Are you guys trying to discourage a new elk hunter?

Shooting a nice buck deer is like hitting a single to win your recreation league softball game, your first bull elk like a walk off homerun in the world series. The scenic rough country they live in, the sheer size of the animal, and the effort required to get out the delicious meat is whole different kind of hunting.

You tend to think this cant be worth all this work sweat and pain on the tough days but cant wait to go back after about a week back home.

This time of year daydreaming about a particular spot in the mountains and hauling a bull and a cow with horses or the sound of a 750 lb animal crashing through the brush or hitting the dirt with a loud thud can take you right back to your last or best hunt.

DIY public land elk hunting offers some rewards that aren't measured in inches of antlers. The feeling of being able to sleep till daylight because you filled your tag and packed out the meat is a good one even if it takes a couple of Advil to get out of the sleeping bag.