 3 shots put into it with a .270 WSM quartering away with 140 grain accubond. All bullets entered near the diaphram went through the opposite lung and were found in the hide. It took about 12 steps. They are big tough animals. I've also seen one drop in it's tracks from the same shot with a .308 165 grain. They're all different but I'd be careful assuming they were poor shots or a poor bullet choice. Congrats to the young lady:)

[Waldoo]

I got one in Kansas about 2 weeks ago. Shot with a 30-06 at 75 yards and he gave no indication of being hit. There was 6" of fresh snow on the ground and I found no blood. He was in a herd of about 40 animals. I called the wife "very upset" that I had missed an easy shot. I almost went home I was so "mad." However, I thought maybe I hit him and he moved away from the herd. I went back to the spot and looked for blood again and nothing. I then figured I had fresh tracks from the herd and would just follow them until I caught up with them again....no matter how long/far that might be. After about a mile I came upon a wounded bull 10' in front of me. He looked up and I put one more round in him just to be sure. About 5 minutes later he expired. That was no blood after a mile. They are big animals. They can take a round and give no indication of being hit. With that said I seen a cow dropped in it's tracks this year and another bull that was moving slow after taking on round, but the second one put him down where he stood.

[Burnmtndog]

I watched that same bull in early november in my back yard along with 5 other bulls. He truly is a beast....congrats to the hunter.

I was hoping to find his sheds this spring, I guess i'll scratch that off my wish list..

[Cobramach1]

Very interesting from those of you that have shot elk thanks for chiming in about it taking several shots to bring one down. I've seen plenty of them. I just didn't figure that they would be that hard to take down. Maybe I can use this as an excuse to buy a new rifle in case I ever get the lucky chance to go elk hunting. "But honey, I need this rifle to drop the elk where he stands!" :)

[Whit1]

Maybe I can use this as an excuse to buy a new rifle in case I ever get the lucky chance to go elk hunting. "But honey, I need this rifle to drop the elk where he stands!" :)

As a first thought your attempt is fine, but as for a finished, effective method of getting a new rifle it needs work.

"Honey, as you know I've been applying for an elk permit for several years ( some lying here is permissable). the odds for me drawing a permit are getting shorter and shorter and I'm due.

You may not realize just how large elk really are and difficult to bring down with a quick killing shot. I was suprised myself and after hearing the stories of experienced elk hunters about how tough they are I've come to the conclusion that I am unarmed and need a new rifle. Elk, being the noble and majestic animal they are deserves to be taken in a humane manner. I'm sure you'll agree with me on this point."

Yes, I know that is an expense that we don't need, but by harvesting an elk we will be supplied with a huge amount of nutritious, lean meat that can supply our family's needs for well over a year."

[2PawsRiver]

I just tell mine I'm getting a new rifle, she knows who is king of this castle........and if she were here right now I would tell her.

[adjusted3]

I just tell mine I'm getting a new rifle, she knows who is king of this castle........and if she were here right now I would tell her.

Ah... Mark....I just got off the phone with Sharon....You might want to edit that statement.....

Mark.....

[QuakrTrakr]

I've been shooting a 30-06 for years, but before going to Wyoming to hunt last year I bought a 300WSM. I didn't need it, but it was a reason to get it. I have an Alaskan caribou hunt coming up soon and between the 2 hunts, I wanted a harder hitting, flatter shooting gun. Personally, I think a .308 isn't enough gun for that size elk. I like the caliber, just not the velocity.

[2PawsRiver]

My fellow MS Member and Steelhead fishing partner, and going to Alaska partner ratting me out to the wife:)

I don't have to edit anything............I'll just tell her I did.:evil:

[dogwhistle]

a .308 is adequete and legal and probably all the gun a 13 year old girl wants to shoot. i know they arent easy animals to kill.

i used to horsepack through that country before the tree huggers got it banned and i've had some huge bulls right in my camp.

a friend of mine took a 6x6 the first year the season reopened. 84? took him 5 shots from a rest with a Thompson Center handgun in 30 rem(i believe). and he is a top notch shot. they are large animals with a lot of bone and a lot of vitality and can soak up a lot of lead.

[srconnell22]

Ever see an elk? They're huge! Many people have been taught to keep shooting!

Exactly...be smart enough to keep your eye on the animal, and shoot till they are laying on the ground.

[srconnell22]

I think a .308 isn't enough gun for that size elk. I like the caliber, just not the velocity.

I know of at least three women who have killed elk up there with a .243. It's not about the size of the gun, it's where you put the bullet(s).

I shot mine in MI with a 30-06. They can all kill 'em.

[minnow]

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Pic223.JPG This was from the cow I shot this year with a 30.06 at about 70 yards. It was sticking tail side out on the opposite shoulder the mushroom held it beneath the skin. The second shot passed through both sides of ribs while taking out the lungs.

[Nick_B]

3 shots still seems excessive to me

Why ? If it isn't running...keep popping it until it drops.

I think a .308 is a little light for a 700lb elk though.

[Nick_B]

I know of at least three women who have killed elk up there with a .243. It's not about the size of the gun, it's where you put the bullet(s).

I shot mine in MI with a 30-06. They can all kill 'em.

Hunting elk with a .243 is redicoulous....:rolleyes:

Let's all start using .22 or .17 from now on.

Elk = 7mm mag / 30-06 at the minimum. I'd prefer my .300 win mag or 45-70 HIGH pressure loads if I was going elk hunting over my .308 or 7mm mag.

[swampbuck]

if you look at balistics the difference between a .308 and a 30.06 is not enough to worry about..

[solohunter]

.35 marlin 200gr SP,,, works very well, the locals up there use 30-30s with great success, its all about where ya hit them,

[QuakrTrakr]

As long as you're using a bullet designed for that job, most any caliber will work (within reason of course). A good deep penetrating bonded or solid copper will work nicely.

[tgafish]

Hunting elk with a .243 is redicoulous....:rolleyes:

Let's all start using .22 or .17 from now on.

Elk = 7mm mag / 30-06 at the minimum. I'd prefer my .300 win mag or 45-70 HIGH pressure loads if I was going elk hunting over my .308 or 7mm mag.

Everybody has an opinion and you're certainly entitled to yours. I base mine off of guides who have shot close to 100 elk and witnessed over 200 more taken. Their favorite caliber to see a client show up in camp with is a .270. Their children and grandchildren all started shooting cows with .243's. If it's good enough for them then I'm not going to argue. I've personally seen elk taken with a .338 Lapua, 300 ultra, .300 weatherby, .308, .30-06, 7 mag, 7mm-08, .270WSM, and .270.

The elk with the .270 looked just as dead as the one taken with the Lapua.

No matter what you're shooting that elk might drop at the spot or it might take a walk for a while before dropping. The most effective thing I've seen to avoid them taking a walk is follow up shots.

Once again sounds like the little lady did a great job and took a great trophy:)

[2PawsRiver]

Bullet, smullet, I want to know how long she had been putting in for a tag:lol:

[QuakrTrakr]

Bullet, smullet, I want to know how long she had been putting in for a tag:lol:

She must know somebody at the DNR!!I see a conspiracy! ;)

[bias]

I think this young lady was one of the Sault Tribe licensed hunters.

[Rumajz]

Bullet, smullet, I want to know how long she had been putting in for a tag:lol:


It was her first year applying and she really did not even care for it that much, they forced her. ;) (I hope that helps).

[QuakrTrakr]

It was her first year applying and she really did not even care for it that much, they forced her. ;) (I hope that helps).

Daddy better start buying Mega-Millions tickets for her with that luck!

[skeeter341]

She is tribal and got the permit through the lottery in the tribe,It is a random drawing

[ahoude23]

I took a MI cow in 2004? with .300 Win. Mag. One shot quartering away with 180gr. Accubond, went about 50 yards. It was running straight away, I was about to put a second shot into the back of the neck when its legs startes splaying and it dropped. IMO keep shooting until its on the ground (if you can). Thats a great MI bull, I hope we continue to grow great Elk.

[2PawsRiver]

Daddy better start buying Mega-Millions tickets for her with that luck!

Not that lucky, just special.

She is tribal and got the permit through the lottery in the tribe,It is a random drawing

It was her first year applying and she really did not even care for it that much, they forced her. (I hope that helps).

Thanks Ruma, helps alot.:lol:

[QuakrTrakr]

That's a darn nice elk, but 3 shots?!? Really!!?

Hey cobra, here's a clip of a guy that took 5 shots at an elk. http://www.theriflecam.com/scenes.htm

[gooseboy]

how many tags do the tribes get? anyone know?

[casscityalum]

nice elk!!

[Bmac]

how many tags do the tribes get? anyone know?

10% of what the DNR issues. They also have a longer season, not sure exactly how long though.

[QDM 4sure]

[quote=2PawsRiver;2474807]I've been putting in for Elk Licenses longer then she's been alive;):lol:

Im happy she got the big bull yahoo ;),however Im not happy that Im 50 years old ,tried for a Michigan bull tag 18 times, and so far no cigar.
I also wonder how outdoor writters draw Michigan bull tags when they want to do an artilce on Michigan elk hunting mmm, R.P.S:yikes: anyone out there ever heard of a govenors permit??

Well anyway congades to you young lady,God Bless.

[QuakrTrakr]

[quote=2PawsRiver;2474807] anyone out there ever heard of a govenors permit??


A lot of western states have them. I entered a raffle in Wyoming and that's what the grand prize was. Any area, any season. I think they do it to make money.

[MLH]

I remember seeing her at the mandatory meeting - thought what a lucky young lady. She was all smiles. Awesome!

Elk are definitely not like whitetails. We were warned that they usually don't react to the bullet. Mine didn't either. I'd have kept shooting at that one until it fell, too. You gotta respect these animals for their toughness.