Bull Elk Color Change?
02-08-2003, 04:58 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Rancho Murieta CA USA
Posts: 160
Bull Elk Color Change?
While hunting elk in NM last year I noted that the bulls were noticeably lighter in color. They had a very blonde color which stood out among the cows. Is this common in other states. I don't recall ever noticing it on bulls I've seen in Colorado. Is it a rutting thing and only prevalent during rut?
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02-08-2003, 06:42 PM
#2
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: McCall Idaho USA
Posts: 753
RE: Bull Elk Color Change?
I've seen elk in several different states and whether spike or herd bull they're usually blonde in color year around, nothing to do with the rut. Even after they drop their antlers around march you can still pick them out in a herd because of color. elknut1.
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02-08-2003, 09:32 PM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
RE: Bull Elk Color Change?
I have noticed that elk and deer will get lighter during the summer and darker in the winter. I assume that it has something to do with needing to absorbe the heat better in the winter than the summer.
02-08-2003, 09:33 PM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: McCall Idaho USA
Posts: 753
RE: Bull Elk Color Change?
DARTanian That was a good one, I'm still laughing out loud. Did you know I'm a mason just like yourself, have been for 27yrs now. Thanks for the laugh. elknut1.
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Bugling Bulls & Beyond!
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02-10-2003, 10:10 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: meridian idaho USA
Posts: 429
RE: Bull Elk Color Change?
Dreamin,
The bulls are always a lighter color than the cows.
The older bulls are even lighter than the spikes.
I saw a bull elk a couple years ago that looked the color of a moose.
Upon further inspection he was covered with drying mud from a wallow.
The bulls are always a lighter color than the cows.
The older bulls are even lighter than the spikes.
I saw a bull elk a couple years ago that looked the color of a moose.
Upon further inspection he was covered with drying mud from a wallow.
02-10-2003, 10:45 AM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cedar Valley Utah
Posts: 977
RE: Bull Elk Color Change?
I am also a photographer so I view and photograph elk year round. There actually is a very distinct difference in thier color between the summer and winter seasons. Although the rut has nothing to do with it. In the summer months elk have a much shorter coat and it is darker in color, almost a light brown. Can't tell a whole lot of difference between bulls and cows as far as color.
In the winter months the elk have thier much longer winter coats and they are much lighter. The elk have two main colors, the blonde body and the dark mane and underbelly. The dark underbelly on bulls is much darker than the cows and the blonde body is much lighter.
I've never actually seen elk in the summer months anywhere but Utah but I have seen lots of pictures in other states and it appears to be the same everywhere there is a major temperature change between summer and winter.
In the winter months the elk have thier much longer winter coats and they are much lighter. The elk have two main colors, the blonde body and the dark mane and underbelly. The dark underbelly on bulls is much darker than the cows and the blonde body is much lighter.
I've never actually seen elk in the summer months anywhere but Utah but I have seen lots of pictures in other states and it appears to be the same everywhere there is a major temperature change between summer and winter.
