How young is too young...

[iccyman001]

Because I only have hunted whitetail, I am a little curious about your thoughts on 1-1.5 year old elk.
I don\'t know how big they are compared to others, both cow or bull.


If it was your first elk hunt ever, would you go for an elk that young, or are they just too small?


Any information would be great!

 

[Swede]

Why not? The hanging quarters should be near 200-210 pounds. That is a lot of good eating. I will still shoot a good spike.

 

[timberland]

Shoot away with no regrets. The first is always a trophy. A six month old calf is comparable to a whitetail.

 

[cnelk]

In 2011, I shot this bull calf from my tree stand
And I didnt regret it at all!
It gave me about 60lbs of premium meat.

 

[bowhunter]

My first elk was a bull calf in 2012. I was sitting on a rock outcroping over a stream watching a trail and some grass on the other side. I had 3 cows and calves come down the trail near sunset. The others were 40 yards and blocked by a large beetle kill tree. The calf walked to 23 yards broadside. I ranged him and waited for a clear shot on one of the cows but they began to wander off. I ranged the calf again. Yep 23 yards and I was elevated so it was just like a treestand shot I was used to. I double lunged him and he ran less than 50 yards away from the others. MMMMMMmmmm Great eatin.

 

[Billy Goat]

calf eats way better than elk tag does.

 

[bnsafe]

i shot a bull for my first, but only because thats what i had a chance at first. if i get a chance at a cow someday she will get shot at to. good luck

 

[Anonymous]

If you want tender meat shoot the smaller, younger elk. I have shot two very tough elk, one was a big 5x5 and the other a lead cow. Don\'t shoot the lead cow if you don\'t have to. Of course, how often (with bow) do we get to choose which elk.

 

[OldMan]

There was a time in my life that I would only hunt for bulls and bucks. It was the old way of thinking back then.

I\'d shoot a calf elk now. It\'s still bigger than any deer, and it great eating. I\'ve never shot one, but i\'ve tasted it.