190 The Elk of the Pacific Coast 



The elk of California, especially on the southern 

 valley, is a trifle smaller than that of the farther 

 north and a little smaller than the elk of the 

 Rocky Mountains. But the difference is not 

 very great. A good bull stands about fourteen 

 hands high, or about the height of the native 

 horse. Farther north, larger ones are found, and 

 some of the grandest horns ever seen have come 

 out of the deep dark woods, where one might 

 suppose nature would make the horns smaller so 

 as to enable the animal to thread the heavy brakes 

 with greater ease. Like elk elsewhere, they vary 

 very much in the horns, as also in size, weight, 

 and proportions. It is doubtful if any California 

 elk ever weighed over eight hundred pounds 

 unless unusually fat, while the majority run much 

 below that. 



The general colors are the same as those of elk 

 elsewhere, with the same general build. In fact, 

 he has suffered less from change of habitat than 

 almost any of our large game animals. His natural 

 history, times, and mode of breeding, and all else, 

 are much the same as elsewhere, except where 

 persecution has compelled him to abandon some 

 of his old habits that might lead him into trouble, 

 such as spending too much time wallowing in 

 mudholes, standing around in open water, lying 

 out in the open in large droves, migrating on 

 old well-worn trails, etc. He seems to know more 



