Another elk in the freezer

[PACKFAN]

The wife and I headed back down Thurs eve. to try to harvest our CWMU cow elk. We hunted Friday with no shots fired, elk seemed to be pretty skittish as they had killed a few on the ranch a few days before. We headed back in at daybreak Sat. morning and I was able to dump a nice big dry cow at 227 yards with my 300 Win Mag. We had several guys helping the guide to pack so while I was quartering the elk they were loading up and headed back up hill to our trucks. Worked pretty slick, handed them a well earned tip and tried to find a cow for the wife. We located several small bunches feeding that evening in a pretty rough deep canyon and decided to pass as we were on our own then and it would have been pretty tough for her and I to pack one out. We did stay amused watching a large chocolate phased black bear feed in the creek bottom just below the elk. We can still go back and try to fill her tag later. So far two elk cut and wrapped and in the freezer. We had a meal of backstrap out of her cow from the archery hunt and it was excellent. Both cows we have taken were dry cows and were in great shape.[]
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[FOD]

Boy, you two are going to be eating well this year, or for the next couple years for that matter. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
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[SizeMatters]

Congrats on the cow keep up the good work.[cool]
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[fishjon]

so why the emphasis on the dry cow thing. Not accusing you of anything I am truly currious if it makes any difference in the tast or qaulity of meat or if maybe your worried about the calves. Is it because it helps rid the herd of a unproductive cow. Just currious.
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[FOD]

[quote fishjon]so why the emphasis on the dry cow thing.

Is it because it helps rid the herd of a unproductive cow. Just currious.[/quote]
[]Bingo
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[PACKFAN]

I have always felt that the dry cows tasted better, just my opinion though. They are usually the younger cows that haven't bred yet 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 year olds and usually a little smaller than a mature cow. Good eats. []
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[BigBassaholic]

Nice Job on the cows. Gonna be some great eating. I am just about done with the two elk I got last year. I got mostly burger left. Good luck with the rest of the tags you got....
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[WET1]

My theory is that a cow that is dry and isn't producing milk to support a calf will have more fat on her and be in better condition. In my family a dry cow or a spike bull are always the #1 choice for meat.
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[PACKFAN]

The elk are in great shape this year, I have never seen as much fat on the critters this early in the season.
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[submoa]

I'm jealous, congratulations. I promised myself I was going to actually bowhunt and not get stuck working like every other year I donate money to the State and not hunt. I didn't, maybe I'll get out on the Wasatch front? Rifle elk I don't care if they fire me, I'm going!
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