Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting First public land bull

With winter upon us I thought I'd share my Montana hunt from this past fall. This was solo as my my normal partner, my son, wasn't able to join me. I've hunted elk four seasons and harvested two cows previously. Day before opener I hiked in 5 hours checking sign and looking for changes from my earlier scouting trip.

Late afternoon found me set up on a ridge eating a peanut butter and bacon sandwich. Glassed at dusk and spotted a very nice bull with two satellites and 23 cows and calves about half way between me and the trail head. Up at 4am, I broke camp and snuck near to the meadow they were on at dark, but was really disappointed when another hunting group walked into the meadow just before day break. At first light I worked my way around the meadow and slow hunted through broken timber.

About noon I was filling my water bottle at a stream crossing and this guy appeared.

165 grain Nosler partitions pushed by 58 grains of H4350 in my 30-06 did him in. He expired in a bowl full of small trees, brush and tall grass. Hung the quarters spread out on the top of a ridge about 100 yds from the kill site so I could have a decent view in the morning as there was fresh bear sign in the area. Also stuck a large branch through the rig cage with a flag. Scouted a path back to the main trail and spent the night in the back of the Tahoe at the trail head. Up at 6am it took 12 solid hours for me to make four trips, 1.75 miles from the kill to the trail head.

Mystery Ranch Cabinet handled the 55# quarters very well. I use a dry bag on this pack which provides room for 3 days of food and my gear. Crossing a creek and a steep elevation drop of 350 feet added to the interest. At 58 these solo hunts can make me feel the years. Thankfully the last mile was on a horse trail but I was totally beat when I got out with the last load. Already planning for this fall like most of you.

Dang cool hunt. Sounds like you never stopped moving the whole time. Great bull.

Good job.

I can't tell you how many times on opening morning I find people at first light standing in a clearing where elk were the night before, obviously wondering why the elk didn't want to share the meadow that morning with them. That's public land hunting.

Nice work. Great dedication packing him out. It is quite workout on back and all muscles just to field dress for packing, then to pack out on foot is another feat that requires stamina that can challenge the strongest of persons. I remember my lungs about to blow out of my chest when packing out on foot. Again congrats and thanks for sharing.

Congrats.

Well done!

Well that's about a perfect outing, congrats and thanks for sharing, enjoy!

Kool story & congrats........30-06 & 165 Nozler is all most need to fill an elk tag.......

but peanut butter & bacon sandwich ? Interesting............

Well done

Living the Dream!! Atta-Boy

Super!! These recent elk hunting threads are giving me the itch for another backpack elk hunt...

Nice work!!

KLM: Great job on the Hunt and the photography - good for you and thanks for taking me along!
Beautiful Rifle and scope combo by the way.
I taught myself to handload when I was 12 - 13 years old and the bullet that had been recommended to me (nearly 60 years ago now!) was the 30 caliber 165 grain Nosler Partition.
I killed my first Bull Elk with that bullet, first Blacktailed Deer, first Mule Deer, first Mt. Goat, first Antelope and first Black Bear as well.
That bullet indeed is a very outstanding performer for so many applications and has been for a long time.
Congratulations again on that "first public land Bull"!
You earned it.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Very well done!

Very nice... looks like you had an enjoyable and productive trip...

Nice job KLM, nice bull.

I love stories like this, thanks for sharing and good luck next time!

Good stuff.

Congrats.

Excellent job! I look forward to reading the next one. I've got the elk bug bad, been on about 8 DIY public land archery hunts, have had several good opportunities but have come up short so far. I've quartered and packed out two bulls with a buddy though and that is what keeps me going back.

Great write up and pics. Congrats on a very nice bull. Good to see the 30-06 recognized for some fine work.