Spot Difference Between Deer And Elk When Hunting This Fall

WISCONSIN — Archery and crossbow hunting are now underway, and gun deer hunting is coming up in November. Hunters should know the difference between white-tailed deer and elk before they shoot this season.

People who shoot an elk without a valid elk hunting license or possess an elk carcass in closed season may be fined between $1,000 and $15,000 dollars and face up to six months in prison, Wisconsin state law says. The 2021 elk season starts Saturday, the agency said.

Here are some tips to identify elk and deer, from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

• Adult elk are larger than adult deer, the agency said. Adult elk stand about 1 to 2 feet taller than adult deer at the shoulder. Young elk and deer may look similar, but young elk have different coloration.
• Deer and elk have different antlers, the agency said. Deer antlers tend to curve forward. Elk antlers are bigger and sweep back from the heads.
• The hve different color markings. Deer legs have the same color as their bodies, and they have white throat patches and white tails. Elk have tan rump patches, black legs and dark brown manes, the agency said.
• They each have additional markers. Elk in Wisconsin may have noticeable markers, such as ear tags or orange tracking collars, the agency said.

Wisconsin hasn't reintroduced moose, but a few have been seen in northern Wisconsin ever year, the agency said. Hunters may be lucky enough to see one in the fall.

Gun deer season opens Nov. 20 to 28.

The wildlife agency encouraged hunters to use the Hunt Wild Wisconsin mobile app to keep up on information such as property boundaries, shooting hours and deer carcass disposal locations.