Old elk or what?

[elkfins]

We caught this guy on camera yesterday morning... It's first time I've seen this particular guy in the area.  I'm wondering if the white hair / spots are from old age or if there's something else going on here???
I've sent an email to the WDFW bio's for the region to see what they say but thought I'd ask the internet experts.
Anyone have any thoughts?

[Tbob]

Near his neck it almost looks like powder of some type.

[cbond3318]

Doesn't look super old to me. The spots almost look like he got dusted with something. Interesting though.

[elkfins]

I don't think it's powder or dust or anything.  He was with 2 other bulls that had no signs of discoloration on their coats as well as several other elk in the preceding days that didn't have any of the same signs.

[coachcw]

Pallid markings ?

[danderson]

looks like hes just loosing the summer coat

[Motorjosh]

Whatever it is he is 1 heck of a bull!!!!

[Humptulips]

A number of years ago there was a herd near here that had a salt and pepper gray cow. I had thought she was maybe old. Then she had a calf with the same exact coloration.
Maybe that is just the color he was born with.

[Quackwhacker]

It's a really advanced bull calf. Just hasn't lost his spots yet. Just think how big he'll be in a couple years.

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[Elknut1]

Doesn't appear to have that Older Bull Paunch! He looks great & will look great in a hero photo! Good luck with him!

  ElkNut1

[scoutdog346]

Changing coats?  Nice bull.  I've noticed older elk tend to have more scars on their ears and nose...idk?

[4T]

Is there cattle in the area? Sometimes the ran her will put out dust bags to help with flies and other pests.

[NOCK NOCK]

Could be some kind of weird issue with the camera/picture. There appears to be some brighter areas around the bull too...between his front legs, part of the tree behind him, to the left of his rear leg,  something about that pic looks odd to me, especially when enlarged. 

[fishngamereaper]

Bigfoot was thinking country fried steak, the elk had different ideas..

[elkfins]

WDFW bio's responded that they think it's just a different coloration of the hide and the bull looks perfectly healthy and not too old.
No issue with the camera.  These are screen captures from video and the only elk that has these markings.  Here's a shot of a couple more that were with the one with white markings.  Note that the foliage in that spot looks lighter than the surrounding areas in this shot as well... This 5 pointl and all the others we have on this camera look normal.
I'm thinking we'll just have to put an arrow into him and get a closer look.  Would sure make a unique shoulder mount.