This is because elk are considerably larger in size than deer and they are better able to handle the deep snow of winter. A harsh winter does not have the devastating effect on elk like it does deer. Elk are very strong and adaptable animals and flourish in nearly any area from the high alpine mountains to the hot, dry deserts. I often see more trophy class elk than I do mule deer on a yearly basis. Getting the opportunity to see a large bull is not that uncommon as most of the limited entry units are managed for quality and contain lots of big bulls. Arizona has been coming on strong in the typical category and should top Montana in the not too distant future. According to the Boone & Crockett Club, the following is a list of the Top-5 States for both the typical and non-typical categories of Rocky Mountain elk including the county with the most entries listed after each state:Īs you can see Montana, Arizona, and Utah are at the top of both lists. In many states, the best trophy elk are found in very hard to draw limited entry units which can take many years of applying to finally draw a tag, but many great trophy bulls are also harvested in some of the general season units each year. Their antlers take approximately 90 to 140 days to mature and can weigh from 20 to 40 pounds on a big mature bull. Luckily for hunters, the Rocky Mountain subspecies possesses the largest antlers. Elk are the second largest species of North American deer, only the moose is larger. A mature bull will measure 5 feet at the shoulder and 8 feet from nose to tail. A mature Rocky Mountain elk bull can weigh between 5 pounds with the average weight being around 700 pounds. As far as body size goes, the Rocky Mountain elk is the second smallest elk subspecies, ahead of the Tule elk, but behind the Roosevelt and the Manitoban. There they are growing rapidly and each Rocky Mountain State has a very strong elk herd. Rocky Mountain elk are the most plentiful subspecies as they inhabit 22 states, but are mostly abundant in the Rocky Mountain States. They are one of four current subspecies of elk in North America (Rocky Mountain, Manitoban, Roosevelt, and Tule). 'Being the first to place a hand on his magnificent antler (one had already been shed) was humbling,' the post said.The Rocky Mountain elk are one of the most majestic and popular western big game animals. On Facebook, photography Good Bull Outdoors posted photos in homage to the bull and described him as 'the most iconic elk in history.' In a post, the group said 'many miles' were hiked before they found the body. he was one of the largest antlered wild elk ever,' Schrag said. 'I told my wife Alli about it as well as Andrew and we all went back the next day to get more photographs to pay tribute to this legendary elk who is one of the most photographed wild animals in the world. Schrag said he took some photos of the dead elk while reminiscing on the time he had spent with him over the years.

'One antler had already been naturally shed, a process all elk naturally undergo each spring, but the other was still attached which allowed me to positively identify him.' 'Mountain lion tracks around him and what appeared to be wounds to his neck,' he said. Schrag told Newsweek the carcass was found on the bank of a river. The bull had been hurt by another elk during breeding season, also known as rut, Patterson told CBS4. However, this was the last time the elk was to be seen alive.Īt the time, the Elk appeared injured.

We found him in a very visible location and spent about an hour with him along with fellow photographer Andrew Sanders,' he said. 'We learned through our network of fellow photographers that Bruno had been spotted in the winter for the first time ever so we set out for Rocky Mountain National Park on March 7 to find and photograph him. Loren Schrag, who belongs to the God Bull Outdoors photography group, told Newsweek he had been a 'legendary elk.' Good Bull Outdoors took many photos of the Elk over the years Good Bull Outdoors

Pictures of rocky mountain elk