How old is elk poop?

[Bowhuntr64]

Does anyone know how long elk droppings "last" on the ground in CO? In a certain area I see tons of droppings that are very old, light tan in color, and all dried out. Are they weeks old...months old...years old? I am curious how long it takes before they completely decompose.

 

[Bar]

It depends on how long they're in the sun.

 

[Ross]

If you see a lot in a small area a very good possibility it is a wintering area and 6-8 months old

 

[muleman]

Another dead give away for a wintering areas is large concentrations on South and West facing slopes.

 

[dotman]

Best way to tell age is to take a bite.

 

[El Gavilan]

Best way to tell age is to take a bite.

Yeah, the older they are the less salty. That works for telling deer pellets from sheep pellets too.

Mike

 

[Bar]

Taste like chicken.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

Taste like chicken.

White or dark meat, LOL?

 

[Ross]

Check out the ole story by Pat Mcmanus "reading sign" you will roll with laughter

 

[whitingja]

I've had the same question. Except he poop I always see looks really old, but it's at 12500 feet, so can't be wintering ground. I figured it was from late spring and the sun just really breaks it down.

 

[Bar]

I've had the same question. Except he poop I always see looks really old, but it's at 12500 feet, so can't be wintering ground. I figured it was from late spring and the sun just really breaks it down.

It could also be a year old.

 

[whitingja]

True. But I have never seen elk up that high in September. Been hunting it for past 5 years.

 

[Bar]

Why would it have to be from Sept if it was a year old? I meant the previous summer. Not exactly a year.

 

[whitingja]

Oh I got you. Yeah. They would have to be there on the summer. That's the only time it could really be.

 

[Coyote Commander]

Elk and deer crap lasts a LOOOONG time in my country. Years.

The dryer the environment, the longer it lasts. Especially if the diet was roughage that makes those dense turds.

 

[IdyllwildArcher]

I assume you're just wondering for academic reasons.

IMO, don't worry about the old dry stuff. It's worthless info.

If you couldn't spread it on bread with a butter knife, keep looking for some that you could.

Old deer scat is worthwhile because of their habits. Old elk scat is a red herring.

 

[Bonedalien]

Check out the ole story by Pat Mcmanus "reading sign" you will roll with laughter

when i was a kid i would hear strange sounds coming from the basement.when i investigated it was my dad reading Pat McManus,laugh crying type thing.I still have all the old books,and remember that story well.

 

[Buglebrush]

I assume you're just wondering for academic reasons.

IMO, don't worry about the old dry stuff. It's worthless info.

If you couldn't spread it on bread with a butter knife, keep looking for some that you could.

Old deer scat is worthwhile because of their habits. Old elk scat is a red herring.

Exactly.