The Death Moan!

[ElkNut1]

How many have heard the death moan of an elk as it expires? We listen for that sound intently in hopes of it letting us know it's going down & where, this can be important in country with thick under-growth with a scant blood trail ! That sound can be a great tracking device! We've heard it up to 150yds away! That don't always sound off with it but on occasion it happens.

ElkNut1

[Fridaythe13th]

I had no idea that elk had a death moan. I know bear do the death moan very often. More good advice

[WapitiTalk1]

Yes sir. A distinct sound for sure. Have heard it a handfull of times.

[ishy]

Have heard coughing blood, not sure if that's what your thinking of. Bears on the other hand know they moan!

[elkmtngear]

Heard it with black bear (it is LOUD)!

With elk, only a cough. I will have to listen more closely.

[flystrait]

Yes, I have heard the moan few times. It is deeper than a bear moan.. Tell the you the truth the first one I heard I was only 20 yards away in the N. Idaho thick brush and I was tracking him after the shot and wait time. Boy I thought I just pissed him off and he was warning me. I did not know any better at the time. Good thing I take wet wipes I needed them!

[TetonStorm]

I watched a bull I just shot walk off 60 yrds from where I shot him in the heart with my trusty Martin Phantom II, he laid down attempted to bugle but it immediay turned into the "death moan". Creepy sound for sure.

[Indian Summer]

I've heard it. But only once. I'd say most don't do it. I always listen for it though. Creepy for sure, ran a chill down my spine.

[stringunner]

I've heard them coughing but I don't think I have heard the moan.

[pointysticks]

It usually me moaning.

[Trophyhill]

I've seen/heard it about 5 times. I love it when they fall close like that

[elk-n-walleye]

To be honest, I hope I never hear a death moan. I hate seeing an animal struggle for life just before they expire. It kinda rips at my heart Let's me know that I'm still human I guess.

I heard a bear do it on a video once. Never want to hear that again.

[Toby]

Another great bit of information, I didn't know they moaned, but will listen now for sure.

[Olydog09]

To be honest, I hope I never hear a death moan. I hate seeing an animal struggle for life just before they expire. It kinda rips at my heart Let's me know that I'm still human I guess.

I heard a bear do it on a video once. Never want to hear that again.

It makes me feel like a wuss but I gotta agree with you. It is however a great piece of advice to keep in mind when tracking an elk that has been arrowed.

My thought process is that death by arrow is a kinder fate than most natural wild animal deaths.

[Swede]

Off hand, I just can't remember any. There have been a lot of sounds made by elk after they are shot. The one I like best is the crash they make when they go down. Where are you folks hitting these elk that causes them to moan?

[ElkNut1]

Agree 100% -- I do not enjoy an animal suffering & struggling either after the shot. The death moan generally happens fairly quick on heart or lung shots as they expire quickly. It's basically their last breath of air. It's not done by elk as they struggle on for hours after a marginal shot that I've ever heard. It's generally heard on the quick clean kills. Thanks!

ElkNut1

[Trophyhill]

Agree 100% -- I do not enjoy an animal suffering & struggling either after the shot. The death moan generally happens fairly quick on heart or lung shots as they expire quickly. It's basically their last breath of air. It's not done by elk as they struggle on for hours after a marginal shot that I've ever heard. It's generally heard on the quick clean kills. Thanks!

ElkNut1

Agreed. When I hear that I know I can celebrate with a few silent fist pumps and a big smile

[tvbrewster]

Yup I've heard it on 2 of the 5 elk I have kilt. Heard it on the very first one and was surprised as hell.

Hope to hear it again this year.

[Swede]

I may be over thinking this, but I am wondering if what I thought was just the last of the air going out of them as they expire is what is being referred to as a moan? The sound lasted not more than one second.

[WapitiTalk1]

Swede, I've heard this sound a few times. Two, on elk I shot and at least one other on friend's elk. It's an actual moan, almost like a low, bray of a brahma bull. I shot a bull one time with a frontal shot at less than 20 feet and the hit was less than perfect.. as he wheeled and retreated, I screamed at him (diapham still in my mouth). He stopped, broadside quartering away at around 35ish yards a bit uphill.. Released a second arrow and clipped a lung high. This was mid afternoon, early SEPT 1993ish? Tracked him until he pretty much closed up, well into the hours of darkness. Came back before daylight and picked up his footprints at the last flag marker. Found him bedded down "alive" right inside the timberline by an old clearcut. Put a fatal arrow in both lungs at 10 feet and he jumped up, crashed about 20 yards and made the sound we're speaking of, as he expired. It is definitely a distinct sound, a pretty loud moan that may last anywhere from a second to quite a bit longer. Shot a cow one time with a very good, double lung hit and she made the same sound right as she expired. These were both big bodies Rooseys which probably doesn't have anything to do with anything..

[MLayden]

Same...heard a bear do it on a video...hope to never hear it again with any animal!

To be honest, I hope I never hear a death moan. I hate seeing an animal struggle for life just before they expire. It kinda rips at my heart Let's me know that I'm still human I guess.

I heard a bear do it on a video once. Never want to hear that again.

[MtnHunter]

An elk was 150 yards across a meadow from me last fall when it spooked, ran to the end of the meadow, moaned, then fell over. Someone snatched him right out from underneath me! It was like a live hunting show.

[husky390]

Yup I've heard it on 2 of the 5 elk I have kilt. Heard it on the very first one and was surprised as hell.

Hope to hear it again this year.

That must have been fun. Looks like the field dressing was a story by itself.

I didn't hear it from the cow I shot (rifle) but I agree with others. A quick clean kill from us is more humane than mother nature's cruel b*tch ways.