So, if you could only hunt one or the other of mule deer or elk which would you hunt???? And why???
Go...
Go...
Which is your favorite?
- Thread starter ScottR
- Start date
elk.
because I like elk meat more then I do deer.
but I suppose it would really depend on a lot of things , such as time of year ,how big of a buck or bull is realistic to expect in said unit, weather(I do not particularly enjoy hunting when it is 100 out).
in the end ,I would LIKE to kill a huge mule deer buck but I would LOVE to kill a monster bull elk
because I like elk meat more then I do deer.
but I suppose it would really depend on a lot of things , such as time of year ,how big of a buck or bull is realistic to expect in said unit, weather(I do not particularly enjoy hunting when it is 100 out).
in the end ,I would LIKE to kill a huge mule deer buck but I would LOVE to kill a monster bull elk
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I have to say mule deer. I have killed a ton of them and am a much better deer hunter than elk hunter. Got started elk hunting later in life and still have a lot to learn. Big mule deer stir my blood!
Don K
Very Active Member
Elk.... There is NOTHING I have found that matches having a bull screaming his head off in bow range.
Colorado T
Active Member
Wow, this is a tough one for me. I don't think there is anything better than a massive mulie buck! However like Don said, having a screaming bull within bow range is chilling. I don't think I can decide, I want both.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Elk by a landslide... But both are a blast to hunt.
Elk provide a lot more meat per animal.
Elk taste better.
Elk can be called in much easier than a mule deer can.
Elk bugle.
Elk have ivories.
....
Elk provide a lot more meat per animal.
Elk taste better.
Elk can be called in much easier than a mule deer can.
Elk bugle.
Elk have ivories.
....
6mm Remington
Very Active Member
Crap I hate all that common sense logic you just listed! Crap! Man that's a tough one.
A huge 6 point bull, beautiful, majestic, amazing
A huge 4x4 or 5x5 dark horned mule deer with a great basket shaped rack with deep forks and did I mention heavy and dark horned! Oh my. I'm calling this one a tie!
JimP
Administrator
I'll take mule deer any day over elk.
When I first started hunting in Utah you had a 5 year wait between elk tags so elk were never really thought of that much. Deer on the other hand were everywhere. There were mass exoduses from the cities to the hills the Friday night before deer season opened, bumper to bumper going up the canyons. Schools gave us 1/2 a day off on Friday and around 10 years later they gave the hole day off just because there would be no one in class anyway. It seamed that the whole state lived for the deer hunt.
I have also found it harder to find and take a huge mule deer, elk on the other hand seam too easy. At least for me as long as I have a tag for one.
When I first started hunting in Utah you had a 5 year wait between elk tags so elk were never really thought of that much. Deer on the other hand were everywhere. There were mass exoduses from the cities to the hills the Friday night before deer season opened, bumper to bumper going up the canyons. Schools gave us 1/2 a day off on Friday and around 10 years later they gave the hole day off just because there would be no one in class anyway. It seamed that the whole state lived for the deer hunt.
I have also found it harder to find and take a huge mule deer, elk on the other hand seam too easy. At least for me as long as I have a tag for one.
For me it would have to be elk hands down. I have taken many mule deer in my 40+ years of hunting, a few real boomers too.
Elk are still relatively new to me, I took my first in '96 and have taken several cows since then. My son took his bull two years ago and I have been in on the kill with all of my brother's 5 or 6 elk in AZ, all bulls in the last 14 years and the thrill is the same as if I had pulled the trigger myself.
I also will add that all our elk are DIY on public land.
Elk are still relatively new to me, I took my first in '96 and have taken several cows since then. My son took his bull two years ago and I have been in on the kill with all of my brother's 5 or 6 elk in AZ, all bulls in the last 14 years and the thrill is the same as if I had pulled the trigger myself.
I also will add that all our elk are DIY on public land.
Last edited:
RICMIC
Veteran member
Deer, because the buck that keeps me awake at night still eludes me. I can solo hunt mule deer, go almost anywhere they chose to live, and still have a hope of getting them out on my back. I have been fortunate to NOT get an elk over several hunts because I definitely wasn't prepared for the aftermath. After four successful guided elk hunts in the past 11 years, I hope to get at least a couple more before the clock runs out. tic, tic, tic........
Well, I posted this in Elk. However, my dream is to kill a giant non-typical buck! That is what I spend my effort on!They both force you to go to the best and wildest places....
I would choose elk. A bull bugling is one of my favorite sounds.
Thankfully we don't HAVE to make that choice.....
Catahoula12
Very Active Member
Nothing like a crazed bull elk screaming like a freight train through the trees towards you during archery season (rut). They (elk) do get crazy stoooopid sometimes. Elk is my choice first.
sneakypete
Veteran member
Well, I really like hunting mule deer and there's nothing like a mule deer to stop and turn just before he leaves the area. That being said watching a bull elk herd his cows, bugle and fight off other bulls. I'd rather hunt MOOSE! Bigger is better. Sorry I had too.
very hard question to answer.
my favorite animal to hunt is , whichever prey I am after on that given day .from rabbit to upland game ,from predators to elk I love em all.
yesterday was out hunting them prairie goats and saw some HUNS and thought to self," self, it's time to break out the scatter gun!"
my favorite animal to hunt is , whichever prey I am after on that given day .from rabbit to upland game ,from predators to elk I love em all.
yesterday was out hunting them prairie goats and saw some HUNS and thought to self," self, it's time to break out the scatter gun!"
Last edited:
JimP
Administrator
And you didn't get the scatter gun out?
I have learned over the years to always pack one in the truck or 4 wheeler when out hunting. There are too many opportunities to get birds not to.
I have learned over the years to always pack one in the truck or 4 wheeler when out hunting. There are too many opportunities to get birds not to.
ColoradoV
Very Active Member
- Oct 4, 2011
- 820
- 941
If I am looking for something to eat give me a elk or more specifically a younger cow to rag 5..
But nothing compares to the total experience of finding and taking a big mule deer in high country on public land. For me it will never get old and is hands down my favorite hunt.
But nothing compares to the total experience of finding and taking a big mule deer in high country on public land. For me it will never get old and is hands down my favorite hunt.
no. MANY OF MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO THAT, I tend to focus on only the one thing I am hunting on any given day.
that is of coarse concerning big game.
when predator hunting ,I focus on predators. and when bird hunting I focus on birds.
have missed out on some opportunities over the years because of this but it's just the way I roll.
lol. reminds me of a hunt I brought my nephew on. we were hunting elk . he had tag,I did not,
we ran across some bobcat tracks in the fresh snow. he was excited and asked ," if we see it can I shoot it?"
I answered,"it's open and it's your hunt . if you want to ,go ahead." about ten minutes later ,I poked my head over a rise and saw a big bull elk. I quickly ducked down and told him, " there he is!"
my nephew said," the bobcat!"
I answered , "no man, it's a big bull . forget the stupid bobcat , we're elk hunting!"