Winter Elk Hunt (Pic Heavy)

[jkbrea]

I went with my brother back to Jackson, Wyoming to fill a last tag. I got a young bull in October but he was unsuccessful on a remaining tag. Wyoming lets you put in for a one week block on hunting management areas if you don't fill your tag on the listed dates. He put in for the first week of December for the National Elk Refuge. The weather was actually pretty nice compared to last year. Mostly low teens to 30. Last year was always well below zero the whole time. The elk start migrating in when the snow starts. One day there are no elk and then you see hundreds in the distance making their way in. The problem is, they see you too. It's not as easy as it sounds. We helped a friend get a very nice cow the first day and a couple days later my brother got a 1 1/2 year old calf. We hiked several miles stalking small herds unsuccessfully until we finally got one.

On one stalk we saw a herd of about 20, mostly cows, which is all you are allowed on the refuge. We went a round about way using a hillside and several depressions for cover. After 2 hours when we were about 900 yards away I saw three wolves higher up stalking the same herd. They sure can move quick. We had no chance and they spooked the herd up higher way out of our range and too far to follow. Bison season was also on and we saw several small groups and one large herd of about 150. We also saw dozens of bald eagles, moose and a large herd of bighorns that were hanging out near the access roads and parking areas licking the bumpers and tires of all the trucks. They sure weren't afraid. It was a great time as usual in Wyoming. What a beautiful state.





Saw a hunter take one of the last bison in this line. What a big creature!

This was a huge moose on the roadside

An old homestead basement we took shelter in while it was windy. Found out it was from 1910.

A different homestead north of town

The Snake River

Dragging out the elk. Glad it was a calf.

[jeepnik]

Great pics. But I was beginning to worry that you thought all those other critters were elk.

[wolfdog]

Beautiful! Looks to cold for my thinned out blood though.

[Griff]

Great pics. But I was beginning to worry that you thought all those other critters were elk.

+1!

[Rube Burrows]

Im jealous.

[BrentD]

Looks like great groceries!

But where is the snow? That stuff you have on the ground hardly counts. Shouldn't it be about 5-10 times deeper?

Cold here. Watched a deer chase a coyote tonight. Won't be eating as well as you this winter if I don't do better?

[.45colt]

Thanks for the pic's . Great animals. .

[Marc]

Looks like a fun trip. I love elk hunting. And the meat is good too.

[gamekeeper]

Really great photos, I had to put another log on the fire after looking at them....

[Nath]

One state I would love to see!

Thanks.

N.

[Sixgun]

Very cool and interesting pics. I'm sitting here and work and my buds here never saw anyting like that.-----------6