Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: wheels on November 03, 2018, 01:41:43 PM

Title: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: wheels on November 03, 2018, 01:41:43 PM: always thought the cow was larger then the spike am I wrong ?
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Bucks2Ducks on November 03, 2018, 02:04:52 PM: No, your going to be right the majority of the time. A spike will usually be 1.5 years old, a mature cow 5+ years.... I would roughly guess another 150-250 lbs more depending on the side of the state your on.
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Backstrap on November 03, 2018, 02:05:26 PM: A fully mature cow will be bigger than a spike. But not all cows are fully mature. And of course there are always exceptions. I’d rather eat a spike than an old cow.
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: wheels on November 03, 2018, 02:12:29 PM: talking eastside just was talking with my dad saying dont mind not chadsing spikes since have chance at a cows later thinking more meat anyways
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: shootem on November 03, 2018, 07:41:24 PM: A 1.5 yo spike is going to be as good as it gets for the table.
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Skillet on November 03, 2018, 08:55:23 PM: If you want to fill more tables, though, a big cow is a pretty attractive option.
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Bob33 on November 03, 2018, 08:57:49 PM: Whichever comes first.

A spike in the hand...
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Old Man Yager on November 04, 2018, 02:58:48 PM: One of my Dads old hunting partners said don't shoot the lead cow, she's the oldest and will be the toughest to eat!! 😝
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Stein on November 05, 2018, 08:52:21 AM: I don't think they make many elk that don't taste good. Given a spike and cow standing next to each other broadside, I would shoot the bigger one but would be happy with either.

A mature cow will certainly be bigger in general and in my limited experience.

I do try to avoid shooting the lead cow in a string on the move as I believe this is the herd elder, but again if that was the only opportunity I wouldn't think twice.
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 05, 2018, 11:39:07 PM: Quote from: Old Man Yager on November 04, 2018, 02:58:48 PM
One of my Dads old hunting partners said don't shoot the lead cow, she's the oldest and will be the toughest to eat!! 😝
:yeah: smart man
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: scrapperdude on November 07, 2018, 01:19:40 PM: alot more meat on an average size cow than a spike elk, and they taste great :chuckle:
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: Karl Blanchard on November 07, 2018, 02:21:14 PM: I shoot the cow every time that way I dont have to pack out that big stupid head :chuckle:
Title: Re: true spike or mature cow ?
Post by: PastorJoel on November 07, 2018, 03:47:12 PM: Quote from: Bob33 on November 03, 2018, 08:57:49 PM
A spike in the hand...

Sounds really painful!!! :chuckle: :tup: