Tips to Track Elk and Moose

While tracking we need to recognize the differenceThe Moose
of the traces of each animals. Sometimes it can beTracks: See those of the deer.
quite confusing to difference the trace of the Elk andHoof print: Much longer soles than the elk, about half
the Moose. In this article, we will learn to recognizethe length of the hoof. The tracks are smaller than
the tracks between both of them.those of the elk, but the hoof print can be almost as
Hoof print: The heavy dotted lines indicate the sizelarge. Does not keep to a single run as much as the
of the print, the light dotted lines the extent of theelk, but instead roams around more and is less shy
pads. Length about 31/2, width about 21/4"-21/2.than the elk.
Females about 1/2"-3/4 smaller. The dewclaws leaveDroppings: Dung-like or disc-shaped masses in hunting
no impression when the animal is walking easily. Anseason or when bulls are in heat.
elk can jump up to 25 feet.Acorn form about 1/2"-3/4" long, 3/8" thick. Brown
Droppings: Dung-like or disc-shaped masses in huntingfor cows, brown and piled in peaked masses for the
season or when stags are in heat.bull.
Acorn form up to 3/4" long, 3/8"-5/8" thick, femalesTraces of Eating and Scraping: Sheds antlers later
1/4"-3/4 thick. Brown.than the elk. Traces of antler scraping similar to those
Traces of Eating and Scraping: Tree bark pulled off.of the elk, but on weaker trees and not as high. The
Peeled spots higher than three feet and with deepmoose does not wallow in the mud and therefore
tooth marks. Likes to wallow in mud puddles near thehas no trees for scratching. The moose kicks up
"scratching tree" where he rubs himself and whereearth and grass when in heat, but the elk does that
the mud and hairs stick. "Scraping trees," where heall the time. The stamping spots of the moose are
beats his antlers first to remove the velvet and latermuch more noticeable, lie closer together, and the
playfully or excitedly when he is in heat, stand alongground is completely barren and stamped down solid.
his usual run. The antlers are shed from February toThere are the differences of tracks between the Elk
March; the antler scraping time is midsummer. Theand the Moose. If you can recognize their tracks, you
higher the marks on the tree and the stronger thecan choose which one you want for your dinner.
tree, the larger and more powerful the stag.