Post Script. The trackers were happy we never ran into the Kudu again. They believed it would be bad luck to kill the bull. So I was happy we didn’t find out. It wasn’t worth upsetting them for an animal I really didn’t desire to kill.
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Kudu hunting v Elk hunting - comparisons?
- Thread starter Muntjacer23
- Start date
Firebird
AH legend
The weather can be unique to elk hunting-often done in snow and often late fall
After the rut has ended.
It is possible to have several tags in your pocket during an elk hunt. Often I have mule deer, elk, cougar and coyote tags. These must be drawn in a lottery or bought each year.
In kudu country there are many more options that can be had at the ph discretion.
Elk are often found in herds. In a good place you might see multiple bull elk in one day, passing small bulls in hopes of a bigger. In other units you will want to shoot whatever you see. Limited entry lottery tags greatly cut down the number of humans you must deal
With and increase the age class and therefore trophy quality of the elk you hope to harvest. Lots of elk get killed in alfalfa fields and river bottoms! Private land tags can be expensive, but offer a less crowded elk hunting experience.
Having a ph and team of helpers on carefully managed property makes kudu hunting a dream by comparison.
Elk are often hunted over water holes. This bull was not drinking, he came to roll in the mud and check for cows ready to breed. The permit I had only allowed a yearling bull or a cow to be taken, so this mid aged bull got a free pass.
After the rut has ended.
It is possible to have several tags in your pocket during an elk hunt. Often I have mule deer, elk, cougar and coyote tags. These must be drawn in a lottery or bought each year.
In kudu country there are many more options that can be had at the ph discretion.
Elk are often found in herds. In a good place you might see multiple bull elk in one day, passing small bulls in hopes of a bigger. In other units you will want to shoot whatever you see. Limited entry lottery tags greatly cut down the number of humans you must deal
With and increase the age class and therefore trophy quality of the elk you hope to harvest. Lots of elk get killed in alfalfa fields and river bottoms! Private land tags can be expensive, but offer a less crowded elk hunting experience.
Having a ph and team of helpers on carefully managed property makes kudu hunting a dream by comparison.
Elk are often hunted over water holes. This bull was not drinking, he came to roll in the mud and check for cows ready to breed. The permit I had only allowed a yearling bull or a cow to be taken, so this mid aged bull got a free pass.
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BeeMaa
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There are no real comparisons to be drawn, other than you will be hunting an animal with your choice of weapon.
Different terrain, weather, techniques, equipment, clothing and especially the success rate. In short, they are completely different experiences.
Consider the experience that you want as both have their own rewards. And success isn’t always measured by having an animal on the ground.
Different terrain, weather, techniques, equipment, clothing and especially the success rate. In short, they are completely different experiences.
Consider the experience that you want as both have their own rewards. And success isn’t always measured by having an animal on the ground.
Flipper Dude
AH elite
Well, hunted elk at -6 one day in the foothills. Was -27 down in the valley. There’s a difference 
Uncontrolled_round_feed
AH enthusiast
If you get a DIY 6 point bull on public land, that’d be comparable to a 45+” musky on a heavily fished lake. African plains game is more like catching a nice bass in a stocked pond. Similar motions, still fun but not the same level of ‘I earned that’
One extreme to the other.
coyote wacker
AH veteran
308 100 gr. CEB Safari Raptors are a killing machine for kudu even a bull elk its a one and done bullet. Many shooters wouldn't even consider useing it on a small whitetail doe, it kills like a bolt of lighting....DRT.....
I even use them in 300 BO, know of a 300 lb. black bear shot with one.
JG26Irish_2
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The last Elk was documented killed in WV in 1875. Elk were also hunted to extinction in KY and most all Eastern and Midwestern states soon after settlers arrived. No matter that they hunted with muzzle loaders or early black powder cartridge rifles with iron sights. Why? Mainly two reasons:
Instead, I flew to Africa and hunted:
- Elk are big and very good to eat
- Elk if present, are not hard to find or kill
Instead, I flew to Africa and hunted:
- Kudu
- Cape Buffalo
- Springbok
- Black Wildebeest
- Blesbok
- Warthog
- Zebra
- Baboon
Coyote Wacker, shortly after the White Kudu encounter I did learn how devastating those little pills were on Impala. Lengthwise, quartering to, quartering away it didn’t matter.
And of course now I’m very confident that it would’ve handled that Kudu effectively.
And of course now I’m very confident that it would’ve handled that Kudu effectively.
375Fox
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A few poachers with homemade muzzleloaders and shotguns and some snares will wipe out a concession in Africa in a very short time. Kudu, buffalo, warthogs all of it. I don’t think elk were exterminated because they were easy it’s because the hide hunters were very determined and skilled. They were market hunting not just because they tasted good.
Here’s African examples
JimP
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Anyone who thinks that hunting elk is easy needs to come out west and try it. If you don't want to go the expense come on out on a vacation and see just where they live. Not the ones in the parks that have grown accustomed to tourist but the ones out in the hills from 5,000' to 12,000' elevation.
While some will stand around and just look at you for a while most will be in the next county before you even realize they are gone. They also know the most miserable country to escape into once the hunters show up and there is more human pressure placed on them.
Stalking elk is a experience. In quite a few areas there is no way to get close to them. The brush and trees are so thick that they will almost disappear. So long shots are quite common, not to mention those cross canyon shots over 400 yards.
In the late 1800's they were close to being gone. Market hunting was a major cause but they have come back. In the 60's and 70's where I hunted you very seldom saw a elk, now they are all over. But don't expect to just purchase a tag and go shoot one.
While some will stand around and just look at you for a while most will be in the next county before you even realize they are gone. They also know the most miserable country to escape into once the hunters show up and there is more human pressure placed on them.
Stalking elk is a experience. In quite a few areas there is no way to get close to them. The brush and trees are so thick that they will almost disappear. So long shots are quite common, not to mention those cross canyon shots over 400 yards.
In the late 1800's they were close to being gone. Market hunting was a major cause but they have come back. In the 60's and 70's where I hunted you very seldom saw a elk, now they are all over. But don't expect to just purchase a tag and go shoot one.
Keelebilly
AH senior member
I’ve never killed anything as rewarding as the archery season elk I killed last fall. Called him in from over a thousand yards away with my best friends above me continuing to call him past me for the shot. Plus they got it all on video. It was the fifth year in a row that we had hunted archery season for an elk. We had passed on young bulls over those years, but wanted a mature bull. Hunting them with a bow definitely changes the experience. Lots of close encounters that end in failure until you finally experience that sweet success where it all comes together. It was amazing. Kudu with a rifle was fun, but certainly lacked the feeling of accomplishment of a having it all come together on an elk.
Rando8586
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Elk! Have taken 40 or so in 50 years living in Montana. 8 bulls, rest cows for meat. Don't have to deal with shipping trophys & customs as my 2 SA hunts. Love elk & moose meat ,but found Bison to be even better. 805 lbs of boned meat from last 1. Made friends & neighbors happy on that .
Tucketed
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Most of my 23 years of elk hunting were with a bow and a few times black powder all during rut. One of the greatest hunts if you can do during rut. Bugle a big bull to 20-30 yards high in the mountains with the aspen quakies brilliant is hard to beat. All of my hunting was DYI private ranch access to the National Wilderness. Wonderful if you can find it. Our area was hit hard with beatles killing all of the lodgepole pines and making it difficult to get horses back in and walking almost impossible. Looked at guided hunts and the price at the time was sticker shock. I have only one kudu but hunting Africa has been my new elk hunting and wish I could do it every year. As most have said your days don’t end once you tag out. So much to see and hunt so my recommendation is go hunt Africa
Fatback
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I’ve been fortunate enough to hunt elk on 2 different occasions. I was able to kill 6x6 bulls on both hunts. Both were guided in New Mexico, one on public and the other on private land. Both were great hunts but I don’t really have a burning desire to go and hunt another one.
Right now I’d much rather hunt in Africa due to the much better value. I have also been fortunate to hunt and kill 2 nice kudu bulls, one in Namibia and the other in Zimbawe. Neither were behind a high fence and I found the kudu hunts to be as challenging as the elk hunts. So, for my money I’d rather hunt kudu and other African game.
I will say that having a freezer full of elk is awesome and that for me is the one big advantage of elk hunting here in the states versus kudu in Africa.
Right now I’d much rather hunt in Africa due to the much better value. I have also been fortunate to hunt and kill 2 nice kudu bulls, one in Namibia and the other in Zimbawe. Neither were behind a high fence and I found the kudu hunts to be as challenging as the elk hunts. So, for my money I’d rather hunt kudu and other African game.
I will say that having a freezer full of elk is awesome and that for me is the one big advantage of elk hunting here in the states versus kudu in Africa.
Longwalker
AH elite
Not all elk hunting is located in the USA, although the Canadian elk range is more limited, hunting elk here can be very good. Last year was the first year I did not kill a Saskatchewan elk, after a string of killing one every year for thirty years. Correction - one year I hunted caribou instead. In my part of Canada, I have enjoyed hunting either-sex elk with an over the counter tag during the rut, with a rifle. Some years we chose to hunt elk in a limited draw area, usually on private land that was accessed by knocking on a farmer's door. Many other seasons were on our own property, which has an abundance of elk. Or on public land adjacent, where access free for all licensed hunters. But non-residents can't hunt elk in my province, so there's no reason for publicity.
I've only hunted two kudu. I find Kudu quite different to hunt. While I've only shot a few elk by spot and stalk, It seems to be the norm for Kudu hunting. I've never called a Kudu, and of course the terrain/habitat is very different. I enjoyed hunting kudu very much, but they really aren't comparable.
Elk meat is a staple in our families' diet, love it. I have liked the kudu meat i've been privileged to try, but have not had enough to really compare.
A 6 point rack of elk antlers compares very nicely to a double curl Kudu. Both are impressive, natural works of art. I have both in my living room to admire and remind me of past hunts. I hope you get to do both and make up your own mind!
I've only hunted two kudu. I find Kudu quite different to hunt. While I've only shot a few elk by spot and stalk, It seems to be the norm for Kudu hunting. I've never called a Kudu, and of course the terrain/habitat is very different. I enjoyed hunting kudu very much, but they really aren't comparable.
Elk meat is a staple in our families' diet, love it. I have liked the kudu meat i've been privileged to try, but have not had enough to really compare.
A 6 point rack of elk antlers compares very nicely to a double curl Kudu. Both are impressive, natural works of art. I have both in my living room to admire and remind me of past hunts. I hope you get to do both and make up your own mind!
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grand veneur
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For me hunting Elk has always posed a greater challenge than a plains game hunt for a Kudu. However, I must admit that I have never shot an Elk in North America. I have taken all of mine in Central Asia. While the Asian Wapiti is the same species, the hunting ground is perhaps not entirely comparable to the landscapes where most of you have shot their Elk. In the southern Siberian forest belt, Elk are rarely harvested anymore. I was lucky enough to bag two Elk in northern Mongolia in forest areas, not very far from the Russian border, but that was in 1992 and thereafter it was all over. On the other side of the border, in Russia, I was never successful, also not a little further east, in the Manchuria / China. The Elk in Asia is nowadays hunted above all in the open, higher elevations of the Altai and Tian Shan mountain ranges. All of this makes this hunts far from easy, and shooting at longer distances is essentially given. By comparison, hunting a Kudu in Africa is much simpler and does not constitute a major experience.
wesheltonj
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No expert here, but my two cents. Hunted:
Greater Kudu - high fence
Lesser Kudu - free range
European Red - free range, but managed
Elk -private land low fence
Both Kudu were just pure luck. Greater headed back to the lodge for lunch, and standing 50 yards off the road in the brush. Lesser headed back to camp at the end of day maybe 100 yards off the road in the brush. Although hunted and tracked Lesser daily and no shots. Both hunts had other animals to hunt before and after the Kudu’s.
The Red, the guide had been watching the stag and knew where to eventually find him. Both high seat and walk and stalk. Found him walking to the high seat. Killed, photos and off to the next place to hunt a different animal.
The Elk, in the rut. Hunted daily, connected on the second to last day. 5x5. Thankfully the guide was able to pack it out and not me. Left camp the next morning, a day early.
The elk was the “hardest” hunt. Elk is still on my hunting menu. Done with Kudu. Maybe some more Red’s Representative to Bronze. That European hunting for me is the way to go.
Greater Kudu - high fence
Lesser Kudu - free range
European Red - free range, but managed
Elk -private land low fence
Both Kudu were just pure luck. Greater headed back to the lodge for lunch, and standing 50 yards off the road in the brush. Lesser headed back to camp at the end of day maybe 100 yards off the road in the brush. Although hunted and tracked Lesser daily and no shots. Both hunts had other animals to hunt before and after the Kudu’s.
The Red, the guide had been watching the stag and knew where to eventually find him. Both high seat and walk and stalk. Found him walking to the high seat. Killed, photos and off to the next place to hunt a different animal.
The Elk, in the rut. Hunted daily, connected on the second to last day. 5x5. Thankfully the guide was able to pack it out and not me. Left camp the next morning, a day early.
The elk was the “hardest” hunt. Elk is still on my hunting menu. Done with Kudu. Maybe some more Red’s Representative to Bronze. That European hunting for me is the way to go.
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I just found out I drew an Utah “Monroe” unit Elk tag for November 7th.
I drew the only non resident tag for that season. I dont remember putting in for a tag. I normally just apply for a point in Utah for the last 23 years. I must have swung for the fence and figured if I draw I’ll deal with it then.
I drew the only non resident tag for that season. I dont remember putting in for a tag. I normally just apply for a point in Utah for the last 23 years. I must have swung for the fence and figured if I draw I’ll deal with it then.
Uncontrolled_round_feed
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Congrats that’s a great tag!!
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