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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Maintaining herd bull status is no walk in the park for elk

This Utah bull elk — sporting a souvenir from an earlier battle — reportedly is bugling in triumph after fighting off another challenger.  (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
This Utah bull elk — sporting a souvenir from an earlier battle — reportedly is bugling in triumph after fighting off another challenger. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)

WILDLIFE --  Ow!  That's the first word that comes to mind in seeing the elk antler impaled in the skull of this seemingly unfazed bull elk in Utah.

Then wow!

The rut is a rough time as nature sorts out the fittest big game for breeding.  Utah Division of Wildlife Resources staffers say this bull was still fighting off challengers for his harem despite the head wound.

If he's not the toughest bull on the block, who is?

Or do you thing Utah DWR would stoop to Photoshop?



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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