jamesmangan
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2008
- Messages
- 95
- Reaction score
- 31
Well I hit the lottery and received a bull elk tag for independence. Could not believe my luck when I was notified of the same - I checked and rechecked the DFG website as I couldn't quite believe it. Began scouting a few months ago, located some nice bulls and got an idea of their patterns. Went up two days before opening day and did the same.
The hunt had some difficulties in spite of the amount of elk out there, lots of swamp to wade through and it was nearly 100 out. By the time we made it through the reeds and water the elk were out in the open so had to be really careful on the approach. The elk seemed to have stopped rutting and all the elk we approached were bulls or spikes. By the time we got in range, I choose a different bull than the one I had been stalking. Turns out he was the right one to harvest, definitely a very old bull as he was basically missing all his teeth , had battle scars all over him, and his rack was all busted up. I am interested in hearing how old he is from DFG when I send them his last remaining tooth! I doubt he had another year in him.
Pack out wasn't easy in the heat and swamp but I am overjoyed. So grateful that DFG allows the opportunity to hunt Tule elk even if it is nearly impossible to get the tag. I understand that there is a cow tag out there as well for the same unit and dates. If someone knows this person I can share some knowledge unless they already filled it.
The hunt had some difficulties in spite of the amount of elk out there, lots of swamp to wade through and it was nearly 100 out. By the time we made it through the reeds and water the elk were out in the open so had to be really careful on the approach. The elk seemed to have stopped rutting and all the elk we approached were bulls or spikes. By the time we got in range, I choose a different bull than the one I had been stalking. Turns out he was the right one to harvest, definitely a very old bull as he was basically missing all his teeth , had battle scars all over him, and his rack was all busted up. I am interested in hearing how old he is from DFG when I send them his last remaining tooth! I doubt he had another year in him.
Pack out wasn't easy in the heat and swamp but I am overjoyed. So grateful that DFG allows the opportunity to hunt Tule elk even if it is nearly impossible to get the tag. I understand that there is a cow tag out there as well for the same unit and dates. If someone knows this person I can share some knowledge unless they already filled it.
