Huge elk named ‘Split 5,’ hailed as the king of the Estes Park, Colorado, herd killed by hunter
Jan 29, 2026, 5:01 PM | Updated: 5:02 pm
One of, if not the most famous elk in Colorado has been reportedly legally killed by a hunter.
The gigantic bull elk, called “Split 5,” hailed as the king of the Estes Park, Colorado, herd, was apparently shot during Colorado’s fall hunting season.
According to a Rocky Mountain National Park Facebook group, “the lifespan of a wild elk is typically 10-13 years. Split 5’s estimated age was 12-13. Given that he was nearing the end of his majestic life and had fathered many offspring throughout his lifetime, his passing this was was likely quicker and more humane than the alternative of being taken down by a pack of wolves, mountain lion or a bear, which could have resulted in a slow and painful death. I know many people do not agree with hunting, but it is essential for managing Colorado’s massive elk population, the largest in North America and for ensuring that herds do not exceed the land’s carrying capacity.”
Experts believe the bull was a 400-class, which are about as gigantic as elk can get naturally. The name “Split 5 came from a split in the bull’s G5, or the fifth point branching off his main antler beams.
