How Much Does An Elk Really Weigh?

[M.T. Pockets]

Guessing weights on an animal can start a lot of arguments. I think most are over estimated.

I've heard if you weigh the 4 quarters of a field dressed elk, legs cut off at the hock, and double it you've got a close estimate to the animal's live weight.

I took a bull in 2003 that weighed 402 lbs. at the locker, that would put him at around 800 live weight. It was a 6 year old 6x6 herd bull in the rut. My partner took a satellite bull out of this herd that quartered at 452, the locker said it was the heaviest bull they've seen in 4 years. He was a 4 year old 5x5. In 2000 I took another bull to the same locker that quartered at 298, he was a 3 year old 5x5.

I don't know how this formula would work with cows with the different anatomy and no rack, but I would think it should be close.

If you want to see a bull that would have weighed 1,000 live on the hoof just stop at the Scheel's Sporting Goods store in Sioux Falls and see the life size mount with the world record sheds they've got upstairs. Then you'll realize that all bull elk aren't the same size.