The 2012 utah elk hunt is underway here in the Wasatch Mountains, Im posting from camp. So far we have done pretty good; it started yesterday on the opener. The first elk we spotted that was not 2 ridges over and deep in the woods, was a small herd of six. Two bulls, three cows and a calf. I ranged the herd at 435yds, as the larger bull chased off the lesser bull, one of the cows foolishly drew attention to herself by stepping away from the group. My attention focused on the easy target as she stepped broadside, head to my right. I had already dialed the 1.3 mil elevation, and I had a hard time controlling my breathing from quickly maneuvering on the hillside to position myself. But as my crosshair came to rest on her neck, a few inches in front of the tan, where the dark brown and long neck hair starts, I centered it on her neck and pressed on the trigger of my SRS Covert, with a SAC 7mm SAUM barrel and YHM Phantom suppressor. The shot was smooth, and the cold moutain air cracked as the 162Amax ripped its way over leafless aspens, the recoil is light, sight picture unchanged, I watched the bullet hit her, and she dropped like a C note at a gun show. Typical to elk, she dropped ass first, her head whipping back as she fell. My young cousin (along for his first elk hunt) spotted alongside me, we both saw the hit. High fives were exchanged. The exciting part was I was able to film the whole thing in HD @ 40X, video soon to follow.
I was later told by others, hunting down from us, they watched the whole thing through spotting scopes. They saw the early morning sun shining off my bullet as it flew.
The best part of all, as always, was sharing my triumph with loved ones. My two little brothers, BIL, and a couple of cousins and uncle. And of course my best hunting buddie, CBM jr. He helped hike down into the canyon and carry out backpacks, he hiked all over excited to see and do what Dad and his uncles were doing. This morning I asked him if he wanted to take it easy and hang out at the four wheelers, his responce; "but Dad, I dont wanna miss all the fun." just a few moments later, my brother (Burglecutt here on SH) made what surely will be the best shot of the trip, a running first round hit on a cow at 540yds while kneeling in the brush. We all shared his joy as we walked upon his kill. The 180 Interlock fired from his Savage 12 300wsm entered at angle taking out one lung, and the heart, exiting through the offside shoulder.
As we hiked the quarters of my cow out, my BIL had both mine and my rookie cousins rifles as we made it up the hill. As they crested, a small group of three or four elk bolted acrossed the meadow 90 yards in front of them. My other cousin, a seasoned hunter, but a luckier than good marksman, swiped my rookie cousin's rifle from mu BIL's shoulder. He aimed the Vanguard 7mag at one of the cows and shot her right through the throat. First time he'd ever handled the rifle.
So far we've got three elk hanging outside in the tree, and 5 more tags. Its turning out to be one of the best elk hunts ever. I've got many pics and videos to come, but when I get home. Phone service is poor here. With any luck we'll get a couple more tomorrow. Updates and pics to follow
For now, the one picture I managed to uoad. A tastefull picture of Burglecutt, and the damaged heart of the elk he handily put down:
I was later told by others, hunting down from us, they watched the whole thing through spotting scopes. They saw the early morning sun shining off my bullet as it flew.
The best part of all, as always, was sharing my triumph with loved ones. My two little brothers, BIL, and a couple of cousins and uncle. And of course my best hunting buddie, CBM jr. He helped hike down into the canyon and carry out backpacks, he hiked all over excited to see and do what Dad and his uncles were doing. This morning I asked him if he wanted to take it easy and hang out at the four wheelers, his responce; "but Dad, I dont wanna miss all the fun." just a few moments later, my brother (Burglecutt here on SH) made what surely will be the best shot of the trip, a running first round hit on a cow at 540yds while kneeling in the brush. We all shared his joy as we walked upon his kill. The 180 Interlock fired from his Savage 12 300wsm entered at angle taking out one lung, and the heart, exiting through the offside shoulder.
As we hiked the quarters of my cow out, my BIL had both mine and my rookie cousins rifles as we made it up the hill. As they crested, a small group of three or four elk bolted acrossed the meadow 90 yards in front of them. My other cousin, a seasoned hunter, but a luckier than good marksman, swiped my rookie cousin's rifle from mu BIL's shoulder. He aimed the Vanguard 7mag at one of the cows and shot her right through the throat. First time he'd ever handled the rifle.
So far we've got three elk hanging outside in the tree, and 5 more tags. Its turning out to be one of the best elk hunts ever. I've got many pics and videos to come, but when I get home. Phone service is poor here. With any luck we'll get a couple more tomorrow. Updates and pics to follow
For now, the one picture I managed to uoad. A tastefull picture of Burglecutt, and the damaged heart of the elk he handily put down:
