Author Topic: Elk weight estimation based on just 4 quarters... (Read 799 times)

Power · « **on:** November 03, 2003, 10:57:45 AM »

Got my elk last weekend. My question is can anyone guess the approx. live weight? I took JUST the 4 quarters (no leg below knee, no ribs, no neck, no backstrap, no loins, just the quarters, skinned-out) to the butcher and they weighed 155 lbs. This looked like a recessed older Elk as he was very large for a 2x1 (spikes are the only legal bulls in Wash. during general hunting season without a special permit).

Thanks for any help.

Power

freddogs · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2003, 01:27:07 PM »

My guess is 3 to 400 lbs. The farther you carry one the heavier it gets.
Most poeple over estimate the weight of game animals. Congrats on your elk. A picture would help.

Power · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2004, 08:09:12 AM »

Was dark when I got him out and had to take care of it that night so no pictures, sorry. Thanks for the help though.

David Parenteau · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2004, 02:06:46 PM »

We've found that with large animals like elk and moose,if you take the weight of 4 complete(ribs,loins,straps,and a healthy chunk of neck included) skinned quarters and double it you'll have a pretty good ball park figure of on the hoof weight.Not exact,but pretty close.
Dave

Power · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2004, 02:50:02 PM »

Thanks David!

Must be a slow day on the forums huh? :lol:

I do appreciate the reply. That would mean he weighed about 350 pounds or so live. I know he was hella heavy when I had to drag him a little ways by myself.

David Parenteau · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2004, 04:27:14 PM »

Elk are NOT for draggin'.Big or little they're all heavy.You should try some of the big moose(1200#-1500#) that we've taken.They can fall in the most awkward spots.Fortunately,the last dozen or so moose that we've taken have fallen on the trail or at least on the flat.Its still a two or three man job though to quarter them and get them loaded into the machines or trailers.
Dave

Power · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2004, 10:02:35 PM »

I hear you! We drug my brother-in-laws elk about a mile sidehill last fall. What a pain! There were 4 of us though so it was doable but still hard even though just a spike.

Had to drag mine last year to the edge of a rock slide. Then it was easy to drag it down the rock slide/cliff to the bottom of the creek where the trail was near by. Wife was off getting help as this happened at sunset and by the time help got back they couldn't believe I had moved it 200 yards (mostly down a steep hill) by myself.