Cow with calves

[Short Track]

I shot a cow with a calve, opening weekend. Perfectly legal, or they wouldn't give cow tags. The calve stood there for 10 minutes watching us take pictures. She stayed back 20 yards. The milk nipples were dry, but there was milk in the inside pouch while dressing the cow.

We figured her odds are pretty good if she joins the heard. I'm sure this is common, but is there any data on it ?

My concern is the calf will not know where to go when it snows, and comes time to migrate to winter grounds.

 

[ivorytip]

yeah, been there and done that. data would be interesting on that. side note... 2 days in a row I noticed 2 tiny yearlings in same exact patch of trees and also noticed magpies. on third day when I seen them there again I decided to see what was up. I walked down into where the little guys were and there was a dead doe. im assuming it was momma and they didn't know what to do. and no shortage of deer in the area, they see several everyday walk by but just chose to stay where momma left them im guessing. good post, ill be following it.

 

[RICMIC]

That bond to their mama is all they know. I have shot antelope does the last couple years, and the young of the year would just hang around, but in both cases they did eventually leave with the buck. This year, I had hiked back into the hills a couple miles and got two does only 45 minutes before dark, so had just gutted them out to cool and would do the pack out the next day. Once the other lopers left, a dozen moo cows moved in and circled me at 30 feet or so just to check things out. It was kind of weird. I was on a solo MZL deer hunt in Colorado a couple years ago and came across a bloated moo calf. The mother was still standing guard, so that attachment goes both ways. Most of the cervid ungulates are fully capable of making it on their own by the late fall

 

[luckynv]

I do not have data on it. But have been told by several longtime Elk Hunters that the calf elk will get help from other Elk in the herd. They further told me that fawns will die without momma but the Elk calves get taken care of. I have heard that even Bulls will respond to a calf distress call. Not scientific but from guys that really know. Good luck and God bless

 

[Swedishhunter]

I hear you. I have not data on this, would be interesting for sure. I always hesitate to shoot a doe or cow that has offspring, legal or not. The way I was taught (right or wrong) is to shoot the fawn or calf rather than the mother. But it also depends on the time of year of course, I imagine a calf late in the season will have pretty good odds.

 

[Work2hunt]

I don't have data either, but with all the cows and does that are killed each year with calves or fawns we would be providing an abundant amount of fodder for the anti's because there would be lots of dead calves or fawns littering the woods each year.

So, I assume the biologists know what they are doing and I say if you have the tag don't hesitate.

 

[Hilltop]

Moose are the only the ones I would be concerned about as the calves stay with mom for 2 years. Elk, deer, and atelope may have a higher mortality rate without mom but they are capable of living on their own by fall.

 

[Gr8bawana]

The last cow I shot 2 years ago still had some milk but we did not see any calves around, that doesn't mean it didn't just go with the rest of the herd though. I'm wondering how long there would still be milk present without a calf?

 

[Tim McCoy]

The last cow I shot 2 years ago still had some milk but we did not see any calves around, that doesn't mean it didn't just go with the rest of the herd though. I'm wondering how long there would still be milk present without a calf?

That's a good question, I have zero idea. We get to shoot a few cows most years, from undisturbed herds, we always try to pick out cows without calves, about 1/2 are dry, about 1/2 not. One I shot this Sept was alone, no elk near by, no other hunters anywhere near as it was a special landowner damage tag. So pretty sure a herd was not broken up. She had some milk in the mammaries, did not appear to be nursing, I was surprised.

 

[JimP]

That's the problem with cow hunts at this time of year. The only way you can tell if they are dry or not is to shoot them and then go examine them.

I watched a hunter shoot a cow just a couple of weeks ago and she had a calf with her. A day later we saw another cow in the area with two little ones. We figured that she picked up the orphaned one and it should be just fine learning from its new mom.

 

[wy-tex]

Cows can and will be still with milk during the season but the calves will be fine. I agree the moose are another story, those calves need their mommas for an extra year that is why Wy does not allow cow moose with calf at side for harvest. Antelope will also be fine. The nursery groups will take in that fawn. Neatest thing to see is one antelope doe watching over 10-12 fawns while the other doe feed away. They all have that bond but unless it is a very late born fawn or calf it should survive. They should be weaned by fall anyway but we always see some big calf nursing hard on a cow.

 

[tim]

Hard to say.
We had a pet whitetail for awhile. Mom disappeared in the fall and this fawn appeared at our door in December, very weak. the next year was pretty unforgettable. Little deer is what we called him. He liked metallica and was potty trained. I let him in my shop. when he followed me to a deer stand, I did not know what to do or think. He acted just like a dog. He would go on walks with us and everything. unfortunately a 12 year old shot him.

 

[7mag]

I was told by an old timer one time that the dry cows are darker colored. His guess was producing milk wipes out enough nutrients that it takes away the coloring in their fur. Ive watched herds of elk and usually the blonde colored cows have a calf and dark ones dont. Ive used it as an indicator for witch cow too shoot and its worked out really well for me.

 

[smartweed]

I just shoot the calves or fawns, figure they are the ones which won't make it if the weather is bad anyway. Plus the cow/doe will make more for next year. ...

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[COgunmoney]

I think the simple solution is just to avoid shooting a cow with a calf. Then, there is no debate as to whether that calf will survive.

 

[mntnguide]

I think the simple solution is just to avoid shooting a cow with a calf. Then, there is no debate as to whether that calf will survive.

Easier said then done considering most cow hunts are later season when herds can easily be in excess of 100+animals and it's no guarantee you can tell cow/calf pairs cause they won't be nose to tail next to each other

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[COgunmoney]

I hear you on the large herd. All I would say there is to just try and be mindful, then. I would take a cow out of a herd like that, I would just try and be aware of any pairings. Also, when they are all bunched up that late in the season, the calves are older and more likely to survive I would imagine. I just mean that if you can tell a cow/calf pair, I would not shoot at the cow. And I don't really understand why people would. Best to not take the chance, but that is just my opinion. I know people will disagree, and they are welcome to. But that is just what I would do, and what I think is the best approach. I just dont really understand shooting a cow that clearly has a calf with it, especially in the earlier seasons. I passed on a cow this past archery because she had a calf with her. Don't regret it for a second. It would have been my first ever elk, but it just was not worth the risk to me.

 

[mntnguide]

I hear you on the large herd. All I would say there is to just try and be mindful, then. I would take a cow out of a herd like that, I would just try and be aware of any pairings. Also, when they are all bunched up that late in the season, the calves are older and more likely to survive I would imagine. I just mean that if you can tell a cow/calf pair, I would not shoot at the cow. And I don't really understand why people would. Best to not take the chance, but that is just my opinion. I know people will disagree, and they are welcome to. But that is just what I would do, and what I think is the best approach. I just dont really understand shooting a cow that clearly has a calf with it, especially in the earlier seasons. I passed on a cow this past archery because she had a calf with her. Don't regret it for a second. It would have been my first ever elk, but it just was not worth the risk to me.

I agree with you entirely. . I have had numerous opportunities on cow/calf tags or doe/fawn tags when i have passed because I knew for sure that cow/doe was responsible for young. I can fill my freezer plenty with other tags, though I am a hunter who relies on meat from my harvests, I still have a conscious and a heart and I do not care to kill a female that is caring for young if I know that is the case.

 

[COgunmoney]

agree to agree, and best of luck on future hunts!