I had the camera out checking on the status of the antler growth so far. The boys are looking good! That bull in the center wintered well. Look how fat he is!
Justin, I used my old Canon 10D-it's a camera I leave in my truck all the time (and use it in the feild when I'm hunting). I have a 40D that I take better care of. Doug, they are very huntable, but they're a whole different animal in the fall when the velvet falls off. Their antlers are soft and tender now, and thus, they hang out in the open and away from the trees. I actually had an awesome opportunity to get photos of these three real close. I was snapping away when they were only twenty yards in front of me-the big bull ws completely filling my lens. I actually had to back the telephoto out a bit to properly compose the photo. Then I realized my compact flash card was in my pocket-I kicked myself! The lighting was perfect and all three bulls were bedded down. They got up and moved about 100 yards away.
It took a few seconds to click, Will... at first I thought you'd dropped a grand on one of those trail cams that upload images to your computer from the field! :d Awesome shots buddy!
Will, If those are from the area that you said you hunted, I can see why you hunt there FOR SURE now. I keep looking at that BIG BULL and his face looks like a BULL (beef kind) more than the ELK face of the other two, that is one HUGE Bullish nose on him. He looks to have plenty of horn to be pushing a P&Y entry level already and he's got nearly two more months to grow don't he??? WOW!!!
Doug, Keep in mind also...we still have about four feet of snow in places above 12,000 feet. The cows (with new calves) and bulls are all congregating lower where the grass is green and abundant. I've revisited this photo several times as well. What kills me is the size of the bull's bellies. Whatever they lost during the winter is coming back fast this spring. They look pregnant! I'm pretty sure the big bull will be a 6x6 (maybe more), but I wish he was a little wider. He's kind of tall and narrow. Who am I kidding? I kill him in a second!
No Will, I think he just looks narrow because he's pushing 1,000# in weight!!!! That Bull oughta end up in the mid-300's at least when he's done, unless I'm missing something. Hell, I've never killed one, so I'll be thrilled with a cow if that opportunity presents itself in a few short months. Four FEET of snow still at higher altitudes??? That's ridiculous!!! But I heard it was a "wetter" than usual winter out there this year. Must be the Global Warming!!!
