Checked trail camera today... bull elk are in!

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

I drew a Limited Entry bull elk tag, hunt starts on the 26th of this month, so 2.5ish weeks from now. We've had a ton of cow elk in the area all summer but with the rutt just starting up, the bulls come-a-call'n. Swapped my camera today and dropped off a cache of hunting gear I'll use during the hunt.

Actually saw the 3 bulls in person as they were moving up the ridge. When I got home and looked over the video card, I saw some fun videos of their morning action.

Getting really excited about this. Its a Muzzleloader season, so if I can get within about 150-160 yards this is a done deal. Crank up the volume for the 2nd movie, I didnt realize when I bought the camera it has a microphone, adds a whole new dimension to watching the videos.

www.huntingnut.com/mov...bulls1.mp4
www.huntingnut.com/mov...bulls2.mp4

-DallanC

Vince

WOW

hopefully you get in there before some other bugger does mate. Those elk look real healthy and well built. No shortage of meat on them. Damn I wish we had elk out here.

They make a really unusual sound for such a big animal. I had to look twice to see from where the high pitched sound came.

Good luck with your hunt mate, time to fill the freezer.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Elk are extremely vocal. You can hear them for miles during the rut. Cows and calves make alot of squeaky sounds and chirps as well. Very unique and big critters. I am the only person with permission to hunt this ground this year. Hopefully Noone trespasses which does happen sometimes.

-DallanC

Pumpkinslinger

Neat video! Thanks for sharing!

Elvis

sounds like you are on a winner Mate, don't forget the camera to share photos with us, elk/wapiti is one that is on my bucket list......they are here but we just haven't got around to targeting them yet...real tiger country where they live.

TRBLSHTR

Elvis wrote:

...real tiger country where they live.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^What does this mean in kiwi?Never heard of this expression before! wtf

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Elvis wrote:

sounds like you are on a winner Mate, don't forget the camera to share photos with us, elk/wapiti is one that is on my bucket list......they are here but we just haven't got around to targeting them yet...real tiger country where they live.

Do you have real NA elk there or are you referring to Red Stag/Deer?

-DallanC

Vince

TRBLSHTR wrote:

Elvis wrote:

...real tiger country where they live.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^What does this mean in kiwi?Never heard of this expression before! wtf

Similar to what we say out here in Oz Troubles. When I was in the Army we would say "in dinosaur country". Indicates the hard to get into country, usually really rough, nasty big hills (mountains in NZ), thick scrub and bush, nasty country that few ever venture into because it is simply too difficult to travel or see anything, let alone hunt.

PaulS

Sounds similar to the "hell holes" in the Olympic mountains. There is always game in those spots but it would take days to get a kill out.

slimjim

Ok, Dallan, what camera model is that and how are the night pictures? I have three Browning SpecOps that I become to rely on for great intel. I like movies but when I first get to a lease, I set-up the camera to take pictures from motion and every 10 minutes throughout the day. Let's me see what might be happening in the field beyond which sometimes is pretty amazing.

Great clips by the way! Thanks for sharing.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Ok so its a Stealthcam G42 "No Glo".

www.ebay.com/itm/36131...EBIDX%3AIT

These cameras have undetectable IR lighting for night pictures / video. For the most part its very impressive.

In my application however there is a small tree just ahead of the camera that bounces light back, so it adjusts the exposure based on the light reflected from that tree and not the things behind it. If I were to cut down that tree, the overall image would be much brighter.

But, as is, this is night vision:

www.huntingnut.com/movies/night.mp4

-DallanC

Suzanne

I have visible IR lighting on mine and it surprised me when I first saw it light up. I thought all IR lighting was invisible and I thought why in the world would they put visible lighting on this thing. Had a bear swat at it too. Wonder if I can change out the lighting on mine....haveta look into that.

You have some really great resolution in your videos. Not a bad price either.

Suz

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

3 days to go... Rifle Elk season is going right now, need these guys to live for 3 more days... 3 long days... lol.

My season starts Monday. Today's top candidates (and yes, they are different bulls, first one is 6x7, 2nd one is 6x6... I wouldnt hesitate to shoot either):

My blind setup is in those dark trees in the distance. 70 yard range to the water, well within my smokepole range.

3 more days... I'm getting so nervous I'm not sleeping well LOL!

-DallanC

Elvis

wow they look great, either would be a trophy to be proud of for sure.
fingers crossed for you Mate.

slimjim

Dallan, I'm excited to hear about your success! Be safe!