Hey all.

I was out and about today exploring my new hometown of Spring Texas. I was on my way to a bow shop to see what they had to offer. On the way there I pulled into a guns/hunting/shooting range setup. It was a nice place so I had to go in and check. Apparently the guy that started the place was a hunter....a BIG TIME HUNTER.

This place had mounts all over the place, most were full body.  Some were gun and some were bow kills and they looked old, maybe from mid 60's to 80's or so. There were deer and some exotics but what really got me were his mounts of a Kodiak bear, a white wolf and a 7x7 Bull Elk.

I've seen lots of nice bear mounts but this one was over 10.5 feet......BIG BEAR FOR SURE. I have never seen a full mount of a white or grey wolf before. It was almost white and this thing had to weigh well over 100 pounds and had a shoulder height of about waist high.

What really STUNNED ME though was the full mount of that Elk. It literally took my breath at its majesty and sheer size. I knew full grown mature bull elk were big, but I had no clue they were THAT BIG!  This thing was immense. I stood there trying to think how I would react if I were hunting elk and something like that stepped out about 10 yards from me. I am not ashamed to admit that it would most likely scare me to death. I now kinda understand what drives you fellas that live to chase these beautiful animals. Harvesting an Elk like that one would truly be a lifetime achievement.   I can only imagine the stories that could be spun after a hunt like that.

I kinda ran out of words to describe seeing that MONSTER ELK and trying to imagine what it must be like to be right in the middle of 'em right before daybreak and hear that Big Fella let out one of his bugles. I'd love to try it one day....maybe I'll be able to..GOD WILLING.

That's how my afternoon went. I won't forget that elk for a long time.

Nalajr

You definitely need to sign up to go elk hunting...right after you celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving!

There are still plenty of elk left once you avoid the wolf-infested areas....

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

Wife and I went camping at Land Between the Lakes, KY and the park has a bison and elk prairie. We were driving through and made a turn and a big bull elk was standing right next to the road. It was amazing. As we sat there watching it we heard a cow call back in the trees and ol' boy cut loose with a bugle. Pert near peed my pants in excitement.

I wanted to go elk hunting before, but now I have to. A mounted elk that size would be awesome to see, but wait until you see a live one in person!  My wife isnt a big one on hunting and mounting antlers, but she told me if I ever got a bull elk I'd be getting the rack mounted. Thats how magnificent they are...and that doesnt even begin to describe it.

Wait to your next to a full grown bull Moose,thems is big!

I don't doubt for a second that seeing a LIVE Bull Elk the size and majesty like the one I saw today wouldn't even compare to a mount.

I swear that elk was the size of a VW BUS.  I would also love to see a live Bison. I'll bet those rascals are a sight to behold too!

One last thing, as I stood there looking at that HUGE KODIAK my mind started playing that close call that Fred Eichler had when he was on a hunt in Alaska in that rubber bottomed boat. It shook me up when I seen it on tv and had no REAL reference as to what a giant bear would really look like up close and personal.

GOD certainly has blessed us far beyond our wildest dreams could come up with.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy your family and friends as much as you can, we're not promised tomorrow.

Nalajr

Oh wow....I forgot all about the MOOSE!  I'd love to see a good, full body mount of a trophy moose.

Nalajr

After dragging and packing out many Moose my Dad had it right.the best place to shoot one is on the high side of a road.

I've seen lots of Moose up close while bear hunting in Maine, a big bull makes an elk look small.  Huge animals.

Visit the cabela's store in Ft Worth. They have a great collection of all types of full body mounts.

QuoteOriginally posted by Nala:
Oh wow....I forgot all about the MOOSE!  I'd love to see a good, full body mount of a trophy moose.

Nalajr

While in the Navy, we did a training cross country flight up to Anchorage, AK. While site seeing we stopped at the local mall just to pass a little time. Walking thru we came upon 2 large display cases. One housed a full mount grizzly if I'm not mistaken and the other had a full mount bull moose. Although you could not get next to them, I bet I could stand under the belly of that monster with all kinda room to spare. And I'm 6'1". Unbelievable!!