Originally Posted by
Stiknstring
...Do you feel that the lack of attention they receive is due to limited range, or is it their smaller antlers?
What are your thoughts about the difference between RM elk and Roosevelt?
I feel that the lack of attention for Roosevelt elk is definitely due to their limited range and limited numbers. From what I understand, Roosevelt elk are only found in west slopes of Washington and Oregon, Alaska's Afognak Is., and the west coast of British Columbia. Rocky Mountain elk are found in every western state, several Canadian Provinces, and have been transplanted into a number of Midwest and eastern states.
I can't remember the exact numbers, but I would guess that hunters in Colorado alone kill more Rocky Mountain elk every year than the total existing number of Roosevelt elk.
Yes, Roosevelt elk don't normally grow as large antlers as Rocky Mountain elk, but there are some very impressive Roosevelt elk antlers. I also understand that Roosevelt elk grow to a larger body size than their Rocky Mountain cousins.
Given the opportunity, I also would love to hunt them.