Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Hunt of a Lifetime!!!


dukhnt

Recommended Posts

Started out last friday, headed to grygla, mn for the cow elk hunt my dad and I were lucky enough to draw one of the six tags for. Did a little scouting before the mandatory hunter orientation and found some tracks and beds. Things were looking good. Went to the orientation and was extremely excited for the next days hunt.

Woke up to snow, snow, and more snow. I think we got 9 inches that day. Sat by a corn food plot the morning and evening. During the day we drove around looking for any sign of the elk. None were found.

Sunday morning found us at the food plot again. Nothing doing. Drove around and found an elk trail. Met up with the other two hunters and decided a stalk was in order. My dad posted by an open field and the other two hunters and I started walking. We must have followed the tracks a couple miles, through thick woods. The tracks were now on a fire break. We decided to post one guy on it. I volunteered and the other two continued. They told me they tracked for another 200 yards and got up 3 bulls about 100 yards away. We all only had cow tags. But I was bummed I didn't get to see those bulls.

Monday my dad and I followed some tracks while the other 2 guys followed some others. Ours resulted in nothing, while the other guys found the herd. They got some long shots off at a cow, but didn't hit it. Needless to say the herd ran out of the hunt zone when they jumped them.

Tuesday, another snow storm. Eight more inches piled up and there were no signs of the herd heading back into the hunt zone. Four days into the hunt and my dad and I have yet to see an elk. We were getting bummed. And the snow and cold wasn't helping matters.

Wednesday morning found us back at the corn field with nothing doing. Met up with another one of the hunters and he said the herd is back in the hunt area. So the three of us found the other hunter to figure out a plan. We decided to post my dad on the north end of the woods that the herd went in and the three of us would follow the tracks to see if we could find them. We followed for over a mile through a foot and a half of snow. Then things started to happen. There was an opening in front of me and this huge brown animal stood up. I put the gun up, cross hairs on it. But couldn't see the head. Finally it moved and I saw the biggest antlers in my life. He was 60 yards broadside but no bull tag. It was one of the most amazing things I have seen while hunting. I was getting pumped up now. We waited there a few minutes to see if any other elk would show themselves. Nothing happened. Started walking again and the guy to my left fired a shot. We all got together after the shot. He had a small window to fire and said the calf hunched up when he shot. We decided to give the elk a few minutes to settle down before we continued on. The guy that shot went over to folllow the tracks of the one he shot at to look for blood. We continued on and another elk popped up in front of me. But was gone before I could get the gun up. Walked a few more yards and there ahead of me and slightly to the left of me were two more elk. The closest being 40 yards and broadside!! Gun up, safety off. Fired the first shot, she started walking away from me. Fired the second shot, she turned around and started walking to me!! Put the cross hairs on her chest and fired the third shot. She fell right in her tracks. I couldn't believe it. I had just shot an elk in Minnesota. My first shot actually went through both lungs, perfect. She was dead and just didn't know it yet.

I then had to contact the DNR guy in charge of the hunt. Told him where it was and he said if I get permission from the farmer he can drive his atv to where we have to go into the woods. This elk was close to a mile and half from any road. Contacted the farmer and was giving permission. This saved alot of work. Met the DNR guy and around 2. We quartered out the elk and had to bring it a quarter mile out to the ATV. As we got the last of the elk out of the woods, the sun was setting. What a perfect day and an amazing hunt to share with my dad. The elk was estimated to weight 450 to 500 pounds. As you can see from the photos, it was cold. When I got back to the truck after I shot it, the thermometer said 17 below zero.

DSC_0027-1.jpg

DSC_0035.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

CONGRATULATIONS DUKHNT!!!!!! Welcome to the addiction! Thanks for sharing your story with all of us and congrats again!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

AWESOME! There is NOTHING I've done in nature that compares to an elk hunt...NOTHING. Congrats!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Way to go man Congrats on the elk!!

By the way, did you do anything on the MBRB hunts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice going! As you found out, A Minnesota elk hunt is no gimme. That flat terrain really makes it a challenge to catch up with them.

Where about did you shoot it? East or West of CR 54?

Enjoy that meat, and join the RMEF!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Josh,

It didn't take me long to find the herd the next day. After we chased them back to the West of 54 I had a feeling they would be in the corn and CRP the next day. As I walked around the hay bails on Norris's road I lifted my binocs to scan the CRP. It was still dark and 20 mins before shooting time but I could make out elk grazing on Norris's land just to the north of the tree line. I stalked up to the edge the corn to where you had been sitting the first couple days. At that point I still needed to get closer to the herd to get a better shot. I slowly moved through the edge of the woods another 50 yards. As I made my way to the edge of the field the elk alarm went out. That high pitched cow noise that lets the other elk know something isn't right. As I came to the edge, the elk ran about 25 yards and stopped. I was lucky enough to have a single cow standing a the edge of the herd in the field. I cranked up the scope to 12X and held a little high. I touched off a single round and the elk scattered across the field. The cow ran about 100 yards in dropped in the middle of the field. I got her in the lungs. The blood trail made for easy tracking. She was an adult cow weighing over 500 pounds. The shot was 223 yards.

As I was writing this Carl called, the other elk hunter in the group. He just got a cow off of Conrads CRP this morning. All the MN Elk hunters filled their tags in 2007, 6 for 6.

Give me a call anytime you are west to the cities Josh. We'll go out for a cold one sometime.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7cc26b3127cceb1251db0d9cf00000026100RatmjZw3Yi

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gissert - I shot mine east of 54, inbetween 54 and the next gravel road to the east. And about a quarter mile into the woods from Paul's land.

Powerstroke - I had a huge 10 pointer 50 yards away during the buck hunt, but wouldn't come any closer. Saw that you got some though. Nice work.

Cornfedhogs - My dad and I were really hoping you guys would get your elk. It was great to meet you and your dad. Would be nice to get together for another cold one. If I am ever out that way I will give you a call. Congrats. It sure is a big job butchering it up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great stories guys and congratulations. Boy I hope that I get a tag someday. I can't wait to go out west elk hunting hopefully not too far in the future.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice going guys! Hat's off to Conrad, Norris, and Paul for their help too. It make my heart glad to heat Conrad is still around.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Congratulations Josh,

That is really cool. I can't think of a better way to spend time with your dad. Nice shooting!

Nice photos too.

Mike

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.