White Elk

mtnmayhem · May 11, 2008

I was out hiking the other day, checking out the elk in a hunting spot of mine when I saw a white elk. I actually glassed the thing for a few minutes but it never moved an inch and my best guess was that it was a rock.

I was watching a small bull and the next thing I knew it was up walking around. It was definitely white up until the mane which was dark brown like any other elk. Has anyone ever seen albino elk?

No, I was not smoking pot.

mntman · May 11, 2008

Congrats on spotting a rare animal like that (any species)

but it was just a variation of color cause a true albino is pure white no color what so ever and the eyes, nose would be pink.

There is a picture of a similar looking elk on here some where in the last year or so, I think it was photographed in WA or OR?

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

huntnrich · May 12, 2008

I seen a big white bull on the paunsagaunt 4 years ago, I always wondered if anybody harvested it.

mtnmayhem · May 12, 2008

Yeah, too far away to tell if it had pink nose and red eyes. I see what you're saying though, if it were a true albino the entire elk would be white. I will try and get pictures if I hike back there later this week. There is a good chance they will still be in the same area since the snow is still really deep up higher.

Drymountain · May 12, 2008

I got a video of a white cow elk last fall up in Rock creek. (Utah) I have seen her for four years in a row. She is more pie bald than pure white. White body with brown patches on her head.

shawn · May 15, 2008

LAST EDITED ON May-16-08 AT 05:11AM (MST)[p]I shot one last year here in Utah on the late cow elk hunt (Nov.) Biologist tell me that it is "leacistic". It lacks some of the melanin pigment and maybe others. Albinos lack all of the melanin pigment, Melanistic are just the oposite... The only picture I have of it on this computer sucks and dosn't do it justice but I'll post it anyway. The elk has little white spots on her head and on the lower part of her legs.

Roy · May 16, 2008

Not smoking pot, OK - how about peyote? Did the white elk talk to you and send you on a vision quest? JK - Cool find! Find him again and get some pics!

UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)

downsouth · May 16, 2008

Here's a photo of a white bull that we killed a couple years ago. I took this crappy pic through the spotting scope about two hours before he met his demise. He wasn't completely white, his legs and the top of his nose were brown but his body, neck and face were white/gray.

Drymountain · May 16, 2008

Hay man what is wrong with you, your not supose to shoot a white elk. Especially a cow.

carbonnation · May 18, 2008

Whatever! Shoot every "whitey" you see. Especially if it is a cow! They are genetic freaks. Mutations that are genetic weak spots in the herd.

Support your local Dentist...Rinse with Mountain Dew every night before bed.

Drymountain · May 18, 2008

White animals are special.
killing one is bad medicine.

tufcntry · May 18, 2008

hey its real bad medicine to shoot a real albino. last year i lived in washington and i knew a pharamacist whos buddy shot this nice six point albino bull pink nose in everything it was unbeleivable but anyways the guy brought in the picture and showed dave and the guy behind him was an indian when the guy left the indian asked to see the piture, he shook his head and said i would hate to be thayt guy thats the worst animal you could possibly shoot they are sacred and you should never shoot one obviously the pharmacist dismissed it and told me the guy was probably smokin peyote well two weeks later i got a call the guy who shot the bull had a massive heart attacked and died guy was in good health as farr as they knew. thats a true story boys halfeys are fine but don;t ##### with a true albino

Roy · May 19, 2008

Drymountain and tufcountry - I have heard that all my life too! That's why I posted the post above toungue in cheek. But in all seriousness, I have heard a few stories from some Ute friends of mine about white elk that gave me goosebumps! One of my buddies told me that he shouldn't be telling me the story because I was white - so I understand the cultural and religious significance. I hope my post above didn't offend you, white elk are sacred.

UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)

carbonnation · May 20, 2008

Roy

I don't remember it saying anything about white elk being sacred in Proverbs 21:19.

Some people think Harry Potter is sacred too........but when it comes to white Elk or Deer, I'd still shoot a whitey if I got a chance.

Support your local Dentist...Rinse with Mountain Dew every night before bed.