2011 Depredation Cow Elk

[Machias]

Little background, my job changed last fall and my conversion to my new position wiped out all of my vacation time. Since I had limited time and I really wanted to do something out of state I contacted Bearpaw Outfitting about one of their depredation cow hunts in Utah. It's a landowner permit on a huge 3600+/- acre alfalfa ranch. I was going to drive down but the outfitter suggested I fly this time of the year and he would get my elk meat back to Spokane if I got one and he had a rifle I could borrow down there (slightly apprehensive about this part). Well I booked a flight through Southwest for $183, which was cheaper then I could drive down and back. Flight from Seattle to Salt Lake City was delayed an hour, so I did not get into SLC until nearly midnight, rented a car (they ran out of the economy cars so upgraded me to a AWD SUV for no charge, this turned into a blessing!!) Right out of the airport the weather and roads were CRAP! Slid offs all over the place, slick ice, slush and snow on the Interstate. At one point I'm doing 40 mph and hit snow and fog so thick I cannot tell where on the three lane roadway I'm at. Literally feeling my way along the Interestate for about 25 miles. No other traffic on the roadway, really sucked!! So I get through the mountains and the thermometer on the car is sitting at 28 degrees, come out of the mountains and within 8 miles it drops to minus 3. Crystal clear out. I made it to Vernal, UT at 0400, dead tired and bug eyed! Checked in and got 1 hour of sleep. Met Anthony, guide, and off we went. The rifle had been used to kill an elk the day before, so it was on, but I'm like most of you guys I do not like using other folks weapons and I do not like hunting with something I have not shot and verified was spot on. Drive to the ranch and spot elk all over the place. These are free ranging wild elk, but you can tell they are not really going anywhere for the winter. Food is all right there for them. Got out and put a stalk on a big herd, They looked to be about 250 yards. Singled out a big cow and when she was clear shot......she just looked at me. It was closer to 400 yards. It is hard to tell distance in a big harvested corn field covered in snow. Hey dumbass, you have a rangefinder. We stopped at another part of the ranch and I checked the rifle, needed to for my own peace of mind. Dead on, ok I feel alot better. Found another herd, put a sneak on them and at 186 yards waited for a big cow to clear the rest of the herd. She finally did and I put the smack down on this cow. She ran about 50 yards and piled up. She has an amazing amount of fat on her. Got her tagged, gutted and skinned in just over an hour. I'm going to have the hide tanned, really nice winter hide.

[Rem700]

Congrats on a freezer full of meat, I know I'm not the only who didn't realize a hunt like this was available. For folks on the east coast, Quebec has the same type program for Black Bear. Five day hunt, you keep one bear, any other kills go to the Quebec gov.

[gravedigger]

Way to go on the elk meat.It's always good to put meat in the freezer.-Shawn

[timothy]

yes you can find those depredation hunts all over UT, I sell um 750 a hunt. The hunts sell fast i can tell ya!