What date will elk shed velvet by?
Contributors to this thread:Elk
From: Archerdan
04-Jul-09
I am hunting first week of September in Idaho. Will the elk have their velvet off by this time? I know each one sheds at a different time, but will most be velvet free?
From: sticksender
04-Jul-09
Most will be in hard horn by then, except for the spike bulls.
From: Sage of the Sage
04-Jul-09
I've never seen velvet on elk in September at all.
From: cnelk
04-Jul-09
Typically the 3rd week of August - N Colo
From: StickFlicker
04-Jul-09
The largest bulls polish first and are usually done by the end of August. The spikes may have velvet well into September.
From: bowriter
04-Jul-09
August 21, 11:50 A.M.
From: The Old Sarge
04-Jul-09
Agree with what the others are saying. The only velvet I've seen on elk past the first week of Sept has been on spikes. Some of them carry it (albeit, all dried out) all the way into late Oct and early Nov. I suspect they haven't 'learned' to rub it off.
The Old Sarge
From: Norseman
04-Jul-09
August 18th. typically every year.
some spikes might carry a little velvet into Sept.
From: elkcalln8
04-Jul-09
iv watched them start about the 18-25 of august. psikes will useally go about the middle of sept or even carrie it till the winter. i have sceen bigger bulls carrie it longer but usally there messed up on one side(freaks)
From: sticksender
04-Jul-09
Here's a CO spike I photographed on Sept 4, 2008. His spikes actually appeared to still be growing. However, most branch antlered bulls are long since in hard horn by then. I've got some photos of a young 4x4 in 2007 that was still in velvet on Sept 1. Can't find that photo right at the moment.
From: elkcalln8
04-Jul-09
great pic!
From: elkcalln8
04-Jul-09
here is one from last year. not in sept but a great start. he ended up being about 290 class. never gave me the shot i wanted.
From: Forest Bows
04-Jul-09
late july last year
From: Forest Bows
04-Jul-09