Our kitchen table gets turned into a butcher block quite often. The last time I paid a butcher to cut up one of my critters was 2005… swore I’d never let another touch them again. They are worried about profit, not quality.
So far we have a bull elk, cow moose and young buck in a very full freezer.
We upgraded grinders this year after it took 4 hours to double grind all the bull elk grind. If I would have known how much time a proper grinder can save, I would have done it years ago. We don’t add any fat to most of our grind. We do for sausage and a little for burger patties.
Got 75 pound of grind just from the moose. Took less than an hour to double grind it all.
No meat brought home, but we spent time in beautiful country……a trophy in itself! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
My elk quarters going from cooler to freezer today. Stopped to have a celebratory beer. Just have rear quarters left to do. Not grinding today, just freezing trim for grind in 4# bags. Will do in future.
2 flat irons that make up the blade roast from one front quarter. Supposedly the 2nd most tender cut.
Our kitchen table gets turned into a butcher block quite often. The last time I paid a butcher to cut up one of my critters was 2005… swore I’d never let another touch them again. They are worried about profit, not quality.
So far we have a bull elk, cow moose and young buck in a very full freezer.
Todd
Wow, I call that a "Dream Season", congrats and happy eating.
Opening morning success. MkV Hunter in .270Wby using factory 130grn TTSX’s. 200 yard shot, took out the bottom of the heart. Went 40 yards and dropped.
It is not enough to fight for natural land and the west; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still there. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends...
In 3 or 4 years he should make the legal limit of 50" spread. Having 2X2 brow tines, he will never make 3-brow tine legal. But he was fun for 30 minutes or so at 30 feet to 30 yard range. Only moose I saw during several half-days of limited hunting.
I know where his bigger cousin is tho..... called that one in to 40 yards or so, visibility being about 20.
It's all fun until the cartridge goes off!
On an afternoon hunt a weekor so before, Honey HalfLab told me he (or at least a moose) was back there somewhere. She knows her sh*t!
Took this one a week ago during Montana's mid-December "shoulder season," where you can use a general tag on antlerless elk on private land:
Thought it was an average-sized cow, but turned out to be the biggest I've taken, though not quite as big as the "trophy cow" my wife Eileen got a few years ago. The weather turned out to be perfect for aging the meat in our garage, in the 20s at night and low 40s during the day, and we started butchering today. Very tender and good flavor--much better tasting than the "trophy" antlers from past hunts hanging on the walls of the garage!
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Lazed 350 yard shot from prone with a sporterized Mauser in 9,3x62 using a 2x7 leupold with LR Duplex. The 2nd dot which is usually "400 yards" is only 335 yards for my trajectory, so I held just a touch above mid point. 250 grain Barnes TSX at 2465 fps. 58.1 grains of Varget shoots .875" @ 100 yards.
This was Monday morning in New Mexico.
Internet analysis: 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact
Fools & fanatics are always so certain and wise people are always so questioning
I've only killed one cow but I thought that cow tasted better than any other elk I've had. I'd take a cow any day.
Congrats John!
Thanks!
However, one of the best-tasting elk we've taken was a 5-point bull I killed on the 5th of September in 1987, back then opening day of Montana's bow season. He hadn't even thought about going into the rut yet!
But yep, in general cows tend to be tastier and tenderer than bulls.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
Lazed 350 yard shot from prone with a sporterized Mauser in 9,3x62 using a 2x7 leupold with LR Duplex. The 2nd dot which is usually "400 yards" is only 335 yards for my trajectory, so I held just a touch above mid point. 250 grain Barnes TSX at 2465 fps. 58.1 grains of Varget shoots .875" @ 100 yards.
This was Monday morning in New Mexico.
Congrats on the cow Mike! I love seeing stuff like that, when everyone believes these bullets drop out of the sky after 200 yards! Great stuff!
I strongly disagree That is the pic of the Century so far
Heck yeah. Strongly agree with that. Awesome picture!
Six year old granddaughter Anna has hunted with us for three years now. I have four grandchildren and she is the fearless one. Scared of not one thing. She’s been begging us to shoot one for a good while now. Son got a crossbow and she showed us she could shoot it well! She got her chance three weeks ago and made the most of it. She dead centered his oil pump and big brother Hutson insisted on blood trailing it for her, taking her step by step and explaining things as he went along. It was too cute. She refused to wash off the blood until that night in the bathtub.
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
Took this one a week ago during Montana's mid-December "shoulder season," where you can use a general tag on antlerless elk on private land:
Thought it was an average-sized cow, but turned out to be the biggest I've taken, though not quite as big as the "trophy cow" my wife Eileen got a few years ago. The weather turned out to be perfect for aging the meat in our garage, in the 20s at night and low 40s during the day, and we started butchering today. Very tender and good flavor--much better tasting than the "trophy" antlers from past hunts hanging on the walls of the garage!
MD, did you shoot that one with your 6.5 PRC? What are the particulars of what you used? S.
Had a heartbreaker on a giant bull, but was able to fill my cow tag, so I was thankful that we'll be grilling elk burgers this year.
Heartbreakers too often. On a rifle hunt this year a couple of us were laid down one morning watching for elk to move up from lower meadows. Not all the zero scent gear on but pretty clean hunters. We saw two rag horns coming together from a mile or so away. They cut that distance down but we’re way out of good rifle range when a very soft breeze hit the back of my neck. Seconds later those bulls bolted a 180 and gone. Hats off to you guys that go for them with bows, they have noses that are incredible.
Osky
A woman's heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth and I can find no sign on it.
Took this one a week ago during Montana's mid-December "shoulder season," where you can use a general tag on antlerless elk on private land:
Thought it was an average-sized cow, but turned out to be the biggest I've taken, though not quite as big as the "trophy cow" my wife Eileen got a few years ago. The weather turned out to be perfect for aging the meat in our garage, in the 20s at night and low 40s during the day, and we started butchering today. Very tender and good flavor--much better tasting than the "trophy" antlers from past hunts hanging on the walls of the garage!
that’s awesome but I’m confused how you are able to hunt and bag an animal if it is private land?? I assume you are friends with the land owner??
Godogs57 - first of all, great pics of the grandkids! That stuff makes me smile.
Question about the chain link under the whitetail - is that a drag of some sort?
I was there hunting and after the hunt, planned on dragging in oats on a food plot with my tractor. The chain link fence smooths over my seed bed. I thought “well dang, just drive over there and drag his butt back to the truck”. It was in a spot inaccessible by truck. He was a big ol boy. His neck, behind the ears, was bigger around than a five gallon bucket. Took me a while to get him in my truck as I was by myself that day.
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
Godogs57 - first of all, great pics of the grandkids! That stuff makes me smile.
Question about the chain link under the whitetail - is that a drag of some sort?
I was there hunting and after the hunt, planned on dragging in oats on a food plot with my tractor. The chain link fence smooths over my seed bed. I thought “well dang, just drive over there and drag his butt back to the truck”. It was in a spot inaccessible by truck. He was a big ol boy. His neck, behind the ears, was bigger around than a five gallon bucket. Took me a while to get him in my truck as I was by myself that day.
Here's the 5X5 bull I shot last November in the Wallowa Mountains on a brushy bench on a steep slope. I killed it with one shot from my Rem 700 .30-06 using a 168 grain TTSX at about 2900 fps. The bull walked past me at about 30 yards and never saw me.
I got one last fall in Utah. Made a summer scouting trip, went about a week before archery season opened and looked some more and hunted about a week. Went home for a break then back again. Called this guy into 20 yards on 9/11 and made a great shot on him, he only went 15 yards after being hit. Freezers full.
I got one last fall in Utah. Made a summer scouting trip, went about a week before archery season opened and looked some more and hunted about a week. Went home for a break then back again. Called this guy into 20 yards on 9/11 and made a great shot on him, he only went 15 yards after being hit. Freezers full.
Wow! Congratulations!
You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
You are even shorter and uglier than I originally remember. Are you Amish offspring, by chance? Don’t forget those child support payments. That wooly hellhound depends on it to support her new Beau!
Originally Posted by Greenhorn
I got one last fall in Utah. Made a summer scouting trip, went about a week before archery season opened and looked some more and hunted about a week. Went home for a break then back again. Called this guy into 20 yards on 9/11 and made a great shot on him, he only went 15 yards after being hit. Freezers full.
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
Thank goodness you found some flat-lander private land!
Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Took this one a week ago during Montana's mid-December "shoulder season," where you can use a general tag on antlerless elk on private land:
Thought it was an average-sized cow, but turned out to be the biggest I've taken, though not quite as big as the "trophy cow" my wife Eileen got a few years ago. The weather turned out to be perfect for aging the meat in our garage, in the 20s at night and low 40s during the day, and we started butchering today. Very tender and good flavor--much better tasting than the "trophy" antlers from past hunts hanging on the walls of the garage!
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
Took this goofy bull on the second to the last day. Very difficult hunting season. I have never worked harder and covered more ground to see so few elk. The winter of 2022 was extremely hard on the So. Idaho elk and deer herd.
A true sportsman counts his achievements in proportion to the effort involved and fairness of the sport. - S. Pope
2nd to the last day? Couldn't you have waited? Great job!
Originally Posted by centershot
Took this goofy bull on the second to the last day. Very difficult hunting season. I have never worked harder and covered more ground to see so few elk. The winter of 2022 was extremely hard on the So. Idaho elk and deer herd.
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
Took this goofy bull on the second to the last day. Very difficult hunting season. I have never worked harder and covered more ground to see so few elk. The winter of 2022 was extremely hard on the So. Idaho elk and deer herd.
Seen several oddball bulls in the northeast corner of NV, they seem to move out of ID for the winter. 2023 was the worst hunting there in the last 10 yrs.
Eagles may soar, but a weasel never got sucked into a jet turbine!
I got one last fall in Utah. Made a summer scouting trip, went about a week before archery season opened and looked some more and hunted about a week. Went home for a break then back again. Called this guy into 20 yards on 9/11 and made a great shot on him, he only went 15 yards after being hit. Freezers full.
Such an outstanding bull - the mass on that thing! A heavy old bull is what turns my crank...
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Nothing like the king size “Life Alert” around your neck. I guess it has to be armored for when you fall off a tractor so it won’t break when you hit the ground…
Originally Posted by huntsman22
Don't be jealous of THIS monster, greenhorn......grin
#2 son shot a black bear in Lee County, Virginia.....last October. I didn't hunt, as I did much bear hunting in Canada, back when it tickled my flavor-of-the-month fancy. Who cares?
24hourcampfire, HuntTalk, Rokslide? It appears you do more keyboard time than days spent afield.
We are heading to Wyoming this week.
Hint: I don't require approval from internet Goobers, when things go well.
Originally Posted by Greenhorn
My adult kids and woman are all upper echelon. Far more so than the stacks of huge elk.
Good luck to you and your clan on the next outta state cow hunting expedition.
I shot an awesome black bear Friday. My daughter almost nailed a better one last night. Season is long. Enjoy that nice long Iowa spring season.
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
#2 son shot a black bear in Lee County, Virginia.....last October. I didn't hunt, as I did much bear hunting in Canada, back when it tickled my flavor-of-the-month fancy. Who cares?
24hourcampfire, HuntTalk, Rokslide? It appears you do more keyboard time than days spent afield.
We are heading to Wyoming this week.
Hint: I don't require approval from internet Goobers, when things go well.
Originally Posted by Greenhorn
My adult kids and woman are all upper echelon. Far more so than the stacks of huge elk.
Good luck to you and your clan on the next outta state cow hunting expedition.
I shot an awesome black bear Friday. My daughter almost nailed a better one last night. Season is long. Enjoy that nice long Iowa spring season.
I'll be on the lookout for the clown car you're arriving in.
He uses that thing to post hero pics of bunnies, while he's driving.
Originally Posted by shrapnel
Nothing like the king size “Life Alert” around your neck. I guess it has to be armored for when you fall off a tractor so it won’t break when you hit the ground…
Originally Posted by huntsman22
Don't be jealous of THIS monster, greenhorn......grin
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.
First time in my 65 years (58 yrs casting, reloading and hunting), hunting with and then taking a big game animal with factory ammo. Barnes Bullets 300 PRC Vor-Tx LR ammo shooting the 208 gr LRX bullet. On the mountain 9 days in a Springbar tent by myself with no connectivity. Went home and hunted last 3 days from home. Taken on the 9th day of a 9 day hunt. Thankfully help came when I called. Utah DWR says the bull's tooth aged at 12 years of age. Back straps are quite chewy. Bulk of the bull is ground meat. Can't apply for a Utah limited entry tag for 5 years which is fine by me since spikes and cows are tastier.
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That is the pic of the Century so far![[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]](https://i.postimg.cc/s2XFKSy1/IMG-1158.jpg)
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