License Type: NONRESIDENT COW/CALF ELK
Results: Unsuccessful
Informal Results
Ammunition Availability: Very Limited
I'm planning to go west this year for Antelope hunting and wanted to add a cow elk to the mix. It didn't add much (relative) to the cost, but added time to the hunt which is nice since most antelope hunts are not terribly long. It will take a solid two days to get to Wyoming for a three day hunt which implies more time driving than hunting. The journey is part of the adventure, but it is a small additional investment in money with a return in quality time with the addition of the cow elk tag.
Since most of my hunting is East I don't shoot beyond 100 yards very often. I've shot a couple deer and wild boar at a greater distance than that, but not by much. I have an excuse to spend some quality time at the range to get ready for the greater distances that can be encountered out west.
However, ammunition availability is dreadful right now. Politics and paranoia aside, when influential politicians started talking about significant gun control, less influential politicians (and some influential individuals) also talked about removing ammunition availability, using price (tax) as a proxy.
In addition to firearms, ammunition began flying off the shelves. Some of this is paranoia. Some might not be. Everything is up in the air. Since I shoot primarily my own handloads, I thought I was largely immune to the mayhem, but this is not the case. Just about everything-gun related is in short supply. I almost always have over a hundred rounds ready to go for every caliber I own and components for many more. With what I feel I should do prior to heading west, I am still a little concerned.
I've recently tallied up what I have for the two rifles I may take to hunt antelope and possibly elk and I guess I have a minimum needed. I have a few hundred rifle rounds and about twice that many in components. If I could just locate one more pound of the correct smokeless powder, I'm sure I'll be all set.
Ammunition availability does seem to be starting to return, albeit slowly. A local store had a good supply of bulk .45 ACP ammo. Higher priced "hunting" rifle ammunition is still available. Since my shooting is currently hunting focused, the increased cost of this option is only slightly objectionable. It will allow saving handloads for hunting.
What is frustrating is the suggestion that gun violence is going to be controlled by taxing ammo out of existence is ludicrous. This is an option that will only affect the hunter and avid target shooter. A lunatic doesn't need much ammo and probably doesn't care what it costs. Suicide is an expenditure that is immaterial of cost.
The 2013 Wyoming Elk draw was this past week. My draw was unsuccessful. According to my outfitter, there is still a good chance at a leftover tag later this summer. I can't count on that. Hopefully I do draw an antelope tag, but I guess I shouldn't count on that either.
Regardless of what happens, I'll enjoy spending some time at the range.
President Obama has stated he respects hunting and its traditions. Coupled with a widely publicized photo of him shooting an over/under shotgun. Unfortunately, it doesn't pass the smell test that a man who never shot a gun prior to becoming president has suddenly found enjoyment out of skeet shooting. The White House photographer might as well have used a green screen to achieve the same result without subjecting the President to the horrors of an inanimate object he objects to so much.
I'm a little disappointed I didn't draw the elk tag as I thought they were pretty easy to obtain. I can't blame politics for not drawing it though..
Political pragmatism forces all but the most rabidly anti-gun politician claim their gun control schemes will not affect hunters. Unfortunately, it already is.
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