Shooting a Dry Cow

[Swede]

On RJ's thread I commented on shooting a dry cow. I don't want to shoot a cow that is lactating especially in August. Do you guys that will shoot a cow look for a dry one, and if you do, how do you know?

[>>>---WW---->]

You need to be real sneaky. But if you can give it a little squease, you'll find out.

[Swede]

Thanks WW. I knew that the way I observed it on a cartoon years ago did not work. In that show the farmer milked his cow by raising and lowering the cow tail like a jack handle to fill his bucket. There is just too short of a tail on an elk.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

You need to be real sneaky. But if you can give it a little squease, you'll find out.

I need to pick your brain. How in the world do you get that close? Do you lay on the ground on trails?

[Elkduds]

I hunt cows almost exclusively. If there is a calf w a cow, they get a pass from me. I think its illegal to frisk or grope an elk

[saddlesore]

I don't pay much attention n ML or rifle season and I have not noticed a difference in taste between dry and wet. Calves are weaned by then. Surveys by Colorado F&G ( CPW) shows the calves will make it thru the winter, if it is mild. They probably won't if it is a harsh winter ,whether they are with their mother or not.
I'd say from memory, and it isn't that good, most cows I have shot have been dry

[Swede]

To be fair, I don't think there is a perfect system of determining if a cow is dry or not. Early in our archery season I look for a lone cow. If no calf is around, I will shoot. I have been fooled. It is interesting that when I killed a lone cow, no calf ever showed up, so maybe it was already dead. Still I think WW's way of determining is good if you are up to the task.

[cohunter]

I shot a cow in October that was still nursing... they're definitely not weaned in the earlier seasons! I've seen a few calves nursing in December. The nursing cow I got didn't taste bad. She WAS older and a monster - not the most tender. 1.5 year old cows since have been much better. I had several opportunities on nursing cows this fall and passed them all. Those little spotted calves... I couldn't do it!

[cohunter]

I have read that calves are weaned by 60 days, but I've experienced otherwise.

[Lefty]

I just look for cow without calves

[saddlesore]

Calves that are nursing in October could be late calves. All cows do not get bred in the first go around and subsequently those calves area month late. Without their mama,they have a lesser chance of surviving a winter. Since I don't hunt early archery season,those spots are gone by the time I hunt. I would probably let mama if I saw them though .

Like horses,mules and ungulates, the calf will nurse as long as mama will let it.Sometimes until the next off spring is born. That doesn't mean the calve is getting all it's sustenance from mama. Generally they are weaned by mid Sept, and can survive on forage.Not true with those late calves though. Prey animals get weaned a lot faster than domestic stock.

BTW, it is more detrimental to shoot those lead old cows as they are the ones that carry on the knowledge of feeding areas,bedding, breeding, calving grounds and escape routes. Plus they are tough as shoe leather. I try to shoot the younger cows,which may be why don't s see many wet ones.That doesn't always work out though.Generally though I am a meat hunter,especially cows which are better eating. I seldom pass up a legal elk. Two instances where I will pass is if they are in some hellacious spot to get them out, or I don't have a good clear shot

[Elkhunttoo]

My brother in law shot a cow this last November and she still had lots of milk...

[>>>---WW---->]

All joking aside, shooting a cow that doesn't have a calf with her doesn't insure that she is dry. Elk are herd animals and the cows will take turns playing baby sitter for each other. I have no idea if they will nurse another cows calf. But, it is not unusual to see a cow babysitting 2-3 calves. Also, most hunting season dates are set to insure the success of calf or fawn survival. Most are weaned or big enough to eat solid foods by then.

The only sure way to tell would be to take a yearling cow.

[Lefty]

The only sure way to tell would be to take a yearling cow.

Yummy and a whole lot easier to pack out, and cut up.

[olympushunt]

All joking aside, shooting a cow that doesn't have a calf with her doesn't insure that she is dry. Elk are herd animals and the cows will take turns playing baby sitter for each other. I have no idea if they will nurse another cows calf. But, it is not unusual to see a cow babysitting 2-3 calves. Also, most hunting season dates are set to insure the success of calf or fawn survival. Most are weaned or big enough to eat solid foods by then.

The only sure way to tell would be to take a yearling cow.

Bill is right that season are set to ensure calf/fawn survival. Just because ya see a calf or fawn gettin a free meal from mom doesn't mean it isn't weaned or is reliant on said free meal for survival. Often times mom is "over it" but the calf or fawn will still try anyway. "Hmmmmm....milk or bland grass....? lol