Show me the differance please
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Please show me the difference between elk tracks, moose tracks, mule deer tracks and moo cow tracks. I’ve been twice and both times while hunting I have seen moo cows, elk, and mule deer. I’ve been to water holes that are covered in tracks but I have no clue how to tell the difference. I’m from Indiana so just getting to elk country is a stretch so when I get there I really don’t have anything to reference other than they’re all bigger than white tail tracks.
elkmtngear's Link
Elk and Moo Cow are the hardest to tell apart. Check the link for a prior thread with some good pics and info.
Best of Luck, Jeff
An adult moo cow's track is larger than an adult elk's track, and to me it's more rounded. A moose track is large as well, but more pointed than a moo cow. A calf elk resembles a large deer track. If there are track's similar in size to a large deer, accompanied by larger tracks, it probably elk. Depending on where you're hunting, it could be a combination of several species. In other words, it's nothing more than a guessing game in many cases.
Rather than just looking at tracks, look for other clues as well. If it's moo cow, they'll leave plenty of other sign as well. There is NO mistaking a cow pie!
and cow pies can be used for.....................
Also Google, elk tracks vs cow tracks. That will show you lots of examples
Paul, just make sure they're not still green. ;-)
Moo cow tracks are round. I don't see how you'd confuse them with elk tracks. A big bull elk's tracks stand out because they're huge. They're the same size as a cow moose or young bull moose, but they're shaped differently. They're relatively difficult to tell apart unless they're fresh and in mud. The place to be able to tell them apart is comparing the length/width ratios and the angle of the front point. At least, that's how I see them. Perhaps those that are more experienced with me will disagree?
Mule deer and whitetail have very similar sized hoof prints. Mule deer might have a little more curvature on the outside edges. If you see sets of tracks that appear to be a bunch of giant mulies running around in a herd, well that's probably elk.
Think about your location and what season you are in to help you out a bit. If bowhunting elk in September, generally only elk and cattle would be roaming around in herds (doe mulies too, but easy to tell those). Adult cattle are easy to tell apart from the others, and you are not likely to find a group of calves (juvenile cattle, whose tracks might be confused with elk) on their own. Look around the area for any and all clues if you aren't sure. There will be some outliers of course, but in general this is my experience.
As far as moose go, you usually find solo or just a couple animals together. Mature moose tracks are again, easily differentiated.
In the end there can still be some uncertainty, but put all the variables together and you can usually get a decent idea of what you are seeing.
I have seen a lot of elk tracks and the really big bulls have a big rectangular track and moo cows are rounded. I only saw one really big bull track last fall and was close but never saw the big boy. Very few moose in Oregon so not a problem here and no moo cows on the private land I guide on. Fred
I have seen a lot of elk tracks and the really big bulls have a big rectangular track and moo cows are rounded. I only saw one really big bull track last fall and was close but never saw the big boy. Very few moose in Oregon so not a problem here and no moo cows on the private land I guide on. Fred
I have seen a lot of elk tracks and the really big bulls have a big rectangular track and moo cows are rounded. I only saw one really big bull track last fall and was close but never saw the big boy. Very few moose in Oregon so not a problem here and no moo cows on the private land I guide on. Fred
Moose tracks are wider in the rear than elk, even similar-sized (cows). I'll see if I can find some cow moose tracks in the next day or two and post a photo.
Moose tracks have some taper to the sides and more 'pointy' than cattle tracks. Here's an adult Shiras Moose track alongside a size 11.5 boot:
Compare the same boot to some deer tracks:
Adult elk tracks are maybe 2/3 the size of adult Moose tracks.
Cattle tracks are noticeably different from Elk & Moose in being almost as wide as they are long and with more rounded tips.
Here's a cattle print pic, from google.