What would you do?

Went to the lease Friday and filled this feeder for the first time this year and put up this camera. Went back Sunday morning to build a pen around the feeder to keep the hogs out. Pulled the card and the first pics I get are these two cow Elk!! Would you harvest 1 or just let them be?

Boom. And then...boom.

x2

Take only big mature bulls

I haven't seen any mature bull elk in central tx on a low fence lease or I would lol!!

Got to get longer legs. Bang bang down for the count.

atlas 1 of them. Thats some good eating.

I would assume those are stag. I you want big bulls, don't shoot anything but big bulls.

Looks like Elk Steaks!

Those elk or red deer? Either way I'd be eating good.

I would see if any others show up. might have a small herd out there. Put out some alfalfa they will love it.

What part of central texas are you in?

We had 3 elk show up on our place and we shot them. Chance of a herd being there was slim in our opinion and they tasted good....

It would seem like the best thing would be to watch for a good while and see how many there are. It doesn't seem wise to shoot the only two cows, especially if you want more.

I may not be wise, but I am hungry. I also know how tasty elk are.

Delicious, as good as beef.

Kill them both. Unless you want to be replacing your feeder.

that's my thought for shooting them.....elk are hard on hunting equipment

I would shoot the bigger one. The other is her calf probably from last year. Maybe it will hang around and get bigger and provide more steaks.

double bang

Where does elk fall in the hunting manual ? They are not exotic ? Is there a season for elk ?

Yup, my brother and I would fight over the meat from the younger one

Going back tomorrow for bow season opener...will update yall on what happens!!

They are considered exotics

Shoot both no doubt. If you don't, someone else will.

I have seen many on my low fence ranch. They come and go.
I would shoot only the bull elks.
State biologist estimates a free range group of a few hundred in the Edwards plateau area to over a thousand free range across Texas. I usually see them in groups from one up to five on my place.
I have let several cows go when hunting especially if with a calf.
It is fun to see them. But this is my thought as a land owner. I find myself being more conservative on harvesting animals after becoming a land owner.

They are exotics in Texas so you can hunt them year round and even at night.

I had to put a timer on my protein feeder. I had a group of five elk wipe out 2,000 pounds of protein in a single weekend.

I'd hang your feeder on a tripod to eliminate them emptying it in a weeks time, then wait and see how many you really have there.

Elk steaks are choice I'd admit!

If you whistle they will probably come to you. Don't shoot pets