2018 Colorado elk hunt
#194993
10/21/2018 2:28 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
OP
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
I have just returned from my long planned, highly anticipated, and ultimately successful hunt for my first bull elk. Fellow member Darrell H and I traveled from Georgia to Colorado to hunt the first rifle season on a private ranch we purchashed rights to hunt on through an outfitter. We drove, camped, hunted, and recovered DIY. Although we both drew either sex tags, my goal was simple and straightforward; I was shooting the first legal bull I had an opportunity on. We arrived the day before the season opened and set up camp. This tent would be my home for the duration of the elk hunt. There were a total of 7 hunters on the ranch including us and 5 rifle hunters we met at the safety briefing and orientation on the ranch. After the brief tour, the hunters discussed among themselves where they would hunt in the morning. Some of the other hunters were returning to the ranch again after hunting it in the past. The rifle hunters were quite certain where the elk were gonna be, and which areas they would hunt. Darrell and I were the new guys and felt like we got last pick. Nevertheless, we made plans for opening morning. This is the view of the ranch from camp. It is some big country for a handgun hunter from the hills of Georgia. We glassed from camp in the evening, and spotted elk at last light. My plan for opening morning was to climb to a power line that crossed a ridge visible from camp. This would give an excellent view of the valley below. I hoped to glass elk and make a play. As shooting light came, I glassed my first legal elk. Two bulls stood on the bank of a water hole in the valley 5-600 yards below me. For thirty minutes I watched, but could make no move, as the wind direction was from our ranch to the bulls. I feared a stalk would drive them off the ranch. Content to be patient, I watched and waited. Then I heard a bull bugle softly on the same ridge I was on. I grabbed my pack and moved toward him. A cow elk emerged from the scrub oaks, so I froze in position. The bull was following her closely...but the wind was wrong and he disappeared as quickly as he cleared the brush. I felt that was that but I quickly cut the distance between us and made two cow calls. A cow responded and gave away her location. They had not retreated, but moved to the side of the ridge. There, they were not directly downwind of me. I dropped to prone and positioned my Contender on my daypack. Another cow call by me, and the bull climbed the ridge seeking me. He cleared the scrub oak and was completely visible, as he walked straight toward me. I just knew he would wind me and whirl to safety without giving me a shot. Unable to find me he turned to rejoin his cow, giving me the broadside shot I needed. All the practice this summer on elk targets paid off. The crosshires fell into place, and the 35 roared. I was rewarded with a most satisfying meat report. BOOM-WWHHOPP! The bull was hit hard, but walked 20 yards straight away. A second 200 grain FTX was sent. WWHOPP! Another solid hit. The bull walked another 20 yards and went down in a patch of oaks. I could just see antlers, but they stopped moving. After a couple of minutes, I approached the downed bull. His head was still rolling, and he was gargling, drowning in his lungs. A third bullet was dispensed, sealing the deal.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cmnash]
#194994
10/21/2018 2:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
OP
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
When I shot the bull, I was comfortable he was in range. I would have sworn he was no more than 130 yards away. After the fact, I ranged the first shot at 159 yards. The second shot was 20 yards further. The first shot was placed as intended. It struck the shoulder, pentrated both lungs, and cut the arteries on the top of the heart. The second shot was not so precise. It struck the ham and raked forward into the stomach. The third shot, delivered at 10 yards, struck both shoulders. It absolutely destroyed the bone on the offside, and was immediately effective. None of the bullets exited, but only the third was recovered. The first was lodged where the ribs meet the bone of the brisket, and the second was lost in the stomach.
I was able to get my ATV to within 200 yards of the elk. I deboned him where he laid. I was back in camp with an elk rack and cooler full of elk meat by 2:30 opening day.
I want to thank Darrell for inviting me to join him, taking my picture, and helping pack my elk meat to the ATV.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cmnash]
#194995
10/21/2018 2:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 124
Midwesthunter11
member
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member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 124 |
Congrats on your bull !! Great story from practice to harvest 😀
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Midwesthunter11]
#194996
10/21/2018 2:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 848
magman
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 848 |
Congrats!!! You just completed my dream hunt.
NRA LIFE MEMBER NAHC LIFE MEMBER
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: magman]
#194997
10/21/2018 3:22 PM
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 68
Hendog
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 68 |
Nice Bull & story. I just got a 35 Rem T/C barrel. I also plan on using Hornady FTX factory load. Looks like it worked.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Hendog]
#194998
10/21/2018 3:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669 |
Congratulations on one heck of a hunt! Great bull!
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#195000
10/21/2018 4:34 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715 |
Matty, A spectacular elk hunt with your handgun... Your bull has plenty of character.....My sincere congratulations....
PS- from the start, with your pre-season practice, to the second you squeezed the trigger, has all paid off.
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: jamesfromjersey]
#195001
10/21/2018 5:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 746
cherokeetracker
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 746 |
Congratulations. Good shooting and great team work.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cherokeetracker]
#195005
10/21/2018 7:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 105
OFFSHORE
member
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member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 105 |
+6 Congrats!!!
This is a trip I would like to do. . .a private land DIY hunt with just a couple hunters on the property and in camp.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: OFFSHORE]
#195006
10/21/2018 7:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Congratulations on your first bull elk. Great recap on the hunt and good shooting!
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#195007
10/21/2018 8:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730
Mark Hampton
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 730 |
Big Congrats! Well done on a real nice bull -- great job!
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#195011
10/21/2018 10:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048
wvhitman
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,048 |
Good story. Good hunt. DIY is a lot of work in more ways than one.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: wvhitman]
#195013
10/21/2018 10:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861
Franchise
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,861 |
Congratulations Matthew! You took a really nice elk bull and you shot, like I knew that you would, lights out!! WTG Buddy
The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Franchise]
#195014
10/21/2018 11:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
OP
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
Thanks everyone! This was an absolutely fantastic hunt...that didn't stop with a dead elk. There is more to come in another thread.
Last edited by cmnash; 10/21/2018 11:58 PM.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cmnash]
#195015
10/22/2018 12:16 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 465
WiseGuy
addict
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addict
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 465 |
Awesome job on a nice bull! Great write up
Bigger ain't always better....according to who???
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#195016
10/22/2018 12:40 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332
Randy M
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332 |
Absolutely outstanding! Congrats on a heckuvan adventure and kill.
The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Randy M]
#195018
10/22/2018 12:51 AM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 601
PsTaN
addict
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addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 601 |
PsTaN
-Smith & Wesson Model 69 -Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter -Encore Pro Hunter
"Hold your horses, the elephants are coming, and out stamped Alabama"
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: PsTaN]
#195022
10/22/2018 4:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 526
sw282
addict
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addict
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 526 |
Lots of hard work brought GEAT reward. l hope to see that rack
in a SPECIAL place one day.. CONGRATULATIONS my friend...
282
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: sw282]
#195026
10/22/2018 9:43 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 649
dhom
addict
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addict
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 649 |
Congrats on the bull, looking forward to the rest of the story!
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: dhom]
#195027
10/22/2018 10:31 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209 |
Great story and better shooting!
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cmnash]
#195029
10/22/2018 11:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
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Shooting Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359 |
Congratulations Matthew!! Great job from start to finish!
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: SChunter]
#195036
10/22/2018 3:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 525
Brenden
addict
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addict
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 525 |
Way to go Matthew! Beautiful bull to top it off.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Brenden]
#195079
10/23/2018 2:13 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,556
junebug
Gun Slinger
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Gun Slinger
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,556 |
Way to go Matt! Practice and perseverance pay off again! Nice elk and looking forward to the rest of the story.
junebug
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cmnash]
#195082
10/23/2018 3:44 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461
pab1
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461 |
Congrats! Really enjoyed the story!
Experience is the best teacher, hunger good sauce. Osborne Russell Journal of a Trapper
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: pab1]
#195096
10/23/2018 7:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
Congrats, Matt! Well played on an awesome trophy!
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: KRal]
#195113
10/24/2018 8:25 AM
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
jmoore429
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 10 |
Yet another congratulation, this one from a fellow Georgian! Interesting to note that you took your elk at just short of the maximum distance at your practice range.
Thanks again for sharing both an opportunity to shoot at your place and for an excellent recounting of your hunt!
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: jmoore429]
#195115
10/24/2018 11:56 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
addict
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addict
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543 |
Congrats on a great hunt, great pictures and great story and great trophy. Well done.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: jmoore429]
#195122
10/24/2018 4:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374
cmnash
OP
veteran
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OP
veteran
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,374 |
Interesting to note that you took your elk at just short of the maximum distance at your practice range.
It is very interesting how much my shot on a live elk mirrored my practice sessions. I was surprised by how much I underestimated the distance to the elk. I thought my use of lifesize and scale targets had me better prepared. Nonetheless, my practice on elk targets gave the complete confidence to deliver the fatal shot at is what is likely my setup's maximum range. Thank you again for all the kind words.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: cmnash]
#195131
10/24/2018 9:58 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765
wheelguns
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 765 |
Congratulations, it's great when everything comes together on a hunt. Enjoyed the recap of your hunt.
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#195193
10/27/2018 6:50 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642
BBwheelgunner
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642 |
sounds (and looks) like a fun hunt! congrats on your bull! you have some great eating for the next year!
"If you are going to go through all the trouble to put a hole in something, why not make it a big one?"
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: BBwheelgunner]
#195324
11/02/2018 12:34 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155
Bob Roach
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155 |
Great Story. All of your practice payed off big time. I have been wondering how the FTX bullets would perform in my 35 Bullberry. Looks like they should work fine from your results.
Bob R
See You At The Range
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Re: 2018 Colorado elk hunt
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#195630
11/10/2018 3:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Deerhunter243
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 5 |
That?s a great bull and awesome story
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