Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Survival of an elk calf

The mortality rate among calves the first winter can be high even when the calf is with the cow. It can be a dilemma whether to shoot the cow or the calf. Other elk will adopt orphaned calves quickly. Being part of a herd is more critical for survival further North, higher up, or during harsher winters.

To put it another way, I've read some results of a study recently that indicates that elk in the more mild climates tend to have far more of the loner elk that live their entire lives without joining a herd or joining with only 1 or 2 other elk. The point of the study was that in mild climates it is not critical to be part of a herd for survival.

The point made by exbiologist is excellent as well. Learning from other elk is also very important for the reasons mentioned.