January Elk Hunt

[hippysss57]

Anyone lucky enough to draw a tag for the Jan 14-18-09 Mi elk season? Fourty tags were drawn for this hunt. Good luck

[dutch25]

I still don't know how but I drew a cow tag..trying to do some last minute online scouting, leaving sunday or monday for the week.

[MLH]

Dutch25 - did you decide on bow or rifle?

My meat processor said that someone brought in a cow that was shot with a bow, but the broadhead hit a shoulder and never penetrated into the vitals. The hunter went back after it with a rifle to finish it off. My hat's off to him for following up on his misdirected shot.

I thought about using a bow, but since my tag was a once in a lifetime any elk I chose a rifle. Personally, I made the right choice for my hunt. A .35Whelen 225g Barnes TSX didn't exit but brought him down. Used a second shot at zero paces to quicken his demise. Tough and majestic animals.

Bow on a cow or bull is definitely a challenge. I truly applaud the guys that have done it.

We saw two cow herds close to the road but they worked their way into the woods when we got too close. If you are tracking then expect to walk a long ways through deep snow and hilly terrain. I am glad that I had on tight cuffed pants that kept the snow out of my boots and that I just wore a light jacket over medium fleece - left the heavy jacket in the truck.

I would love to tag along on a Fall hunt someday. Facinating. Lot to learn about them. Enjoy the hunt. You're a lucky man.

[hippysss57]

MLH: I take it you got a chance to harvest a bull. What did you get? You spoke of the Fall Hunt,Its the best, when the bulls are bulging. It dosent get any better.

[ENCORE]

A part time fishing buddy of mine from Oscoda is hunting. Cow tag.

[MLH]

MLH: I take it you got a chance to harvest a bull. What did you get? You spoke of the Fall Hunt,Its the best, when the bulls are bulging. It dosent get any better.

Got a healthy 5x4. Story is posted elsewhere. Stalking bugling elk in this beautiful terrain has to be incredible.

[dutch25]

MLH...Decided to go with the rifle, if it was a fall hunt I may go with the bow. Being that we are supposed to have single digit high's I'm gonna go with the 30-06. Already have most of my stuff packed, it can't get here quick enough.

[autumnlovr]

Good luck to you dutch! That's some tasty meat and goes a LOOOONNNG way to filling the freezer.

[target-panic]

Good Luck! Let us know how it goes!

[MLH]

Can't wait to hear how it goes .... Keep safe in this cold.

[CL-Lewiston]

There wont be too many LIGHT jackets this week. Daytime temps predicted to be single digits and much wind mid week.

[dutch25]

Hhhhhhhhhholy crap it's cold out there...Started the first two days with temps @ -5 and -13 and wind chills well below that.....Haven't seen anything yet but we are on the tracks of some good size heards. They keep sneeking onto private property, so for now we will have to wait. Sounds like one lucky hunter shot a huge 7x7 yesterday and the total count out of 40 tags was 7 killed as of about noon today. We are going at this on private land and on our own so we have our work cut out for us.
Just thought I'd toss out an update for anyone getting cabin fever...Later

[MLH]

Dutch25 - thanks for the update. Been wondering what it must be like in these temps. Nothing like working up a sweat and then freezing your butt off. Take care.

If you haven't, keep checking in with the DNR - they might have a line on a private landowner with some elk they want removed. They want you to get an elk as much as you do. Good luck.

[Winterover]

Keep up the hard work, it will be worth it in the end. I second what MLH said about checking with the DNR. Both the biologists at the check station, and the officers in the field. I had one officer put me on a farm with a big bull, but it was gone when we got there. The check station in Atlanta had a farmer come in to find someone to go on their farm fields to get rid of the elk (I obliged by taking my 5x5:)) The DNR can definately be your best friend up there.

Good luck, good luck, and make sure you savor every minute of your hunt:)

[hippysss57]

AS of 9:00 am today the kill count for the Jan.Elk Hunt stood at 13.With 7 bulls taken and 6 cows. Morning temps were at -7 to -14. Two foot of snow in the woods.

[MLH]

I think the elk hunt ended on the 18th. Anyone have an update? Had to be the toughest week to hunt all season.

[dutch25]

sorry for the late update fellas, got very busy since I came home. Ended up blowing my chance on Sat evening. I found a fresh set of tracks and got on them right away. About a 1/4 mile of treading 2 foot of snow I had 5 elk get up in front of me around 125 yards. Dropped to my knees and got ready, the last one stopped with its head behind a tree. I had to wait and make sure it was a cow, just as I figured that out it started moving and I punched the shot!!!!! What an idiot I felt like, had I just gave it the chance I would have had another shooting lane. Haven't missed with the rifle in 10+ years, and to say the least I'll be hearing about this one for awhile.. We did it all on our own and public land, but it was well worth it. Great people up there, we had a blast.

[hippysss57]

The final results for the Janurary Elk Hunt was 27 out of 40 hunters filled there tags. Not sure on how many bull or cow.

[MLH]

Dutch - Sure had to be heartbreaking after that shot. Sounds like you had a great time, though. Others would just die for that opportunity. So, are you considering a trip out west for an over the counter license?

[dutch25]

heartbreaking to say the least...kicking myself ever since the shot!!! Needless to say my new nickname has already kicked in as Missy.
I've been considering a colorado trip for years, and it will probably be another couple before I am able to make it happen. But this was not the last dance between me and the elk, that is for sure. A nice bull with a bow is on the top of my list of things to do, it will happen just a matter of time and $$$.