Gathering Of The Bulls

In the first week October 2010, making a second trip through the Black Hills of South Dakota, I had the opportunity to witness one of those "once in a lifetime experiences". Hearing the bugling call of the Bull Elk in the late evening, I decided to "siwash" out for the night. The following morning just as daylight broke, I was able to find the Elk herd just a mile from where I had camped. The herd was restricted to only Bull Elk. There were no cows or calves in the area. As the light increased, I was able to count seventeen Bull Elk, another dozen of so bulls were already moving into the dark timber at the edge of the meadow. The meadow was a large area, comprised of prairie grasses and scattered pine. The congregation of Bull Elk was comprised of a variety of age groups, from the young spikes to the older, Royals. A Royal Bull Elk are those that have a minimum of six points on each antler. The Bulls have a tendency to congregate just prior to the rut, normally in smaller groups than what I was witnessing. During these gatherings, the Bulls will engaged in "sparring matches"in order to determine dominance as well as checking out the competition when the "rut" commences in earnest. It is during this time, that the Bulls will engage in full combat to protect their herd of cows. This particular morning, I saw several sparring matches occur but I concentrated on the two large Royals that were testing one another. A smaller (five point) Bull looked on as if he was considering his chances at succeeding in a show down with the larger Bulls. My only regret was the poor photo lighting conditions of the early morning dawn, but to witness this spectacular event was more important at the time. Within thirty minutes of daylight, the herd slowly moved into the dark timber for the day. I remained in the area for the day, photographing Deer, Antelope, Buffalo, and Big Horn Sheep. I returned to the meadow in the evening to camp out once again, in hopes of witnessing a second gathering the next morning. Three Bulls moved into the meadow just at dark. After a sleepless night in anticipation of what I would see at daylight, I was disappointed as there were no Elk in the meadow. Although several Mule Deer were grazing in the area. Weather conditions in the area was very warm and extremely dry. The weather conditions were ideal for the infestation of flies. If you note, this infestation is seen in the hides of the Elk, instead of their sleek hair laying flat it is blotchy and ruffled. This is due to their rubbing on trees and bushes in an attempt to give themselves a little relief from the biting flies. The Bull Elk is a magnificent animal, to see one is always a thrill, but to witness what I was privileged to observed on October 8, 2010 will be a memory that will never diminish.

Two Royals And A Five Point

Initial Face Off Between The Royals

Five Pointer Checking Out The Competition

Five Pointer Decides Not To Intercede

Locked Up

Combatants Stop Long Enough To Notice Herd Is Moving Into The Timber

The Sparring Match Is Concluded