Elk are just getting big everywhere. Just when you thought elk were not even in the Yukon and Northwest Territories, here comes word of a monster elk from the Yukon taken in September of 2009.
How did elk get there you say. Back in the 1950s, elk were transplanted and have been steadily growing ever since. Last year a decision was finally made and an ordinance passed that the herd was big enough to have a hunt in two territories. Due to an outbreak of winter elk ticks, it has been just the last few years the herd numbers got to within numbers to accept hunting.
A limited number of permits were given in 2009 (for the two territories about 40 permits) and was the first year they have been hunted.
This magnificent bull elk was taken by hunter Al Klassen. The huge 10×9 non-typical elk has a preliminary unofficial score of 451 5/8 gross and 402 3/8 net B&C. A lot of deductions from the 2nd and 3rd points. Wow, after 50 years you know there had to be a monster elk in there somewhere. Who knows what else might be hiding out in that vast country.
Patricia Kendrick
October 8, 2009 at 10:40 am
Hey does anyone know how to get hold of Al Klassen?? I know of someone that is interested in a guide through the Yukon. Was there another guide that was with Al or?? Can someone reply to me at imepatk@aol.com. Thank You
Jorden
October 23, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Why do people hunt for sport? For the of joy of killing the animal? Or is it like when you go to a fair and pay $5 to play a darts game and when you finally win, you discover that you never really wanted that teddy bear anyways, you had wanted the high of feeling yourself win?
One more question. Once you have killed what do you do? Do you thank the animals spirit and soul for giving itself for your high and celebrate it’s life? Or do you celebrate it’s death? Please note that i am not criticizing you or your hunt, i am merely just curious. Thank you for your answers, if so.
Dave
October 25, 2009 at 10:21 am
Dearest Jorden,
Where do you think the steaks you bought at the grocery came from? Do you think the way that the cow was treated is more ethical that killing a wild animal? If this, or any, beautiful bull elk was taken for just its antlers, then yes, it’s a travesty. We hunt for meat, not sport and it’s far more “Organic” than anything you can buy. Yes, when I do kill any animal I thank God and the animal for giving it’s life to feed my family. Do you do this when you’re at the checkout?
sam
October 27, 2009 at 5:24 am
i hunt for sport you should try it before complaining about it being there first hand would be much better than any explanation i can give the meat is a great bonus
Doyle
October 29, 2009 at 7:52 am
Dave,Sam,
Gentlemen,as a hunter I know we have a lot of uninformed, misguided advesaries out in the world. There is no need to be apologetic for what we do and enjoy, but we shouldn’t be trying to make enemies. I don’t know Jorden,never met this person. But it is very obvious they were looking for some understanding and answers.Not a browbeating and tongue lashing. I suggest you try again.
JR
October 29, 2009 at 9:00 pm
this is to Jorden, if you are truely curious the best way to explain it is to try it.the word sport to me doesn’t even define hunting or the hunt.just being out in the woods or desert is wat its about for me. i celebrate the experience not the kill or death. if your curious enuogh to ask these ?’s on here you should definitly give it a shot
doc
October 30, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I hunt for meat, the antlers are a bonus and a reminder of the animal that provided it.
Brett
November 6, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Jordon, I hunt for meat for my family. Its organic meat. Its leaner and has no unatural hormones or antibiotics.
I enjoy the scouting, the hunt and the pursuit. I get a sense of accomplishment from the aforementioned and packing the meat out, processing myself. All the way from the field to the dinner table. The actual kill is by no means the highlight. That is way down on the list. As far as the horn trophy ? Sure , its nice to get a good set of bones off of a mature animal who has already spred his genes to the generations. But Bringing home healthy protein for my family is my goal .
Most non hunters dont understand this and thinkk the way you do. They have just listened to other non hunters and contrived something evil and barbaric from what I and others do.
Thanks for your comments though. I hope you someday come to understand what I know and can expirience it for yourself. It can change your perspective on life.
Brett
Darrin
November 12, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Thanks brett you took what I was thinking and typed it down for me.
Tony Henderson
November 12, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Congratulations to Al Klassen on a monster elk what a lovely animal .Yukon will be a place people want to go to now for Elk.As for Jordon why bother to answer him,if he has no interest in hunting whats he doing here ?Put someone like him in the woods for two weeks and see if theres a difference ,does he donate time money or support the wild life probably not ,
howie clark
November 23, 2009 at 4:34 pm
brett said it right, and tony it is important to answer these folks no matter how vapid they might be. if we take jorden at face value and that he is really just inquisitive as to why and whats in it then i believe it is really important to answer. i’m a meat hunter first and foremost. i will not kill anything i do not intend to eat other then bugs in my home and only because my wife insist.( i try to swish the spiders back outside). the fact that some animals i might harvest have a tremendous rack by whatever standard one rates those is totally non consequential. jorden the only thing i would add to what brett said is that everytime i’m out in the woods or a mountain meadow, or the texas scrub it really doesn’t matter to me whether i take an animal or not. i have that luxury passed on to me by the thousands of generations of man that literally had to beat the bushes for perish. i’m always thinking of that hunter gatherer and how with our modern jobs the animal is now just the money from your job and that is what gives you the options in todays market and that is what gives some folks the time to look down their noses at folks who for whatever reason still desire to do it as generations long past in most parts of the world had no choice but to do. i for one love the connection to the forefathers of yesterday long past who are not forgotten by me.
Lance SLoan
January 8, 2010 at 3:55 pm
I would comment that biblically speaking, GOD gave us dominion over the animals he has created. This of course is a privelege we were granted by him. This doesn’t mean we have a right to abuse or take advantage in any way the animals that he has so graciously created for his glory and our enjoyment and subsistance. To see this wonderful example of his creation taken in the proper manner is a testament to how great GOD really is.
Lance