Boarman03

Well, I put in for the Elk Muzzle Hunts. We t got the earlier dates. It will be my first ever Elk Hunt if I get drawn, just like my Mule Deer last year. I know I need to get to know the area a little before I go, but what is a good video on how to call them in? Where can I find out about their habits and preferences, besides water. Won't know the area until the draw, if I get drawn, but I thought I would start learning now. My Muzzle loader will shoot a 45 cal 300 grain bullet at 2424fps past 600 yards, but I don't want to push more than 500. At 321 yards my Mule Deer only made it about 30 yards before it dropped and was finished. The arrowhead NSR bullet left a huge hole for the exit, about a silver dollar in size, so the bullet had plenty of energy. Calling an Elk on, during rut, would be preferred. If you highly successful elk hunters would give this old man some pointers, by pm if you prefer, I would greatly appreciate it. I've got to try and make up for lost time. At over 60, the clock is definitely ticking. Thanks guys. Russ

Bought mine from Todd South, Southern X-Press Custom Rifles. He's actually a dealer. Used them on my Muley hunt. Very Clear, and they range very well, as my Muley found out. That Muley is on my back in my profile picture.

Thanks! All good input. I do understand where you hit them, type of projectile, Ballistic Coefficient for the distance, and the bullet's Kinetic Energy at point of impact are all important factors to a successful humane taking of the animal. According to Colorado's Parks and Wildlife, the minimum Ballistic Energy required to kill an Elk is 1500ft-lbs. while only 1000ft-lbs is required for Whitetail. Since those are minimums, knowing the ballistics of your ammo in your gun at the different ranges, distances, is very important. I understand that. There are many nice calculating programs out there to help. I have the data for my gun out to 600+ yards. That's why I could down the Muley at 321 yards with the wind gusting. Todd South is extremely knowledgeable as well as being a fantastic rifle builder. I now need to learn everything I can about Elk's habits, preferences, and needs for different times of the fall in Arizona. I need to learn how to very effectively call them in, learn what helps to attract them legally, when do they move around, bed down, etc.

OK.

Hey if you can't hold it for Vowell, I'll drive from Mesa and pick it up for him. He helped a bunch of people when they needed ammo without scalping them. He's good people. Let me know. Russ

Picked up. Great guy.

I love my pair.

I'll take it.

Thanks Crazymonkey. You've been very helpful. I actually put in for the earlier hunts to avoid the cold, then found out that is when they probably rut. My bad back reduces my mobility and some ability. I have a crossbow permit but haven't had any practice with it yet. Probably time to learn. I wonder if COVID got more people to try to hunt? Some of us are aging out and want to accomplish some hunts before we go "Home". A good friend of mine put in for hornless Elk for the first time since 1985. He was born here and I grew up here. Too bad we don't get points for how many years we've lived here and paid taxes. We both sacrificed a lot for our families, no regrets from me, but one of his kids and his wife went off the deep end and he just finished going through a very nasty, expensive divorce. We hunted his small parcel in Texas for hogs, him every year but me every five if I could get away since 2008. 20 hours is a long drive each way. He's probably going to sell it next year.Too hard to manage from a distance and another friend that lives there has been over hunting it and dong nothing with the money that he was given to manage it. He fired him last November. So I've tried duck hunting, had to urban hunt coyotes that were attacking my sheep, and I've now gone on one Mule deer hunt, and it was very successful. I try to guarantee my success in all I do by being prepared in advance as much as possible and seeking wisdom from those more experienced. Thank you again for your help.

Well, at least getting drawn the first time I ever put in for a hunt last year for deer didn't hurt my point standings. I guess I'll have to just wait and see what happens. But I'm still going to be educating myself as much as possible so if the opportunity arises, I'll be ready, just like the Boy Scout Motto.

Supposedly 20% of the draw is points and 80% is random. If that is true, I should have the same chance as any of the other 80% unless they get an additional entry in the random for every point they have. I might not be fortunate and I might be fortunate. Is the early muzzle hunt harder to get drawn in than the early general hunt or archery for elk?What is the order of difficulty in being selected for elk and for which hunts? I'm sure area also comes into play. In fact; Which is the order of difficulty for type of animal to get drawn for? What are the hardest areas to get drawn in for each animal? Does putting multiple people on your tag increase your chances, especially if there is a female or youth? Any of this info I'm sure would be helpful. Thanks.

I'll take them all. Please pm me.

Yes, I know what my gun can do. Todd@ Southern Xpress Custom Rifles built it and he is one of the best rifle builders as many on here can attest to, especially the new muzzle loaders. He shot his Coues Whitetail a couple of years ago with a 375 caliber muzzle loader at roughly 568 yards, if I remember right. His friend videoed the shot and it was super clean. Deer was standing for a moment after, then just rolled down the hill. SunDevil is probably right about how long it may take, but I've been very fortunate so far. I'll just have to plan as though I'm getting drawn and start learning all I can. Last year was my first Deer hunt, and it was muzzle loader. Scored/measured 173 and looks very nice according to everyone who has seen it. Maybe I'll be very fortunate again. If not, still doesn't hurt to learn.

Got my Mule deer at 321 with 15 mph wind gusting to 45mph. Check my Campfire post.

Thanks. I'll check out Steve's.

Correct. 2424 fps near muzzle per Lab Radar. 111 grains of Blackhorn209

PM Stanley or Amanda, or both.

I dreamed, then bought. Gotta have a dream first. I'll keep my ears open for you.

Get ready to give up your first born and your left n...t. High demand and expensive materials. But I do enjoy the ease of dumping! What a time saver. Bought mine new in 2003 for $7,000 plus tags. Dual axels, dual rams, side doors and rear doors. Load pallets from the sides. Very universal. Chinese non-radial bias 10ply tires last the longest for me. Sides extend upward by two 14'X10" boards for brush.high front and rear due to screen mesh extensions. Box is 14'6" long by 8'4" wide. Not for sale, but if you decide to build one you can use mine as a template/guide. No problems so far. Mackey Trailers built it but they no longer exist, I think. But like I said, not for sale. Just FYI.

Now that they've outlawed them for use in hunting, maybe a few of you guys would like to get rid of them. Please PM me with the Manufacturer, Model, and Price sought. Not looking for "current price". They are wanted for a limited project. Thanks

PM sent

Understandable. Probably easier than taking his own pics. or that is the gun he bought and is now selling.

Bought a CVA Scout in 450 Bushmaster from him.

I've dealt with him. Straight up deal. Great guy.

While he is new he said he's face to face only in his other post. His number is legit and he is responsive. His prices are at the upper end, but so have a few others been. He may just be here for the classifieds, that we'll discover with time. Care should always be exercised with new members, especially those who post first to the Classifieds.