RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Only one you say!

Bull Elk, with a TC Contender pistol, .358 Bellm. Fitted with a Swift 1.5-4X or Bushnell Trophy 2-6X pistol scope.

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Hmmmmmm
Ive always wanted to go for moose with my bow. But then again I always wanted to go for elk with my bow.
I think I would have to choose the elk. I dont think anything could beat them coming in screaming and pissing all over themselves, and then gettin a shot at like 20 yards .
But the moose would be a very close second. And then the muley.

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Tally so far,
12 -- Moose
4 -- Elk
2 -- Mulie
0 -- Whitetail

We had a little discussion in a nearby thread about hunters "graduating" to different levels of big game hunting. A few folks got a bit huffy about my relatively low opinion of deer in the grand scheme of things. Looking at this, I'd say when you offer folks a chance to "kick their hunting up a notch" they don't seem to want to fool around in the deer patch --- they want to go places and get after the truely big and uncommon stuff. Big, big animals in far away places --- yes, they are a good thing.

IMHO, those hunters who go and actually pursue these outstanding beasts come back as a whole different class of hunter than before they left. They've graduated to a higher level, seen and done things that others haven't, whether others like it or not -- they are in a different class. I know that in today's Politically Correct world where everyone is supposed to win, and everyone is supposed to be equal, and no one is supposed to be left out, and everyone is supposed to be left feeling warm and fuzzy, that my observation and it probably won't receive too warm of a reception, but that is how I see it and why I personally strive for it.

Good Luck and Good Big Game Hunting,
EKM

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Obviously, by my moniker, I really enjoy whitetail deer hunting. Probably because I can spend the most time chasing this animal because of time constraints/geography, etc., although when hunting animals such as elk and moose, the area you are in and the shear size of these big critters is what I like. Don't get me wrong, whitetails are crafty animals (one of the most) and where I hunt exclusively in this state, there are not high quantities of deer, but there are some healthy, big deer. This state has many, many deer....way too many in certain areas, thus all the CWD crap we get to deal with. The reason I still love it here so much, is that the area I hunt is up in the snow belt (no cwd) right off lake Superior. Deep snow and growing wolf predation in this area keeps the herd in check and I can get in some areas where I wont see a person for days...that I like! Places where deer are running around like rabbits, are the urban areas close to the cities, etc. I refuse to hunt in those areas...it's just not the same.

My point though, is that areas like The Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, a fly in self guided two week hunt in the wilderness of Alaska, boating across big bodies of water, then walking miles across the tundra in Quebec...all of these areas are very special and no doubt, you do grow and come back a different person. Several of these hunts I mention here were done with my Dad before he passed away, and let me tell you, those memories are etched in my head for life! :-)

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Every elk that I have ever killed was with my bow, every one of those was a trophy in my book. Horns or not. I don't gauge the hunt by the size of the rack that I get, but gauge each hunt by the amount of effort that I have put into it, and also by the amount of satisfaction that I have gained. I would rather have a good clean kill on any animal than to sit back and be disappointed that the animal didn't score 10 pts higher. Don't get me wrong, all people have their reasons for hunting, mine are simpler than most. It is my connection with nature that draws me back time and time again, whether it be a trophy moose, or a spike bull. I would like to say that I earned that animals life. I have taken animals from one coast to the other and they ALL did it for me. It doesn't matter what I am hunting as long as I am hunting. Planning on going to Alaska next year to hunt browns with my bow, as far as getting that feeling. I think that this should do it.

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Whitetails & Muskies,
I hear you, family and remote hunts make a bond.

Elkcrazy8,
Brownies with a bow! That will change you! (I hope you make it back! ;))
That is definitely heavy duty, that will put the temper in your steel!

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

I would venture to say for most this includes Trophy Whitetails. I am lucky to have both trophy whitetails and Muley's very close by, however I certainly don't believe common should be confused with complacent or easy. I love hunting the big critters very much but my passion is whitetails for pure trophy hunting. If I was to have to give up hunting whitie's to pursue one other species I simply wouldn't do it.

My number one trip hunt is Sheep, followed by Alaskan/Yukon Moose and Caribou. I guess for your poll you can put me down as Moose but with the provision I can still hunt my Whitetails;)...if not I'll pick Trophy WT's anyday[8D]!

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Interesting poll, but are the results all that surprising given that its posted in the Big Game Forum? What were the results of the poll posted in the deer hunting forum or the turkey hunting forum?

Hunt of a lifetime, money is not issue, why not pick the large majestic beast that a good number of us may never be fortunate enough to hunt. But there are those that live and breathe deer hunting (or whatever) and wouldn't miss it for the world.

I think the underlying premise of the poll is faulty. I don't think you "graduate" to bigger game, you do what you like to do because it makes you happy. The father of a good friend likes to upland birds. Has no interest whatsoever in rifle hunting, duck hunting, etc. Is he somehow a lessor breed of hunter than an elk hunter or a moose hunter? A friend has the opportunity to hunt deer practically in his back yard and loves to do so. So he's a "bambi-popper" that needs to be humbled should he offer an opinion here? I've read the core-lokt message a few times and can honestly say that "bambi-popper" didn't seem to be meant as a term of respect towards a fellow hunter. Any particular issue with using the term "deer hunter".

Your deer hunter might rattle in a buck, an elk hunter might call in a bull, etc. A deer hunter might scout the territory in prep for the season. So might an elk hunter or a moose hunter. Each of them might hike in 3-4 miles to get away from the crowd at the roads and find game on public land. Maybe I'm being naive, but is the biggest difference here the size of the rifle and the amount of meat you end up having to pack out of the woods? I hope it ain't that simple.

Getting out into the Alaskan wilderness in search of a moose probably calls on a lot of outdoor skills that aren't exclusive to hunters. My father worked DFG in Alaska. He never hunted but knew the outdoors. A family friend is a deer and duck hunter, could hike circles around most people, and new flora and fauna like you wouldn't believe. The thought that they somehow "need" to "graduate" to big game makes no sense.

I'm new to hunting so I don't know a heck of a lot. When reading these threads the responses I enjoy are the those where the person says what they use/prefer and why. I read, research, and make up my own mind. That's how I try to formulate my contributions to the discussions. What I find frustrating at times is that I may be on the gray area of having something to contribute but hesitate because I don't want to get slammed for a mistake.

We may have good reason to differ with another forum member's response but there's no need to denigrate a deer hunter just because he had the "audacity" to contribute to the conversation.

There, I've said it. I might get slammed for it but at least I said my bit.

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

Elk will always be #1 in my book
Mule deer
Moose
then Whitetail

RE: Poll: Which Would You Choose?
 

For me it'd be Elk! I've hunted Moose before and when we make it back to Alaska, I will again. But I would love to have a real wall hanger of an Elk by then. 7X7 would be 'bout right!:D

Dave