This elk's a survivor

[Clint_S]

I've got pics of this guy 3 yrs running now and thought he was a goner the first winter.
It's not apparent in the still but video shows his left leg apparently broken at the hock.
I don't have him in video this year so not sure if can actually bear weight on the leg now but his whole hip has atrophied.
He lives in some pretty steep ground on the whole so I'm surprised he's still around.


http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv133/Stubby_01/Post/gimpy%202013_zps9dr07kjg.jpg

http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv133/Stubby_01/Post/gimpy%202014_zps48dcgcfv.jpg

http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv133/Stubby_01/Post/gimpy%202015_zpsiaht5rf4.jpg

[ElectricDyck]

Crazy, wish I were that tough..

[elkhunterette]

Cool pictures.

[boxhitch]

Antlers seem equal , he seems to be getting along ok if the tale about odd growth has any merit.
Critters that dig in snow for a living can get by with one rear better than one front leg.

[hunter1947]

Nice trail pic if I was you I would be looking for his cast antlers he probably cast them near by ,,Thanks for sharing..

[Clint_S]

Good to see this guy made it through the year. See if he's still around in the spring,

http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv133/Stubby_01/elk/gimpy%202015_zps0rwltkkd.jpg

[ElliotMoose]

Beauty bull. Didn't get a shot at him this year or what?

[Sitkaspruce]

They are way tougher than we give them credit for!!! Way tougher than us!!!!!

Great bull, thanks for sharing!!!

Cheers

SS

[Wrayzer]

Good to see this guy made it through the year. See if he's still around in the spring,

http://i677.photobucket.com/albums/vv133/Stubby_01/elk/gimpy%202015_zps0rwltkkd.jpg

Tough animals forsure,. Good beam length on the guy. Even better next season.

[horshur]

He don't rut anymore, I would bet, which is why he has survived.

[mwalter]

Rutting would be hard on him but do some old Bulls stop rutting? I have never heard of not rutting do they retire to Arizona eventually�� ?

[horshur]

Rutting would be hard on him but do some old Bulls stop rutting? I have never heard of not rutting do they retire to Arizona eventually�� ?

I only speculate but him dragging that rear leg ...doubt he can mount a cow...or defend his harem

[WKCotts]

Rutting would be hard on him but do some old Bulls stop rutting? I have never heard of not rutting do they retire to Arizona eventually�� ?


They do. Some of the biggest mule deer bucks will as well

[budismyhorse]

Great thread!

google "shirkers" and get an article Val Geist wrote on the subject. It's worth the read

[elch jager]

Great thread!

google "shirkers" and get an article Val Geist wrote on the subject. It's worth the read


Thanks for that. I will be sharing that link with a few anti-hunting academic acquaintances.

[wideopenthrottle]

if you shoot that one you will be bummed at getting less meat on the one quarter...jk, good luck with that tough guy and shoot away

[wideopenthrottle]

that shirkers article was interesting...reminded me of the comic book advertisement about the 90 lb weakling that gets sand kicked in his face by the tough guy at the beach (where the girls are)..so he stays away and works out till he is tough enough to take on the bully at the beach...heheheh

[Chopper]

deer, elk , moose ect ... will commonly survive with 2 broken legs ... a single broken leg they are all but guaranteed to survive , unless they are brought down by predators.