- Joined
- Dec 1, 2015
- Messages
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I went for a hunt down in southern NM (Unit 34) last week. There was lots of elk sign, and some areas had grass stalks as high as my chest. The second day we were driving up the road in the dark and spotted 7 bulls feeding in a meadow next to the road. We parked about 1/4 mile further up, and we hiked up the hill next to the meadow, since I figured they'd be headed into the woods at first light. It was very steep, and covered with deadfall. It wasn't a fun climb. It was fairly open on top, and I stayed on the edge of the opening as I walked towards the elk. Turns out I was lost in the fog, and made a big circle. About the time I got back to where I started, I spotted an elk in the woods about 100 yards out. I tried to kneel or sit to shoot, but couldn't see the elk. I stood back up and a spike bull stepped into a tiny opening. I took an off-hand shot.
It wasn't the best shot I've ever made, but when I ducked under the smoke, I could see he was down. The bullet broke his spine, and glanced down into lungs and liver. I found the cup of the bullet in the liver, and the lead under the hide on the far side of the lungs. I'm a meat hunter, and this was an either sex hunt, so I was very happy with a spike. I wouldn't have minded a 6x6, because the antlers are worth $18/lb., but it would have been heavier.
Of course we butchered it in the field. My hunting buddy is 15 years younger than me, but overweight and a bit of a wimp. I carried out the hind quarter, backstrap, and head, and he carried out a front quarter. The second trip was much easier because in the light we found a better way up. My buddy with a mule left the area before I shot the elk.
We were hunting in a CWD area, and Game & Fish had a check station set up. By having your animal tested, you're entered into an oryx drawing. Last year the odds were 750:1. This is NM, last in everything good, and first in everything bad, so I'll get the results of the test in about 6 months.
I shoot an old Kahnke .50 with a 30" barrel using 125 gr. of powder and #11 caps. The bullet retained 93% of its weight, which seemed a little too much considering it hit bone. I've used the same bullet to kill 4 elk in the past, but they were modified by Outlaw State Bullets by rounding the tip and adding a hollow point. Those have been very effective, dropping 3 out of 4 on the spot without hitting bone. Speer makes a 400 gr. bullet, which I believe is a bit softer.
It wasn't the best shot I've ever made, but when I ducked under the smoke, I could see he was down. The bullet broke his spine, and glanced down into lungs and liver. I found the cup of the bullet in the liver, and the lead under the hide on the far side of the lungs. I'm a meat hunter, and this was an either sex hunt, so I was very happy with a spike. I wouldn't have minded a 6x6, because the antlers are worth $18/lb., but it would have been heavier.
Of course we butchered it in the field. My hunting buddy is 15 years younger than me, but overweight and a bit of a wimp. I carried out the hind quarter, backstrap, and head, and he carried out a front quarter. The second trip was much easier because in the light we found a better way up. My buddy with a mule left the area before I shot the elk.
We were hunting in a CWD area, and Game & Fish had a check station set up. By having your animal tested, you're entered into an oryx drawing. Last year the odds were 750:1. This is NM, last in everything good, and first in everything bad, so I'll get the results of the test in about 6 months.
I shoot an old Kahnke .50 with a 30" barrel using 125 gr. of powder and #11 caps. The bullet retained 93% of its weight, which seemed a little too much considering it hit bone. I've used the same bullet to kill 4 elk in the past, but they were modified by Outlaw State Bullets by rounding the tip and adding a hollow point. Those have been very effective, dropping 3 out of 4 on the spot without hitting bone. Speer makes a 400 gr. bullet, which I believe is a bit softer.
