Elk Question.
 

In NZ we have Elk that originally came from USA. (Donated by President Roosevelt.)
I think they are called Eastern Woodlands Elk. Down here we just call them Wapiti.
What I'd like to know is how many different types of Elk are there in U.S.A.
And what are some of the characteristics which make them different.
Would be glad for any information,as I'm planning to go shoot some this Autumn (March/April) Also interested in information on Bugle/Cow calls. i.e. What is a good brand and how much do they cost.

SOUTHERN MAN.
"GO HARD OR STAY HOME"

RE: Elk Question.
 

Hey Tim I hope I can help you out a bit and I hope someone from Oregon and someone from California can help me out on some of the species on the coast. The most direct answer to your question is three species. The first is the Rocky Mountain elk which is the larest in number and ranges from Canada all the way to Arizona and New Mexico. They have even started planting some small herds in eastern states but the hunting is very limited. In the western states the hunting can be excellent and the tags easy to get. The second species is the Roosevelt Elk which lives along the west coast. I know it lives in Oregon but correct me if I'm wrong but it may also inhabit Washington and Northern California. From what I have heard I has a really big body size and a very typical rack. I have seen many pictures and it also seems to me like they may be darker in body color. The last species is the Tule elk which lives in areas in California. The only thing I can tell you about them is that they are small as far as elk go in both body size and rack.

RE: Elk Question.
 

MT PRETT MUCH SUMMED IT UP FOR YOU, THE ROOSEVELT ELK DO LIVEIN WASHINGTON AND SO DO THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK. THE TULE ELK LIVE ON THE COAST OF WASHINGTON. THE BEST CALLS, WOULD BE A BUGEL AND A COW CALL, LOOK INTO THE SCEARY (SP) MBRAND THEY ARE REALLY GOOD CALLS.

RE: Elk Question.
 

Aren't the Roosevelt Elk also found on Raspberry Island in Alaska, as well as in some Islands in SE Alaska?

RE: Elk Question.
 

Yes, roosevelt elk are found on Raspberry Island and Afognak Island. They were planted there.

RE: Elk Question.
 

Thanks for replys, the Elk we have here have large typical type heads with long throwback tines. Have been some monsters harvested, but they are getting scarce.

RE: Elk Question.
 

There is a fourth. I believe its called the Manitoban elk Sub species. I am not sure if they range acrossed the border though.

RE: Elk Question.
 

Tim. I'll tackle the part of your question about calls. I hunt with a group in SW Colorado and to a man, we all use the Woods Wise "Hyper hot Cow Call." Cabela's among other venders sells it (Don't know if you have access to their magazine but they are on line at www.cabelas.com). Cabelas is one of the biggest and best known outdoor/hunting/shooting/camping stores in America.
The address of the Woodswise company is
Woods Wise P.O. Box 681552(v) Franklin, TN 37068. The kit I purchased is part of the "Callmasters Series" entitled Vocal Elk. It includes a VHS tape, the call, and a cassette you can drive your wife or whomever crazy in the truck listening to it. Other companies make good calls, but we have enjoyed great success with this particular call. The cow call is a versatile device because it works regardless of whether the rut is in progress or not. Biologists have chronicled a range of different elk vocalizations and all are covered in the VHS tape with detailed explanations. My first bull was summoned in using this call - he bugled at us in response to our calling. Other times we have stopped elk dead in their tracks using one or a combination of calls. Hope this helps.

RE: Elk Question.
 

Tim Buma, Don't you also have Red Deer there in NZ? And arn't they a type of Elk, with a crowned antler?
Just wondering.

RE: Elk Question.
 

Red Deer is a close relation, and they freely interbreed with Elk. Red Deer are more agressive and have almost wiped out the Elk, through competition and interbreeding. Hard to find a pure Wapiti down here.
But I'm going looking in April.
Wapiti Hunting is by a Ballot system. 24 Blocks with twoXtwo week hunting slots. i.e. 48 possibilities and usually a thousand or so applications. I've been lucky enough to draw one, and can take up to 6 hunters (including myself.)onto the block over a two week period. (7-21st April.) We're intending to hunt from the base of a 52 Foot luxury yacht. Probably "Fly-Camp" over two day periods and work our way inland to the hotspots. Hit rate for Pure Elk is quite low, but there are also plenty of Reds about. So I'm looking forward to it.