[DakotaElkSlayer]

I will be leaving in a couple of weeks for a solo elk hunt in Idaho. My question is, if I have a shot at a cow and a small bull, which is the best to kill for the health of the herd?

Jim

 

[benchleg90]

You are not going to inpact the herd by killing either one. I would shoot the young bull, and always have. The meat is much better than that of an old cow. The young cows 2-3 years are also good on the table. Its hard to pass up elk steaks. Good luck on your hunt

 

[oggie2635]

well most of us idaho hunters believe that there are too many cows. alot of raghorns are herd bulls just because there are left over cows for the taking.
thus not to many satilite bulls for us to shoot and the rut is not as intense as it used to be. shoot whatever you get a chance to shoot, they all taste good. any elk with a bow is a trophy. what unit of idaho are you hunting?
i'll be hunting the dwarshak unit or what used to be 10a.
good luck