The Elk Thread

[Jared.King]

Saw 4 bulls this morning while scouting. BIG 6x6, another nice 6x6, a 5x5 and a raghorn bull. Pretty excited!

[JTeLarkin08]

Originally Posted by ladrones

Little FYI for those coming to NM for Elk.

Prepare yourselves for mask mandates while out using local businesses.
The governor put her mask mandates back in place starting 08/20/21.



In an effort to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases, the governor announced a mask mandate for all public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, which she was hopeful would be enough to blunt the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

“We’re going to use masks and vaccines to blunt the spread of COVID and see if we can’t rebalance where we are as a state, particularly given the Delta variant,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said during a press conference on Tuesday.

The mask mandate will go into place on Friday, Aug. 20 and last until at least Sept. 15

I’ll probably just not wear one like I have the whole time lol


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[Bowtech Lefty]

So I'm new to elk hunting and will be going in a couple weeks. If say I'm fortunate to get one, can you guys with more experience tell me what you do as far as processing it when you get home? I was thinking of turning the straps into steaks and the neck/rib/extra trim into burger. Not sure what to do with the leg quarters? I usually grind my deer hind quarters. I'd love to get some salami and sausage done at the processor, guess I can use the hind quarter for this.

[Slick8]

It's just a really big deer at the end of the day.

Having said that it's way better tasting then WT and among the best of the deer family.

If you do your own or have it done consider having more steaks and or roast cut.

Take a look at some game processing or cooking shows such as the meat eater. He does a great slow cooked roast from the front shoulder blade. I've done this preparation on WT, elk cow and red deer hind which all came out. Steaks from the hind quarter or small roast are great as well.

You'll still have a couple of deer worth of trimmings for sausage. Or better yet use your deer lease wt for sausage.

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[westtexducks]

On mine from last year I had as many steaks as I could made out of it and burger and sausage the rest. I wouldn't want any bit that could be made into steaks as burgers. I just wish I had kept 4 roasts instead of just 2.

Way better than deer. If was wanting salami or sausage etc. Would just use deer meat. Would be a waste of elk meat to me anyway.

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[speck1]

[QUOTE=Bowtech Lefty;15768697]So I'm new to elk hunting and will be going in a couple weeks. If say I'm fortunate to get one, can you guys with more experience tell me what you do as far as processing it when you get home? I was thinking of turning the straps into steaks and the neck/rib/extra trim into burger. Not sure what to do with the leg quarters? I usually grind my deer hind quarters. I'd love to get some salami and sausage done at the processor, guess I can use the hind quarter for this.[/

Tenderized cutlets with most of the hams. Perfect size for chicken fried steak. We cut it into strips and use it in stir fry all the time. Steaks are much bigger than what you would get from a deer. I have them run it thru the tenderized twice. You can plan on 250-300 pounds of boned out meat if you kill a mature bull. Good luck.

[Bowtech Lefty]

Great info guys, thanks!

[solocam_aggie]

Originally Posted by Jared.King

Saw 4 bulls this morning while scouting. BIG 6x6, another nice 6x6, a 5x5 and a raghorn bull. Pretty excited!

Those are some studs! You have me pumped for September.

[wytex]

We get steaks out of every cut we can on elk.
Age it first if you can, before cutting it up.
The flat irons are on those shoulder blades, don't burger or roast them.
Even the shanks are great, ossobuco.
You'll get lots of neck meat, rib trimmings and other trimmings for burger. Parts of the shoulder too go into burger.
The tender lions have a different type of muscle bundles so to speak. They do not all run in 1 direction like deer tenders. It may seem tough but it's just the way the muscles run. Cut across the grain and they are great.
We do add 10% beef suet to our burger, we eat plenty of very lean game meat otherwise.
If you grind your own burger. we made some stew meat by running it through the grinder with the 4 hole plate, 1/2 inch or so big holes.

[Heath]

Just got my Private Land New Mexico tag for Sept 7th - 11th. Myself and a buddy are going with Tao Pueblo and staying in Eagles Nest. I am pumped!

[Bowtech Lefty]

Originally Posted by wytex

We get steaks out of every cut we can on elk.
Age it first if you can, before cutting it up.
The flat irons are on those shoulder blades, don't burger or roast them.
Even the shanks are great, ossobuco.
You'll get lots of neck meat, rib trimmings and other trimmings for burger. Parts of the shoulder too go into burger.
The tender lions have a different type of muscle bundles so to speak. They do not all run in 1 direction like deer tenders. It may seem tough but it's just the way the muscles run. Cut across the grain and they are great.
We do add 10% beef suet to our burger, we eat plenty of very lean game meat otherwise.
If you grind your own burger. we made some stew meat by running it through the grinder with the 4 hole plate, 1/2 inch or so big holes.

Getting as many steaks out of an elk is what I want, thanks for the feedback!

[ladrones]

Originally Posted by Heath

Just got my Private Land New Mexico tag for Sept 7th - 11th. Myself and a buddy are going with Tao Pueblo and staying in Eagles Nest. I am pumped!

Your the first I have personally heard of getting to hunt on the Taos Pueblo. Cannot wait to read all about it.

[El General]

Originally Posted by Heath

Just got my Private Land New Mexico tag for Sept 7th - 11th. Myself and a buddy are going with Tao Pueblo and staying in Eagles Nest. I am pumped!

That is a cool area. Good luck!

[diamond10x]

Originally Posted by Bowtech Lefty

Getting as many steaks out of an elk is what I want, thanks for the feedback!

Just don't cut out too many steaks haha. Even though elk is good, steaks all the time will burn you out on them. Atleast it does to me. Good luck hope you get to cut some!

[MooseontheLoose]

Originally Posted by Heath

Just got my Private Land New Mexico tag for Sept 7th - 11th. Myself and a buddy are going with Tao Pueblo and staying in Eagles Nest. I am pumped!

Awesome! Glad to hear that all worked out after all. Can't wait to see how that goes.

[wytex]

Originally Posted by diamond10x

Just don't cut out too many steaks haha. Even though elk is good, steaks all the time will burn you out on them. Atleast it does to me. Good luck hope you get to cut some!

Steaks can become stew meat or even burger at a later date , but I know what you mean.

[Jmh05]

So I'm on the alternate list with the number 631 of 2799 for the big game combo, which means about ZERO chance of a bull tag.

Fish and game said however I can get a general cow elk tag OTC and a black bear tag OTC, along with a wolf permit.

So looks like cow elk for me.

[jaker_cc]

I’m 7 days out from being in Montana chasing bulls again. We will have 3 days to scout the unit and 8 days of hunting. This year both my buddy and I have a tag so it should be a great trip.

Also, after getting home from Montana I’ll have about 6 days at home before heading to NM to help another friend of mine and his dad try to fill their tags. There will be plenty of days in the elk woods this year.

A few bulls from MT we’ve found so far

[Uncle_Milty]

It’s getting close to go time. My CO-OTC tag just arrived in the mail! Super excited for my first elk hunt. Good luck to all those hitting the elk woods!

[Barrett]

Originally Posted by Mbbriggs05

It’s getting close to go time. My CO-OTC tag just arrived in the mail! Super excited for my first elk hunt. Good luck to all those hitting the elk woods!

Mine did too!!! I may or may not have been packed up for 2 weeks now…
Good luck to you!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by jaker_cc

I’m 7 days out from being in Montana chasing bulls again. We will have 3 days to scout the unit and 8 days of hunting. This year both my buddy and I have a tag so it should be a great trip.

Also, after getting home from Montana I’ll have about 6 days at home before heading to NM to help another friend of mine and his dad try to fill their tags. There will be plenty of days in the elk woods this year.

A few bulls from MT we’ve found so far

Good luck brother! Let me know when you get to the Treasure State!


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[KactusKiller]

Originally Posted by Heath

Just got my Private Land New Mexico tag for Sept 7th - 11th. Myself and a buddy are going with Tao Pueblo and staying in Eagles Nest. I am pumped!

We will be in Questa just north of red river sept 7-14. Talked to the guide today, said they are just starting to bugle, thinking next week could be good. Our compartment sounds steep but gonna give it hell!

[Heath]

Originally Posted by KactusKiller

We will be in Questa just north of red river sept 7-14. Talked to the guide today, said they are just starting to bugle, thinking next week could be good. Our compartment sounds steep but gonna give it hell!

It’s about go time! Bags are packed and we drive out early Sunday morning.

[Uncle_Milty]

Originally Posted by Heath

It’s about go time! Bags are packed and we drive out early Sunday morning.

Leaving my house at 5:30 Sunday as well. Picking up my brother in Aledo and headed to camp in NM for the night!

Good luck to everyone!

[ladrones]

Have a safe trip fellas.

[Jared.King]

Opening day success! Long story short, I called in my bull and made a 56 yard heart shot. Full pass through, hardly reacted to the shot. He took two steps and rolled downhill. Rained on us all night. Tough, rainy pack-out with flooding. Got back yesterday.

[ladrones]

Originally Posted by Jared.King

Opening day success! Long story short, I called in my bull and made a 56 yard heart shot. Full pass through, hardly reacted to the shot. He took two steps and rolled downhill. Rained on us all night. Tough, rainy pack-out with flooding. Got back yesterday.

That was fast. Congratulations.

[Uncle_Milty]

Heck yeah man.......congrats!

[Uncle_Milty]

What unit were you in?

[ZINS708]

Originally Posted by Jared.King

Opening day success! Long story short, I called in my bull and made a 56 yard heart shot. Full pass through, hardly reacted to the shot. He took two steps and rolled downhill. Rained on us all night. Tough, rainy pack-out with flooding. Got back yesterday.

Congrats! I leave for CO on Wednesday. What state were you in?


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[Jared.King]

Originally Posted by Mbbriggs05

What unit were you in?

Originally Posted by zins708

Congrats! I leave for CO on Wednesday. What state were you in?


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Unit 37, NM

[LWC]

Congrats Jared.King!!!!!!!!!! Way to gitterdun!

[justletmein]

Nice, things are heating up!

[TildenHunter]

Congrats on the shot and the bull!

[simek]

Big congrats!

[Bill]

Congratulations!!!

Well, it’s here and I’m pulling out.
Hunt hard and shoot straight.
Watch out for the **** bears.




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[djo51]

Congrats!!! Great bull! Im heading north in the morning. Cant wait

[TradAg02]

Southern Colorado: A few locator bugles just prior to dark each night. Have gotten into exchanges with two bulls. They were responsive, but wouldn’t change their course. Slower than usual in my normal spots. Have been covered up in mule deer bucks (19 so far), but no tag. Only found 4 last year when I had the tag. Saw one really nice bear.


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[simek]

TradAg02, are you running solo again this year? Good luck!

[TradAg02]

Originally Posted by simek

TradAg02, are you running solo again this year? Good luck!

No, with one buddy this week. Coming back for third week with two other guys.


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[solocam_aggie]

Well, this morning was both the most exhilarating hunt of my life and the most heartbreaking hunt. I located a stud bull and after cow calling and raking a cedar, he came straight in to me. I opted to get a little closer and in a drainage that would put me in the perfect position. As soon as I got there I could see antler tips coming in over the cedars. I quickly preranged two bushes in what I thought his path was, threw the rangefinder down and got ready to draw. Very shortly after I could see him quartering to and at the last cedar before being completely in the open. I drew and like a perfect script he turns broadside and continues walking. I know he’s a little farther than the 50 yard cedar I ranged, and with my bottom pin at 55 I whistled and he stopped in what was the most perfect broadside shot I could ever dream of. I held a little high and let it rip, only to watch my arrow fall slightly under. Turns out he was at 70 and completely fooled me. Only the second day in my life elk hunting and I nearly sealed the deal on a brute. I learned to be more diligent in my preranging and a little more patient. Still have plenty of time and a lot of fight left in this guy!


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[Banded Drake Calls]

Keep the updates coming guys! I'm getting pumped, I head out in 6 days

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[lmartin5]

Originally Posted by solocam_aggie

Well, this morning was both the most exhilarating hunt of my life and the most heartbreaking hunt. I located a stud bull and after cow calling and raking a cedar, he came straight in to me. I opted to get a little closer and in a drainage that would put me in the perfect position. As soon as I got there I could see antler tips coming in over the cedars. I quickly preranged two bushes in what I thought his path was, threw the rangefinder down and got ready to draw. Very shortly after I could see him quartering to and at the last cedar before being completely in the open. I drew and like a perfect script he turns broadside and continues walking. I know he’s a little farther than the 50 yard cedar I ranged, and with my bottom pin at 55 I whistled and he stopped in what was the most perfect broadside shot I could ever dream of. I held a little high and let it rip, only to watch my arrow fall slightly under. Turns out he was at 70 and completely fooled me. Only the second day in my life elk hunting and I nearly sealed the deal on a brute. I learned to be more diligent in my preranging and a little more patient. Still have plenty of time and a lot of fight left in this guy!


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Sounds like great fun…stay after it!


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[Backwoods101]

Originally Posted by Bill

Congratulations!!!

Well, it’s here and I’m pulling out.
Hunt hard and shoot straight.
Watch out for the **** bears.




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Heck yeah! Keep the pics coming!


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[WBT]

In for the updates. I'm heading up to Utah in two weeks.

[bowfishin fool]

Tagged


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[Bill]

Originally Posted by solocam_aggie

Well, this morning was both the most exhilarating hunt of my life and the most heartbreaking hunt. I located a stud bull and after cow calling and raking a cedar, he came straight in to me. I opted to get a little closer and in a drainage that would put me in the perfect position. As soon as I got there I could see antler tips coming in over the cedars. I quickly preranged two bushes in what I thought his path was, threw the rangefinder down and got ready to draw. Very shortly after I could see him quartering to and at the last cedar before being completely in the open. I drew and like a perfect script he turns broadside and continues walking. I know he’s a little farther than the 50 yard cedar I ranged, and with my bottom pin at 55 I whistled and he stopped in what was the most perfect broadside shot I could ever dream of. I held a little high and let it rip, only to watch my arrow fall slightly under. Turns out he was at 70 and completely fooled me. Only the second day in my life elk hunting and I nearly sealed the deal on a brute. I learned to be more diligent in my preranging and a little more patient. Still have plenty of time and a lot of fight left in this guy!


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I have to be the one to say it- get closer. A 55 yards shot is still a long shot (by western standards) up or downhill, bad footing, and your heart pounding.

The good news- no harm done, go do it again!


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[Heath]

Bags are packed. We leave at first right for New Mexico.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Backwoods101

Heck yeah! Keep the pics coming!


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I got up to 8,000 feet and there were prints everywhere- but no elk. It’s been warm in SW Montana, the rut and bugling are a couple weeks away.

I’ll be out again tomorrow in the dark.


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[solocam_aggie]

Originally Posted by Bill

I have to be the one to say it- get closer. A 55 yards shot is still a long shot (by western standards) up or downhill, bad footing, and your heart pounding.

The good news- no harm done, go do it again!


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I realized this. I wish I would have waited, but hindsight is always 20/20.


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