The DIY Hunter

In 2009 I was back archery hunting for elk. One of my greatest passions is archery elk hunting. The past couple of years I have backpacked in five to six miles and spent almost a week just enjoying being on the mountain by myself with none of the worries of work and the projects at the house.

This year was going to be a little different. My oldest son Dallen was now twelve and he had a rifle deer and elk tag. I was excited to help him have the best experience possible. So I changed my archery hunting location to a location that only required maximum hiking distances of two to three miles. This way I could scout for him while I was archery hunting and the hikes would be more manageable for a twelve-year-old. Dallen would be hunting a couple of weeks after the archery season and I hoped that I would have the elk figured out before it was his turn.

Dallen resting at mid-day

Dallen was excited to be hunting this year and he accompanied me on two of my archery trips. He was a trooper and put in three good hikes however we never got into any elk. We did find areas where the elk had been, we just couldn't find the right place at the right time. I spent another four days hunting there and always seemed to be one day behind where the elk were at. I would hike one direction and the elk would be bugling in the other and so forth. I did learn a bunch about the area and had an enjoyable time just getting away.

The day before the opener of the rifle elk season Dallen and I headed up to the trailhead to spend the night. He loves to sleep out in a tent with his old man and we had an enjoyable time that evening. The next morning around 4:30am we were up and getting ready. Just about the time we started to hike the trucks started pouring into the trail head's little parking area. As we headed up the trail in the dark I'm pretty sure that Dallen was just a little too excited and quickly got sick to his stomach and I mean sick. Within three-quarters of a mile, he just couldn't hike anymore and was very upset because he ever so wanted to get a bull. I quickly realized that we should change or plans and try for a herd that works a large quaking aspen section of the mountain. This herd had done an excellent job of eluding me during the archery season but, Dallen's upset stomach turned into a blessing today.

Browning A-Bolt 243 WSSM rifle resting on pack while elk hunting.

243 WSSM rifle sitting on pack as we take a break near where we last heard the bull on opening day.

We eased our way into the edge of the quakeys just as it was getting light. Dallen was hurting really bad and very upset that he was. That quickly changed, as soon as it was light enough to shoot, I cow called and boom a bull bugled within 150 yards of us deeper in the quakes. I proceeded to call back and forth with this bull for the next 20 minutes. Unfortunately, every time I got the bull bugling his current lady friends would start calling. It was obvious his current ladies didn't want to share. I was really hoping that a satellite bull was in tow and would come over to check us out but, it wasn't to be. One thing for sure was the instant that bull bugled back at us Dallen was cured. I bet Dallen now belongs to a long list of hunters that have been cured by the sound of a bull elk bugling back in the early light of opening day.

We spent the rest of the day circling around the mountain trying to find where the bull's lady friends had lead him away captive too but, had no luck in finding their secret hiding spot.

Dallen first elk 243 WSSM

After the opening weekend we switched areas and headed to a little lower altitude and hunted the lower edges of the quakeys mixed with oak brush. We found elk sign the first two times but couldn't locate any elk. On the third morning we finally crossed paths with a herd of about eight cows and a spike. There wasn't very much time for us to setup as the elk were on the move and there was only a small window in the oak brush before they got into the thick brush and went around the ridge. He quickly got setup on his shooting sticks and I grabbed a Primos Hyper-Lip Single cow call. I mewed, the spike stopped, Dallen dropped the hammer, and the spike took a couple steps and fell over. I didn't even have time to pull up my binoculars to see the shot. It was pretty darn cool. I was very impressed with his ability to acquire the target and take a good shot without having to be coached or him asking me if he should shoot. He knew when it was the right time to drop the hammer all on is own just like a pro. It was the coolest sharing this moment with my son. We both actually shed a tear or two of joy and a great big hug for dad. I can't think of a better way to get to know and bond with your kids than taking them hunting.

When we spotted the elk we knew they were well within the range of the rifle and my son's abilities. After the shot a quick check with the range finder verified this, 205 yards. With this rifle and load it has about a 350 yard max-point-blank range on a seven inch target. He was using my 243 WSSM in a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Laminate Hunter rifle with a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-10x Short Action scope. It's a sweet lightweight rifle setup that is ideal for carrying all day long. Dallen really enjoys the rifle and thinks it's his now. Hmm... Not yet son.

For the past several years Dallen and I have taken a prairie dog and rock chuck hunting trip. I think those shooting experiences really sharpened his skills and paid off well. I would also have to credit the hunting videos he has watched and heard me preach on when it is and isn't the right time to take the shot.

Here are some of the more technical details:

  • 205 Yards
  • 243 WSSM
  • A-Bolt Stainless Laminate Hunter with 22" barrel
  • Bushnell Elite 3200 3-10x SA Scope
  • 80g Barnes Tipped Triple Shock
  • 3360 fps  (same load same day shot 3475 fps from my A-Bolt Stainless Laminate Varmint with a 24" barrel). You can view this handload on my 243 WSSM and the 243 Win. page.
  • Center punched both shoulders

243 WSSM Entrance Hole on Dallen's First Elk

243 WSSM, 80g Tipped Triple Shock Entrance Hole & Russ Kommer Custom Knife

 

243 WSSM Exit Hole on Dallen's First Elk

243 WSSM, 80g Tipped Triple Shock Exit Hole

Yes, you read correctly and it isn't a typo, an 80 grain bullet passed through a bull elk's shoulders at 205 yards. The bullet hit the elk exactly where I had told Dallen to place it. I have taken several cow elk with Barnes Triple Shock bullets and a couple of Mule deer. I have learned that they penetrate through anything even with the small bore .243 variety. I have found that the Triple Shock bullet performance on an animal has been best achieved by hitting the deer or elk in the muscle and bone of the shoulder. I also believe the Tipped Triple Shock expands better than the non-tipped on game.  If you zip a Triple Shock through the rib cage I have not heard any audible indication that the animal has been hit. Where a more traditional bullet gives a load audible whop, pretty much anywhere you hit the animal. In the past, the Triple Shock has left me wondering if I missed, especially when the elk is also showing no signs of being hit. This has happened when I have placed the bullet in the traditional behind the shoulder through the rib cage area. With a Triple Shock the only time I have heard a good thump has been with bone-crushing shoulder shots. So I hold for shoulder even though I lose a little meat, I like knowing I made a hit audibly and I like seeing critters fall over quickly.

We hauled this elk out with my lightweight packable deer and elk cart. I have been working on the cart for a couple of years now and it did very well for its first elk. Also on this hunt, I used for the first time a new knife that Russ Kommer made for me. Wow, what a nice knife. I had expressed a couple of things I wanted in a knife and Russ did an excellent job with it.

Here are some notes on my Russ Kommer semi-skinner knife.

  • This was the first time I used only one knife from start to finish.
  • I boned the elk out one hour faster than normal...and I wasn't trying to go fast.
  • I sat the knife down at one point and then needed it and made the comment "Now where's my knife." My son quickly says "Right there Dad, good thing it's bright orange instead of camo..."  Exactly why I wanted a brightly colored knife.
  • This was the first time I went from start to finish without sharpening my knife.
  • The knife cleans very quickly compared to the folders I normally use.
  • The sizing was perfect even for getting out the tenderloin without puncturing the rumen.

I really like the knife. If there was one thing I would like added would be a reflective handle material like you see on running shoes and safety vests. The reason: when I am exhausted boning an elk out in the dark I often lay my knife down and spend the next five minutes trying to find it. On occasion, I have repeated this finding process numerous times per animal. The reflective material would make it even easier to find the knife in the dark.

243 WSSM Bullets on Model 1885 Stock
243 WSSM bullets on Model 1885 stock

243 WSSM Model 1885 sitting in my lap while rock chuck hunting.
243 WSSM Model 1885 sitting in my lap while rock chuck hunting.

Every summer I like to take a trip or two up the mountain to sharpen my shooting skills shooting rock chucks. In the last couple of years I have been taking Dallen. Since the area we hunt takes a half-day to hike into we pack along a tent and spend the night and make it a two-day trip.

Dallen has been taking his Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in 223 Rem. and I take my Winchester Model 1885 in 243 WSSM. We enjoy the hike and Dallen just loves spending the night in a tent.

This past year Dallen found his first moose antler while we were on our chuck hunting trip.

Dallen usually takes chucks in about the 200-250 yard range. Anything under 200 yards just is a little too easy even for a 10-year-old. I like to find chucks in the 300 and beyond range to give me a little challenge.

This past year I took my furthest rock chuck across a huge canyon at 682 yards using my Model 1885, 243 WSSM. My Model 1885 shooting the Winchester 55g Ballistic Tip bullets at 4240 fps puts new meaning to flat shooting. I top this rifle off with a Bushnell Elite 4200, 6-24x Mil-Dot scope, one varmint hunting machine of a rifle. 

A good friend calls small-bore flat shooting rifles like the 243 WSSM  "Death Rays." I definitely think my Model 1885 in 243 WSSM meets "Death Ray" status. You can view a video of this 243 WSSM "Death Ray" in action on a rock chuck in my 243 WSSM Rock Chuck Hunting with Video in 2010 entry.

243 WSSM Model 1885 on bench hunting Prairie Dogs

243 WSSM Model 1885 on our portable shooting bench.


Dallen shooting the 243 WSSM Model 1885

Dallen having a little fun with Dad's 243 WSSM Model 1885.

Dallen's first Prairie Dog

Dallen and his first Prairie Dog taken at 245 yards.


243 WSSM shells on rifle stock


Dallen on his first Prairie Dog hunt

Dallen and I really enjoy taking a day every year to go on a prairie dog hunting trip. It offers a great opportunity to really sharpen our shooting skills. Dallen has really been getting good at making the shots. It also offers the opportunity to have a wonderful time and make memories with my son.

Dallen has been using his 223 Rem. A-Bolt Stainless Stalker and I use the "Death Ray", Model 1885 in 243 WSSM. When I chronographed this 28-inch barreled rifle shooting the Winchester 55g Ballistic Tip, it spits them out at 4240 fps on a 65-degree day. It also shoots this load under an inch at 100 yards every time I check the rifle on paper.

The first year we went Dallen struggled a little at locating the prairie dogs in the sagebrush and then finding them in his scope. However, I was very impressed that he hit his very first prairie dog from a bi-pod at 245 yards on the very first shot.

This past year he was picking out the critters hiding in the sagebrush just as fast as I was. Better yet he was able to quickly get them in his sights and drop the hammer. This is one of the main reasons I like to go prairie dog hunting. It really helps sharpen my shooting skills with a little more added pressure. It definitely has helped Dallen and when the pressure was on elk hunting his first year he knew just what to do thanks in part to his time hunting prairie dogs.

Dallen's First Elk, Taken with a 243 WSSM

Two years ago I made my furthest one-shot kill at 432 yards. I admit I got a little lucky on this shot because there was a heavy crosswind and I had to estimate windage and drilled him. A prairie dog when standing only offers about a three to four-inch horizontal window to hit. Not the easiest to do at 400+ yards and with a crosswind.