Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: smithkl42 on September 09, 2019, 07:09:34 PM


Advertise Here
Title: Dead elk calf
Post by: smithkl42 on September 09, 2019, 07:09:34 PM
I spotted this dead calf on a westside hunt. Hard to tell how long it had been dead, but from the smell and hair loss, I'm guessing at least over a week. No obvious injuries, and in an area where it's really not likely it could have starved. There are plenty of predators and scavengers in the area, but they seem to have let it alone. Any thoughts about what might have killed it? Some sort of disease, presumably, but not sure what. (No sign of hoof rot, that I could see.)
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: outdooraddict on September 09, 2019, 07:40:16 PM
good lord, I could nearly smell that wet rotting thing through the computer screen,  that had to be a pleasant smell
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: Bango skank on September 09, 2019, 07:41:18 PM
Strange that no scavengers got to it.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: Timberstalker on September 09, 2019, 07:44:28 PM
Pretty long face for a calf. Interesting.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: TRD1911 on September 09, 2019, 07:47:13 PM
Without any bloating or signs of external decomp it looks pretty frail to me. I've had a couple cows on camera this year that looked horrible while the rest of the hurd looked remarkably healthy. Is there a parasite that may have played a part?
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: Mudman on September 09, 2019, 07:50:55 PM
It was too many Hikers!  Like in Vail Co.  :chuckle:  Seriously no scavenging is weird.  Sicko??  Looks sickly to me.  Maybe car injuries?  Parasites?  Elk Rabies!!! :sry:
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: bornhunter on September 09, 2019, 07:54:23 PM
You may want to put a WDFW biologist onto that thing.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: carpsniperg2 on September 09, 2019, 07:57:32 PM
Looks like a very run down sickly animal. Guessing it died from complications of disease or something along those lines.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: lewy on September 09, 2019, 08:03:19 PM
Looks like a very run down sickly animal. Guessing it died from complications of disease or something along those lines.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: smithkl42 on September 09, 2019, 09:08:47 PM
You may want to put a WDFW biologist onto that thing.

I've sent an email to the various WDFW folks I've been chatting with about that area.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: smithkl42 on September 09, 2019, 09:10:39 PM
good lord, I could nearly smell that wet rotting thing through the computer screen,  that had to be a pleasant smell

I actually couldn't smell it much until I poked it with a stick. *Then* I could smell it, oh boy.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: X-Force on September 09, 2019, 09:11:06 PM
You may want to put a WDFW biologist onto that thing.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: jakeweb on September 09, 2019, 09:13:38 PM
I agree. Definitely get WDFW to come take a look
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: Bango skank on September 09, 2019, 09:16:40 PM
good lord, I could nearly smell that wet rotting thing through the computer screen,  that had to be a pleasant smell

I actually couldn't smell it much until I poked it with a stick. *Then* I could smell it, oh boy.

What exactly were you hoping to accomplish by poking it with a stick?
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: npaull on September 09, 2019, 09:23:43 PM
Sometimes you just have to poke things with a stick.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: Crunchy on September 09, 2019, 09:24:45 PM
I would be interested in what the hooves look like.  Only elk ive seen that skinny had hoof rot.
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: smithkl42 on September 09, 2019, 09:38:23 PM
Sometimes you just have to poke things with a stick.

This could be my motto.  :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Dead elk calf
Post by: X-Force on September 09, 2019, 10:10:07 PM
I would be interested in what the hooves look like.  Only elk ive seen that skinny had hoof rot.

Was wondering the same thing
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal