Download Large North American game animals not commonly found in Texas

Large North American game
animals not commonly found in
Texas
Andrea Eller
Mike Fredeboelling
Elk
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Records
• The largest score ever recorded on an Elk
was 478 5/8 Boone and Crocket points.
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
Moose
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Records
• 75 inches wide and 36 points, green
scored at approximately 264 B&C.
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.
Mountain Goat
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Records
• The record Boone and Crocket score for a
goat is 52 and 6/8 inches
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
Grey Wolf
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.
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
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
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
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
Laws and Regulations
• The Grey Wolf
is an
endangered
species and is
therefore
illegal to hunt
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
Records
• The wolf to the right
was shot in Alberta,
Canada, it weighed in
at 230 lbs smashing
the previous record of
175 lbs
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
Rocky Mountain sheep
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
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.
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.
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
Economic Importance/ Eating
Qualities
• Bighorn Sheep are hunted for their meat
and horns
• They also serve as a source of ecotourism, as tourists come to see the famed
Bighorn Sheep in their native habitat.
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.
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
Records
• The current No. 1 taken by Guinn Crousen
scores 208 3/8 B & C.
Hunting Techniques
• Hunting from a blind.
Dall Sheep
Physical Characteristics
• White usually, may be yellowish to snow
white. It’s the only wild white sheep in the
world
• They’re identifiable by they’re large curling
horns
• The horns are made of keratin, which is
the same substance that fingernails are
made of
Habitat and Distribution
• They are an arctic and sub-arctic animal
• Can be found in Alaska, Northwest
Territories, British Columbia
• After they have chosen a group of other
Dall Sheep they never leave it
• They commonly live high up on mountain
slopes so they rarely acquire diseases
from domestic animals
Unusual Characteristics
• Dall sheep have
hollow hair,
which helps to
insulate the body
• They also like
south facing
slopes so they
get more sun
Interesting Facts
• It takes a Dall Sheep 8 years to grow its
horns to full length
• They are the northern most wild sheep in
the world
• The age of the sheep can be calculated
from the number of growth rings on their
horns.
Economic Importance/ Eating
Qualities
• Native hunters hunt these sheep for
survival. However, Dall sheep are not as
popular as other species, because they
are difficult to hunt and do not provide as
much meat as larger arctic species
Laws and Regulations
• To ensure top
quality hunting
there are no
more than two
hunters in the
field at a time
Feeding and natural foods
• During the summer dall sheep eat a
variety of plants
• Winter diet is much more limited and
consists of dry, frozen grass and sedge
stems available when snow is blown off
the winter ranges.
• The Dall Sheep often lick the dirt to obtain
minerals from it
Records
• The world record
Boone and
Crockett score is
189 6/8, the
record was set by
Harry Swank
Hunting Techniques
• Sheep hunting in Alaska opens August
10th and closes September 20th
• Either a .3006 Springfield or a .270 or .280
Remington is recommended
• Hunting Dall Sheep is very physically
demanding so you must be in your peak
physical condition
Caribou
Physical Characteristics
• It looks like a large mule, deer, or small elk
with soft, hollow hair, long legs, large
hooves, and large antlers.
• They have blunt muzzles with hair all the
way down the muzzle.
Habitat and distribution
• Present in both tundra
and taiga.
• Originally found in
Eastern Europe,
Russia, Mongolia,
and Northern China.
Unusual Characteristics
• 97-99% of females have antlers.
• Although the caribou looks like a deer,
they are different from other members
cause they aren't shy, capable of sleeping
in water, and they are herd animals
Interesting facts
• The caribou eats food
under snow, to get to
it, it must shovel
under the snow.
• In the fall they fight for
dominance to lead the
herd.
Economic importance/eating
qualities
• Caribou meat is popular in the
Scandinavian countries.
• Their meat is very tender and lean.
• It can be prepared fresh, but also dried,
salted, hot-and cold.
• Their hide is very valuable.
Laws and regulations
• Some areas have
strict limits on Caribou
hunting while others
are more relaxed.
• Follow local gun laws.
Feeding and natural foods
• Ruminants, have four chambered
stomach.
• They eat licrens in winter.
• And they eat leaves of willows and
birches.
• They devour mushrooms in late summer.
Records
• SCORE: 459 3/8
• LOCATION: Pelly
Mts., YT
• HUNTER: Paul T.
Deuling
• OWNER: Paul T.
Deuling
• DATE: 1988
Hunting Techniques
• The best way and
most efficient way to
hunt caribou is on
horseback.
• Horses are able to go
for long distances and
then also they can
help carry the meat
on their back.
Brown Bear
Physical Characteristics
•
•
•
•
Massively built and heavy bodies.
Large hump-like mass on shoulder.
They have large curved claws.
They are big with heavy built concave
skulls.
Habitat and distribution
• The largest population is in Russia with
120,000.
• The US has 32,500
• Canada has 21,750
• They are found steadily along the Rockies
and Western Great Plains.
Unusual Characteristics
• Brown Bear Claws are longer and
straighter than black bears.
• Their forehead is high and rises steeply.
• The skull length is 31.5 to 45.5
centimeters.
Interesting Facts
• They are nocturnal.
• They gain 180 kilograms of fat in summer.
• They are not full hibernators and can be
awoken very easily.
Economic/importance
• Their fur is very
valuable.
• Their meat is
consumed in many
different countries
around the world.
Laws and regulations
• In some areas they
are endangered so
hunting is limited.
• You must have a up
to date license before
hunting brown bears.
Feeding qualities
• In the spring they eat grasses, moss, and
roots.
• During the summer and early autumn they
eat berries because they are essential.
Hunting techniques
• Bow hunting a very
common technique
for hunting these big
brown bears.
• But also riffle hunting
is another popular
technique.
Works cited
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Bear
• www.npca.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife.../
caribou.html
• library.thinkquest.org/3500/caribou.html