Elk Hunting Idaho

All About Rocky Mountain Elk
(Cervus elaphus nelsoni)
Physical Description
Coloration of the Rocky Mountain elk, which is also known as the Yellowstone elk, varies from deep copper brown to light tan depending on location, season, and gender. The rump patch is light beige. The legs and neck are often darker than the body. At birth, the calf is a rich brown color and the head will have darker brown hair covered with white and light tan spots, which serve as camouflage for the calf. The coloration of brown is lighter on the bull’s body compared to the cow. Elk average four and a half to five feet at the shoulder and six to eight feet from nose to tail. The Rocky Mountain elk has the largest antlers of all the subspecies.

Average Weight Range
Mature Rocky Mountain elk weigh 500 to 700 pounds.

Reproduction
Peak elk breeding season usually occurs in mid-September. Bulls become very vocal during breeding season (bugling), and battles among competing males are common. Bugling marks the onset of the breeding season and usually begins the latter part of August. Not all cows come into heat at the same time. After bugling starts, the herds break-up and bulls will begin collecting harems of five to 15 adult females.

The average gestation period of elk is about eight and a half months. The main calving period extends from about the middle of May to the middle of June. The number of young is usually one. At one month of age, elk calves eat grass and other vegetation. Weaning does not take place until October or even after the rutting season. Sexual maturity in females is usually reached in the second year. Bulls do not enter actively into the rut until they are about three years old.

Food Usage/Selection
The food elk consume varies with season and location. Generally, elk are grazers and eat grass and forbs (low-growing, soft-stemmed plants). An elk must eat about three pounds of food per day for every 100 pounds it weighs.

Range
Rocky Mountain Elk number close to 1 million in North America and are found from New Mexico to north central British Columbia along the Rocky Mountains.

Habitat
Habitat for this elk includes forests, alpine meadows, dry desert valleys, and snowy mountain ridges. In the summer elk live at high elevations in semi-open forests and mountain meadows. In winter elk migrate to lower sheltered valleys and meadows.

Common Hunting Methods
Elk have an excellent sense of smell and should be stalked upwind. Scent can also be covered using a scent eliminator spray.

Elk can be harvested using archery equipment, a high-powered rifle, a muzzleloader or a pistol. Many states offer a special muzzleloader elk hunt. Some pistol enthusiasts hunt elk during the general rifle season. Elk can be called into range with a wide variety of calls. Bull calls include the bugle and the squeal. The cow call can be most effective in drawing out a bull. Elk are also hunted by the spot and stalk method.

Hunting Challenges/Values
The wilderness where the elk live and the size of the animal can be intimidating and awe-inspiring for the first-time hunter. The thrill of hearing an elk bugling early in the fall is something that cannot be described; it should be experienced. If one is fortunate enough to harvest an elk, the hunter finds the meat to be nutritious and low in fat. Leather from elks has been used in footwear and clothing and is strong and durable. Hunters proudly display the elk’s majestic antlers.

Interesting Tidbits
Elk can run long distances at 28 to 29 miles per hour and for short bursts can reach speeds between 35 to 45 miles per hour.

There can be up to 14 feet between one track and the next of the same footing by a speeding elk.

Bulls, cows and calves are all excellent swimmers.