Alaska Elk: An Elk101 Film Premiere



The first successful translocation of elk into Alaska involved eight Roosevelt elk calves that were captured on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington in 1928 and moved to Alaska the next year. Another successful transplant occurred in 1987, when 33 Roosevelt elk and 17 Rocky Mountain elk were captured in Oregon and moved to Southeast Alaska. These elk have dispersed and established breeding populations on several islands, and limited hunting opportunities are now available through a draw process.

Steep terrain, thick timber and harsh weather make Alaska elk a difficult and challenging pursuit. Add in the challenge of packing these giant-bodied elk from remote kill sites, along with the presence of brown bears and wolves, and hunting elk in Alaska is not for the faint of heart.

Elk101’s Corey Jacobsen, Donnie Drake, and John Abernathey headed to Alaska in the fall of 2021, and experienced firsthand the majestic beauty – and the epic struggle – of hunting elk in such an intense landscape.

Depending on the season, the weather, and the several other factors, harvest as low as a single elk out of over 150 tags has been recorded, and the average success on some of these Alaska elk hunts is just 1-2 %.

A huge thank you is owed to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, along with the many other agencies and organizations who had the vision to bring a majestic, wild animal to such a majestic, wild landscape. And big thank you to the Tongass National Forest for allowing us to film this incredible adventure and share it with you.

#DestinationElk #Elk101 #ElkHunting

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Destination Elk “V4” is proudly sponsored by:

YETI (https://www.yeti.com/)
MTN OPS (https://mtnops.com) – use code ‘ELK101’ to save!
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The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – RMEF (https://www.rmef.org/elk101/)

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43 thoughts on “Alaska Elk: An Elk101 Film Premiere”

  1. Watching this hunting trip, I just can't shake the notion of all those who came before us, when man first set foot in this absolutely breathtaking and unspoiled territory . . . .

    This video is definitely among what makes the Y.T.-platform such a valuable thing, and thanks a heap to you guys for making this trip and sharing these glimpses of it with the rest of us! . . . Cheers from 🇳🇴👍

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  2. I listened to the podcast long before watching this film! I’d say you guys did an incredible job filming this and putting it into perspective. To keep such a positive attitude and see you smile was unreal. Great work to all of you! I learned that an Alaskan Elk hunt is not one I’ll put in for anytime soon.

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  3. Over the years been on several hell packs with elk, one consisting of four bulls over a 5 day period in very difficult steep terrain, but after watching this one gotta say don't think any of them topped it. Just brutal. Much respect, that was some serious fortitude displayed. Your camera man came through in a big way. That guy is welcome at my campfire anytime. Cheers from Montana!

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  4. In 1981 I aproched the Alaska Fish and Game about putting elk on the Prince Of Whales Island. No dice. The hills are more friendly and a lot of logging has taken place. Hope you thanked that bear as he saved you the 3 rd trip. Wow what an adventure !!

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  5. Awesome hunt! Honestly the best hunt I've seen documented. You guys did a great job captureing almost every moment. I almost felt like i was there.. it Reminded me of the diy hunt we did in Zealand.. Thanks for sharing 👍

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  6. This is a very late post! I finally made the time to watch this hunt. It was on my radar since it was post. Life gets busy. First and foremost excellent Job Gentleman! That was true grit and determination! Way to stick with it! What a hunt! You were all warriors! Thank you for sharing! I have no excuse now when it comes to packing my first bull! I will always remember this and I will put in all the work needed when I finally get my first bull down! 🙌🏼👏🏼🔥

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  7. Man you should have been better prepared to spend the night away from camp , I know you know that now . Donny not fully over COVID and a hurt knee. Man you guys pushed your selves to the limit . Great video and hunt this is one you guys will not forget. As a older man I wonder if you were feeling like maybe you are getting to old for this extreme hunting.

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  8. A few Roosevelt Elk over on Afognak too. Tough hunting for sure. We did it in quite a bit of rain and more rain. LOL. nothing wrong with water I guess. beautiful where you are at for sure! Those elk can cover some dang ground. spot em then pursue and they are gone! LOL Great hunt gentlemen.

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  9. "Hey wanna be our camera guy for an epic elk hunt?"
    "Sure what do I have to do?"
    "Nothing, just film us and we will pretend you're not even there. It'll be easy."
    Narrator: "It was, in fact, not going to be easy."

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  10. Wow what a hunt and a massive bull. You guys are some tough dudes. I have packed out a few rocky mountain elk(in my younger days) but nothing even close to what you had there. Total respect to you all.

    Reply

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