Many Rocky Mountain elk populations currently in Washington stem from elk transplanted from Yellowstone National Park in the early 1900's. They now overlap with Roosevelt elk in the southern Cascade Mountains and adjacent areas. Rocky Mountain elk ( Cervus canadensis nelsoni) are found primarily in the mountain ranges and shrubsteppe of eastern Washington, with small herds being established or reestablished throughout the Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park and surrounding forests host the largest number of Roosevelt elk living anywhere - about 5,000. Roosevelt elk ( Cervus canadensis roosevelti) are found in the coastal ranges of the Olympic Peninsula, southwest Washington, and the western slopes of the Cascade Range including Western Washington river valleys. Geographic rangeĮlk are found throughout Washington, with two subspecies primarily occupying opposite sides of the Cascade Crest. With thick bodies, short tails, and long legs, adult elk stand 4.5 to 5 feet high at the shoulder.
New antler growth begins soon after shedding.Īdult elk weigh 600 to 800 pounds, and adult cows typically weigh 400 to 500 pounds. Elk shed their antlers beginning in late February for the largest males, extending to late April and even early May for younger ones. In late summer the velvet dries and falls off to reveal the bonelike structure of the fully-grown antlers.
Cow elk vs deer size skin#
Like other members of the deer family, the antlers of bull elk grow during spring and summer beneath a hairy skin covering known as velvet. In winter, a dark brown, shaggy mane hangs from the neck to the chest.
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