How Much Does An Elk Really Weigh?

[Trapper7]

This year I shot the largest cow elk I've ever shot. We took her to the local locker plant. The proprietor said it was as big as any cow elk he had taken in this year(according to his register, he had butchered over 500 elk).

I asked him what a cow elk like mine would weigh alive. My guess would have been 6-700 pounds. He said actual live weight would be more like 500 to 600. He also said a good bull is only around 700. Some might be a little heavier, but not much.

I was surprised. I admit I wouldn't be any good working in a carnival trying to guess someone's weigh, but I sure thought an elk weighed more than that. I thought some bulls tipped the scales, live weight at close to 1,000 pounds.