Roosevelt vs Merriam Elk

[Deleted member 33033]

Tell me if my observations and assumptions are right. It appears the Roosevelt elk in NW OR are sporting alot less mass and shorter racks than the Merrian elk I've seen in AZ. Presumably this is genetic although I am inclined to think it has something to do with all the trees up north and the degree of difficulty a big racked elk would have moving around up there. I am also presuming they taste better since their diet seems pristine and ideally suited for table fare whereas the southern elk have fewer choices and much less lush surroundings. The rack I saw on that elk in AZ last month was massive and even in early velvet he was a trophy 5X5. Haven't spotted any elk in OR that have over 5 points yet. sigh

I had promised myself I would not let the air out of any elk under 10 points this season but am beginning to wonder if I set the bar so high I am making the goal unrealistic. Carrying an either sex tag provides a lot of opportunity for "meat" but what about a quality Roosevelt rack? Anyone familiar with the NW coast of OR that can chime in with local knowledge?

 

[solus]

merriam elk have been extinct since the early 1900's late 1800's. Sorry to break it to you but the reason why the racks are better in AZ than OR is because there is more calcium in the food and other minerals needed for antler growth.

 

[Klxracer92]

Yup what solus said^ It has to deal with the calcium and other minerals from the water and food found in desert regions< i think... Yeah good topic though, I never heard of a Merriam Elk. So thanks for sharing something new.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I have much to learn. So what I saw in AZ last month was from a transplanted Rocky Mt. eh? So far this is the biggest rack seen while scouting this year...a mere 5 pointer. They gotta have some 5X5 or bigger in NW OR right? I'm hoping they show themselves during the rut next month. Cannot wait for Aug 25th!

 

[J.O.]

that would be a trophy rosie. Rosies are typ bigger body smaller antlers
http://vimeo.com/9767628

 

[solus]

What j.o. said Roosevelts don't normally have big racks that's how you can tell the difference from other elk

 

[ltdann]

That's a rocky mountain elk from last year in the Coconino in AZ.

I shot at, and missed, one bigger than that. Body wise, it's smaller than Rosie's, but wow!

CA is kinda unique in that we have Tule, Roosevelt and Rocky mt elk in the state.

 

[J.O.]

They gotta have some 5X5 or bigger in NW OR right?

My brother in law hunted the oregon coast for the last 7 years. He's only been able to pull 1 bull about 3/4 the antler size of that elk. Hell to even see one is awesome news. I'm trying to get him to signup here. He knows allot about hunting Oregon.

 

[J.O.]

What j.o. said Roosevelts don't normally have big racks that's how you can tell the difference from other elk

The antlers are allot more burgundy colored too. From the trees their rubbing on.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

The antlers are allot more burgundy colored too. From the trees their rubbing on.

That's why? I thought it was from the blood right after the velvet was rubbed off...they bleed a lot!

 

[J.O.]

That's why? I thought it was from the blood right after the velvet was rubbed off...they bleed a lot!

Look at the blacktail deer up there. There antlers are a burgundy colored too. There antlers are usually smaller and bigger bodies as well. The bodies are huge compared to down here.

 

[Orygun]

anic:There has been conjecture that some merriams elk survived but long ago blended in with rocky mtn elk. Conjecture that is.
As far as a roosie bull. With success rates in the single digits and thousands of bow hunters in the woods you should be dropping the first one you run into. At least on public land. Controlled hunts have limited rifle opportunities. Many went to bows to be able to hunt elk in their fav spots in the off years. Now the most popular areas are controlled for bow. That has shifted effort even more to the coast range.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

anic:There has been conjecture that some merriams elk survived but long ago blended in with rocky mtn elk. Conjecture that is.
As far as a roosie bull. With success rates in the single digits and thousands of bow hunters in the woods you should be dropping the first one you run into. At least on public land. Controlled hunts have limited rifle opportunities. Many went to bows to be able to hunt elk in their fav spots in the off years. Now the most popular areas are controlled for bow. That has shifted effort even more to the coast range.

I'm giving myself ten straight days in the woods to seal the deal beginning opening day...I am confident that being 24/10 will give me a big edge over others.

 

[DAWG]

Just to give a relative idea of potential, minimum Boone & Crockett entry for Roosevelt elk is 290 and for Rocky Mountain is 375. Add to that not many if any Roosevelt areas are managed for older age class bulls. Yet Roosevelt bulls can have slightly bigger bodoies. They are different subspecies so there is likely genetic difference, along with nutrition.

 

[ltdann]

Bruce,

Pop the first legal animal you can. Big as they are, they can hide in the smallest bush. My last elk season, I had thousands of photo's of elk in my honeyhole. Two days before the opener, it was a ghost town. Only saw two bulls the entire season.

 

[J.O.]

I'm giving myself ten straight days in the woods to seal the deal beginning opening day...I am confident that being 24/10 will give me a big edge over others.

Its been said that you don't want to be there opening day. Rather that bulls don't really get going until about day 8-12 of the season. Also bow hunting from what I can tell is a way of life up there. Not just something to do.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

My work schedule kinda forces my hand on the timing but I remain confident. I have access to some primo private land up there that's bordered by public land. We'll see.

 

[BikerRN]

Good luck!
I'd love to hunt coastal elk up there, rifle of course, as getting drawn in AZ is a no-win situation these days.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I think the rifle season is like 3 days there. But in researching the area I have learned that bowhunting is more than a way of life in OR...it's a religion!

 

[hunterdoug]

I think the rifle season is like 3 days there. But in researching the area I have learned that bowhunting is more than a way of life in OR...it's a religion!

yes but like JO said , and my buddies up there tell me, "if you want to hear them bugle, or call them, the last week of the season is the best. the rut starts the last full moon in Sept."
yes the racks are smaller, but the have alot of mass. I'll post pics if I can find them of some nice rosies, 6x's, that are pretty impressive. I was chasing a 7X7 that was outstanding for two years, then I went through a divorce and haven't been back.