Elk, often referred to as Wapiti, is one of the largest deer species in North America. Certainly the only deer species that is larger is the Moose in North America. Linked to the red deer in Europe, Elk is massive game that can make for exciting hunting trips.

Elk love to dwell close to woodland edges as well as feed on bark, greenery, tree leaves, grass, and other vegetation. Elk need about 10-15 lbs of vegetation a day to remain healthy and also have been proven to roam a hundred square mile area searching for delicious vegetation.

The males are known as bulls and the females are cows. The cows average about 500 pounds and the bulls tend to be about 25% bigger than the females.

Elk meat is high in protein and is known to taste something between venison and beef. Elk meat is lower in fat than chicken or beef and higher in protein. It is particularly high in zinc, phosphorus, and iron.

Four species of elk remain in North America. They include Rock Mountain, Roosevelt (C. canadensis roosevelti), Tule (C. canadensis nannodes), Manitoben (C. canadensis manitobensis) Two species, Merriams’s (C. canadensis merriami) and Eastern Elk (C. canadensis canadensis) both have been classified as extinct for a century.

American Elk populations are thicker in the northwestern part of the United States but have smaller populations throughout the Appalachian region. Elk can be an invasive species and may even dominate an area with suitable habitat very quickly. Elk have been reintroduced in Appalachian areas in February, 2001 by the Smokey Mountain National Park Service, and also have since spread into Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia. Elk roam in larger population from Texas all the way into Canadian northwest. Elk migrate with the season and often stick to melting snow areas for the revealed exposed grass.

Much of the highest quality elk hunting is based in the Colorado area as well as the Rockies. Make sure to be smart and also keep your eyes wide open, a nutty elk isn’t no small deer to play with. With a rack as wide as your car a big elk can inflict some serious damage on you if you get too close.

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