Our First Year and Elk !!

[UtahRob]

This was our first year hunting in Utah and using Muzzlelaoders.
We did not have much luck when it came to the deer season .

     But the Muzzleloader Spike Elk season was a blast.
On the first day we spotted a nice herd of 30 Elk with a spike in the bunch.  My son stalked to with in 80 yard and look a shot at the spike but he had forgot to put the primmer in his gun when he left.
 Day two little Elk spotted. Day 3 was his day as we spotted 32 Elk feeding across the canyon . We went down the mountain in my truck and up the canyon a half a mile past the herd above us. I dropped my son off and told him to climb up the mountain  in front of the feeding herd and wait at the timberline. I drove back down the Canyon and up the mountain to the spot we spotted the herd from. When I looked through my spotting scope I could see my son on the Left and the herd on the right. Minutes latter I heard my sons Muzzle Loader bark across the Canyon. I turned my walkie talky on and waited for his report. Seconds later he said the bull was down and I returned to the spot that I dropped him off and started the 1500 ft vertical climb to the Location of my son and the his Elk. 6 hrs latter the Elk was in the truck. My goal was to get my son a deer or Elk.   I am  a sore but Happy camper !! Boy those Elk are Heavy !! This was my son's first Animal and with a Muzzle Loader to boot !!! .

[Redhawk1]

Congratulations to your son. 

[manofthe45]

Congrats!!!!!  thanks for the story

[simonkenton]

Congratulations!
Your son is a fortunate boy, to have a Dad to take him hunting.

[UtahRob]

  Thank you for the kind words!!!!!!!!!!!

We are hooked on hunting with muzzlelaoders.
During the Elk hunt there was very little hunting pressure.
We saw 3 other hunters in the 3 days that I hunted with my son .
And all three hunters we did see and talked with were very friendly .
 I was able to hunt two more evenings for a Elk for me but the only stalk I had  A cow saw
me and barked and spooked the herd which had three legal bulls.
 But as sore as I was from getting my son's Elk off the mountain I am not all that disappointed that I did not have to do it again this year !!

 During our Deer hunt we saw plenty of Elk and Elk sign.










 

[Busta]

Congratulations to both of you!

That country is just beautiful in your pictures, and you know pictures don't do justice, so it must really be spectacular. Reminds me of the places I hunt in Colorado, just awesome.

I know exactly what you are talking about on the packing out, but it only hurts 'til the pain goes away.

Your son is lucky to have a dad to take him hunting, but you are blessed to have a son that wants to hunt with you. My son killed three turkeys at 12 and 13, a couple bucks when he was 14 and 15, quit hunting for four years , and just started hunting deer again this year . He missed his first buck (a real dandy) friday, on his 20th birthday. At least now he knows hunting is not always easy, a very good lesson learned. The girls and cars took him away for a few years, I hope he is back to hunting for good and we can take that trip to Colorado together now.

[UtahRob]

Busta

I think most of us have gone through a faze when girls mean more than hunting.
It only lasted a couple of years  for me and I was back at it.
I now  have a very understanding wife that puts up with a lot of Flyfishing and hunting trips.
Now that the freezer is full she is a lot more understanding than before !!!!!!!!
 
My son getting a Elk was the GREATEST thing that has happened to me for a Long time .
I actually got all chocked up when I heard him shoot and then tears started to flow when he told me on his walkie talky that the Elk had dropped in it tracks and was down. I still get goose bumps just typing this !!!

[WingMaster]

Congrats to your boy and nice job getting/keeping him involved in the great outdoors.

Pretty country.  I enjoyed the pictures.

What types of muzzle loaders and loads etc did you guys use?

[UtahRob]

My Son shot the Elk with a CVA Optima .50 shooting a sabot .44 cal 300 grn xtp hollow point with 95 grns of ffg powder and a Kleanbore primer. He also used a Bushnell sportsman red dot. He shot the Elk at 100-120 yards dropping it in its tracks. 

I shoot a Tradition pursuit pro .50 shooting a .45 cal XTP 300 grn hollow point with 100 grns of ffg powder and  Kleanbore primers.

[mangulator]

UtahRob,tell your son congratulations!

[UtahRob]

Thanks everyone for all the kind words !!!!!!!!!!

Another thing we love to do together !!

FlyFishing !!!!!!!