Tips For Judging Size Of Lone Cows

[Blue Rope]

I'm new to elk hunting. Been hunting whitetails in the east for 25 years and then moved here to Idaho 3 years ago. I was fortunate enough to get a raghorn bull on opening day of rifle season last year. This year, I spent 6 days hunting, saw a couple but had no shots and then killed a bull calf yesterday. He was alone and at about 140 yards. I thought he was a cow and without others nearby to help judge size, I didn't realize how small he was till I walked up to him. I'm sure he'll be fine eating but I would definitely have preferred a bit more volume of meat out of the deal. Are there any particular things to look for when quickly judging the maturity of a lone elk without antlers? Maybe it's just a matter of experience but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[JLS]

The yearlings tend to have different coloration. A little grayer-tannish/less yellow. Also the muzzle and ears will be shorter in proportion to the head.

 

[WYWINCHESTER]

Try looking at the length of her neck. An old cow can look like it's 3 feet long.

 

[Hunting Wife]

Older animals have longer looking faces. Little wedge shaped heads are youngsters.
Look at the face of the calf front and center compared to the cow at front left in the photo. Also see the faces of the two spikes front right compared to that cow.

 

[Hunter4Life78]

Older animals have longer looking faces. Little wedge shaped heads are youngsters.
Look at the face of the calf front and center compared to the cow at front left in the photo. Also see the faces of the two spikes front right compared to that cow.

View attachment 244792

Thank you for this pic.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

It can be hard when they're alone. Early this morning I came upon one at 200yds. With the naked eye in the grey light it looked calf size. Putting glass on it as it got lighter showed 12" spikes. Small,dark little guy but a yearling.

 

[shrapnel]

This looked like a cow at 600 yards, but was a calf at 150...

 

[Dakotakid]

This looked like a cow at 600 yards, but was a calf at 150...



View attachment 245248

If the elk is walking next to a crossing guard it likely is a calf…

 

[reallyoldman]

Older elk tend to have little more sag in their belly just like older people do. Flat belly young elk.