Tracking question

[Will]

Was out last month trying to use (more like learn) tracking skills during a deer hunt. Saw lots of tracks, a few does but never came close to a buck. Ran into this track and wondering if anyone knows what it is?

[meathunter]

I'm pretty sure those are deer

[Humptulips]

elk

[Will]

Deer or elk? How? Track length about 7-8 inches, repeated pattern on a small dirt road for 20 yards or so. I know elk prints can be different when they run but then the lower part should have a different shape (see pic below). There were plenty of easily identifiable deer and elk tracks by the way.

Just trying to learn more and recently discovered this site so really appreciate the help  

[phildobaggins]

Hard to really tell without much perspective on size and can't clearly make out shape. If I had to make a bet based off of this alone I'd say deer.

[callturner]

Even toed hipulate!

[jstone]

Cow elk

[The scout]

Cow elk

  For sure

[MIKEXRAY]

Elk track .  Big deer tracks are more narrow for the same length, never that fat .

[Will]

Thank you all, lots of learning ahead of me looks like

[fishngamereaper]

Elk with hoof rot.

[WapitiTalk1]

Looks like an elk track to me (top circled), way too rounded for a deer of any species.  Not sure what that bottom gobbledeegook is  .  I'd actually say the top circled track may be a bull track.  Note direction of travel, and, that the top track is on the inside of the bottom track.  This oftentimes signifies that tracks were made by a bull.  Why?  Because bull's have narrower hips than cows.  Cow tracks, more often than not, will have their top hoof/track fall on the outside of the bottom track due to their wider hips.  This is not a 100% rule but  more often than not, it will ring true.  The terrain angle will also affect this "rule of thumb" but your tracks appear to be on flat ground.  Happy hunting 

   

[Stein]

I would say elk as well.  I do have a problem between smaller elk and larger deer, but the small elk are mostly with other elk and not by themselves although it does happen, especially when the shooting starts.

If you are in the snow, big deer tracks often have dew claw marks where the small elk don't (at least I think so, could be wrong).