Holding Out?

[Trophyhill]

I have an uncontrollable twitch on my trigger finger when an elk makes a mistake and steps into my wheelhouse. Will you be holding out for a herd bull ie go big or go home? Or will any elk suit your fancy?

[JimKirk]

most often first legal animal unless its some elite tag or private land. on public land i'd go for the meat.

[BrentLaBere]

Hunting for bulls, but I will shoot anything legal that presents a shot.

[Fridaythe13th]

Brown it's down maybe not a calf the first half of the week. I need to get a archery elk under the belt before I get to picky.

[Mike_Parson]

as my hunt is broken into 2 seperate times, 4 days each that i can go. i have a plan on trying for a bull the first time out, and then anything goes in the second time out.

[Dr. Rx]

Im a rookie. Got to get confidence and I'm not Picky.. can't put horns in my house anyways.. home is way to small and wife does not like dead animals on the wall..... going for meat! If a Cow comes by within 40 yards during Archery season... well.. there will be Elk burgers and Beer through the Summer

[under H2O hunter]

Sense I have the whole month for archery as well as a 1st season rifle tag for a cow. I am trophy hunting (6x6 or better) the first half of the season then 5x5 or better for the last half of the season.. I usually get a cow during the rifle season so I can be picky when it comes to my bull.

[bowhunter04]

As a rookie, I will be taking the 1st legal elk that presents the opportunity.

[phall]

it all depends on the situation. if im on a sreaming bull and he is coming and a cow or legal rag horn wonders into bow range i may pass. but in general im going for the hunt, the experience, and the first legal elk that presents a ethical bow shot

[CurlyTail]

No holding out for me. Any Elk is a trophy in my book. I can photoshop in some giant antlers later if needed.

[WapitiTalk1]

No holding out for me. Any Elk is a trophy in my book. I can photoshop in some giant antlers later if needed.

Perfect

[Fridaythe13th]

No holding out for me. Any Elk is a trophy in my book. I can photoshop in some giant antlers later if needed.

Yes, you are good at photo shop according to your pic.

[WapitiTalk1]

Early WA archery hunt (12-17 SEP), I probably won't shoot a cow, but, if the other three hunters aren't having any success, I'll shoot something for them to pack out . ID archery hunt (19-30 SEP)? First decent bull that offers a good shot dependent on where he's standing....... there are some spots I hunt there that I do not want to pack a raghorn out of but we'll see. I suppose I have to quit being so picky. Mrs. Phantom is starting to think I'm actually not hunting at all lately as I haven't brought anything home for awhile, lol.

[Mnbowhunter]

Haven't got an elk yet so I'll take the first shot available but..If I hear a bull screaming I might wait

[vertical limit]

Nevada Muzzleloader tag during the rut in an area where they only give out 10 tags...... I am definitely holding out for 360" or better. We saw 37 bulls in 2 hours last weekend and another 30 this weekend. Finding the elk won't be a problem, finding the RIGHT bull will be the challenge....

[Ridge Ghost]

Focusing on any bull, but if a cow stands broadside at 20 yards long enough I'll probably let the air out of her.

[chiledog]

I am lucky enough to be only 4 hours from roads end of my area. I'll hunt extended weekends (Fri to Mon) until I succeed.
The area is a bull only area. I will take a spike or better opening morning, first light as long as the shot is within my limitations.
I might hesitate if he is with a bigger bull nearby.

[the weasel]

not holding out... first adult elk that presents a shot! Antlers make it all better but you can't eat them....

[Stick]

Holding for a big un!

Gonna be gone 18 days. The first full week have some buddies bringing their mules. I'm going to hunt some areas I normally wouldn't get too just by hiking. See if I can't find a BIG STINKY somewhere and let the mules pack him out?

[wawhitey]

For a guy whos never killed an elk this may sound stupid, but im going to hold out for one of the big guys. Ive really put my time in learning this group of elk and i really think i stand a good chance at getting the shot opportunity. The one exception to this is the raghorn running around with a broken leg. Hes on my list, if he makes it that long.

[Huntrgathr]

I'm gonna shoot a big one !








Unless I shoot a small one first...

[welcher83]

Any elk for me. Only have 5 days this year and have never killed one with a bow.

[TetonStorm]

I haven't visited in a while, so hello to ya'll. I received my preorder chuckler and it's awesome! I'm a hold out for a big bull during Idaho general archery. I hunt around 20-25 days of it because it's right out my door. The reason I hold out is because if I don't get one we have another hunt for cow only on the the A tag which goes from oct 22-nov 16 any weapon and my rifle comes out.

[Patapsco Mike]

I've always been trigger happy with elk. Love the meat. With that $1k trespass fee this year, I might hold a cow shot til the last few days... I think or maybe not. I don't like eating tag soup.

[WYO_ELK]

I have shot two cows with my bow, so I am holding out for a bull, 4 pt or bigger. I have all of September to archery hunt and the second half of October to rifle hunt. I really want a bull.

[barber111]

Elk with my bow.. Period...........

Thanks, Barber

[8upbowhunter]

My first 2 years I held out for a bull but ended up eating tag soup. I recently got into traditional archery and will be hunting with my longbow and recurve this year so I will take any legal elk that I get a reasonable shot on.

[Engideer]

I will shoot the first legal bull that I see, with only 7 days and a bow in my hands, any 4 point or better is fair game!

[Elkduds]

I hunt for the freezer. I almost always have a cow tag. If I have an either sex tag and find a bull w cows, I'm shooting a cow. Indian Summer says he doubts this "can't eat them horns" perspective, but for me it is true. I have a bull rack, don't need another. Steaks, sausage, backstrap, tenderloin, stew/chili meat=my trophies. So send those young cows my way, and I'll run the rank old bulls over by you.

[elkstalker]

This year I drew a cow tag, and will fill the freezer while focusing on finding a nice big mulie! We haven't bought beef in years, so for me and the family its filling the freezer first and antlers second.

[six]

Either sex tag for third rifle season. I'll hunt bulls only for first half of the week then any legal elk will do.

[Old school]

Driving on the way to elk camp - I'm holding out for a 6x6. When I actually get boots on the ground, if a cow walks by, I'm shooting.

--Mitch

[Charina]

Somewhat sadly, I'll be holding off, not holding out. Hunting a spike-only area with a spike and a cow tag. In the past when hunting these areas, I see plenty of mature 6x6 bulls that I must hold off shooting. A good problem to have (seeing plenty of 6x6 bulls).

[Tigger]

Count me as having a different view on this than some. I do NOT agree with the saying "shoot the first day what you would shoot the last day". I go elk hunting to have an incredible week hunting elk. Actually getting an elk is icing on the cake. To shoot an elk the first day and then not hunt the rest of the week, no matter how big, would kinda stink for me. I look forward to that week all year long. And one also has to have the attitude that it is perfectly okay to go home without an elk. Whether my trip is a success or not does not rest solely on whether I harvest or not. The most important part of the harvest for me is the actual hunt itself. Was it a really fun, quality hunt that led to the taking of the elk? If so, I shoot it!

For example, lets say opening morning you start marching out and 2 minutes after legal shooting light there stands a big bull on the trail looking at you and you whack it. Big bull? Sure. Great hunt? Not so much. Compare that with playing cat an mouse with a medium to small bull all day over lots of terrain and finally calling in the worked up bull who bugles in your face from 5 yards behind a bush....with you shaking as your pulled back bow is making your muscles scream until finally he takes a step and you shoot him! Which would you value more?

So early in the week, a cow, calf or spike probably gets a pass. Later in the week, if it is a great hunt, I just might shoot one of those (well, prolly not the calf). I would then be happy with the hunt. If I pass up a cow the first day and dont end up getting one....I am still happy with the hunt!

[_rj_]

I have no problem heading home empty handed. I try to harvest mature animals. If they have big antlers then great, gives my dogs something to chew on. I like to leave the young ones to grow. And never shoot the lead cow!

[ishy]

I'm shootin unless I have a le tag. I almost have more fun calling for friends than when I'm the shooter.

[welka]

I am in the minority as I hold out. I agree any elk with a bow is a trophy, but have been fortunate enough to kill a few and passed on more while holding out for larger. Wouldn't change the decisions for anything because of the experience and learnings that come from chasing and encounters. Good luck to all.

[zpd307]

after 3 years coming home empty, I am finally ready to shoot any that comes in, with no regrets..... its not that I have had an opportunity to not shoot an elk because it was a cow, spike, or rag. mentally I wasn't willing to shoot even if one did present a shot. I will be filling my freezer this year. I owe that to the family.

[dtrkyman]

I have been on four elk hunts, have passed three bulls, a 3x2 a small 5x5 and one dang nice 5x5, no regrets the nicer 5x5 had a bigger buddy and he just never gave me a shot, that nice 5x5 would have got it if it wasn't for his buddy though!

On my first hunt I passed that small 5x5 on the third day, up to that point I had little to no action but he just didnt do it for me I guess? For the next three or 4 days I had multiple encounters with nice bulls and nearly killed 3 of them, just had no clear shot, I would not trade killing that bull for all those encounters I had!

[7saum]

I like to hold out for a mature bull, area I hunt a lot is 3pt+ - passed on a raghorn 2 years ago and ended up eating the tag that year. In hindsight I should of dropped him but I would of missed out on a bunch of time spent chasing them the rest of the year. A freezer full of elk meat is definitely a trophy regardless of antler size!

[cantgetdrawn]

I love to hunt and I have 12 days to hunt this year, so the first few days I need something to make it worth it to stop hunting. After that any branch antler bull. I might take a cow or spike on the last couple of days, but only if they are close to the vehicle.

[powderfinger]

I'm going to hold out in GMU 76. It's a fluid situation as the season goes on. Prepared to come home empty.....Did I just say that?....lol

[erichunter14]

I usually hold out for 4-pt or better but i didnt get one last year and really miss the freezer being full. My 8 year old is joining me in the tree stand for his first elk hunt so im shooting any bull bigger than a spike.

[Swede]

Trophyhill, I think I know what your problem is. It is a syndrome. I can hold out a few days, but soon the syndrome takes control of my whole body, especially my trigger finger. So far I have always been able to control it when a calf comes around, but mama better watch out after early September.

[Deafirishman]

Since I was the first one in our group to put an elk down on the ground last season, I will be happy to hold out for a while and watch my fellow brothers get their opportunities to put one on the ground. I have gotten the experience of what it's like to tag one now it's their turn. I would be more than happy to pack out their elk

[Lefty]

I will be hunting a different area. The past 6 years I held off the first 1/2 of the month and let the spikes and cows walk past. And always had close encounters with big bulls.
Im moving to a different unit,.. , Ive lowered my antler expectation on elk.After last year never drawing or seeing an elk during shooting hours I feel desperate to kill. If I have a cow 100 yards from road/ATV access opening day I just might kill it . If a cow is in deep where Im hunting Ill pass unless I know I can get a horse to the kill fast

Im totally non-committal this year at this time

[Toothy]

2,600 miles!

I'm hunting meat. I've got 9 days scheduled on a public land DIY hunt with 3 friends, I have no problem taking a cow and maybe my first Mule deer, hopefully early too. I'd like to fish some as well.

[jmez]

I will hold out until a legal elk is within 60 yards of me.

[elkaholic]

"never pass on any animal that you would gladly shoot the last day". This rings in my mind every time I pass on an animal. I probably will hold out for a 5 pt or better for the first half of the hunt then any bull gets it after that.

[GobbleFarmer]

Not exactly an elk (whitetail) but whatever looks like its more than 100 lbs usually dies. One of the properties I hunt on is buck only until landowner gets a doe or two, than whatever goes.