Hunters elk hunt

[Hunterbug]

I didn't draw an elk tag this year but my oldest daughter, Hunter did. Rabbit Ears pass on the way over wasn't too bad. On the way back it was more like Paul remembers it but it was dark so I couldn't get any pictures.





Here's a pretty nice buck that was saw opening morning but we were after elk.



He had some does with him.



A wooly legged snow spider.



Another OK buck.



Another doe. I could have shot her with my bow.



Where are the elk? It was tough Saturday and Sunday with no real shooting opportunities. Sunday evening a snow storm blew in and gave us 3-4 inches.

Mondays sunrise.



We saw very little sign where I usually hunt so we went to a different are and right away saw lots of fresh tracks. We got up on top of a ridge at up in the valley I watched 6 cows run down and across. The I saw a cow and small bull go just over the hill much closer. We decided to try and put a stalk on them. We were walking along a fence line when suddenly I saw a calf about 20 yards to my right! I called Hunter and she looked and brought her rifle up. I saw some other movement but I was fixated on the calf. Her gun went bang and the calf was still standing there. Did my daughter really just miss that elk at 20 yards? No, she had shot the cow that was next to it. One shot right through the head with a 30-06. Game over!

Hunter and her cow.



Hunter and her trusty guide.



When we were dressing her we found that she had met a porcupine.



Coming down off the hill. I LOVE 4 wheel low.



The truck had fun.



I love Tyvex suits!

[JaDub]

Bravo Guys!!   Hunter........you ROCK girl !!
 
  I`m looking forward to hearing all the details.

[j0e_bl0ggs (deceased)]

Well done! Cool pics too!

[gitano]

OUTSTANDING!
 
Moments in time...
 
Paul

[recoil junky]

Chains, just like parachutes.

My congrats to Hunter and her "guide" :D  Most excellent!!

RJ

[davidlt89]

Congrats to the little lady!!!! Way to go dad! great story! God Bless.

[Vermonster]

Very nice! Congrats to Hunter!!!! (And you too Dad.....)

[Hunterbug]

Thanx, guys. She won't get to hunt next year but I look forward to many hunts after that. She's quite a young woman.

[recoil junky]

She's quite a young woman.

Yes she is. She's like a daughter to me, but don't tell her that.

RJ

[Paul Hoskins]

Congrat's to both of you. Great job & meat on  the table.   ......Paul H

[Hunterbug]

Here's an update. We just got a call from the DOW and Hunters elk tested positive for CWD. So we have to turn the meat in and she gets all of her costs back but not her preference points.

[RatherBHuntin]

bummer.  How much have yall eaten from it?

[gitano]

Don't get preference points back?!!?!?!?! THAT ain't right!
 
 Best to find out soon, but doesn't bode well for the herd!
 
 There's always next year.

[Hunterbug]

Glenn we didn't eat any of it until the results came back. Now she needs to go shoot enough rabbits to make it up.

Paul, the woman said that she got to hunt so that's why she doesn't get her points back. But that doesn't fill the freezer. We talk the meat down to them on Monday and I'll talk to them.

[recoil junky]

We just got a call from the DOW and Hunters elk tested positive for CWD.

That just blows!!!

RJ

[sakorick]

I live in Linn County Missouri, the home of CWD in Missouri.
Missouri’s first cases of CWD were detected in 2010 and 2011 in captive deer at private big-game hunting preserves in Linn and Macon counties. A total of 11 cases of CWD have been confirmed in captive deer at these facilities. CWD has since been found in 10 free-ranging deer within two miles of the captive facility in Macon County. In Missouri, CWD has not been detected outside of small area that borders northeastern Linn and northwestern Macon counties.

Both captive and free-ranging white-tailed deer in Missouri are wildlife.

Since CWD was first found in Missouri in 2010, the Department has intensified efforts to work with hunters, landowners, taxidermists, and meat processors to test free-ranging deer around the state for CWD, especially in the area of north-central Missouri where CWD has been found. This area includes a CWD Containment Zone consisting of six counties: Chariton, Randolph, Macon, Linn, Sullivan and Adair.

MDC has also been working with area landowners and hunters to limit the spread of CWD. Efforts include reducing deer numbers in and discouraging movement of harvested deer carcasses from the area where CWD has been found.
MDC is working with hunters to limit the threat CWD from other states by restricting transportation of harvested deer carcasses into Missouri.
MDC has also been working with the public to limit the spread of CWD to other deer by restricting feeding of deer and eliminating the antler-point restriction in Missouri’s six-county CWD Containment Zone.

This is Missouri's solution to the problem. "MDC has placed a restriction on activities that are likely to unnaturally concentrate white-tailed deer and promote the spread of CWD. The ban on the placement of grain, salt products, minerals, and other consumable natural or manufactured products is limited to the CWD Containment Zone comprised of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph, and Sullivan counties. MDC has rescinded the antler-point restriction (four-point rule) in the CWD Containment Zone comprised of Adair, Chariton, Linn, Macon, Randolph and Sullivan counties. The reason for the regulation change is that management strategies, such as antler-point restrictions, protect yearling males and promote older bucks. Yearling and adult male deer have been found to exhibit CWD at much higher rates than yearling and adult females, so a reduction in the number of male deer can help limit the spread of CWD. The dispersal of yearling males from their natal or birth range in search of territory and mates is also one of the primary ways CWD spreads. A system for Missouri hunters statewide to have harvested deer tested for CWD is not available. MDC will continue to work with hunters in the six-county area of north-central Missouri where CWD has been found to test harvested deer for CWD."

Note that Missouri officially proclaims captive deer to be "wildlife".

There was not one buck seen on my farm during this year's hunting season larger than approximately 130 points. I know of only two 160 point bucks taken this year near 160 points in the surrounding 4 townships.

Houston.......we have a problem. Regards, Rick.

[drinksgin (deceased)]

Very nice, the dead cow,too.
First class freezer stuffings.