Are there any fat Utah bull elk?

Green_Bronco · Nov 24, 2008

I'm just wondering if anybody else noticed the lack of fat on any dead bull elk this year.

I was involved with 3 elk hunts this year (early rifle, general muzz, and late rifle) all in different areas of the state. I helped skin all three bulls that were taken and was surprised that not a single one had an ounce of fat on him (they appeared healthy, otherwise).

I realize that this is a very small sample size, but wanted to elicite feedback from other members. I'm used to seeing Utah bulls with at least an inch or two of that yellow fat on their rump and down their back.

bobcatbess · Nov 24, 2008

WELL!!!

I DIDN'T SKIN ANY ELK THIS YEAR!!!

BUT DID YOU NOTICE???

THE FALL FEED BURNT UP REAL EARLY THIS YEAR!!!

UTAH BULLS ARE USUALLY GOOD & FAT UNTIL THE RUT STARTS!!!

THE UTAH RUT WAS LATER AGAIN THIS YEAR & THE FEATHER FLIPPERS ARE PISSED ABOUT IT!!!

I CAN SEE WHY YOU'D SAY THE MUZZ & THE LATE RIFLE BULLS DIDN'T HAVE ANY FAT ON THEM,BY THE END OF THE RUT OR AFTER THE RUT THEY ARE PRETTY WORE DOWN & READY FOR SOME GROCERIES!!!

FEED WASN'T VERY GOOD THIS FALL!!!

SCOUTING SEASON STARTED 2 MONTHS BEFORE SEASON THIS YEAR!!!

UTAH PRESSURES GAME HERDS FOR A GOOD 5 MONTHS OR SO!!!

ADD THE PRE-SEASON SCOUTERS!!!

ADD THE POST SEASON SCOUTERS!!!

ADD THE SHED HEADS!!!

ADD THE CAMERA FREAKS!!!

DAMN NEAR A YEAR AROUND PRESSURIZED HERD HERE IN TARDVILLE!!!

THIS IS MY NEW GUN,YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT,YOU'LL LIKE IT A HELL OF A LOT LESS WHEN IT HITS ITS DESTINATION!!!

THE ONLY bobcat THAT KNOWS ALOT OF YOU HAVE HAD THIS IMAGE IN YOUR PEA BRAIN BUT DUE TO POOR SHOOTING TACTICS I'M STILL KICKIN!!!

bragabit · Nov 25, 2008

The bull I killed on August 27th in the archery hunt had a ton of fat 2-3 inches on the top of his back.

littlebighorn · Nov 25, 2008

I have to agree totally with BESS.
Our elk get non-stop harassment year-round, and it can't be good for them. Sometimes I think we are loving our animals to DEATH.

one_dryboot · Nov 25, 2008

i shot my bull on sept 11 archery, it had more fat then i have ever seen on a bull! he was in great shape going into the rut

apollosmith · Nov 25, 2008

The two late season bulls I saw on the ground had little fat on the body, but VERY fat bellies. I think the rut and pressure was hard on them and they were just starting to pack on the fat again (just like I am now that the hunt is over and the holidays are here!). Hopefully they'll be OK if we have a tough winter.

wildwest0801 · Nov 25, 2008

My friends late season bull had no fat on him. I agree with BESS.

WW0801

slamdunk · Nov 26, 2008

+5 with the kitty kat!

AndymanSavage · Nov 26, 2008

There are plenty of them up on the U of U campus. Oh wait, you said fat bulls, not fat cows..........

Andy

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http://www.trophyblogger.com/Andymansavage

shooter75 · Nov 26, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Nov-26-08 AT 01:45PM (MST)[p]I have processed many elk this year that have been shot in Northern Utah and a couple from southern Utah and have noticed the bulls on the North Cache unit have no fat, the bulls from south cache are fat and the 2 bulls from southern Utah also have no fat. But the deer are as fat as pigs.

Muleymonster · Nov 26, 2008

I shot a cow last Saturday in the NE region and it had no fat at all.

hossblur · Nov 26, 2008

Killed a deer during the muzz hunt he was fat as a byu coed. My late season bull was pretty thin. He was a good 6 and four of his points on each side were chipped and broke and he had two really big scars on his shoulder, and numerous digs on his rib cage. I kinda think the their are starting to be enough good bulls that fighting is tougher. Plus remember snow was really late coming off this year so feeding season was late. I agree with Bess as well.

shooter75 · Nov 27, 2008

What about all the beef and sheep that they put in the hills? I would say that that would be one of the main reasons for no fat on our Elk and Deer.

turkeyhntr · Nov 27, 2008

And your right there with us utards aint cha' bess!

eyeguard · Dec 2, 2008

My buck from Northern Utah during the general hunt was really healthy with lots of fat. Don't know about elk (yet). I've got a cow tag for NE Utah in January. I'll let ya know after that.

EG

"A man can be hard to find in the mountains, but you're welcome at my fire anytime."