spike in velvet

[littlebuf]

this popped up in random pics, what time of year can you get a elk in velvet? they should be all bone by the time archery rolls around shouldn't they? maybe this is your pic id like to hear the story

[bobcat]

Could be from a state other than Washington, possibly Oregon. The archery season there starts the end of August.

[rackattack]

Depends on the year and the area.  Last year during early muzzy season I saw a majority of the spikes still had velvet.  About 10 years ago I saw a spike down in the Wind River Unit (any elk, so spikes are legal) that was still in velvet during rifle season.   Seems they run about a month or more later here in the SW.

[hunterofelk]

I think it depends on the testosterone in the animal.  Spikes are a year and a half old, so they might not have it all.  I killed this spike in late October and the dried strands of velvet where still clinging to the antlers.  I found a spike shed that still had velvet on it.

[littlebuf]

well you learn something new everyday. being a wet side hunter we dont even pay attention to spikes, there not really a option over here

[TheHunt]

It has not been to long ago that Oregon elk hunting started the second week of August. 

[elksnout]

I've seen more than my share of spikes with velvet on during west side rifle elk. Back when we could still shoot them I got one once that had dried velvet hanging form the horns. I don't think it's that uncommon.

[SHANE(WA)]

I took a spike on Sept 10 th , not uncommon to see spikes into the middle of the month in velvet

[colockumelk]

I've seen spikes in December at the feed station fully covered in velvet.  Three years ago during the muzzle loader season my camp got three spikes and all three had full velvet.  It's because they have a low amount of testosterone and also mostly because they're too dumb to rub the velvet off. 

[Yak-NDN]

It is not unusual to see velvet on a spike into October and depending on the elk even later.

[littlebuf]

well i guess i better start looking at the spikes closer, all the ones ive seen during elk season are bare

[C-Money]

When I hunted archery in the Colockum, I saw many spikes with velvet during the September season. They seemd to always be a little out of bow range!

[mossback91]

Seen one during rifle season with velvet still..........see if I can find pics of him......he died

[gasman]

I shot a spike on 9/11/01 and it was in full velvet. The hair at the base of the antler was about 2.5" long. Still have the velvet on the antlers to this day, down in the recroom.

A buddy sot his first spike in late Oct, durring the riffle season in 98" and it had velvet still. It was like a  thick skin covering the antlers.

[Grizzly]

I have seen a lot of spikes during archery season on the west side still in velvet  through the whole season