Kids first elk

[GPo]

My son got his first Elk the other day. It is a 500 pound cow that he got drawn for in his third year. I was beside him when he shot. There were 3 cows in sight at about 300 yards in a wheat stubble field. We walked along the bushline 'til we were about 175 yards from them. We had to wait 'til the 3 cows spread out a bit so he could get a clean shot at one of them. When we stepped out of the bush, they started to scatter, as we knew they would. I used the "squeeze me "cow call to stop the one, she then turned broadside, and the kid squeezed one off with his 7 mm mag. The cow didn't even flinch or hunch, we had nothing but a rear shot then, so my son didn't take a second shot, it took off to the bushline with the 2 other cows. I though we had a clean miss.
It took abot 20 minutes before we saw blood on the track, so things were finally looking positive. The blood was splattered or spraying so I though it was a good shot. The blood eventually was down to only a drip, so then things were not looking good. After another 100 yards the splattering blood started again and we found her dead in the bush. She was hit clean through the ribs, lung shot. Believe it or not she had run 250 - 300 yards while shot through the lungs. I had never seen that before, and I have hunted 20 years.
My 15 year old son was pretty happy, me too.

GPo

 

[Speckmisser]

Congrats to you and your son!

Sounds like a touchy first few minutes, tracking that blood. I've always heard those critters are tough. Sounds like this one proved it.

 

[BDB]

Nice story and good job on the trailing. WOW 500lbs, sweet !!

 

[SDHNTR]

By any chance was she shot with a Barnes X or Failsafe bullet? Sounds like you didn't get much expansion.

 

[GPo]

Expansion of the bullet was a factor.
We used a Win 7mm 175 gr power point.
Funny thing as the 3rd and forth bullets in the clip are
150 gr ballistic tips which would have dropped her in about
20 seconds. We use then as the last shots in the clip as the
escaping shots. These ballistic tips make a mess, but are only
good on elk if you can ensure a broadside shot, because they
will not reach the chest if you need to go through a brisket or shoulder
Notice the color of the elk is darker than the usual elk color.

GPo

 

[wildebeast]

Boy, it doesn't get any better than that...hunting elk in the snow --first elk and a nice one at that. I'll bet his heart was pounding and then it went off like it wasn't hit.

I've got quite a few elk and deer with a 7mm model 70 winchester. Got the first one that Winchester made..had to get the barreled action and make my own stock because they weren't out yet. They do shoot fast so loose a little on the knock down power but are very accurate. Elk are tough and some just have to die on their feet.

Great job and nice to see a family hunting together.

cliff

 

[Loye]

 

[OR186]

Congrats to your son.Great job of following up on the shot.Your story is a good lesson to all elk hunters, new and old. Sometimes they show no sign of a fatal hit. She is really dark.Would look great tanned with the hair on. Your freezer is looking good.

 

[brut]

great first elk!

and a great lesson always follow up your shot to make sure that you didnt hit the animal. just because they dont act hit dosent mean their not. great job

 

[Hook]

Congrats to you and your son on his first elk. Great first lesson on tracking a wounded animal too. It makes the hunt all the more memorable.

 

[YH88]

Congrats to your son!