Shooting cows with calfs

[Justin7mm]

Interesting replies.  I agree that as part of a herd the calf would do better than if on its own.  I have had cameras out for 6 weeks and haven't had any predator pictures as its kind of a rural area.  I guess I started the thread because nearly all of the cows in my pictures have calves.   I once shot a 4 pt. buck that had a spike with it and the spike would not leave the older buck.  The spike was actually trying to encourage the dead 4 pt. to get up with his antlers the entire time i was approaching. Finally, at about 50 feet i ran the spike off by hollering at it and i felt bad even at that.  I think it would be tough to deal with a cow/calf situation like that.   I'll be crossing my fingers for a bull to walk past first.

[buglebuster]

I'd smoke the first cow i see and not even think about it

[RoyBoy]

Shoot the CALF they're delicious.

I'd smoke the first cow i see and not even think about it

A buddy shot a calf many years ago.  I had the opportunity to eat one of the steaks.  It was fantastic...

So...if you're worried about leaving a calf stranded, shoot the calf and let momma go.  Problem solved.   

I'd smoke the first cow i see and not even think about it

  you gotta think about it a calf elk is the size of a Big deer and taste AMAZING! look at this for example

[deerslyr]

That made my morning RoyBoy 

[Justin7mm]

I like your rationale royboy. Nice pic

[MIKEXRAY]

I saw a herd two weeks ago on the east side and was surprised at how little the calves are and that they were still spotted up. I never see spotted animals in early Sept, surprised at how much they grow in a month.  I think I would look the situation over,  if the calf appears mostly full grown then shoot.  Smaller then not. Seems like watching for 5 minutes you would get a sense.

[Button Nubbs]

Its September, wait for the bull...

[D-Rock425]

Its September, wait for the bull...

what if you can't shoot bulls.

[Button Nubbs]

Its September, wait for the bull...

what if you can't shoot bulls.

Then I would find an area where you can.

[turkeyfeather]

It really depends on whether or not there is a herd to protect the calf to me. If there is I'm shooting.

[wildmanoutdoors]

While myself and my hunting partner trek out alone, we are always in contact and have a pact that if one shoots a Cow with a calf and the calf is hanging around we will take both and split the meat.

But if Im alone and see a Cow in range Im shooting it no matter.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Elk calf survival is fairly high for calves orphaned in September or later.  Same for whitetails and mule deer, though orphans do have lower survival (normal winter mule deer fawn mortality is around 50%).  Killing a cow moose with a calf or calves is a death sentence for those moose calves.

If you are really concerned about the fate of the juveniles, and have to shoot, you can kill the calf or fawn with a clear conscience.  I deliberately killed a calf elk years ago (standing next to its mom), it yielded 76 pounds of the most amazing, tender delicious meat ever.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  When I lived in Wyoming and doe/fawn tags were plentiful and cheap, I several times deliberately killed whitetail and antelope fawns in alfalfa fields that had already been orphaned.  Not as a kindness measure, but because they are so amazing to eat.  I have not done the same in Washington, only because tags are so much scarcer; however, I'd still whack the calf where antlerless is legal.

[6x6in6]

My former hunting partner subscribes to the "if you're concerned about it, shoot the calf, they taste better anyways" theory.
Just one of many reasons he's a former....
If they ain't got legal bones sticking out of their head, they live.  But that's just me. 

[JLS]

Elk calf survival is fairly high for calves orphaned in September or later.  Same for whitetails and mule deer, though orphans do have lower survival (normal winter mule deer fawn mortality is around 50%).  Killing a cow moose with a calf or calves is a death sentence for those moose calves.

If you are really concerned about the fate of the juveniles, and have to shoot, you can kill the calf or fawn with a clear conscience.  I deliberately killed a calf elk years ago (standing next to its mom), it yielded 76 pounds of the most amazing, tender delicious meat ever.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  When I lived in Wyoming and doe/fawn tags were plentiful and cheap, I several times deliberately killed whitetail and antelope fawns in alfalfa fields that had already been orphaned.  Not as a kindness measure, but because they are so amazing to eat.  I have not done the same in Washington, only because tags are so much scarcer; however, I'd still whack the calf where antlerless is legal.

I agree.  Calves are great eating.  Orphaned calves will very likely survive.  If it was that big of a concern, I imagine you'd find a state where it's illegal to shoot a doe/cow with a fawn/calf.  I'm not aware of any.

[MLBowhunting]

To me I wouldn't do it.  Just wait it out and hunt hard.