This year's elk

[kmoore]

My first year using a suppresser. 7mm Weatherby mark V, 160 gr Nosler AB handload. 314 yds according to range finder.
This elk was in a group of 18. After the shot the herd looked around and grouped up tight watching this elk roll and side down the hillside. Of course, the bullet striking the elk was a loud slap type sound. The shot at the muzzle barely heard. The other elk continued standing in the open looking all around until I stood up and stepped around. They then trotted back over the ridge top.
The elk herd reaction was unlike any I have seen when shooting an unsuppressed muzzle. At that range they tend to run in all directions at the loud bang sound of a rifle shot. Besides saving my hearing, I my under the opinion a suppressor might not be stressing out all other animals into a panic, running to escape from the loud sound. Yeah, the elk did flee when they seen me moving about, but they were trotting away in a group, not in panic run. Note I have never hunted with a bow.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Nice. Looks yummy. I have never shot a elk but have seen them often when I hunted Mulies in Utah. Just the thought of quartering that girl up and humping her over that terrain is tiring me out.....hope you have a couple ATVs!

 

[Deer Hunter]

Your freezer will be happy. Congrats.

 

[Threespears]

Congratulations

 

[TestEngineer]

The elk herd reaction was unlike any I have seen when shooting an unsuppressed muzzle. At that range they tend to run in all directions at the loud bang sound of a rifle shot.

You must have different elk there than the ones we have in Colorado. I've never seen elk scatter at the sound of a shot. They typically stand there looking around to find the source, and then follow the lead cow once she decides what to do.

I once had a dozen elk running away from a horseman come straight at me. I stood my ground behind a small pine tree, and they split up to go around me. They stopped all around me when they saw my orange vest. The lone bull in the herd was maybe 5 yards away when I shot. The entire herd just stood there for 30 seconds until the lead cow decided to go back to where they had come from. The bull followed reluctantly, stopping several times to look back at me. He finally took off to catch up with the cows, but collapsed about 50 yards away.

Movement scares game a lot more than sound does in my experience.

 

[Gator89]

My first year using a suppresser. 7mm Weatherby mark V, 160 gr Nosler AB handload. 314 yds according to range finder.
This elk was in a group of 18. After the shot the herd looked around and grouped up tight watching this elk roll and side down the hillside. Of course, the bullet striking the elk was a loud slap type sound. The shot at the muzzle barely heard. The other elk continued standing in the open looking all around until I stood up and stepped around.

How long is that rifle with the suppressor attached, 24 inch barrel + 8 inch suppressor?

Did you hire a bearer to tote the rifle rig?

 

[kmoore]

Nice. Looks yummy. I have never shot a elk but have seen them often when I hunted Mulies in Utah. Just the thought of quartering that girl up and humping her over that terrain is tiring me out.....hope you have a couple ATVs!

2 of us dragged her to the road and truck. Too many darn downed logs and limbs. Took an hour or so.

 

[kmoore]

How long is that rifle with the suppressor attached, 24 inch barrel + 8 inch suppressor?

Did you hire a bearer to tote the rifle rig?

Close, 26 inch bbl and 9 inch suppressor. Not for walking through timber.

 

[akbluz]

That's a fine looking elk you have there.... ought to be some mighty good eating.

 

[kmoore]

You must have different elk there than the ones we have in Colorado. I've never seen elk scatter at the sound of a shot. They typically stand there looking around to find the source, and then follow the lead cow once she decides what to do.

I once had a dozen elk running away from a horseman come straight at me. I stood my ground behind a small pine tree, and they split up to go around me. They stopped all around me when they saw my orange vest. The lone bull in the herd was maybe 5 yards away when I shot. The entire herd just stood there for 30 seconds until the lead cow decided to go back to where they had come from.

She may have been lead cow. No calves hanging around her, she was lowest on hillside. I watched them for at least 10 mins. As she moved lower grazing the rest moved also. She was dry (no milk) and had worn teeth. My buddy has shot many more than me, said maybe 3 to 5 years old. That could very will explain why they continued to hang around.

 

[JohnL]

That's a fine looking elk you have there.... ought to be some mighty good eating.

Depends entirely upon what it has been feeding on. Hopefully, alfalfa, grain, and grass.

 

[kmoore]

That's a fine looking elk you have there.... ought to be some mighty good eating.

Thanks, 1st dinner of back strap was excellent. Hope the rest will be good, it should be.

 

[contender]

Congrats!!!

I need another elk hunt!

A suppressor would be enjoyable too!

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

You did well pilgrim. I may have to visit next fall.

 

[Huntfish918]

Thanks, 1st dinner of back strap was excellent. Hope the rest will be good, it should be.

Mmmmm #backstraps !! Congrats

 

[Mobuck]

Good job on the elk hunt.
YES, you've experienced the classic game response to a suppressed shot. I've been hunting with a muffler for several years and this happens quite often.
On our 2022 elk hunt, we decided that I would shoot first with the hope the herd wouldn't be spooked and my partner would also get a shot. The herd simply looked at the hit elk w/o immediately running away but unfortunately, my partner was not quite in position and couldn't make his shot. Regardless, the rest of the herd milled around w/o scattering which totally surprised the guide.
If I have multiple opportunities(such as when calling coyotes), I try to shoot the furthest animal first. The sound of the bullet strike (which has nothing to do with the muzzle blast) may push the other animals closer or distract them from my position.
Also YES, a full length rifle barrel with added muffler becomes long and heavy. My 6.5CM with muffler is 50" and 9+ pounds so not a 'stalking' rifle by any means but that's not what it's meant for, either.
On the other hand, the Ruger Ranch 6.5 Grendel with a 'K' (short) version of the same type muffler isn't any longer or heavier than a 'full sized' rifle. A full sized muffler also takes a lot of recoil out of something like the 7mm Wby.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

2 of us dragged her to the road and truck. Too many darn downed logs and limbs. Took an hour or so.

Would have taken me a week even without the downed logs and limbs......

 

[harley08]

Looks nice send me a steak!

 

[WendyZXZ]

Fine looking bag and meat in the freezer!

 

[thinckley]

Congrats @kmoore !! Where in Idaho are you?

 

[kmoore]

Congrats @kmoore !! Where in Idaho are you?

Fruitland, that little city many people drive through but don't stop.

 

[thinckley]

Fruitland, that little city many people drive through but don't stop.

Guilty!!

I do not make it to western Idaho often, but when I do it is passing through on the way to Washington or Oregon, or stopping in Nampa for wine.

 

[jn 41]

Excellent work. That's good eating. And freezer full of trophy. Congrats.

 

[FFguide]

Outstanding!

 

[kentucky yeti]

Congrats on some fine meat! I’ve never had bad elk meat. If you don’t mind telling, what suppressor are you using to quieter a 7mil? And is it a 7 mil Remington or 7 mil Weatherby? Thanks.

 

[kmoore]

Congrats on some fine meat! I've never had bad elk meat. If you don't mind telling, what suppressor are you using to quieter a 7mil? And is it a 7 mil Remington or 7 mil Weatherby? Thanks.

Weatherby Mark V action/trigger. Stock and barrel aftermarket. Suppresser is the Banish .30 from Silencer Central. That one is 9 inch and can be shortened to 7. It's 1.5" diameter. I have not shot it in 7 inch's in any rifle. The advertise the 7 inch length for ease when carrying it hunting. I was hunting in open areas by driving an offroad vehicle or pickup around looking for sign when this herd was found 400 yds up the hillside from a snow-covered road. I am using that suppresser on 7 different rifles.

 

[kentucky yeti]

Good to know. I have a Banish 46. 7"/9" suppressor.