Large North American game animals not commonly found in Texas

1. Large North American game animals not commonly found in Texas Andrea Eller Mike Fredeboelling

2. Elk

3. Physical Characteristics • Their fur on their legs, head, and neck are dark brown. • They have slender legs and a thick neck. • Their body can be anywhere between pale grey and dark brown. • Their tail and hindquarters are a light tan color.

4. Habitat and Distribution • Elk descended from a steppe between Asia and North America, called Beringia. • They live in a forest habitat similar to many deer species. • Elk are highly adaptable and can live in semi-deserts such as the Great Basin.

5. Unusual characteristics • An elk has 4 toes on each leg • An elk can run up to 35 miles per hour • They have eyes on the side of their head, allowing them to see in any direction besides backwards • Elk have trouble seeing hunters because they cannot see color.

6. Interesting facts • Their antlers grow to be between 1.1 and 1.5 meters long. • The average litter size is one or two. • A group of Elk is called a herd or gang. • Elk are vegetarians and live off of grass, brush, and plants. • Elk are an endangered species.

7. Economic importance/Eating Qualities • You can eat Elk burgers at Fuddruckers • Elk meat is an excellent source of iron, phosphorous, and zinc • In 2006, 3200 kg of Elk antlers were auctioned off for $76,000 • Elk skin shoes, gloves, and belts are very popular

8. Laws and regulations • Since Elk are endangered the limit per season is two, regardless of sex. • While hunting elk camouflage hunter orange is legal. • You can only hunt elk one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

9. Feeding and Natural Foods • Elk are primarily grazers, but like most deer they also browse • On average an elk will consume 20 lbs of food on a daily basis • Their diets consist of grass year round, tree bark in the winter, and forbs and tree sprouts during the summer

10. Records • The largest score ever recorded on an Elk was 478 5/8 Boone and Crocket points.

11. Hunting Techniques • For cows and young bulls use a distress call or fighting squeal to attract them • Use elk scent as close to a feeding ground as possible

12. Moose

13. Physical Characteristics • Adult Moose is a large mammal, shaped similarly to a horse which is dark brown • The moose has a very thick, strong neck from which hangs a long, round flap of skin and hair called a dewlap, or bell. • Their hindquarters and their underbelly is a slightly lighter color.

14. Habitat and distribution • The moose range is almost all of Canada, most of Alaska, Northern New England and upstate New York, the upper Rocky Mountains, Northeastern Minnesota, Michigan’s upper peninsula, and Isle Royal in Lake Superior. • The moose lives in forested areas where there is snow cover in the winter and nearby lakes, bogs, swamps, streams and ponds • They have difficultly in temperatures over 80 degrees.

15. Unusual Characteristics • The eyesight of the moose is extremely poor, but its senses of smell and hearing make up for it. • Moose can travel over almost any terrain. • Their antlers can get to 4 or 5 feet across. • They can swim up to 6 miles an hour.

16. Interesting Facts • One of the heaviest racks of antlers ever found weighed 77 pounds. • Moose have hollow hair which helps them to float. • Moose only have front teeth on the bottom. • A moose can run up to 35 miles an hour!

17. Economic importance/eating qualities • Moose meat tastes like tender beef but with a little more flavoring. • It has a low fat content and the fat that is found is made up of a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fats.

18. Laws and regulations • The limit per person is one moose per year. • Moose applications must be postmarked or submitted online before midnight Eastern Time on the last Friday in May. • Applicants must be at least 16 years old before the cut-off date.

19. Feeding and natural foods • Moose is an Algonquin term for "eater of twigs." • They feed on leaves, twigs, and buds of hardwood and softwood trees and shrubs. • In the fall they feed on the bark of some hardwoods, particularly maples and aspens.

20. Records • 75 inches wide and 36 points, green scored at approximately 264 B&C.

21. Hunting techniques • To make a good, clean shot you have to be solid and balanced. • Before the hunt, scout out good locations by looking for areas of fresh droppings tracks, recently eaten brush or other signs of frequent moose activity.

22. Mountain Goat

23. Physical Characteristics • Both male and female mountain goats have beards, short tails, and long black horns, 15–28 cm in length, which have yearly growth rings • The mountain goats feet are well padded so they can climb steep, rocky slopes • The tip of their feet have Dewclaws which prevent them from slipping

24. Habitat and Distribution • The mountain goat can be found in the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range region of North America • They are the largest animals found in their high- altitude habitat which can get up to 4,000 feet • They are primarily an alpine or sub-alpine species

25. Unusual Characteristics • Mountain Goats aren’t true goats, they are properly known as goat- antelopes • Mountain Goats have thick, white fur during the winter for insulation and camouflage but by summer time they shed this layer. • Their size relative to a man is 6 feet tall

26. Interesting Facts • Mountain Goats can jump up to 12 feet in a single bound • They can be up to 300 lbs • A herd of goats can contain up to 20 goats • Mountain Goats are herbivores • The average life span of a goat in the wild is 9 to 12 years

27. Economic Importance/ Eating Qualities • The taste of goat meat is similar to that of a lamb • Goat meat is popular in the English speaking islands in the Caribbean • Goat cheese is also very popular, as well as Goat Milk and Goat Butter

28. Laws and Regulations • The mountain goat hunting season has been closed since 2007 as GFP biologists work to strengthen the herd • Hunters must show a DOW officer a full carcass with horns and skull within 5 days of the kill.

29. Feeding and Natural Foods • Mountain Goats are herbivores and spend most of their time grazing • Their diet includes grasses, herbs, sedges, ferns, moss, lichen, twigs and leaves • When in need, the mountain goat's diet can also include grain, alfalfa, fruits, and vegetables

30. Records • The record Boone and Crocket score for a goat is 52 and 6/8 inches

31. Hunting Techniques • Traveling light with the best equipment is essential • If bow hunting, your setup should have at least 40 lbs of kinetic energy • Wear several layers as it will get colder and colder as the altitude begins to increase

32. Grey Wolf

33. Physical Characteristics • Grey wolves are slender, powerfully built animals. • Their limbs are extremely long with comparatively small paws • Wolves' heads are large and heavy, with wide foreheads, strong jaws and long, blunt muzzles.

34. Habitat and Distribution • Grey Wolves can be found in North America, Europe and Asia in greatly reduced numbers than in past years • Wolves can adapt to almost any territory as long as there is enough land to hunt • They seem to prefer timber covered areas as it provides more prey for them

35. Unusual Characteristics • They have five toes on their front paws and only 4 toes on their back paws • They can run up to 35 miles per hour and jump up to 12 ft • Like many other wolves, Grey Wolves mate for life • There are approximately 2,500 grey wolves in the lower 48 states and about 10,000 in Alaska

36. Interesting Facts • A wolves bark can be as high pitched as 940 Hz • The grey wolf is related to the grizzly bear • A 60 lb wolf has paws as big as a 100 lb dog

37. Economic Importance/ Eating Qualities • Wolves were long thought to be a threat to live stock but in 1975 they were proven not to be • Wolves often hunt rodents, ridding them from their habitat • Wolf fur is often used to make heavy coats, hats and gloves

38. Laws and Regulations • The Grey Wolf is an endangered species and is therefore illegal to hunt

39. Feeding and Natural Foods • Wolves primarily feed on medium to large sized animals, sometimes 10 to 15 times bigger than they are • In the winter they eat fatty foods to provide insulation in their bodies • Not being fussy eaters, they eat anything from deer to mice

40. Records • The wolf to the right was shot in Alberta, Canada, it weighed in at 230 lbs smashing the previous record of 175 lbs

41. Hunting Techniques • Wolves are extremely hard to hunt because of their elusiveness and sharp senses. • Many have tried poison bait or footholds which have been the most successful but only the most experienced hunters actually get the kill

42. Rocky Mountain sheep

43. Physical Characteristics • The rams have large, curved horns. • The Ewes also have horns but they are short with a small curve. • They range in color from light brown to grayish or dark, chocolate brown • The have a white rump and lining on the back of all four legs • Males weigh between 127-316 lbs and females weigh between 75-188 lbs

44. Habitat and distribution • The bighorn sheep can be found in the Rocky Mountains from southern Canada to Colorado and parts of Nevada, western Texas and eastern California and northern Mexico. • The bighorn changes its home range seasonally. In the warm months they graze on the mountain slopes, and when it gets colder they go down to the valley. • They like areas with rocky slopes they can climb to get away from predators.

45. Unusual Characteristics • The bighorn is a good climber and jumper • Their hooves are hard on the outside and soft on the inside so it gives them easy traction on slippery rocks. • Horn size is a symbol of rank. • Male horns can weigh as much as 30 lbs.

46. Interesting Facts • They often watch other animals moving at distances of up to a mile away. • Male Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep meet in the fall to battle • The resounding clash of horns can be heard echoing through the mountains as the confrontation is repeated, sometimes for many hours, until one ram submits and walks away. • Lambs are born each spring on high, secluded ledges protected from bighorn predators such as wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions • Average life span in the wild: 6 to 15 years

47. Economic Importance/ Eating Qualities • Bighorn Sheep are hunted for their meat and horns • They also serve as a source of eco-tourism, as tourists come to see the famed Bighorn Sheep in their native habitat.

48. Laws and Regulations • If you harvest a rocky mountain ram ½ curl of larger you must wait 5 years before applying for a rocky mountain bighorn ram license. • It is illegal to shot from or use a motor vehicle, or to chase or harass wildlife. • It is illegal to use an artificial light to hunt wildlife.

49. Feeding and natural foods • Primarily grazers, consuming grasses, sedges, and forbs • Water is critical in arid regions. • They Use springs, water in depressions, and human-made sources

50. Records • The current No. 1 taken by Guinn Crousen scores 208 3/8 B & C.