Rutted elk hide thickness

[hereinaz]

I have heard rutted up elk hide is thicker cause of the testosterone, repeated by a popular celebrity. He is the only source I have ever heard it.

The one elk I killed during the rut didn’t have hide any different than elk I have killed or skinned during later rifle season.

Not interested in the appropriate amount of mockery on this thread, I think there should be some amount cause I think it’s made up or at least over emphasized for someone holding themselves out as an expert.

But, is it real? I have done a couple google searches but find nothing.

Does anyone have any special experience or knowledge about physiological changes to elk hide or bone during the rut?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I was told by my local taxidermist this has more to with age of the animal, never heard of the “rutted” elk having a thicker hide.

I’m the farthest thing from an expert, I’ll just throw that in there to send you further down the rabbit hole

Interested to hear from someone who really knows as well.

 

[JoeB]

I'm a taxidermist and have read this in the past, and I see it every year with Whitetail. early season capes will be thinner and as late October approaches the cape's thickness will increase especially the back of the neck and sides of the head and neck. The skin thickens and gets a bit tougher. I see no reason that elk wouldn't experience the same changes driven by the rise in testosterone. It is a natural defense for fighting and helps prevent punctures from tines.

 

[LongWayAround]

I have never noticed a difference in the density of their actual hide from beginning of September to end of November. Hair length and density certainly increases from late summer to early winter.

Elk neck hide is pretty tough stuff anyway.

I have also never measured it and can't imagine anyone else doing so.

 

[JoeB]

I was told by my local taxidermist this has more to with age of the animal, never heard of the “rutted” elk having a thicker hide.

I’m the farthest thing from an expert, I’ll just throw that in there to send you further down the rabbit hole

Interested to hear from someone who really knows as well.

I see thicker skin on older deer, probably tied to more testosterone in mature animals.

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

I have enough related education just to make myself dangerous. Because of that, I would tell you to consult the elk bible… Elk of North America by Jack Ward Thomas and Dale Toweill, 1982. They published an entire second volume in 2002.

You know what isn’t mentioned in several 1000 pages of technical elk biology? Thickening (and thinning) of bull elk hide structure due to fluctuations in testosterone levels.

BUT, you got me thinking. I’ll flip through the books over my Christmas vacation.

 

[hereinaz]

I'm a taxidermist and have read this in the past, and I see it every year with Whitetail. early season capes will be thinner and as late October approaches the cape's thickness will increase especially the back of the neck and sides of the head and neck. The skin thickens and gets a bit tougher. I see no reason that elk wouldn't experience the same changes driven by the rise in testosterone. It is a natural defense for fighting and helps prevent punctures from tines.

I haven’t paid attention to the thickness on the neck, so that could be happening there. Appreciate what you have observed.

 

[JoeB]

I have enough related education just to make myself dangerous. Because of that, I would tell you to consult the elk bible… Elk of North America by Jack Ward Thomas and Dale Toweill, 1982. They published an entire second volume in 2002.

You know what isn’t mentioned in several 1000 pages of technical elk biology? Thickening (and thinning) of bull elk hide structure due to fluctuations in testosterone levels.

BUT, you got me thinking. I’ll flip through the books over my Christmas vacation.

It is a real thing in whitetail deer. Not sure on elk as I haven't mounted any outside the traditional rut dates.

 

[hereinaz]

I have enough related education just to make myself dangerous. Because of that, I would tell you to consult the elk bible… Elk of North America by Jack Ward Thomas and Dale Toweill, 1982. They published an entire second volume in 2002.

You know what isn’t mentioned in several 1000 pages of technical elk biology? Thickening (and thinning) of bull elk hide structure due to fluctuations in testosterone levels.

BUT, you got me thinking. I’ll flip through the books over my Christmas vacation.

That would be cool of you. I am just curious if it actually does. It might, but I never noticed it.

If it does thicken or toughen, it sure hasn’t been enough for me to notice.

 

[hereinaz]

It is a real thing in whitetail deer. Not sure on elk as I haven't mounted any outside the traditional rut dates.

How far down from the neck do you notice it? Is it extended onto the shoulders?

 

[BRTreedogs]

Is it a real thing on WT deer because of testosterone and the rut.

Or is it because it’s November and going into winter?

Does a January buck have thinner skin again?

 

[TaperPin]

How interesting. . . I’ve never heard or thought about skin thickness changing - it’s not very often when a new question comes up. Looking forward to the answer.

 

[Indian Summer]

I think not. If this were the case, it would be prevalent and other animals as well. Does your skin get thicker when your girl is frisky? lol

 

[WKR]

I think not. If this were the case, it would be prevalent and other animals as well. Does your skin get thicker when your girl is frisky? lol

Yes....yes it does indeed

 

[hereinaz]

Is it a real thing on WT deer because of testosterone and the rut.

Or is it because it’s November and going into winter?

Does a January buck have thinner skin again?

I wonder the same thing. This is a new thing for me.

 

[hereinaz]

Yes....yes it does indeed

Hahahha.

@Indian Summer the real problem when he starts rubbing his head on the furniture and wallowing around in his own pee…

 

[BBob]

I wouldn't think it too far fetched that the hide might thicken along with all of the other stuff happening leading up to rut. Testosterone goes way up triggering antler growth, weight and muscle gain, they have a nice thick mane (to hold all the stinky piss) at that time too. Most all bigger bulls I've killed or been around that were killed are rut bulls and they're all thick at that time. I have no idea if that's lost though.

 

[Elkangle]

Ive noticed thickness difference from bull to bull but ive never cared much aside from burning up an additional blade on the outdoor edge... in regards to bullet performance its a non issue

idk if the thickness is due to the rutt or just natual cycles of bulking up prior to winter and rut and then burning off all the reserves chasing ladies... i killed a post rut 4 or 5 year old bull this year that had paper thin hide...1 blade for the entire elk and it cut like paper...then on a september bull this year thats north of 5 years old we burned up 6 blades i believe

 

[5MilesBack]

I only remember one rut bull that was out of the ordinary from my experience. From the top of the shoulder to the back of the head was like 3/4" thick. Was like trying to cut through heavy cartilage.......an inch at a time. But that bull's mane was also not like any other elk mane I've ever seen. Curly......

 

[hereinaz]

I only remember one rut bull that was out of the ordinary from my experience. From the top of the shoulder to the back of the head was like 3/4" thick. Was like trying to cut through heavy cartilage.......an inch at a time. But that bull's mane was also not like any other elk mane I've ever seen. Curly......
View attachment 810933

That looks cool!