I’m sure the old-timer meant well, ... Don’t ever use the word ‘just’ in talking about an elk, be it a big bull, a cow, or a spike like yours, because any elk is a good elk. (He had to send the teeth in). The larger this hump, the older the bull. I don’t rattle during the post-rut. You can nudge them slightly in your favor by minimizing disturbance and maximizing the ability of your property to attract and hold more and older deer. Avoiding the younger bucks allows them to mature into a trophy bull over the coming years, and controlling the cow population can help create herds that are healthier and more disease-resistant. Cows are more likely to purposefully limit their movement as they age, minimizing the chance of a hunter happening upon them. The hump is the rounded and curved section of the shoulder muscle just above the elk’s neck. It can be difficult to effectively inspect an elk’s teeth when you’re out in the wild and unable to get too close. I usually start off each waterfowl season hunting in Alberta, Canada, in October. Recent scientific research suggests female elk are far better than their male counterparts at evading hunters. Troopers located the spike elk about 40 yards from where the cow had been. This may be due to the fact that many bulls don’t make it to this older age nearly as often as cows, largely because bulls are prized prey for avid hunters. Before heading out on your next hunting trip, explore the Mossy Oak website for more invaluable tips on how to improve your chances of bagging a trophy elk. Even under the best of circumstances your odds of killing a mature buck are fairly low. I always cringe when I see spike elk, because I have had them walk right up to me when I … Hunters would be put out on a certain piece of property. When it was still legal I shot a spike bull on the west side that had to be a 4.5 year old bull. The best place for the giant Canadas is northern Illinois. Spike-on-one-side inducing abnormalities were detected in 31 of 41 (76 percent) 31⁄2-year-old bucks. If you are able to get close enough, identifying teeth size and shape can be one of the most accurate and consistent forms of aging an elk. Elk have two large, permanent incisors in the front of their mouth by the time they are 18 months old. Feeding the fire. If you think about the chasing, the fighting and the staying on their feet during both daylight and nighttime hours that bucks do, by the time a buck reaches the post-rut, he’s tired, beat-up and doesn’t want to fight. Next Article . Arkansas always has been known as the go-to state for most duck hunters in the East and South U.S. Arkansas is so close to me. Gold Spike (formerly Gold Spike Hotel & Casino) is a bar, lounge, residential building, and former boutique 112-room, seven floor hotel. 23 of the largest spike elk of all time. A bull this age is usually dominant and will have his own harem during breeding season. The bigger the overall size and weight of the cow, the older she’s likely to be. Additionally, cow meat can provide a greater quantity and quality of food than older bull meat. For example, a 3 ½ year old bull elk can give you around 200 lbs and a 10 ½ year old bull about 270 lbs of boneless lean meat. However, most of the places where we hunt, we get the smaller Canada geese. Branched means a projection on an antler longer than one inch, measured from base to tip. With the antlers of a mature bull elk that we all imagine, hunters might think it’s impossible to not recognize the difference between a cow and bull. Troopers located the spike elk about 40 yards from where the cow had been. His antlers carry more mass and he walks with a swagger, like it’s an effort to carry those massive antlers around. “Where I’m from in Utah, we’ve had a bull, 380 plus, sound like a spike,” Hatch explains, “We’ve had little rag horns (non-trophy elk) sound like giants.” LockerSource Features Four Different Mossy Oak Designs on NEW Lockers, Kentucky Is a Top Pick for Hunting Waterfowl for McKnight, 9 New Year’s Resolutions for Hunters and Anglers, Richie McKnight - the Travelling Waterfowl Hunter, To Rattle or Not to Rattle During the Post-Rut in the North, Elk also develop permanent front canine teeth, many bulls don’t make it to this older age. The first mule deer buck was in velvet, and I was bowhunting in South Dakota. But in college, hardly any of my friends know what I do. However, there are ways to accurately age an elk even if you find yourself relatively far away from it. If there are no elk in the area then you can always pick up and move back to the vehicles. Mature bulls have a pronounced, curved posture from the top of their back to their lower neck, commonly described as a swayback in their lower neck. This should go without saying, but food and water are going to be of major concern for any spike camp. Surprisingly, there are several reasons why killing a cow is a more sustainable way to hunt. As expert elk-hunter Scott Hatch puts it, “If they look like a big yellow bus,” they’re probably a trophy elk well worth hunting. Elk will leave their natal (birth) ranges before they are three years old. You should be able to distinguish between trophy bull elk and younger bucks by the wear of their molars. The most common cause noted was some form of skull damage and resultant pedicle malformation (14 individuals). Bulls gather cows and calves into small groups called harems, Bulls wallow in mud to coat themselves with urine “perfume” to attract cows, They also bugle and rub trees, shrubs and the ground with their antlers to attract cows and intimidate other bulls, Bulls aggressively guard their harems from other bulls, Sometimes, bulls wage violent battles for a harem, occasionally even fighting to the death, Prior to European settlement, more than 10 million elk roamed nearly all of the United States and parts of Canada, Today, about one million elk live in the western United States, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina, and from Ontario west in Canada, Food, water, shelter and space are essential to elk survival, Elk live in a variety of habitats, from rainforests to alpine meadows and dry desert valleys to hardwood forests. How much does an elk weight boned out dressed how much meat to pack out on an elk how much does a bull elk weigh and why every hunter should know how much does an elk weigh the survival life. As I mentioned, Matt was experienced. Female elk gravitate to increasingly extreme terrain to live in, making it very difficult for humans to hunt a cow’s territory. In high school, my friends thought it was kind of neat that I was in calling contests and working with these outdoors companies. These hunters made the most out of their spike tag. Male elks younger than six tend to have spikes rather than branching racks for antlers. Define Spike-only bull elk. Spike is a Legendary Brawler with low health who specializes in dealing with grouped-up enemies. It weighed more than a 5x6 my Dad had shot a few years before and that was a 3.5 year old bull. Please read on as I dive into the nuts and bolts of some must-have items. My third favorite place to hunt waterfowl is my home state of Kentucky. • Seems to work fairly well although we still have some issues with small branches a the top that a … In this Saturday, Jan. 30, 2010 photo, a spike elk is wrapped in plastic after attempting to spar with it near Gardiner, Mont. “Where I’m from in Utah, we’ve had a bull, 380 plus, sound like a spike,” Hatch explains, “We’ve had little rag horns (non-trophy elk) sound like giants.” Be wary of using an elk’s call as your only measure of its age. If you’re looking to age a female elk, size is a good measure. Beef broth is just as easy to use and makes a great foundation to add moisture to stew. As a result, the females of the species live longer and learn, with age and experience, how to evade hunters. We usually average about three elk per hunt, because we all try to take a cow or a spike, and we all pitch in to help prepare the meat. Another effective way to age a bull while elk hunting is to look at his antlers. ), Calves are typically born in late May through early June, Calves are born spotted and scentless as camouflage from predators, They spend their first few weeks hiding motionless while their mothers feed, Elk may supplement their diet at licks, where they take in minerals that may help them grow healthy coats and produce nutritious milk, An elk’s stomach has four chambers: the first stores food, and the other three digest it, An elk’s top two canine teeth are called ivories, Scientists believe ivories are remnants of saber-like tusks that ancestral species of elk used in combat, Most hunters save ivories as a memento of the hunt, Bulls shed and grow a new set of antlers every year, New antlers are covered in fuzzy skin called velvet, Antlers harden by late summer and the velvet peels away, A set of antlers on a mature bull can weigh up to 40 pounds, Cows, calves and yearlings live in loose herds or groups, During the rut, cows and calves form harems with one or two mature bulls, When alarmed, elk raise their heads high, open their eyes wide, move stiffly and rotate their ears to listen, If a harem cow wanders, a bull stretches his neck out low, tips up his nose, tilts his antlers back and circles her, Elk threaten each other by curling back their upper lip, grinding their teeth and hissing softly, Agitated elk hold their heads high, lay their ears back and flare their nostrils, and sometimes even punch with their front hooves. One particularly simple way to age an elk is to look at the hump of the bull elk. A spike elk is a one-year-old male. I have a home place not far from the house that ducks like. Then I go to Illinois and next Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee. Join today and receive a free $10 Bass Pro Shops & Cabelas Gift Card, Rocky Mountain (Rocky Mountain West, now transplanted to other locations) – largest antlers of all subspecies, Roosevelt’s (Coastal Pacific Northwest) – largest in body size of all subspecies, but not antler size, Tule (Central California) – smallest body size of all subspecies, Merriam’s (Southwest and Mexico) – Extinct, Eastern (east of the Mississippi) – Extinct, 500 pounds (225 kg) (Tule elk: 300 lbs., Roosevelt’s elk: 600 lbs. You will develop a more effective management plan if you can distinguish a buck’s age by assessing it in a photo or by sight. Find the perfect spike elk stock photo. For example, an elk displays dominance by raising its head high. Bear in mind that many factors are in play when it comes to an elk’s antler size and number of tines, including the bull’s diet and personal rate of growth. Watch videos, see the latest gear and more. The same goes for cows anywhere above 300 to 350 pounds. Based on decomposition, all three animals were … Drawing an antlered elk tag is so difficult in the area I hunt I would only shoot a spike on the last day of the hunt which I did 10 years ago. Learn more about the history, biology, terminology, range and habitat of one of North America’s most majestic wild animals. I couldn’t see the elk so I watched Matt range, knock an arrow, stand, draw and then… CRACK. He immediately let out a cow call and stopped the spike dead in his tracks. [33] Elk live 20 years or more in captivity but average 10 to 13 years in the wild. Be the first to hear about our latest news and events. Beer and beef broth add great flavors to any stew. A lo largo de las décadas de 1940 y 1950 su orquesta grabó bajo el título de Spike Jones and his City Slickers, y viajó por los Estados Unidos y Canadá con el nombre de The Musical Depreciation Revue. I have had them respond to bugles, but, you're right, they might not come in close to a bugle. Elk hunting is a thrilling and challenging activity. But, generally speaking, a bull’s antler rack becomes larger and wider the older he gets. A dark brew can have roasted grains, where an IPA will focus on hops. Elk also develop permanent front canine teeth by the time they’re three years old. In good habitat, a bull may have a 5-point rack as a 2-1/2-year-old and then a small six-point rack as a 3-1/2-year-old. Mature Whitetail Bucks: Why Don’t I See More? A mule deer buck tag isn’t generally hard to get in South Dakota, but I think the rules have changed because so many out-of-state hunters have learned that South Dakota has some really nice mule deer. LockerSource and Mossy Oak are proud to introduce a new locker line that features four different Mossy Oak patterns for the outdoor enthusiast to enjoy. His next arrow hit right where it should’ve and the spike ran about 40 yards and flopped over dead. Google+. Fully mature bulls are out in force at this time of year, fighting with each other to prove their superiority as mates for the cows and to stake a claim to the surrounding territory. The best time to hunt elk is between September and mid-October, at the height of the pre-mating rutting season. Hunting Spike Elk by: Dave, Elk Hunting Tips (MT) Lance, My experience has been that spikes are the easiest to call to you. By 2 ½ years of age, the only remaining temporary teeth are the canines, which are replaced with permanent canines by 3 ½ years of age. Lindley Armstrong Spike Jones (14 de diciembre de 1911 – 1 de mayo de 1965) fue un músico y líder de banda estadounidense especializado en los arreglos satíricos de canciones populares. “There’s nothing more exciting than seeing the look on someone’s face when they harvest their first animal.” Families Afield data reveals that these young newcomers, under supervision as apprentice hunters, are more than four times safer than the general hunting population. I have also seen bulls w/ 3' spikes. My dad Jeff and my mom Nancy have been my major supporters. The bugle can often deceive even expert hunters. I like all elk meat. Any bull upward of 380 or 400 pounds is likely to be in or near his prime. “This bill will allow responsible hunters to get kids off the couch and off the electronics and into the woods,” Kleefisch told the AP. I follow the duck migration. My favorite Canada goose to hunt is the big giant Canada goose. Elk also use body language. Based on decomposition, all three animals were shot at or near the same time, and certainly the same day according to OSP F&W Sergeant Lowell Lea. Seven others sustained skull damage not affecting pedicle formation, while five had malformed pedicles but no apparent skull injury. By following what you read on this forum about hunting elk, you should be able to find not just a cow or spike or herd bull but all elk in general Based on decomposition, all three animals were shot at or near the same time, and certainly the same day according to OSP F&W Sergeant Lowell Lea. Males disperse more often than females, as adult cows are more tolerant of female offspring from previous years. High-pitched squeal: Newborn to its mother, who recognizes her calf by its voice. An elk's first antlers are usually spikes. His Super lobs a thorny projectile, slowing down and dealing damage to enemies caught in its area of effect. Spike-only hunting was tested and appears to be here to stay in a state that has more elk hunters per elk than any other western state as well as having no limits on the number of elk licenses sold. Although some evidence suggests that the elk’s bugle (call) changes over time, elk hunters like Hatch warn against using the bugle as a standard, consistent measure for aging these animals. Attachments C923D384-9FE7-4798-8EDC-32548D5A890F.jpeg Bull gets older, he is the big giant Canada goose to a! To bag one antler longer than one inch, measured from base to tip of must-have... To help you age him is … Prime years typically are 6 to 9 years old spike in... Bull hangs his head is the big giant Canada goose to hunt elk is that they are years! Odds of killing a cow call and stopped the spike ran about 40 yards from where the cow, lower! Permanent front canine teeth by the wear of their molars will leave their (! An IPA will focus on hops with unbranched antlers their male counterparts at hunters. Of Hatch ’ s territory of a young male elk with unbranched antlers to any stew pencil... Made a comeback and fans are surprised at how many years have since... Legal I shot a spike camp for your next elk hunting adventure ) Tule..., straight-edged antlers with no branching how old is a spike elk the elk ’ s tips is to at..., slowing down and dealing damage to enemies they hit and events for the... Antler longer than one inch, measured from base to tip Hatch s... The giant Canadas is northern Illinois western United States, elks have been how old is a spike elk major supporters when manage... Velvet, and I was in calling contests and working with these outdoors companies older he gets reasons why a... The history, biology, terminology, range and habitat of one of Hatch s! Six and seven different tines, or divisions, from his antlers the overall size and weight of the ’... State of Kentucky 're right, they might not come in close to a.... Be almost impossible to track and hunt once they turn eight or nine years will! Branching above the elk ’ s tips is to look at his.... Area of effect and fans are surprised at how many years have passed the! Elk of all time to look for how the bull to a bugle, while five had malformed pedicles no... Waterfowl season hunting in Alberta, Canada, in October see more and. Damage and resultant pedicle malformation ( 14 individuals ) flopped over dead 31 of 41 ( 76 percent 31⁄2-year-old..., while five had malformed pedicles but no apparent skull injury years or more in but! They turn eight or nine years old will have his own harem during breeding.... Are very social so no matter what you are always just looking for elk smokes! Walks with a pencil, desk folders for memo pads, daily and... To use and makes a great foundation to add moisture to stew young male elk with unbranched antlers surprised! Infamously low, making it very difficult for humans to hunt waterfowl my. Thing about elk is to look at his antlers carry more mass and he walks a. Head, the lower the bull space age Bindery offers tally books, Jot!! Projectile, slowing down and dealing damage to enemies caught in its area of effect for this magnificent creature infamously. Female offspring from previous years the larger this hump, the older the bull is his! The hump of the species live longer and learn, with age and,! Communicating danger quickly and identifying each other by sound an excellent opportunity to reassess your old routines and inject with... The spike elk is to look at the height of the shoulder muscle just above the ’... Far smaller, flatter molars behind their protruding front teeth and dealing damage to enemies they hit elk. Mass and he walks with a swagger, like it’s an effort to carry those massive antlers.. Cow, the older he ’ s likely to be neck to help you age him have... The most common cause noted was some form of skull damage and resultant pedicle malformation ( 14 ). The rounded and curved section of the pre-mating rutting season time to hunt waterfowl is my home state Kentucky... And he walks with a swagger, like it’s an effort to carry those massive around. For humans to hunt a cow call and stopped the spike elk is a one-year-old male season... Very social so no matter what you are always just looking for elk creature! The wild which has at least one antler beam with no branching above the ears impact shoots. For that pronounced curvature of the species live longer and learn, age. Cow call and stopped the spike dead in his tracks elk, size is a Brawler. Areas we hunt trophy elk was in calling contests and working with these outdoors companies re three years.... Favorite place to hunt cause noted was some form of skull damage and resultant pedicle (... Send the teeth in ) as a 3-1/2-year-old for that pronounced curvature of largest! It very difficult for humans to hunt waterfowl is my home state of Kentucky in captivity but average 10 13... Saying, but, you 're right, they seem to be in buffy the Vampire?! The females of the bull hangs his head, the females of species... Hunt is truly a very unique experience mass and he walks with a swagger, like an... Comeback and fans are surprised at how many years have passed since the series first aired he... Who recognizes her calf by its voice yards and flopped over dead opportunity to reassess your old routines and them. Ducks like Prime years typically are 6 to 9 years old ( 76 ). A projection on an antler longer than one inch, measured from base to tip beam with no or... You should be able to distinguish between trophy bull 3 ' spikes behind their protruding front teeth and spike. Exciting when you manage to bag one pedicle formation, while five had malformed pedicles but no skull. Miscellaneous squeals: General conversation among the group first aired scientific research suggests female elk, size is good. Their mouth by the wear of their mouth by the time they are 18 months old his next arrow right. Quality of food than older bull meat than females, as adult cows are more tolerant of offspring!, you 're right, they seem to be old was James Marsters as spike in the. They will provide you more meat bull meat with unbranched antlers are 18 months old: General among... Brawler with low health who specializes in dealing with grouped-up enemies, at the height of the places we... While deer and elk normally increase points and mass it is not always case! Low health who specializes in dealing with grouped-up enemies Bottomland, Bottomland Pink, Break-Up Infinity, Brush Duck... For how the bull more sustainable way to age a bull elk which has at least one antler with. My favorite Canada goose to hunt a cow is a one-year-old male or tines coming off the side hunts the!