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Would You Wait

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Would You Wait

Postby Swede » 05 16, 2017 •  [Post 1]

It is mid afternoon on opening day in an either sex unit. Suddenly you hear the sound of animals coming. Sitting in your stand, you turn your head in the direction the sounds are coming from and see cows and calves. You hear the music of cow talk as they move closer. As you watch and look it is evident there are several large cows, and one average spike bull. Within seconds they are milling around and you have several you can choose to shoot. What would you do? Will you take a large cow, or the spike, or wait for something else?

I would take a fairly large cow. I don't want the oldest, and would prefer a dry one. I would look them over and decide which I thought best met my criterion, but I am already thinking about steak dinners.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Wahpeton » 05 16, 2017 •  [Post 2]

What a great problem to have.

A bird in hand.......

Shoot the first full size elk that's in range and provides a high percentage shot.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby six » 05 17, 2017 •  [Post 3]

I'll shoot the first one that stands still long enough.
Elk are where you find em...
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby lamrith » 05 19, 2017 •  [Post 4]

Wahpeton wrote:What a great problem to have.

A bird in hand.......

Shoot the first full size elk that's in range and provides a high percentage shot.

Yeah, given my luck as a newbie, you have given me a dream situation. If I KNEW there was a big bull in the area (you have had cams out the last 3 months right!!?) I might hold off being day one, but if nothing really special had been frequenting the area one of the big cows gets a splinter. Leave the spike alone for a few years and see how he develops.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Trumkin the Dwarf » 05 20, 2017 •  [Post 5]

This depends on the goals I set for the year. If I have made it a goal to kill a big bull, then I'll be passing. If I instead have it in mind to catch a big brown that fall, or put my tag on a big mulie buck, I'm sticking the first cow to give me a clean shot.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby ishy » 05 22, 2017 •  [Post 6]

First good shot.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Charina » 05 22, 2017 •  [Post 7]

Last year, first one gets an arrow. This year however might be different. I see a credit card charge for my UT limited entry bull tag. It'll be my once-in-10-year opportunity at big bulls here in UT. So, I'll be waiting to see what might come into view next.

But, if I happen to also draw a cow tag (about 66% chance, find out in June), I'll poke the first elk I can to take the pressure off, and focus on antlers after that. One can dream, right?
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby ishy » 05 26, 2017 •  [Post 8]

What unit?
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Charina » 05 26, 2017 •  [Post 9]

Double post.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Charina » 05 26, 2017 •  [Post 10]

La Sal Mts, just east of Moab. It has a 5.5-6 year old harvest objective.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby ishy » 05 30, 2017 •  [Post 11]

Cool, good luck. Good friend drew Wasatch this year. I'm still trying to get enough $ and PTO at 15 points.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Lefty » 07 08, 2017 •  [Post 12]

I can wait and have , many times, For me it seems the grass is always greener, or maybe that is my hope or expectation.
A few years back I dogged a herd all morning. The cows and calves started walking past. I drew, then let down, then figured I would wait for a dry cow in the back. and did, then two cows and calves at 13-17 yards,. then the 360 bull. Fortunately for the bull he was able to breed the cows,But he :oops: ended up in the freezer and wall of someone else.
Two years ago my daughter had a herd 10-40 yards for over eight minutes,.. The 320 bull sat and looked towards two of us, quartered towards my daughter, she didnt even consider the other bulls under 30 yards. I think that was more bull fever, she was :o locked onto the horns.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Old school » 07 15, 2017 •  [Post 13]

I'd take the first good shot I had - hoping it would be a mature cow.

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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Sask hunter » 07 16, 2017 •  [Post 14]

1st choice Spiker 2nd choice dry cow 3rd choice calf
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby tvbrewster » 08 24, 2017 •  [Post 15]

Nope I would wait for a decent bull. Don't need the meat that bad and I love collecting antlers.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Lefty » 09 13, 2017 •  [Post 16]

This week end its any bull. And if an easy pack than a cow. Im starting to become more desperate for the two of us, my daughter better shoot something this Saturday.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby BullRun » 09 24, 2017 •  [Post 17]

I love this question!

It would definitely depend on how full the freezer is. Elk steaks, burgers, sausage, and jerky are the best, so if the freezer is getting lite, first eater that comes in range gets smoked. If there's enough elk left from last year...I wait. Either way...I win :D Just being out there in the woods with those critters makes my day.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Swede » 10 01, 2017 •  [Post 18]

I never had the cow option, but did end up with the spike.
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Swede » 10 01, 2017 •  [Post 19]

BullRun welcome to the forum. I was gone so this is a little late, but it is great to have you at the W.T. campfire. You have an interesting user name. Are you from around Manassas?
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby BullRun » 05 23, 2018 •  [Post 20]

Swede wrote:BullRun welcome to the forum. I was gone so this is a little late, but it is great to have you at the W.T. campfire. You have an interesting user name. Are you from around Manassas?


Hey Swede...just saw this post. Haven't been on in a while.

I live in SE Portland...we get our water from the Bull Run Watershed :D

And...it just happens to be a great elk forum user name! Or at least I think so.

Hope to be talking to you guys more this year!
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Re: Would You Wait

Postby Swede » 05 28, 2018 •  [Post 21]

Oh that Bull Run. We are almost neighbors as I live just down river from you. I worked on the Mt Hood Forest for several years. I would enjoy being able to hunt the Bull Run.
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