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elk
The elk or wapiti (Cervus canadensis) is one of the largest species within the deer family, Cervidae, in the world, and one of the largest land mammals in North America and eastern Asia. This animal should not be confused with the larger moose (Alces alces), to which the name "elk" applies in the British Isles and Eurasia. Apart from the moose, the only other member of the deer family to rival the elk in size is the south Asian sambar (Rusa unicolor).
Elk range in forest and forest-edge habitat, feeding on grasses, plants, leaves and bark. Male elk have large antlers which are shed each year. Males also engage in ritualized mating behaviors during the rut, including posturing, antler wrestling (sparring), and bugling, a loud series of vocalizations which establishes dominance over other males and attracts females.
Although native to North America and eastern Asia, they have adapted well to countries where they have been introduced, including Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Their great adaptability may threaten endemic species and ecosystems into which they have been introduced. Elk are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to livestock. Efforts to eliminate infectious diseases from elk populations, largely through vaccination, have had mixed success.
Some cultures revere the elk as a spiritual force. In parts of Asia, antlers and their velvet are used in traditional medicines. Elk are hunted as a game species; the meat is leaner and higher in protein than beef or chicken.
It was long believed to be a subspecies of the European red deer (Cervus elaphus), but evidence from a number of mitochondrial DNA genetic studies beginning in 1998 indicate that the two are distinct species. Key morphological differences that distinguish C. canadensis from C. elaphus are the former's wider rump patch and paler-hued antlers.
Hello all.
I am going to hunt elk this year in SW WA. I have 2 or 3 spots in mind up towards trout lake, but did NOT scout as much as I should. The one spot I did check out was a bust.
I was planning to solo hunt, but the wife keeps worrying. I plan to go on a few over night trips about 2...
Just purchased a Weatherby Vanguard 300 Win Stainless and fear that with a 4 x 16 x 44 scope this puppy will reach 10 pounds plus with ammo. Myself at 160 pounds today, thinking that only benefit in carrying this puppy will be that the recoil will be lessened.
I have a Winchester Winlite 338...
Just filled my elk tag in idaho north of st mary. Great hunt, hammered him at 30 yards with my 300 WM with minutes of legal shooting light left and he was dead before he hit the ground. Dropped right onto a logging road. put in 36 miles in 2.5 days to get him. So grateful
Greetings, all!
I have ZERO experience using any sort of elk call, but would like to get one and begin practicing. I am interested in a roof-of-the-mouth, diaphragm-style call. Do people have specific make/model recommendations for a good, all-around call?
Thanks,
Josh
I have typically hunted Coastal Elk, 2nd Season, because it's the only time I can guarantee I'll be home. (My 5 weeks of vacation every year get taken with other stuff). I did elect 1st Season in 2015 and wound up being in Kansas at the time.
I wanted to go out with my daughter again this year...
This splendid mount would be very impressive in your sporting goods store, gun shop, restaurant, or den. The cape and horns are all original to this bull. This is not some cobbled up set of sheds on a cow or spike cape. It is the best bull I killed over 13 years of hunting and guiding in...
So in a nut shell, the area I and another prominent member here were planning to hunt this year isn't going to work out.
That puts us about a month away from season and no good idea as to where to go.
West or East side would be fine.
Even an additional Hunter (property owner) would be a...
19 dead elk found in Oregon were likely killed by avalanche, biologist says
I’ve been hiking there several times, one of my favorite places, and I’ve never seen elk there. Plenty of deer though.
Sad story for sure
Just a quick question...
How much butcher paper and clear wrap do I need? I hunted white tails and processed a lot of deer, but it was one deer at a time, and I used a vacuum sealer. How many and what size rolls?
Thanks NW in advance!
Last year my buddy talked me into tagging along and basically being a pack mule for him during archery elk season last year and I caught the bug. I finally got my first compound bow and have been practicing maybe a little too much according to my wife. I ended up getting a Hoyt Powermax and...
FINAL PRICE DROP
I really want to get a certain gun from another member here so I am putting up my elk rifle for sale.
Purchased in 1993-94 from GI Joes (the good old days), this is a non-cataloged model 77, like a TALO edition.
Ruger was only making walnut or synthetic stocks back then, but...
As a new Elk/mountain hunter, I am looking to purchase a good multi day pack that I can haul meet out with. What is the best pack I can buy for the money and what features should I look for? External or internal frame? Since my budget is pretty tight I guess I really need to know what to look...
I am looking for a new elk rifle. Interested in something stainless. Not too particular about the asthetics, just wanting a nice shooting rifle. I have looked at both the Tikka T3 SL and the Savage 116, but would be interested in something similar in price and quality.
I relocated to Oregon last January, having spent most of my life in WV and VA. I live just west of Eugene, near Veneta. I hunted whitetail and spent a lot of time in the woods back east. I am trying to get more acquainted with elk and blacktail for this year's seasons. I've come to realize...
I recently moved here to Oregon this summer from Georgia and I am trying my best to understand yalls regulations/ tag system. I have never used the tag and points system before and was curious as to the best way to get a tag and acquire these points. Do you have to pay to apply for a tag? Can...
I’m going to head out late season archery hunting this weekend and wondering if anyone else is heading out?
This will be my first time out late season and I was thinking about going up north of Cathlamet.
I am an old man grew up hunting never slept in a trailer or 100k moterhome like some do when hunting , always been a tent and welp after many years of hunting and adding to my set up I think I am finally finished , have a 16x16 military tent with a wood stove and a 12x20 cook shack stove, oven...
2 weeks and never saw a dang old elk! I did chase a bull through 6-8 inches of snow for almost 4 hours. Never saw him. He finally lost me. Snowing like a son of a gun. He'd been shot, but not bad. I was able to find blood often enough to follow his tracks when he cut and mixed with other tracks...
This is going to tick you guys off big time. This is a developing story and I know a lot more than I can publish at this time. I went out there, to try and get some photos and assist the LEO however I could. There were a couple elk taken legally by a landowner and another person, but this was a...