HAHA, Figured out how to get pics from the phone on here, so I'll share my little hunt.
I guess I have a bit of an unfair advantage on lots of folks, being that I work on a large ranch in Montana.
This is the first large game animal that I have ever shot in my life and I think it's fair to say that I'm now officially hooked.
I shot this cow elk with a CVA Wolf muzzleloader at about 150 yards. My little buddy that has helped me out in the past was dying to take me out hunting and show me the ropes and I'm here to tell you I really didn't think a 21 year old kid that's rather heavy could out pace me walking, boy was I wrong.
We got a herd of about 100 right off the bat, but they were just to far away and busted us. We put on a few mile hike trying to get them, but it wasn't happening. We jumped in the truck and outran them the easy way and got back on them after another short hike.
Reo was leading and we came over a saddle to find them in a rough draw and luckily we were well within what I felt comfortable shooting. I had just set down my pack and tripod 30foot behind us and the elk were leaving, so I sat on my butt and shot off my knee. I thought it was a bit high, but she made it less than 50 foot and was done, no kicking or nothing!
Here's a few pics of my big prize. It's not the biggest in the world, but I'm sure a happy camper.
The knives shown were both made 100% by my younger brother in Miles City, Montana.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/IMG_20171022_104643876.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510081575)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/IMG_20171022_105011080.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510081652)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/IMG_20171022_105001621.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510081656)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/31630/IMG_20171022_131543427.jpg?easyrotate_cache=1510081585)
Next I'm going for a deer with my crossbow. ;D
Good going!
Excellent!!
Nice ! Next comes the sawsall down the middle. Looking good !
Nice
Congratulations. With that much meat you can do it all - sausage, burger, roast, cubed steaks, corned elk, etc. We will be expecting you to show up on the food thread now.
Hey, nice going and that will be some tasty meat.
Did you get the teeth?
Awesome! Beautiful elk, and nice blades by your brother! SE Montana has some of the finest elk hunting there is, the trick is getting access as most everything is private (which is also a big reason why the hunting is so good). They got a 400 B&C bull out of my uncle's camp this year, and I believe that was an archery hunt!
Good job, one shot, one kill. Good eating now. 8) 8)
Yup, I got the teeth, or I should say that Reo got the teeth for me because I didn't think of it.
I took it to the local meat cutter here. They do a great job, make awesome snack sticks AND they take sheds that I find as partial payment.
Now the part to brag on a bit.....With this one and the bull someone shot for me this year I'll be able to share quite a bit with some families here that it will really help out, plus it's way better for them than what's to be found in the store.
That alone makes it just all that much more rewarding for me.
Your a good man , but we already knew that .
Nice elk, nice beautiful knives, nice tractor!
Quote from: Chuck White on November 07, 2017, 08:59:08 PM
Nice elk, nice beautiful knives, nice tractor!
Thanks. I got a laugh at the tractor part of that. Everyone on the ranch has their own tractor, truck(s), 4-wheeler, ETC. to use and this one I accidently basically inherited by smoking in it 9 years ago. Everything works perfect, but it definitely needs a softer clutch. When we have to buy hay I use this one for unloading trucks and at 48 round bales per truck and 4 trucks running together, that's pretty near 800 times you have to punch in that clutch. You step out and the first couple steps are kinda "iffy".
For being nearly the oldest tractor on the ranch it's only been to the shop one time in nine years, other than that I've taken care of it myself.
what do you do with the teeth ???
Thanks for the story. And congrats on the first elk. :)
Quote from: coxy on November 08, 2017, 06:13:18 AM
what do you do with the teeth ???
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1268_28Small29.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1351428040)
The canine teeth from my 2012 Elk showing extensive wear rings. They are also called "ivories", but they are not ivory.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1823.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1387936660)
One of mine on the left and Marty's on the right made into pendants. The worn portion is also sometimes sliced off and set into a ring.
Quote from: coxy on November 08, 2017, 06:13:18 AM
what do you do with the teeth ???
To be totally honest....I personally have no idea, but these guys save them like they are gold. The one explanation that I've heard was for making jewelry.
They call them "Elk Ivory" or "eye teeth" here and I think there are only two of them, but I'm not positive on that.
Elk Ivory LINK (https://www.bing.com/search?q=elk+ivory+jewelry&qs=AS&pq=elk+ivory+jewelry&sc=8-17&cvid=708D61C518114F9E8841C8A73746CF6E&FORM=QBRE&sp=1&ajf=10)
Congrats Alan.
now you have the gunpowder sickness in addition to any others you may have acquired over the years.
I read somewhere that the so called Ivories evolved from when Elk had tusks or saber tooth like teeth
Quote from: Magicman on November 08, 2017, 07:09:58 AM
Quote from: coxy on November 08, 2017, 06:13:18 AM
what do you do with the teeth ???
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1268_28Small29.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1351428040)
The canine teeth from my 2012 Elk showing extensive wear rings. They are also called "ivories", but they are not ivory.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/20011/DSCN1823.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1387936660)
One of mine on the left and Marty's on the right made into pendants. The worn portion is also sometimes sliced off and set into a ring.
Quote from: justallan1 on November 08, 2017, 07:19:05 AM
Quote from: coxy on November 08, 2017, 06:13:18 AM
what do you do with the teeth ???
To be totally honest....I personally have no idea, but these guys save them like they are gold. The one explanation that I've heard was for making jewelry.
They call them "Elk Ivory" or "eye teeth" here and I think there are only two of them, but I'm not positive on that.
thanks ;D they look cool with the rings forgot to say congrats on your elk :)
The teeth are ivory