In search of elk stag....

gunstockjack

gunstockjack

Mid-low tech septuagenarian.
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As many of you know, I recently had a series of super-frustrating computer issues that I needed to address. After several head-pounding days, I told my wife we were taking a little break.

We've all seen the uptick in popularity of American Elk Stag handled knives, and I figured I'd like to see if we couldn't find some for ourselves, seein' as how we live practical in the same area. So we pack up the truck and head up to the Olympic National Park, right in the middle of elk country.

First nite we camps in a grove of fair-sized trees of all description:




It's hard to imagin' the size of these things, so here's a shot of honey-bun standin' at the base of a big spruce in camp.




Here's a photo of another one in camp, with my GEC micarta 72LB right in the middle of the shot.



Didn't find any elk stag today, but maybe tomorrow. About time to settle in for some good readin' & relaxin' tonite!



Next day we looks hard but don't see a dang thing. I'd swear there's elk stag around here somewheres. Alls we see are some funny lookin' sticks.



Looked inna bushes...

 
Sorry, I got interrupted right at the end of my story. Anyway, like I was sayin', I wuz lookin' high and low for some elk stag, but musta been in all the wrong places. But I sure do love this OD Green 42LB; super around camp but a little small at times. :thumbup::thumbup:



Sure is a funny lookin' log over there... huh. :confused:



Well, I give up. I s'pose that elk stag isn't so easy to find after all. At least we had a nice campin' trip! :D
 
Maybe a new pair of spectacles would be 'n order for ya Barry - very beautiful spot and very funny post. :thumbup::D

Those trees are huge - I could barely see your knife. :o

P.S. - I wonder what the Elk thought?? :confused::confused::D
 
gunstockjack said:
In search of elk stag....
Click to expand...


I think you be looking in the wrong place. Elk stag. I gots some...
100_3261_zps1a1021f5.jpg
 
Great thread and great pics Barry, lovely to get out of the city. Good luck with the computer stuff, I share your pain brother! :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys! That's a beauty, Frank! Actually, though, I was lookin' to match the elk stag on my Tidioute 73L that I had re-handled in local Roosevelt Elk stag - it's a little different looking than what GEC uses on their product and not quite as pretty, but is more personal to me. :cool:





Here's the real thing in action - awesome back-scratcher! :eek:



"Hey buddy! If you're done with that, can I borrow a lil' piece of that brow tine?":foot:



He was reluctant at first, and a fierce negotiator, but I was able to get the small piece I needed in the end. O'course I won't be walkin' straight for a few days, but it was worth the effort. Here's the goal:



As soon as I can straighten out, I'm gonna finish the project! :D
 
knarfeng said:
I think you be looking in the wrong place. Elk stag. I gots some...
100_3261_zps1a1021f5.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a knife I envy a lot Frank! Really fine example.:thumbup:

Just when I thought I'd got my White Owl mania under control.....:D

I suppose deer /elk/moose all shed antlers naturally but you very seldom see any in the forest. I wonder if it gets eaten by animals as a calcium source?

Thanks, Will
 
Looks like the hunt was sure fun. Those trees are massive. Great pictures!! That is going to be another fine looking knife with that piece of Stag you fought so hard for:D

Did I say that country really is magnificent. Thanks, Barry!
 
Will, the antlers of deer, moose, elk and other ungulates are shed every year in the winter and re-grown each spring. Squirrels, mice, etc. all eat the antlers/bones up for their minerals, and they only last a few years once shed.

Gev, photos cannot capture the magnificence of those old growth trees; they are simply too big to photograph, for me anyway. This area was actually logged a hundred years ago or so, but some old growth survived. Some stumps in the area are big enough to park a large pick-up truck inside of, and it's amazing to think of the huge tree it once supported. In the old days, some enterprising fellows would use a big cedar stump as the base for a cabin, as most were hollow several feet up; they would just add a roof! Most of the huge stumps are gone now too, as they were ground into beauty bark or cut into bolts for cedar shakes. Most of the big old trees grew in the lowlands that are now covered with "civilization".
 
Great story and pics Barry. I love the North woods. Only been up there once but fell in lovey. You are a very lucky man to be around such beauty all the time.

That's a nice piece of stag you scored though, gonna look great on that sharpfinger.
 
Nice get out Barry.I'm surprised the bull stayed around for pics.
That river reminds me of the Hoh & a time my brother and I were steelheading on it up in the park, we jumped a couple of bulls on our side and they boogied to the other side & commenced to bugling.Very impressive beasts.
Thanks for the pics.
 
Great lookin' sharpfinger with your stag on it, Barry. GEC's seems to always have more contrast, more black & white than any brown shades to the stag.

Here are my two favorite GECs in elk, a Cuban stockman and a traditional trapper. The #48 has a particularly nice "weathered" look to it, with all the little fissures.

ElkCuban.jpg~original


ElkTrapperMark.jpg~original

ElkTrapperPile.jpg~original
 
Great story and photos, Barry. I don't reckon the current owner of that elk stag is quite ready to give it up just yet.
 
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