Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: PA BEN on December 04, 2011, 11:53:17 AM

Title: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 04, 2011, 11:53:17 AM: Big cow, small cow, old cow?????? Does it matter???? Do they all eat good???? My daughter and I have cow tags for Dec. this year. It's a meat hunt and we are looking for some good eatting. I have shot some old w/t does and they were good eatting. I don't know about elk. The rut is over and they are just out eatting for the winter. :dunno:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PolarBear on December 04, 2011, 11:56:06 AM: I always went for the biggest cow in the herd and wouldn't give the little one or calves a second look. Hever had a bad or gamey one.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on December 04, 2011, 12:02:55 PM: Almost all of my Elk have either been cows or spikes, they all tasted great ! the bigger the better !!
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: elkfvr on December 04, 2011, 12:04:15 PM: My Dad and I both shot cows a few years ago. Mine was a younger one, his older and a third again as big. I could definitely notice a difference in the way they ate. Both were good, but the younger one was a bit milder tasting and more tender. Given the choice I would shoot a younger one. :twocents:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 04, 2011, 12:08:15 PM: The bull I shot last year, witch was the oldest bull I've shot was very good eatting. I've arrowed 2 calfs and a spike and all were good eatting . Thanks.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: dreamunelk on December 04, 2011, 12:09:17 PM: Pretty much all will be good eating. Just take good care of it. Now being that your hunt is intended to reduce landowner issues. if you are hunting on a farm I would suggest a prime breeding age cow. You will be doing the landowner a favor and meeting the objective of the hunt. Look at the rostrum (snout) of several cows. You will see that some have a short rostrum ( calves & younger adults) and some have a real big snout (likely older less reproductive cows). Take two in the middle and you will have some good eats and a happy landowner!
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: boneaddict on December 04, 2011, 12:20:25 PM: I think what they eat, how they are killed and how they are processed matters more.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: gotshot on December 04, 2011, 12:32:49 PM: I agree witn Bone, take good care of them, and I am sure you wouldn't but don't leave the gutpiles in the farmers field.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 04, 2011, 12:37:21 PM: Didnt know there was such a thing as bad elk meat.....

Good field care, proper processing = good eats.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: doyourtime89 on December 04, 2011, 12:38:07 PM: I am all about the biggest one in the heard. I have shot old, small, big and haven't noticed a difference.....I go for the most meat
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: wsucowboy on December 04, 2011, 12:40:58 PM: Quote from: fishngamereaper on December 04, 2011, 12:37:21 PM
Didnt know there was such a thing as bad elk meat.....

Good field care, proper processing = good eats.
:yeah:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 04, 2011, 12:43:14 PM: Ok. With 2 cow tags does it really matter the size? :sry:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 04, 2011, 12:57:56 PM: Quote from: gotshot on December 04, 2011, 12:32:49 PM
I agree witn Bone, take good care of them, and I am sure you wouldn't but don't leave the gutpiles in the farmers field.
gut piles I will leave. I will back all the bones out. :tup: Also one of the farmers said he would load them up w/his tractor.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 04, 2011, 01:15:10 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on December 04, 2011, 12:20:25 PM
I think what they eat, how they are killed and how they are processed matters more.

x2 :tup: If they are in area eating lots of grass then they can be very tasty, then you get the ones that are eating sage brush and they don't taste as well. Same with deer and lopes and etc. Food source has a lot to do with the flavor of the meat.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: rtspring on December 04, 2011, 01:17:11 PM: Shoot the biggest one you see, Take care of the meat properly. You will be very happy......
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: gotshot on December 04, 2011, 01:21:09 PM: Alright Pa, very excited for you and your daughter. Go get'em and happy eating.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: idahoelkhunter300wby on December 04, 2011, 01:33:14 PM: Ive only ever heard of one buddys old cow being tough but she was so old almost all of her teeth were missing and she had birdshot under her hide where the farmer had been chasin em out of the fields all summer.
Take the first shot you get at a cow and dont worry about it. Hold off on shootin a calf till the end of season.
Goodluck. Enjoy.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 04, 2011, 02:11:19 PM: I love horns, but in the long run it's all about the meat with me. My kids could shoot does in Chewelah. We have 5 daughters. We would shoot 5 to 7 deer a year. All we had for meat was deer and elk. Didn't need to buy meat. I also cut it up myself. My kids are calling me from college asking for deer meat. Wild game is the best. Hope to get our years supply of meat on this hunt.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Fullabull on December 04, 2011, 03:36:56 PM: Shoot the first one that present a good shot...it could be your last chance ;)
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 04, 2011, 04:22:27 PM: Quote from: Fullabull on December 04, 2011, 03:36:56 PM
Shoot the first one that present a good shot...it could be your last chance ;)
Yep. Don't pass up on one when it's a meat hunt. :tup:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: gaddy on December 04, 2011, 04:45:50 PM: after a couple of spikes, the last one was an older cow. the wife & kids agreed that it was the best eating animal i had brought home. i always wonder if its the testesterone levels. would you rather eat a grizzled old man or a tender female.
kind of like my gramps telling me years ago not to take a buck thats been run hard as the addrenilan will taint the meat. a younger buck that has not been pushed will taste better?
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: 400out on December 04, 2011, 04:46:10 PM: I thinking all has been covered well! One thing to remember is no matter what your eatting! female tastes the best! :chuckle:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: gaddy on December 04, 2011, 04:48:45 PM: as long as its clean.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: 400out on December 04, 2011, 04:53:34 PM: Quote from: gaddy on December 04, 2011, 04:48:45 PM
as long as its clean.
:yeah: hit that right on the head! LOL
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: SkookumHntr on December 04, 2011, 04:57:10 PM: I always go for a smaller one, last years calf! Not going to beat that for tender steaks!!
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Bigshooter on December 04, 2011, 05:09:26 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on December 04, 2011, 12:20:25 PM
I think what they eat, how they are killed and how they are processed matters more.

Let me give you a steak off of this years calf and a steak off of a 6 or 8 year old bull that died the same way ate the same thing, and tell me they taste the same.

Without a doubt younger is better eating in my book. I've ate (or tried to eat) old bulls that the backstrap was cubed that was tuffer than leather.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Encore 280 on December 04, 2011, 07:04:08 PM: I got a Mudflow calf a couple years ago and it was really tender, like veal. The meat wasn't even a real dark red yet like a mature animal. My wife really loved it, that's a good thing! Just had a roast last nite from my Margaret cow that I got last week, she's good too but not as good as the calf. Steaks will be on the menu later this week. Shoot a cow and a calf. :tup: The calves are good size now.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: elkslayer069 on December 04, 2011, 07:09:25 PM: Shoot the tanest hefers you can find best meat youll find
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: GoldTip on December 04, 2011, 07:16:08 PM: I've shot plenty of cow elk, only had one bad one and I didn't shoot it. Dad shot one back in 91 or 92 down in Dillon and that old cow didn't have a drop of fat when we skinned her. She was strong eating. But I've probably eaten all or parts of 25-30 other cows and they were all good.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: str8meat on December 04, 2011, 07:18:29 PM: shot a cow in the cowiche 2 years ago let her hang for 9 days and still a little spunky. she was old, ivories wore flat. hard to beat a yearling cow. chances are she might not be pregnant. kill a big mature cow and your killing the calf too, which just might be a spike in 2 years. have fun and good luck
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Atroxus on December 04, 2011, 09:01:56 PM: Quote from: gotshot on December 04, 2011, 12:32:49 PM
I agree witn Bone, take good care of them, and I am sure you wouldn't but don't leave the gutpiles in the farmers field.

I have been curious about this...what's the expectations of most owners when hunting on private property like a farm, or back yard? I kinda figured property owners wouldn't want a gut pile on their lawn. What else can you do with it though? :dunno:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PolarBear on December 04, 2011, 09:15:36 PM: Most farmers (at least those that I know) prefer that the gutpiles are left in the field so that they can shoot coyotes off of it. I know that whenever I or my neighbor slaughters a steer we put the gutpile where we can see it from the house and shoot the crap out of the song dogs.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on December 04, 2011, 09:55:17 PM: all I know is Coweeman here we come January something :chuckle: :tup:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: C-Money on December 04, 2011, 09:58:31 PM: I picked out a big cow and let her have it. She tastes great! Good luck on your hunt!
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: WSU on December 05, 2011, 09:58:38 AM: Shoot the first one that gives you a good shot. All should be tasty and that takes the guessing out of it.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 05, 2011, 10:10:23 AM: Processing and aging will make the biggest difference. As a chef, I make sure they're hung in a cooler or above freezing for at least 7-10 days before packaging. That gives the natural enzymes time to break down the tough threads and sinew; really tenderizes. Making sure that none of the intestinal contents or urine and feces come in contact with the meat will also make a huge difference. Bloodless/gutless evisceration is great for this.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 07, 2011, 05:52:29 AM: My bull from last year was hung for 4 days. It was September so it wasn't getting to cool at night. Tender and eats just fine.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3498.jpg&hash=0b88a83e2d0fd42ed7eb8e2111986bab9458ff82)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3500.jpg&hash=97e0b27324b585fd751cd19e40e946b250ea758d)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3508.jpg&hash=e0393375654f0de21849b078220be692741c784f)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3505.jpg&hash=7cdcb66cc665b30ab71bd9d19e01322f0e4b6e4c)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3509.jpg&hash=ef3a27c8461b35e2c22917fec79812361c5cd513)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi154.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs276%2FPABEN07%2F100_3510.jpg&hash=a98069ba3e54b0bb742661ecd6d6c4f8fc7d87cd)
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: coachcw on December 07, 2011, 06:39:16 AM: I think the one thing that hasn't been covered here is , what your cow tag means to the herd , if it's merelly to thin the herd then a young cow is fine . I personally would see a cow tag as a chance to kull a old cow thats not breeding any more . If the meat is taken care of she will eat just fine exspecially if shes been in agricutural land eating the good stuff .
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: SI Eagle on December 07, 2011, 08:50:31 PM: Makes no difference
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: HairTrigger on December 08, 2011, 12:38:34 PM: Quote from: dreamunelk on December 04, 2011, 12:09:17 PM
Pretty much all will be good eating. Just take good care of it. Now being that your hunt is intended to reduce landowner issues. if you are hunting on a farm I would suggest a prime breeding age cow. You will be doing the landowner a favor and meeting the objective of the hunt. Look at the rostrum (snout) of several cows. You will see that some have a short rostrum ( calves & younger adults) and some have a real big snout (likely older less reproductive cows). Take two in the middle and you will have some good eats and a happy landowner!
Yup true to this here :yeah: but if just right happens shout an drop the lead cow typically the front one an the biggest one sometimes but in most instances when done the others won't know what to do sometimes just stand there or stop an look at her laying there thus your daughter can tag out too on the same heard an you can shoot the second or third or gouty cow getting a lil less seasoned one some awesome steaks indeed good luck!!
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 08, 2011, 01:16:50 PM: :yeah: Bulls eat good but cows taste better! :drool: :drool: :drool:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Glockster on December 08, 2011, 01:18:55 PM: Dam right Plat...

Just make sure it doesn't have a calf nearby! :chuckle: LOL.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: grundy53 on December 08, 2011, 01:19:52 PM: I would shoot a heifer.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PlateauNDN on December 08, 2011, 01:28:54 PM: Quote from: Glockster on December 08, 2011, 01:18:55 PM
Dam right Plat...

Just make sure it doesn't have a calf nearby! :chuckle: LOL.

Definitely. I was stalking a cow one time and just before I squeezed I noticed a smaller patch of brown all of a sudden and what do you know she's got a calf. Great to see mom and baby walk off without even knowing they were that close to being loners.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on December 08, 2011, 02:09:10 PM: My buddy shot a huge lead cow a few years back that was ENORMOUS. By far the toughest elk meat I have ever eaten. Even the loins were too tough to eat. Only tougher meat from a big game animal I ever had was from an old bull moose from here in WA. So not all of them are tender and tasty.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: WSU on December 08, 2011, 02:22:44 PM: Quote from: PA BEN on December 07, 2011, 05:52:29 AM
My bull from last year was hung for 4 days. It was September so it wasn't getting to cool at night. Tender and eats just fine.

Did your head smell like elk piss for a week? The scent wafer on the hat had to be pleasant...
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Mike450r on December 08, 2011, 05:35:50 PM: I have killed more than a few elk and the better they die, the better they taste. A dead right there elk will always taste better than one that runs off and has to think about dieing.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: Encore 280 on December 08, 2011, 05:55:49 PM: Mike

I have to agree with you. Anymore I try for head or neck shots with my deer cuz I'm really tired of wasting meat and cleaning away blood shot meat from shot up shoulders. Plus like you say, when they drop right there and that's it, there's no andrenalin that's been pumpin away and no muscles that have been tensed up. I was gonna go for the head with the cow I got this year but got nervous and went for the shoulder. She ran about 100ft and that was it. We've had some backstraps and round steaks and they're a little bit on the tough side but other than that they taste awesome. A nice glass of Merlot helps too. :)Hopefully next year things will work out better if I'm lucky.
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: HairTrigger on December 08, 2011, 05:58:24 PM: :yeah:
I agree they tastier the faster they die the heart an.liver are good too!! :drool:
Title: Re: To those of you who have shot a cow elk?
Post by: PA BEN on December 11, 2011, 05:26:29 AM: Quote from: WSU on December 08, 2011, 02:22:44 PM
Quote from: PA BEN on December 07, 2011, 05:52:29 AM
My bull from last year was hung for 4 days. It was September so it wasn't getting to cool at night. Tender and eats just fine.

Did your head smell like elk piss for a week? The scent wafer on the hat had to be pleasant...
Have you ever hunted elk in the rut? BTW, you get use to the smell :chuckle: