Vintage Hunting Gallery - Volume 10

Classic Elk Images

Nothing goes better with fall colors than the quaking of aspen leaves and the scream of rut-crazed bull elk in the mountains. We dug through the archives to find classic photos of elk hunts from yesteryear. You’ll notice classic rifles, plenty of plaid, and big smiles on the faces of successful hunters. May the elk gods be just as generous to you this fall.

Want to see the score charts too?

It's easy. First you'll need to register on B&C’s web site for subscriber exclusives. It's FREE and takes less than a minute to complete. If you already have an account, simply log in to gain access.

1 of 10 — Canadian Rockies 1939

G.J. van Heek, a Dutch textile entrepreneur, traveled to the U.S. to study textile production and found time to head north for a little hunting. In the Canadian Rockies, he took this great elk and a couple of goats on the same hunt.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

2 of 10 — Montana 1961

This bull never had a chance in the fall of 1961. Three hunters, including Chris Mullikin pictured with his wife Christine, were shooting at this bull when Terry Carlson’s bullet struck the fatal blow on the bull as it was running. Christine still owns the mount.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

3 of 10 —Idaho 1955

There is so much to love about this photo of George Agar with his 370-plus typical elk, but we’re not entirely sure about the foliage in place of the bull’s face. No doubt he turned some heads rolling through Bonner County back in 1955.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

4 of 10 — Washington 1965

Proudly strapped to the grill of his 1965 Chevy pickup, David Godfrey’s Roosevelt’s elk was the state record back in ‘65 when he shot it with his .308 Winchester. Today, it sits at number 14 for Washington.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

5 of 10 — Arizona 1970

Shoved into the back of what appears to be an old Willys Jeep is one massive typical elk killed by Roy R. Blythe on the Fort Apache Reservation. Those main beams measure longer than four feet, and the G-1s approach two feet. Check out the actual measurements in the score chart on this great bull.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

6 of 10 — Idaho 1915

This typical bull, measuring nearly 390 points, is currently number 10 in Idaho, and it was killed in 1915 somewhere in the Salmon River country. It hung in the Boise Elks Lodge until John M. Anderson purchased it in the early 1960s.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

7 of 10 — Oregon 1961

Ever wonder how many elk were killed by dudes wearing plaid shirts and blue jeans? We reckon it’s more than a few. Donald B. Martin killed this Baker County bull in 1961, and we hope he was wearing that killer outfit when he pulled the trigger on this beast.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

8 of 10 — Arizona 1967

Somewhere around Tonto Lake in eastern Arizona, Louise Campbell pulled the trigger on this great bull at the end of September 1967.

Featured in An American Elk Retrospective.

9 of 10 — Alberta 1952

With guide Harold Jameson leading the way into the Ram River country of Alberta, hunter Ralph Fry brought home to Kansas a whopping bull that scored just shy of 400. Apparently, he did a little goat hunting while he was there.

Featured in Vintage Hunting Album.

10 of 10 — Montana 1958

Hunting near Helena, Mike Miles connected with a tremendous bull that came in right at 384 points and grossed over 400.

Featured in Vintage Hunting Album.