murfys69law Report post Posted July 20, 2015 I was in Strawberry/Pine AZ this weekend with some good friends. We decided to go for a rhino ride in the hills just out of Pine. We hadn't left the cabin 5 minutes and see a heard of elk, 2 small bulls and about 8 cows with 2-3 calves. I didn't have my camera so you all will have to take my word for this. We were right in town when we saw these elk. They were crossing the road from the woods and going into someones front yard. I noticed 1 cow that looked really nervous. We got closer and then I realized what was wrong. She had a calf with her that still had spots on it. Very young but was getting around find. What I saw then was just heartbreaking. The cow had her tongue literally hanging out of her mouth. I noticed she was very healthy tho but I couldn't see why her tongue was hanging out. Finally she turned the other way and we could see her jaw was broken and sticking straight out the other side. She was very concerned with her baby and the other cows were getting kinda spooky so they turned and went back into the wooded area on the other side of the road. Just then another guy and his son came riding up in a sand rail and they had been watching them as well. I asked him if he saw the cow with the broken jaw and he replied, "Yeah, I saw her yesterday and I was talking to my neighbor about it and he said she has been that way for a couple years". This cow was getting by OK and still having babies. I was totally shocked but happy she was surviving and making a living with this tremendous injury. Animals are truly amazing sometimes and they are definitely tough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted July 20, 2015 Yep, amazingly tough. 'course, they can't go see a doc to get fixed up like us or our pets so they just have to live with their injuries. Can't believe some of the things I've found in elk while skinning and butchering. * broken antler tip * Broadhead with partial arrow * Broadhead * bullet fragments * muzzle loader bullet 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted July 20, 2015 I have found old bones with broken legs that knitted together no where near their original shape, seen 3 legged deer and elk, found broadheads while dressing game, seen elk during the general late season with arrows still in them, seen pass through arrows on a good hit, and seen the same elk 2 weeks later doing just fine. Tough critters. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I have quite a few trail cam pics of a little 27 bull with an arrow piercing right under the hide. He must have been standing broadside looking at the shooter and the guy put it too far right and slipped it right under the hide on the neck. My pics were from july, so the injury had to be at least 8 months old at that point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6ANut Report post Posted July 21, 2015 My best bull that I have shot, it's front right ankle was the size of a softball. Obviously broke it and it healed that way. I have seen my dad shoot a bull that ran straight threw a barbed wire fence after it was heart shot, uphill. Hence, why I tell anyone that I hunt with to shoot until they are down. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
khmer6 Report post Posted July 21, 2015 My best bull that I have shot, it's front right ankle was the size of a softball. Obviously broke it and it healed that way. I have seen my dad shoot a bull that ran straight threw a barbed wire fence after it was heart shot, uphill. Hence, why I tell anyone that I hunt with to shoot until they are down.Good advice. Keep shooting or flinging arrows so long as it's safe and clean. Plenty of stories of recovered elk with seasons of injuries, bullets and arrows. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted July 21, 2015 25-06 and I watched a 3 leg coues mount a doe a few years back. We were laughing so hard at the poor guy and amazed at what we were seeing that we forgot to turn on his camera! He got the job done. Mind you it was a missing rear leg! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
goinhuntn Report post Posted July 21, 2015 Saw a doe in Utah one year had the right side of her face gone & she was doing fine! I couldn't believe she could survive, but saw her the following year with a fawn. Was amazed to say the least! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted July 21, 2015 Tough , tough Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I found three bullets in my bull. One of which broke it's hind knee. All were old injuries and healed very well. He was not missing a beat when I took him. Impressive to say the least. More D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murfys69law Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I have quite a few trail cam pics of a little 27 bull with an arrow piercing right under the hide. He must have been standing broadside looking at the shooter and the guy put it too far right and slipped it right under the hide on the neck. My pics were from july, so the injury had to be at least 8 months old at that point. I would like to see that if you still have them. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I have quite a few trail cam pics of a little 27 bull with an arrow piercing right under the hide. He must have been standing broadside looking at the shooter and the guy put it too far right and slipped it right under the hide on the neck. My pics were from july, so the injury had to be at least 8 months old at that point. I would like to see that if you still have them. Thanks Here you go. Tough little guy. I guess it was June, not July, but still a long time to be cruising around with an arrow in your neck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shedhunteraz Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I have quite a few trail cam pics of a little 27 bull with an arrow piercing right under the hide. He must have been standing broadside looking at the shooter and the guy put it too far right and slipped it right under the hide on the neck. My pics were from july, so the injury had to be at least 8 months old at that point. I would like to see that if you still have them. Thanks Here you go. Tough little guy. I guess it was June, not July, but still a long time to be cruising around with an arrow in your neck. One that guy is really tough. Two the idiot who "attempted " to shot this bull needs to make another round in hunters ed and a few thousand hours behind his bow and target. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yotebuster Report post Posted July 21, 2015 I have quite a few trail cam pics of a little 27 bull with an arrow piercing right under the hide. He must have been standing broadside looking at the shooter and the guy put it too far right and slipped it right under the hide on the neck. My pics were from july, so the injury had to be at least 8 months old at that point. I would like to see that if you still have them. Thanks Here you go. Tough little guy. I guess it was June, not July, but still a long time to be cruising around with an arrow in your neck. Dart, man. You've got a f'ing dart in your neck. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted July 21, 2015 Growing up in a big butcher shop, it never ceased to amaze me what elk live through. Lots of bullets and arrows, even in the chest. A buddy of mine dang near centerpunched a huge buck a few years ago. Saw him chasing does a year later with a big scar on his side. Dug plenry of old broadheads out of elk shoulders 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
