- Details
- Category: Elk
- Published: Wednesday, 30 September 2026 21:49
- Written by Greg
Meat for Days
This past weekend my sons and grandson all tagged out on antlerless elk. It was Saturday morning and was just getting light when we arrived near the top of the mountain and spotted a herd of elk feeding about 1200 yards away. The group of 25 elk had a herd bull whose bugles were echoing across the canyon. Unaware of our presence we began our stalk toward a ridge about 250 yards away.
Hoping elk don't spot us heading downhill
As we popped over the ridge, we were still 950 yards from the elk and now we had nothing separating us from the herd as the slope of the mountain continued downward into the bottom of the canyon. Our only play was to slowly make our way down the mountain side and attempt to get close enough to the herd before they spooked.
Elk herd is all the way across the canyon
After 15 minutes or so we stopped to range the herd; 675 yards. We considered trying to set up for a shot, but figured we’d have a better chance if we could get a bit closer since we were still undetected. Several minutes later the elk appeared nervous, they must have noticed our movement. It was now or never, the range was 568 yards. Previously the boys had agreed to let my grandson shoot first, so Daxton got set up for a shot. Resting the 7 PRC on his backpack, he steadied for a shot while Dallas watched through the spotting scope. A second after the shot range out, Dallas said the shot was low, barely hitting the elk. Daxton quickly racked in another shell and took a second shot, again low but this time an inch or two under the cow. The elk turned and gradually made its way into the thick grove of sapling aspens. We adjusted the scope slightly to compensate for the low shot. It was at least 10 minutes before the cow moved into a small opening to where Daxton was able to shoot again, this time the elk was down!
Daxton with elk amongst the young aspens
As we continued to glass the other side of the mountain, Carson spotted an antler shed some 800 yards across the canyon. While he was anxious to go for the long hike to go pick up the antler, he resisted that temptation and continued to glass for the next hour. Finally we decided it was time to send Carson on his way in hopes he’d push an animal out of the timber. Carson hustled down the mountain and up the other side and had just picked up the 6 point elk antler shed when 2 elk came trotting across the hillside less than 100 yards below him.
No pic with Dallas and his elk But did get pic of Carson
When the elk finally stopped, Carson took the 320 yard shot and dropped one of the elk! Dallas had already sprawled out on the ground and was aiming at the other elk. As soon as that elk turned broadside, Dallas pulled the trigger on his 7 PRC and tagged out on elk number 3!
Packing out one of many loads Last load complete
Just like that several elk were down. Even though we had lots of work ahead of us, we were excited since we now had what we had come for. At 5:58 pm we made it back to the SUV with the final load, a long and tiring day but well worth the effort!