Uh oh! Your first elk? You’re going to have a difficult time topping that one! Was it a full moon? Elk are pretty sensitive about the moon. They will come out late and go back in before daylight around a full moon phase.
You did great! I’m jealous!
actually, I was very fortunate.
First time to put in for an elk tag.
Unit 16 had a 10% chance or so. I drew Unit 23 as my last choice with a less than 20% chance.
I had a friend just kill his first elk this past Fall after 4 trips. 2 rifle and 2 bow. He got it done with a rifle, finally.
He hunted Colorado 2 times, Wyoming 1 time, and finally killed one with a different outfit near wear I was hunting, albeit a much more expensive hunt. His was also a 6x6 but not very heavy, kind of spindly.
My elk was not one of those really high scorers, but his horns were very heavy. I am happy.
My guide was looking for a 340+. I think he wanted to judge him longer and tell me to hold off.
I think I gave him 2 seconds to judge him. lol.
I liked him and it was the next to last day. so, boom.
Hunt started on 1/2 moon and I killed him on a 1/4 moon day.
Temp was a high of 80 degrees most days.
Curiosity just kicked in so he just got measured the first time. If I did everything right.......
He measures about 316 gross (with a broken point and broken tip)
Estimating about 325 if those weren't broken (by looking at other side)
He gets hurt a great deal on net because of the broken points and an extra point on left side, about or less than 300 net.
Funny, I never measured him until today. It didn't matter too much to me then.
But he scored better than we had guessed. (or maybe the guide was talking about net score, idk)
