nuyrkhunta

I'm trying for the once in a lifetime miracle for a quality Elk hunt. I researched until my fingers and phone ear fell off. I think I may have made a decision for BC and picked an outfitter. Anyone hear of Sawtooth?

I will of course listen to any other suggestions. I'd love to go bow but don't think I may be able to go twice so I opted for gun to increase the odds.

The experience is obviously the most important part and I'm all for the horseback-tent routine..

Folically Challenged

I'm not familiar with 'em, but others here might have. I know Shato had a great experience in BC with his outfitter.

I've used an outfitter in the East Kutenays whoruns a top-notchcamp, and they also speakextremely well of their neighboring outfitter. PM me if your interested.

My experience is that they've definitely got the game up there, but you're going to have to work for it. Last year, they went 1 for 6 on elk the week I was there. This year, we went3 for 6.Not coincidentally,the three of us who were the most ambulatory were the ones who scored. So get in shape, & beprepared for a gruelling (but SATISFYING!) hunt.

Good Luck,

FC

nuyrkhunta

FC, sent you a PM.

Folically Challenged

Your reply should be waiting.

Good Luck,

FC

ShatoDavis

I don't have any experience with sawtooth. I had two tremendous trips to the Kootenay's. I'm going to second FC's comments that you better be in excellent shape. My last trip I hunted for6 hard days before I scored. Most others had quit by then. My outfitters other camps had poor results because the hunters wouldn't hunt in bad weather and where too lazy to climb the mountains. The mountains in BC are steep and rough so be prepared.

ShatoDavis

FC,

I'm still waiting on those pics. After all the encouragement I gave, I should at least have earned some pictures.

Folically Challenged

All right, all right already!!!!!!!

Try these on for size:
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/jkubesch/Sept.07047.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/jkubesch/Sept.07041.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd77/jkubesch/Sept.07038.jpg

This was the 4th bull we'd called-in over a 24 hour period. There was 5x5 with another debatable "nub" that we got within about 15 feet, but I let him pass, and we got this one about 45 minutes later.

It was flirting with darkness, and I was flirting with exhaustion. After climbing through an a$$-load of scrub on a steep hillside in a futile attempt to locate an alleged horse trail, I was just longing for the couch at the lodge and a whiskey. I was just starting to jab at the outfitter over the quality of his so-called trail, when this bull bugled fairly close by.

Over the next 10 minutes, he called the critter in with cow & calf calls, & I got an offhand shot at him at about 60-ish yards. It felt like a good shot, but I lost the sight picture. The guidesaid thatI'd hit him, & told me to circle around the bush behind which I was hiding, & administer the kill shot. When I got set up, I found the bull in the same spot, but facing almost directly away from me. Iaimed offhandjustbehind the right frontshoulder, squeezed the trigger, & the bull dropped on the spot.

Iwas feeling awfullygood about my marksmanship 'til the guide duga slug out of the bull's left temple, just below the base of the antler! I suppose that's why I was hunting so large a critter: even a miss can still put 'em down! The 1st shotentered behind the shoulder, passing through fairly far back. I thought I'd gut shot him, but there was nothing but lung material coming out: no guts. This was 1 bull that wasn't laughing at the impotence of the outdated .30-'06. I used Hornady Factory 165 grain interbonds, and the recovered slug looked picture-perfect. I 'm quite pleased with their performance.

If you let yourself get taken-in by the "antler porn" in all the magazines, then my bull's not much to look at. But there sure as hell wasn't any fence for kilometers around, and I expended an awful lot of sweat & calories to find him.My bull wasn't born in any test tube,nor was heraised on ground corn & mineral blocks. I earned that animal, & I'll have the memories of that hunt for a lifetime.

ShatoDavis

FC,

terrific bull. You definately should be proud of him. I know how hard you had to work for him.....

tangozulu

Thanks for sharing and congrats on a great, public land, OTC, free range mature Bull.
You earned it.

nuyrkhunta

Thanks all for the comments loved the pixs.