Last month was a good one for Michigan elk hunters. 131 hunters participated in the state’s elk management hunt, which was held in December, harvesting 47 bulls, 72 cows and 13 calves, Mlive News reports.

The hunt, which targets Presque Ile, Montmorency, Cheboygan, Otsego, Alpena, Oscoda, Charlevoix, Alcona and Crawford counties, is the second elk hunt of the season. The first season was held in September and October and is used by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to manage elk populations beyond their traditional range.

Great weather conditions during the nine-day hunt made it “nearly ideal” for hunters, who experienced “consistently below freezing” temperatures with “multiple, light snowfalls,” according to Mlive News. This allowed for great tracking conditions and multiple hunting success stories to be shared around campfires for years to come.

“This was truly the experience of a lifetime, plus, I was blessed that I shot my elk successfully,” said hunter Brent Tackett.

“I really didn’t know Michigan had so many steep hills and that I would have to track elk over hundreds of them,” continued Tackett. “The prize was getting my elk in a successful hunt, it was an amazing experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Elk licenses are limited and available to those lucky enough to draw a tag. Interested in a Michigan elk hunt? Click here for more information on future hunts.