Shooting cow with calf

[funkster]

I just got back from my late season archery elk hunt with nothing.  I did have a chance to shoot a cow that had a smaller looking calf, but just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I felt if I got the cow the calf would not be able to survive the rest of the winter.  Morally I'm fine with my decision, but I still replay the whole thing in my mind.  Just out of curiosity, can/do small calves make it without a mother/herd to follow?

It sounds like you are a true sportsman, looking to conservation, rather than worring about "tag soup". To me it is not always about filling the tag in your pocket and IMPO you did the right thing  .  I am kinda shocked by some of the post on this thread, archery has definitely changed over the years.

[Hi-Liter]

I just got back from my late season archery elk hunt with nothing.  I did have a chance to shoot a cow that had a smaller looking calf, but just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I felt if I got the cow the calf would not be able to survive the rest of the winter.  Morally I'm fine with my decision, but I still replay the whole thing in my mind.  Just out of curiosity, can/do small calves make it without a mother/herd to follow?

It sounds like you are a true sportsman, looking to conservation, rather than worring about "tag soup". To me it is not always about filling the tag in your pocket and IMPO you did the right thing  .  I am kinda shocked by some of the post on this thread, archery has definitely changed over the years.

 

And more. I think its BS that someone wants to shoot a calf. Its like shooting a milk cow calf. Not much of a hunt if you ask me.

[sirmissalot]

Shoot the calf its better than veil

[woodswalker]

Good call.  Might have been that the calf was a bull calf.... 

[BULLBLASTER]

I just got back from my late season archery elk hunt with nothing.  I did have a chance to shoot a cow that had a smaller looking calf, but just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I felt if I got the cow the calf would not be able to survive the rest of the winter.  Morally I'm fine with my decision, but I still replay the whole thing in my mind.  Just out of curiosity, can/do small calves make it without a mother/herd to follow?

It sounds like you are a true sportsman, looking to conservation, rather than worring about "tag soup". To me it is not always about filling the tag in your pocket and IMPO you did the right thing  .  I am kinda shocked by some of the post on this thread, archery has definitely changed over the years.

 

And more. I think its BS that someone wants to shoot a calf. Its like shooting a milk cow calf. Not much of a hunt if you ask me.

there are plenty of people that would be more than thrilled to shoot any elk... even a calf. who are you to say that it is BS if someone wants to shoot a legal animal?

[ANDERWAGON]

About five years ago I passed an opportunity on a cow with a calf at 40 yards along side a FS Road. A few reason I didn’t take the cow, one being that I would rather give the calf the best chance to survive as it might turn out to a great bull someday or a barring cow. Another reason was we just drove up on them and I didn’t feel like I was hunting the animal. About 4 days later I got a cow 3 mile back in the timber. My dad was with me when we had seen the cow and calf and helped me pack out the cow I did harvested. He never asked any question as to why, I think that would have been his choice also.

I wouldn’t look down on anyone's decision to take the cow or calf but looking back I would pass every time.

[YellowDog]

Interesting responses.  I wouldn't have much of a problem shooting the calf as long as it didn't still have spots.  I find it interesting that people worry whether or not the calf is a bull calf or a cow.  If it is a bull calf it stands a pretty good chance of getting shot during the spike season next year if it even makes it through the winter.  An antlerless elk is an antlerless elk.  You made the right decision for you but anyone bashing someone for shooting a calf on a hunt open for antlerless elk is out of line IMO.  You seem happy with your decision and that is good.  If you wish you had elk meat right now, you should think about shooting the calf next time and knowing that you probably let 2 other elk walk (cow and unborn calf) at least.

[Hi-Liter]

About five years ago I passed an opportunity on a cow with a calf at 40 yards along side a FS Road. A few reason I didn’t take the cow, one being that I would rather give the calf the best chance to survive as it might turn out to a great bull someday or a barring cow. Another reason was we just drove up on them and I didn’t feel like I was hunting the animal. About 4 days later I got a cow 3 mile back in the timber. My dad was with me when we had seen the cow and calf and helped me pack out the cow I did harvested. He never asked any question as to why, I think that would have been his choice also.

I wouldn’t look down on anyone's decision to take the cow or calf but looking back I would pass every time.

  Thats a good way to put it. I still think its BS.

And yes I can say what I want to, BULLBLASTER, I may not agree with your opinion just as much as you won't agree with me. I find it hard to believe that shooting a calf (legal) is really hunting.  Just like ANDERWAGON said, if you shoot a cow calf, she would likely produce 5-8 elk on the ground in her lifetime. I not against taking a cow, I have shot them. But I never did with a calf standing next to the cow or just looking to shoot a calf.   

Many years ago my dad and grandfather hunted in Canada for moose, with Indian guides in Indian country. If you ever shot a calf with a mother or not, you were never allowed to hunt with them again. I think that is conservation.

[tmike]

This is a question of ones own personal ethics. Sometimes taking any elk in an area that is open is Conservation (cow or calf). If the calf is still milking I'd pass, this time of year I'd let the situation dictate my decision.

[Practical Approach]

 

I just got back from my late season archery elk hunt with nothing.  I did have a chance to shoot a cow that had a smaller looking calf, but just couldn't bring myself to do it.  I felt if I got the cow the calf would not be able to survive the rest of the winter.  Morally I'm fine with my decision, but I still replay the whole thing in my mind.  Just out of curiosity, can/do small calves make it without a mother/herd to follow?

It sounds like you are a true sportsman, looking to conservation, rather than worring about "tag soup". To me it is not always about filling the tag in your pocket and IMPO you did the right thing  .  I am kinda shocked by some of the post on this thread, archery has definitely changed over the years.

[engelwood]

You made the right choice in my opinion. Good work.

[BULLBLASTER]

i dont think it makes a whole lot of difference if the elk is a calf or a 1 year old cow, or even a 2 year old cow for that matter.
if you shot a 2 year old cow, by anderwagons math she could still put 3-7 more new elk into the herd.
shoot what you want to and pass on what you want to, but i will be the first to congratulate anyone on any legal animal that they shot. be it cow, calf, or bull. that calf is almost a year old at this point and is plenty capable of making it on its own if the cow was shot.

also, to the OP, you made a desicion for yourself and i commend you fir that. if you regret the decision now that it is passed, you will know for next time.

[funkster]

A 1-2 year old calf would most likely make it through the winter but IMPO that is not conservation. Conservation to me is letting animals become mature to pass strong genetics so the herds will be strong long after I am gone. Elk herds in this state are weak and are getting weaker every year due to this mentality of "shoot anything that moves". Shooting a cow with a calf or shooting a calf  to me is greed and the "I have to get something" syndrom. I could understand if you where living off the land and that was your sole means of survival, however, no modern hunter in this day and age fits that bill. Instead of buying tags, weapons and gas spend that money at costco,you will get way more meat for the dollar.

[JLS]

I see the elitist crowd is doing well, and are fully willing to castigate people for saying they would shoot a legal animal.

More power to you, I could very well criticize someone for shooting a big buck, instead of allowing him to remain in the gene pool and spread his wealth for the "sake of the herd".

Like shooting a milk cow calf?  Get real.

[sirmissalot]

I see the elitist crowd is doing well, and are fully willing to castigate people for saying they would shoot a legal animal.

More power to you, I could very well criticize someone for shooting a big buck, instead of allowing him to remain in the gene pool and spread his wealth for the "sake of the herd".

Like shooting a milk cow calf?  Get real.

You took the words right out of my mouth.