Cow/ Calf Tag

[Huntbear]

Not sure where you were hunting, but I have never had a problem seeing tons of cows within pistol range, let alone rifle range during elk season.  So for that reason alone, I would not shoot a calf. 

[Rick]

had a couriosidy question
if you are willing to shoot a calf elk with a cow tag would you also be willing to shoot a fawn deer with a doe tag?

Something needs to be clarified. Yes it was a calf,but probably not what you're thinking. This calf was at least 1/2 the size of the cow I shot (my brother shot the calf). It was probably 250+ lbs on the hoof. 

Shooting an elk calf thats bigger than 95% of the deer that get tagged every year is a far cry from shooting a fawn thats the size of a cocker spaniel.

[WAcoueshunter]

Yes on the 150 lb calf, no on the 40 lb fawn.

My first big game animal was a calf on a west bar anterless hunt when I was 12.  The year prior, a friend had shot a cow and its calf stuck around to watch the carnage.  So his son (who also had a tag) shot the calf.  After eating both side by side, I had strict instructions to shoot a calf when I drew the following year.  Years later I had other friends who shot a cow and her calf - they wound up eating all the calf first.

I recently passed on a cow to shoot its calf.  You can cut the backstaps (let alone the tenderloin) with a fork.  It's great.  If it doesn't have horns, I'd rather get the best meat I can, even if I have less of it.  A fawn is just too small to waste a tag on.

[coldsteel3d]

I'm a bowhunter and I have passed many opportunities at cows and calve, and my choice is not to shoot. I know if I hunt I will kill a bull during the season, therefore I have no reason to shoot a cow or calf. 

[carpsniperg2]

i have hunted elk for 3 years with a bow and both my elk one bull and one cow were calfs i hunt in a area that we are lucky to see elk let alone get a shot the year i did not get one we hunted hard and did not see a elk if i was like a lot of people that have so many opertunitys i would pass a calf but any animal with a bow is somthin special in itself. i am a trophy deer hunter meat elk hunter. and like said both calf elk i shot were as big as a lot of our bench bucks.

[Thefisherman83]

MMMMM Veal 

[coldsteel3d]

i have hunted elk for 3 years with a bow and both my elk one bull and one cow were calfs i hunt in a area that we are lucky to see elk let alone get a shot the year i did not get one we hunted hard and did not see a elk if i was like a lot of people that have so many opertunitys i would pass a calf but any animal with a bow is somthin special in itself. i am a trophy deer hunter meat elk hunter. and like said both calf elk i shot were as big as a lot of our bench bucks.

Then I would say you are hunting the wrong area and should think about moving to a different hunting area. 

[fireguy459]

This season i saw an huge increase in calfs hanging.... i dont know if there was a huge carryover from spring or if people are enjoying the tenderness of small elk. My wife was hunting with me and asked me why in the world someone would shoot a calf which took me by suprise. However i have to agree with her.. shooting a calf does not allow a potential bull to develop as needed for reproduction and in washington the odds of drawing a tag at astronomical so i would think if i have the opportunity i would want to shoot as much meat as possible. I have had 4 any elk tags and shot 2 bulls and 2 mature cows. I dont think i could shoot a calf. 

[C-Money]

Well, If I could not find a mature cow, yes I'd kill a calf. Elk tags are to hard to come by in this state to pass on an opportunity.

[carpsniperg2]

coldsteel3d: you don't know what my budget is, it takes money to drive hours to knew areas. are you going to  front my fuel bill? i hunt were i do because i can enjoy my time in the woods and i don't spend a arm and leg to do so and i have some luck this was my opinion on the subject.

[duckmen1]

i new the comment about a calf is bigger than a fawn would show up but do you think its wrong to shoot a fawn??
it is still a yearling
i wouldnt shoot either but  thats my opinion

[Big Guy]

Just got the calf back last night.....We have been snacking on peperoni and jerky all day while watching football,all I can say is that it taste damn good.

[billythekidrock]

Just got the calf back last night.....We have been snacking on peperoni and jerky all day while watching football,all I can say is that it taste damn good.

A calf into pepperoni and jerky? Ain't that sacrilegious?

[NWHydroprint]

I would shoot a calf in a heart beat. I don't See why it would be a problem what the difference between shooting a calf or a cow? Size? Also when you think about it when you shoot a cow you potentially killed 2 elk if she was bred in September. So the theory of the calf being a bull is mute.

[Rick]

Just got the calf back last night.....We have been snacking on peperoni and jerky all day while watching football,all I can say is that it taste damn good.

A calf into pepperoni and jerky? Ain't that sacrilegious?

So would you rather have a guy that doesn't particularly care for venison,throw 80lbs of meat in the freezer and throw it away 2 years from now because it wasn't eaten?

Why does it matter WTF it was made into if its gonna get enjoyed?