I always hunt with a cow elk tag late rifle season. The first two years I did this I hunted with my bow. Both years we got 18 inches of snow over 5 days and temps in the teens and 20's.
I did not tag out either year, but would have with my rifle. Distances were just beyond my ethical range with my bow, the elk at about 45-55 yards. That might tempt some long ballers but under the conditions and my own knowledge of how reality works, I was no way going to lob an arrow 45 yards in the wind, snow, moving targets and cold hands.
Anyway, I was fortunate enough to take a nice bull this archery, so thought maybe this year going back to a bow would be worth a try. I would love to take a cow elk in rifle season.
It is important for my family to have a couple elk under ice, so its not like tag soup isn't still a concern. But I wonder, I maybe should appreciate what we have and take the challenge.
I should mention when I rifle hunt its in timber using aperture sights. I enjoy that too.
What do you all think. I am on the fence.
This is where I hunt and typical conditions.