Cow with calf; shoot or pass?

[canyelk48]

Just wondering if most people pass on cows with a calf.  If the calf is orphaned (i.e., mom is shot), what are the odds the calf will survive through the Winter.  I once arrowed a cow in MT who I thought was by herself, but after she was hit, her calf popped up from behind a hill.  It was pretty heartbreaking watching that cow die while her calf stood nearby browsing; and with the MT Winters, I'm not sure a calf could survive without its mom.  By the way, the cow was still latating.  Guess I'm just an old softy and maybe shouldn't worry about it?   

[Forrestrover]

I'd pass on it.

[Austrian Hunter]

I pass!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WWCCHunter25]

I'd pass on that. ive had that exact thing happen to me i felt real bad and due to the low rate of survival my hunting partner elected to just take the calf as well with his tag..... it was heartbreaking but it had to be done

[mulehunter]

I would pass...


Mulehunter

[400out]

Pass for sure not a second thought

[garyltbh]

it would depend on how mature the calf was

[wapiti hunter2]

If it is one of this years calves, I would pass.  Even in our relatively mild wet side climate. If it is last years, and therefore big like a spike, then shoot.

[toe-jam]

pass!!!!!

[carpsniperg2]

shoot what ever you would be happy with. if it was a baby calf from like a few months ago. no thanks for me. i shot a yearling cow last year which i still call a calf where i hunt we are lucky to see elk each year. the hunting is pretty tuff. but i love to hunt and i love to eat elk. so if the opp presents itself for a yearling or cow then

[huntnnw]

whack! elk are herd animals! calf is more than capable of living on its own

[NWWABOWHNTR]

If its a big calf... whack the calf!   Tender vittles and an easy pack out.

[woodswalker]

Pass thanks.

Had to burn a tag on a calf whose mother my partner had shot, thinking she was a lone cow.... 

[GEARHEAD]

if the calf is a buck50 or bigger, shoot it. what cow really is without a calf anyways.

[nontypical176]

Dad drew a cow tag one year and we needed the meat.  Both of us had worked all but the last day his tag was good.  First thing that mornin we see 3 elk, a big cow with a young cow and a calf trailing her.  We took the small(probably year old) cow.  I would have had issues with takin that big cow, had the young one not been there.  Herd animals or not, no reason to leave one for the coyotes if I can help it.  We needed the meat but if it was just that mother cow and a calf I would have thrown a rock at her......"Wise old cow live liong time, lots of babies, year old cow real dumb, taste good."  

[wsucowboy]

i would have to pass, if it was the last day and i needed the meat i would probably just shoot the calf if it was fairly good sized. That way the cow can go on and have more calves in the future and i would steal get some meat for the winter.

[520backyard]

Not even a thought just pass.

[Alan K]

I suppose if it were a lone cow and calf pass on her, but when you've got a herd filing by in the timber with calves in the bunch you can't tell which calves belong to which cows.   

[hughjorgan]

Just a cow and a calf by themselves, I would shoot the calf. Great meat and less work. If it is a big herd with cows and calfs intermingled I would shoot a cow. The herd will take care of the calf.

[PA BEN]

Shoot the calf. 80 to 90 lb's of boned out veal.

[gasman]

I passed and shot the spike 

If it was only a cow and calf    It would depend on the age of the calf.

Big calf, yes 

Small yearling, no 

[Goldeneye]

Pass