I was wondering if there are any physical characteristics a male elk track will have in comparison to a cowother then obviously size. I had a bunch of tracks around my trail cams and kinda thought they were cows but then after seeing my pics I didn't have a pic of a single cow they were all bulls. Thanks
Distinguishing bull elk tracks
- Thread starter Marc_350
- Start date
AWHunt CDAID
New member
- Jan 9, 2013
- 172
The bull will have distinctive dew claw http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/wilderness/animals/elk.gif
They are diff shape slightly but unless you have a perfect track its hard to pick that up, I find the best way besides size and the time of year and how many elk are together is checking the location of where they Urinate in comparison to the tracks of where they where they were standing at the time.If you want to know for sure than get the visual on those antlers . 
Of course in a perfect world no other tracks would be around to mess you up but a bulls hind foot will be just to the inside of the front track where a cow will be on the outside of the front print. That's the only other help I could tell you besides what's been said. Along with that though that us usually on flat on steep side hills and ect I have seen them be all over. So if everything is perfect that might help but hard to tell sometimes
DIRK DURHAM
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- Dec 18, 2012
- 132
Bull tracks will be more rounded, where as cow tracks are typically more elongated and pointed. Like mentioned earlier, bull tracks will look a bit more blunt.
Registered User
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- Jul 30, 2013
- 15
Great info Tdiesel - never knew this information.
Don't smaller bulls have prints more like cows? However bigger bulls are more rounded as previously stated.
Don't smaller bulls have prints more like cows? However bigger bulls are more rounded as previously stated.
DIRK DURHAM
New member
- Dec 18, 2012
- 132
The larger the bull, typically the larger and more rounded the track. Spike bulls and 2.5 yr old raghorn bulls tracks are a little harder to pick out, yet are usually a little more blunt than cows. When I spot a lone track that is cruising down a trail or dirt road mid to late September, and it's blunt, I typically regard it as a bull on the prowl for cows. Not a perfect science, but you can take a picture and compare it to a group of cow tracks and see the difference. A mature bull track will be VERY evident in size and shape. Start taking note of the differences this fall and you will pick up on them
Yes as stated by others bulls are normally rounder or more blocky if that makes sense cows are finer in feature and not all blunted usually. Concerning my previous statement cows even does/ domestic cows rear hips are wider for birthing front end more slender bulls are opposite with broader fronts thus giving bulls rear to the inside cows rear track to the outside
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- Jul 30, 2013
- 15
Makes total sense Tdiesel. Sure almost every four legged animal is like this for that reason - I just never thought about it.
