Kudu hunting v Elk hunting - comparisons?

Altitude sickness said:

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.

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I got my email yesterday;
Unsuccessful for everything but I swing for the fences on every application in every state

I wonder if Elk might be better compared to a tracking hunt for Eland, especially Lord Derby Eland?

I’ve killed a lot of elk. My largest over 370”. I love elk hunting.

But tracking Eland is a completely different hunt. And I put tracking Eland on a the same level quality hunt as Wild elk.

I've never hunted Elk, so I can't really speak to the experience. I will say this: I have a friend who has been doing a DYI elk hunt for ten years. In ten years, he has killed one cow, and one very modest bull elk. I have encouraged him to come to Africa to hunt Kudu several times, and his answer is always the same. "I can't afford that trip". For the cost 2-3 of those DYI hunts he could take a trip to Africa, and he'd almost certainly come home with several impressive trophies including a Kudu.

In my experience, Elk & Kudu are very different experiences but both fun in their own way.

Getting a nice free range Elk might be one of the most difficult things to accomplish (unless you live where you hunt them and have lots of time).

Monroe elk hunting is wonderful, a premium unit for sure. My nephew drew a late season pahvant tag which is also premium but hard A F!
He is young and invincible so will probably love it. But the real joy of elk is in mid-September when they are stinky, vocal and aggressive. Good luck with your hunt !

Altitude sickness said:

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.

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Monroe is a pretty special place. I drew the only non-resident random archery tag in 2008, which was the ‘Spider Bull’ year. I hunted the last 12 days or so of archery season and it was ridiculous how many good bulls that unit held. Bugling activity was incredible!

I called in several good bulls but couldn’t get a shot. Was about 10-12 yards from a big bull that was a solid 360’s class bull, but no shot and when he came into the open he was trotting after a cow so I didn’t let an arrow loose. I should have. Called a spike in accidentally while trying to lure a big 5x5 close enough and the spike laid down just about 5 yards from me. That prevented me from taking a shot at the 5x5 when he came into range. I saw probably 20+ mature bulls on that hunt that ranged from around 300” up to a 380 class 7x7 that I couldn’t get close enough for a shot.

Saw the biggest mountain lion I’ve ever seen in the wild, a very big Tom I thought would go 180-190 pounds probably, at a bit less than 100 yards. he walked right to me in the open while I was glassing. Got to watch him for over a minute before he snuck off and killed an elk calf just below me on that hill. That was a very interesting experience! I actually tried to sneak down and get a picture of him on his kill, but realized what an incredibly dumb idea that was so abandoned my stalk before I got too close.

Lots of great memories from Monroe, it was one of my best elk hunts ever even though I came home without a bull.

skydiver386 said:

I wonder if Elk might be better compared to a tracking hunt for Eland, especially Lord Derby Eland?

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I’ve never had any hunt I would compare to lord derby eland. They can walk through the heat and never rest like no animal I’ve seen. Southern elands and lord derby eland are very different animals as well. Southern eland (cape and Livingston) travel long distances but stop to rest and slow down to feed.

I have an archery elk hunt in Sept and My Monroe unit hunt is in November. Any weapon. Will use a rifle. 7 Rem mag or .338 WM

A lot of good advice as always…
I’ve hunted both, but my answer is Kudu as I shifted to Africa 20 years ago rather than Western hunts for this very reason.
I’ve taken over 20 nice Kudu now…
I saw the shift in advice towards Eland which is a great point for our Opp
So… think about this… you can absolutely 100% hunt both Kudu and Eland (and other game like Gemsbuck, wildebeast Impala and more) for LESS money than what I would call a “decent” Elk hunt
Also, you will experience far superior lodging and conditions..food…service and experience
To me it’s just not close….
Kill 2 Kudu and an Eland and more
Hell, I killed 8 in one week once in Botswana

If your goal is to simply kill shit, then it’s a no brainer

Elk. A high-fence ranch kudu does not compare to a wilderness elk hunt. Free range kudu is closer but not normally the challenge of a wilderness elk hunt.

I don’t think elk and kudu are all that comparable.

I enjoy hunting both greatly; but I can’t imagine any kudu, anywhere, comparing to hunting elk in a quality unit during September into October. Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada have incredible early season elk hunting for old, big bulls. Other states do as well, but it’s tougher to find a truly big bull, both body and antlers, than in those four states.

There isn't all that much in common between a 900+ lb bull elk and a 600-700 lb kudu. A mature kudu is built like a 3-5 year old bull elk, but isn’t very similar to an 8-12 year old bull. They’re a lot bigger, more heavily muscled and, as far as I’m concerned, harder to kill.

Nothing compares to hunting elk during the rut. Nothing! I’ve hunted kudu during their rut and it’s nothing like elk in September. Until you’ve called in bulls, had them in close archery range with no shot, it’s difficult to truly grasp how great elk hunting can be. It’s adrenaline charged, exciting no matter how the hunt turns out. Kudu simply can’t compare.

I’ve been fortunate to hunt elk in every western state except Washington and have also hunted them in Alberta & British Columbia. Most of those hunts have been during the rut. Had some fantastic results and eaten lots of tags, often because I let bulls walk that I should have shot. When I retire my dream is to have elk tags in 4-6 states and roam the west from late August until mid-October, chasing big bulls and making memories. Hopefully, I’ll notch a few of those tags along the way.

I’ve never had that thought about a kudu.

I've actually heard people compare elk hunting with turkey hunting. Seriously. An archery elk hunt where you are calling and going back and forth with a bull is similar to calling in a turkey.

375 Ruger Fan said:

I've actually heard people compare elk hunting with turkey hunting. Seriously. An archery elk hunt where you are calling and going back and forth with a bull is similar to calling in a turkey.

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The first time I got a good friend, who was a long time turkey hunting partner of mine, to go archery elk hunting he asked me what it was going to be like. I told him it was a lot like spring turkey hunting, except with 800 pound Tom’s.

I’ve never hunted elk. Had a few opportunities to make it a reality but life got in the way. Still need to make it happen. When you book a guided elk hunt are you guided by an accredited guide who knows the habits of the local elk population and the areas you’re hunting well?

Scott CWO said:

Elk. A high-fence ranch kudu does not compare to a wilderness elk hunt. Free range kudu is closer but not normally the challenge of a wilderness elk hunt.

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Since a healthy Kudu can leap over a 12ft high game fence, all Kudu hunting is technically free range. They cannot be contained by most typical high game fences for that reason. Kudu go where they want to go. All the fenced game reserves provide is mostly unspoiled natural habitat for Kudu with the tree leaves they like to eat and the cover and water they require. Throw in a herd of cows and a big bull will hang around for a while. I have seen them leap the tall fences like it was nothing. A friend of mine shot a Kudu bull at close range with a 308 and then watched it leap a 12ft fence and get away.

Elk outfits and guides are like any other outfit. Some very professional ones and a lot of not so professional ones.

If your going guided the location and knowledge of the guide is of course the 1st priority to nail down.

Pm @Scott-CWO he can recommend a high quality elk hunt.

JG26Irish_2 said:

Since a healthy Kudu can leap over a 12ft high game fence, all Kudu hunting is technically free range. They cannot be contained by most typical high game fences for that reason. Kudu go where they want to go. All the fenced game reserves provide is mostly unspoiled natural habitat for Kudu with the tree leaves they like to eat and the cover and water they require. Throw in a herd of cows and a big bull will hang around for a while. I have seen them leap the tall fences like it was nothing. A friend of mine shot a Kudu bull at close range with a 308 and then watched it leap a 12ft fence and get away.

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I think you mean 6 ft maybe if I give you benefit of doubt 8 ft, but no kudu is jumping a 12 ft fence. Farmers don’t introduce superior genetics to watch their kudu go to the neighbor’s property. Fences are put up for a reason. Some of these statements about high fence not holding in game get really absurd. How many free range kudu are in Texas? But somehow the fence doesn’t hold them in in South Africa?

Uncontrolled_round_feed said:

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’

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Yes and no and define "earned"

The blood sweat and tears for elk are different blood sweat and tears for kudu.

I've shot over a dozen elk. I earned each and every single one of them with physical blood sweat and tears.

I shot my first kudu at age 43. Took my business and finances that long to be able to do it. I earned that one and every kudu since then with blood sweat and tears, and many sleepless nights. Different blood and sweat and defintley different tears.

You can either work really really hard to find a public land western trophy or you can work really really hard and buy any hunt you want.

Both earned.