My 3rd muzzleloader Bull Elk

[IdahoHawken]

Howdy,
Just getting round to posting my adventures from November. On the second day of the season I spotted two bulls high up on an open ridge. There was a intermitent fog, so I used that to cover my stalk. While still trying to get within range, the two bulls retreated into some timber. I thought they had caught scent or noticed me, and that they were gone forever. Turns out, they were just finding a place to bed down out of the wind. When I slowly entered into the timber, I was able to get within 30 yards of this bull. First shot clipped shoulder and lung. He stumbled for a distance, but I was able to follow up right behind him. 2nd shot finished him through lungs. He ended up breathing his last, right at the edge of a pretty incredible cliff. This is the third bull taken with Rachel, my .50 cal using patched round ball. Pionner Mountains, Idaho.

 

[Stykbow]

Congrats on a nice bull! “Rachel” looks like a CVA Hawken. What’s up with the leather wrap? Is it supporting a break or was Rachel just feeling especially sexy that day? Dressed to kill so to speak.

 

[Christophero]

What an adventure. Appreciate you taking us along with the play by play and photo documentation. 30 yards, that was impressive stalking skill, and to follow up with a second shot meant you kept your cool and completed the task. Way to go!

 

[Nodrama43]

man I literally dream of doing this...thanks for the thoughts.

 

[DuncNZ]

Nice Bull . Broken throwback tine so he probably seen combat . A successful stalk is always the highlight of the hunt to me . Well done .
His pedicle is getting short so he may be about 6 - 7 years old

 

[nchawkeye]

Nice, I built a .54 flintlock in the '80s and always dreamed of killing an elk with it...

 

[appalichian hunter]

The leather wrap looks to me like a cow's knee, if so good place to put it as you said it was foggy out. nice bull, one of my bucket list animals to hunt. CONGRATS on a fine animal and stalk.

 

[deermanok]

Congrats on a fine bull.

 

[IdahoHawken]

Thanks All,

Stykbow,
Rachel was made up from a Traditions kit. Regarding the leather wrap. The first time I took her out elk hunting, three years ago, the wedge fell out. I was camping and managed to make and emergency one out of a large screw. I somehow happened to keep a file in my trucks tool kit. The emergency one fitted a little loose and stuck out the sides. I didn't want it to fall out while hunting, so I made that leather wrap out of a scrap of leather and a leather shoe lace. I made it so it would prevent me from loosing the wedge and I could continue the hunt. I have sinced made a good wedge for it but still like having the leather wrap threre. I also keep a leather cover over the muzzle as I usually hunt in snow. I will take it off when I'm stalking up on something. It happens to be off in the photo as I had just been firing the rifle.

 

[appalichian hunter]

I stand corrected.

 

[moose23]

Congrats!! Great story, thanks for sharing

 

[Brokennock]

Congratulations. Great story, nice bull.
Bookmarked this as a reference for the next, "is .50 caliber enough gun for _____?" thread.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Okie Hog]

Congrats on the nice bull elk.

 

[DuncNZ]

You can't dream about these things , you have to get up and go while you can ,memories are a lot better than dreams . Dreams are for when you an no longer get up and go

 

[Loja man]

That is a amazing elk!!! Well done!

 

[Urban Coyote]

Dandy bull, nice job, congratulations!

 

[Idaho Ron]

Nicely done.

 

[FiremanBrad]

Outstanding job!!

 

[SDSmlf]

Congratulations. Great story, nice bull.
Bookmarked this as a reference for the next, "is .50 caliber enough gun for _____?" thread.
Thank you for sharing.

Why stop at 50 caliber patched roundball as best option for elk when a 22 can take down a grizzly. Here is another reference to bookmark.
https://survivalcommonsense.com/world-record-grizzly-killed-with-22-caliber-rifle/

 

[rusty]

that's what it is all about, congratulations