our lease borders a big game ranch, which for some reason is high fenced all but a couple hundred feet on the end. We have one stand in that corner and we can see big elk on the other property.

It would probably not be ethical, but if one were to jump the fence, is it even legal to shoot elk in Texas without special permits/tags of something? Just curious, thanks.

I was under the impression that they're treated as exotics in Texas and are pretty much fair game year round. However I've been wrong before. Lots of times.

They are exotics and unprotected.

That being said, they can also be considered livestock, and if they can track ownership, you may owe the owner a big chunk of $ if one does escape and you shoot it. Especially if it has ear tags, sinc they are easily traceable.

Kind of what I was thinking...like shooting someone's Hereford that jumped the fence.

Since 5/27/2009, "elk and elk hybrids" have been added to Texas Agricultural Code.

---"Livestock" means cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, exotic livestock, including elk and elk hybrids, and hogs, unless otherwise defined.---

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB375

Sean (or any of our other legal types) would probably be better as explaining the legal aspects.

[This message has been edited by ursusguy (edited 11/29/2009 11:45p).]

don't shoot any of those suckers if they are tagged or branded. The owner could name a price if you shoot one if they are marked somehow. Wouldn't take the risk. I shot an elk here in the Panhandle but I called a local man who raises them as "livestock" and had him come look at him first (was advised by local game warden to call him before shooting). Elk was hit by a car and still going and I wanted to put him down. Got to take him down but I crossed all the t's and dotted the i's before.

Interesting angle on the livestock thing.

If anybody here is an expert on such things, I'd be interested to know what obligation the OP has to notify who he thinks may be the elk's owner?