Colorado First backpacking OTC public land unguided Elk hunt

[dzlfarmboy]

So after tons of research over the last year me and my friend set out of Maryland in the Mega Cab all loaded up and headed out west to Colorado for our very first big game elk hunt. It was on public land and unguided. We backpacked in and setup camp. We were up high in 1000+ ft at first and saw a lot of hunters, snow and few tracks. Saw some cows but not much. So we went to plan B Monday at a lower elevation around 7-8kft and no snow. Saw a good heard across the canyon first afternoon at 1400yds and spotted a good bull. Closed the distance to 800 and setup. My first shot nicked his back and I corrected and anchored him quickly with the second one after he ran 20yds. Super pumped!!! Then the worked began. Packed him all out in the Eberlestock's two miles thought the hills and two trips later( most physically challenging thing I've ever done but soo worth it.

It wasn't until Friday we spotted another good lonely bull at 1000yds, we closed the distance to 688yds and my buddy thumped him hard. We used my custom Beanland 7mm rem mag suppressed shooting the 180 bergers on both and they performed awesome. Couldn't be happier with our hunt and experience we had. Here's pics of both our bulls and also good videos of the shots I took with my iPhone through my vortex spotter






Videos of both

http://m.youtube.com/channel/UCECG1n5sTjCuRoyzkPhtzqQ

 

[sheephunter]

Those are fine public land bulls, but I'm going to come "out of the closet" here and say that I am not at all impressed with them being shot from 7-8 football fields away. Just my opinion, but I think our public land game animals deserve to be actually hunted and not sniped at from that distance.
I'm sure I'll stir up a big hornet's nest with this.

 

[BKC]

Those are fine public land bulls, but I'm going to come "out of the closet" here and say that I am not at all impressed with them being shot from 7-8 football fields away. Just my opinion, but I think our public land game animals deserve to be actually hunted and not sniped at from that distance.
I'm sure I'll stir up a big hornet's nest with this.

Yes, the hornet's nest is offically stirred.

 

[dzlfarmboy]

Everyone has their own opinion, long range shooting is a big hobby of mine and I do it weekly out past those ranges. Wouldn't do for us all to be the same.

 

[Musket Man]

Congrats on your bulls! I will just say that long range shooting (anything over about 400 yards) at anything besides target shooting is a touchy subject around here at best. Many members here myself included have very strong feelings about it 1 way or the other and it usually turns ugly in a hurry.

 

[CoHiCntry]

As long as long range hunting increases success rates it will continue to have a huge following (and getting bigger all the time). Guy's want to be successful and if that means shooting 600-800 yards then that's what they'll do. Not something I'm interested in but we all view things differently. Congrats on your bulls! Sounds like a fun hunt, glad you were able to take a couple down doing it the hard way! Packing a big bull on your back for any distance is no small feet...

 

[Work2hunt]

Congrats on a couple nice bulls and glad to hear you did it yourself!

 

[dewey]

Congratulations on both of you getting a bull. I am not sure why everyone is so touchy about long range shooting he clearly said that he routinely shoots at that distance weekly. If he is comfortable taking that shot more power to them.

Congratulations on the shots and the bulls.

Dewey

 

[ando_31]

Congrats on some public land animals! Not only did you have to find the animals, you had to outsmart the other hunters. That's a true public land trophy.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Very cool bulls and congrats.

Everyone has their opinion on long range hunting. There are other threads to express your opinion on it. Let's not make this one I have to moderate because it gets ugly.

Thanks

 

[JEandAsGuide]

Congrats on 2 good public land bulls!!

 

[In God We Trust]

Great bulls guys. Another thread ruined by someone sharing their feelings on long range shooting. Some like it and some don't, enough threads have been crapped on because of peoples feelings on this. Please keep them to yourself.

 

[lostriverproductions]

congrats on the bulls, and doing it yourself. Heck of a shot as well congrats

 

[tttoadman]

2 for 2 is hard to beat. Closing distance and still having a long one usually means that was all you were going to get without losing an opportunity. You guys are obviously confident in your ability, and that practice paid off. Nice job.

 

[Engideer]

Great Bulls and what sounds like a fun hunt! I know what you mean about the pack outs. Way to get it done!

 

[buckbull]

Did you ride that bull to exhaustion or kill em' with the rifle? Just kidding . Those are some outstanding shots at that range. Wish I could shoot that well.

 

[AnthonyVR]

Practice pays off. Great job on two very nice bulls!

 

[sjsmallfield]

Congrats to both of you on a couple great public land trophies. Hope you stick around.

 

[sneakypete]

Good for you guys! I loved the video's and the EXCITEMENT in your voices! You put the effort in and the reward follows!

 

[dzlfarmboy]

Thanks fellas, the experience was awesome. Plan to head out west every fall for some type of hunt from now on. Sure beats stand hunting whitetails here in the flatlands of Maryland.