Watching elk: Future Herd Bull

Yesterday, Mom and I decided to drive out South Fork to look for elk to watch. A friend had told her about spending time watching the bulls battle during the rut. That sounded like a perfect way to spend a few hours on this fall weekend.

We drove down and didn’t see any elk. We did see a few deer, a small group of bighorn sheep ewes, a Golden Eagle being chased by Ravens, 4 Mountain Bluebirds (a surprise) and 1 American Kestrel (another surprise), and the increasing clouds bringing in the next storm. The elk must have been down by the river – in the cottonwoods somewhere. But on our way back, they came out into one of the many hayfields on the ranches near the end of the road.

Scanning with the binoculars, we counted about 60-65 elk with 9 or 10 bulls in the herd ranging from small spikes to some large bulls – 7x7s and perhaps one 8×8.

The largest bull came out from the cottonwoods and willows lining the river and laid down to eat. This must be the herd bull – the one defending his harem. He must have had quite the battle recently. He ate voraciously as the rest of the herd grazed around him. And then, a spike bull, perhaps emboldened by the fact the old bull was lying down, came up and actually challenged him. Gutsy. It didn’t last long, but his boldness made me think that this is a future herd bull in the making…unless he’s too foolishly bold. Either way, he seems ready to test himself against the best.