Elk hunting... never been. what should I know?

[MoeMag]

Alright my friend and her mom both have elk tags and asked me to go with them this week. they live out of state and I havent seen her in a long time so im really looking foward to it.
I have never been hunting for anything. not really sure Im too keen on the idea, but any chance to hang out is great. her mom used to bow hunt with her ex husband and knows whats up.

anyway I would love to hear what im in for. (regarding the hunting)

I have my rem 700sps in 30-06 which is going with.
Should I take my 28" rem 870 super mag? 00?3" 1oz. slugs?
out of all my guns tho my ar-15(.223) is my baby that I really understand. should I even consider getting that 5rd mag for it and taking it with?

what kind of yardage should I be expecting?

I dunno squat about hunting.

[BeaverEater]

im not sure about AZ but wisconsin requires hunter safety certification to be able to go hunting. You might also need a tag to be able to carry a weapon out on the hunt, not 100% sure but something you need to look into. If your serious about it head out to your local hunting shop and pick up the regs for elk hunting where your going. They often have tips in them along with what and what not to do.

For what weapon to take your best bet would be the 30-06. The .223 would be a very small round to go elk hunting with. Ive seen deer get shot multiple times with a .223 and still not go down. Im not saying it wont take it down, but it will be harder and you may have to track them longer. The 870 slug wouldn't be bad depending on the area your hunting. They are limited on their range but do have the best take down power out of your weapons.

As for hunting conditions your going to want to check the weather and be sure to take clothing appropriate for hot and cold. As for camping gear it depends on where your going. I would talk with them and try to figure out what to get. Your also going to want to bring a good knife incase you do shoot an elk.

[maxama10]

Take a good pair of binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Bino's are a must though...

30.06 As mentioned though, check to see if you can have a weapon on the hunt.

I know here in NV they can take all your personal property used (truck, rifle, everything) in a hunt if convicted of Poaching. Not to say youre a poacher, just saying it is better to avoid any trouble with game wardens at all.


Be safe.

[maxama10]

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_rules.shtml

enjoy

[skife]

.223 is a varmet rifle, it works best for shooting coyotes, coons, fox's, possums, prarie dogs and terroriest.

[lather]

If you see sasquatch, dont mess with him.

[bornl33t]

Take a good pair of binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Bino's are a must though...

30.06 As mentioned though, check to see if you can have a weapon on the hunt.

I know here in NV they can take all your personal property used (truck, rifle, everything) in a hunt if convicted of Poaching. Not to say youre a poacher, just saying it is better to avoid any trouble with game wardens at all.


Be safe.

DNR....Guilty until proven otherwise. Nazi's......

[Spider-TW]

My in-laws elk hunt NM fairly often. Stick with the 30-06. Some guides scoff at 25-06. I would leave the rest, especially the 223. The 870 may be nice for whatever invades your camp, but probably not worth the weight. You're shooting at good rifle range in NM, I expect AZ will be at least as far.

Is it state park or private? Some places you hike everywhere, so weight and weather are most important. Think WAY outdoors.

Also, figure out what you will do with an elk if you get one. Getting them home is half the trick. Like a small horned horse (not miniature). Take a good knife (always), and a small sharpener if you will be doing the work on the animal and haven't tried it before. An elk is a big carpet to learn on.

They are good eating. That I am sure of.

[MoeMag]

knife isnt a problem.

A no go on the AR . and a mixed review about the 12g slug launcher.

How far I should expect to take a shot ? 150yds or less I would def take the 870


hauling it out... yeah I have no idea to even go about that... I hope she does.
cut it up in little parts i suppose.

[maxama10]

Not sure about elk, but my last deer I shot at around 200 then 400 yrds. with a .308

Thats in Northern Nevada. Pretty mountainous

[Army]

Elk are big tough animals. .30-'06 is good, but keep it 200gr and more, there is a lot of bone and muscle to get through before it can get to the boiler room. 7mm Magnum is also a good Elk round. You have to figure on a 300+yd shot, so you need a heavy bullet that will retain enough energy at that distance and still punch through. Oh, be ready for some long walks in the forest at high altitude. Arizona ain't all flat desert. Plan for cold and wet too.

Double check all Arizona game regulations, and make sure you can use their tags as an out-of-state hunter. You may have to pony up some change.

Leave the shotgun and AR at home

Let's recap: A girl AND her Mom that like to hunt big game............

.........MARRY HER

[MoeMag]

Elk are big tough animals. .30-'06 is good, but keep it 200gr and more, there is a lot of bone and muscle to get through before it can get to the boiler room. 7mm Magnum is also a good Elk round. You have to figure on a 300+yd shot, so you need a heavy bullet that will retain enough energy at that distance and still punch through. Oh, be ready for some long walks in the forest at high altitude. Arizona ain't all flat desert. Plan for cold and wet too.

Double check all Arizona game regulations, and make sure you can use their tags as an out-of-state hunter. You may have to pony up some change.

Leave the shotgun and AR at home

Let's recap: A girl AND her Mom that like to hunt big game............

.........MARRY HER

Alright a no go on the AR and the shotgun. (ar might go for some targets if things get boring tho)

but yes. A girl AND her mom.
Met her about 6 years ago, she used to own part of my ranch before we bought it from them a little less than a year ago. she was the best girl next door. really didnt realize how much I missed her till she left tho. She has gone paintballing with friends and I a number of times too... so yeah.
I would like to keep her.

[Spider-TW]

You may hit an elk at 150 with a shotgun, but it would have to be a heart shot to kill at 150. 150 yds should be about average. It's possible to rattle them up into the brush for a 50 yd shot, but it's pretty exciting and very quick when they bust through the brush (have a partner ready and don't shoot the guy looking for an elk fight on public land , elk are big enough that you will feel the ground rattle when they run that close).

They hear and smell well, so wind direction is a must.

To get anything big off the mountain, you quarter them up and pack them down, or draw straws. "Wait here while I go get the truck/four wheeler" means "stay here and see if a bear comes and eats it while I get the vehicle." Probably not a lot a bears in AZ, but you should ask. There are a few blacks in NM.

Sight in at 200 yds if you don't know the 'point blank' range of the ammo you are shooting. If you have some info on your ammo, check the ballistics on it just to get an idea about where it will fly.

[MoeMag]

-24 hours ago

Well it was a fun romp in the woods at least.
every water puddle and stock pond was ice every morning and there was snow from a few nights before left over.

We saw 5 since Tuesday night, but I never got a clean shot.
Well... her mom had a great shot less than 100yds, but she jammed her gun up right when it counted.
-had 3 rounds in her 3 round mag + 1 in the chamber. Then unloaded the gun, took the mag out and what did she do... put the 4th one into the mag. then tried to load it. no bueno. I was on the other side of the hill with my gun so no go.