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I found elk tracks that had crossed the road this morning so I
pulled ever and shined my flashlight on them and it was a single
elk, but this elk had a problem. There was no track for his back
left hoof, about every 10 yards or so there was a 3 to 4 inch hole
in place of the hoof. My first thought was a broken leg, then I
realized that didn't figure cuz there were no drag of flopping marks
by the track. I decided to wait for light so I could try and figure
out what was going on. When there was enough light I started
glassing with my binoculars and like a dummy I started at the top of
the ridge. I couldn't find any sign where elk had crossed the top of
the big ridge. I went back to where I found the first tracks and
followed them and they went over a little ridge about a hundred
yards away but did not continue on the other side of the ridge.
Gooood news he was close so now all I had to do was find him. Got
out the spotting scope and started looking for movement or the wrong
color. About a 1/2 hour later and 1 cup of coffee I found the top of
one of his antlers. OK now find a place where I can see over the
ridge and try for a few shots. I picked the way I wanted to do the
stalk the sunny side of a small ridge (less snow) with lots of
cedars for cover and off I went.
All the wildlife here are having a lot of trouble finding food and
they are trying to go farther South to get out of the deep snow. In
Chama where I live, by the END of January we would have had 52
inches of snow. It is the 7th of January and we already have had 112
inches of snow and are suppose to have more on the way.
#1
When I first found him he looked fine but I knew better cuz of the
way his body moved when he walked.
#2
#3
#4
I was right, he was missing the back bottom part of his left leg
(hoof). This was a injury from this year, I looked it over pretty
good (I took my spotting scope with me) and the healing process
looked to be going good, no swelling or dripping but no hair growing
there yet. He was still having trouble with his balance when he
tried to do things. If he does make it thru this winter he will
never be breeding herd bull cuz of his injury he won't win the
fights it takes to keep a bunch of cows. This is a good thing cuz
his genetics are not good at all.
#5
#6
Looks like he found dinner.
#7
YUP!!! sure smells gooood. I got to reach up higher.
#8
Close but no cigar. The good stuff is up higher.
#9
Damn, the good stuff is just to high.
#10
I got me a problem I got to figure out. The good stuff is to high
for me to get to, I can't stand on my back legs to reach it cuz of
my bum leg................I got it Plan B - Use my antlers.
#11
I best start off with a little shake so I can get used to keeping my
balance on 3 legs
#12
This balance thing is a little strange but I think I am getting the
hang of it.
#13
OK, now I got to really get after it to break off some dinner. I got
to remember to keep more weight on my back right side and then I can
really get after it.
#14
YUP!!! this is working.
#15
Looks like dinner is a waiting.
#16
Time for Dinner. I earned it.
#17
Mom was right!!! When you got a problem stop and think about it and
then come up with a plan B and then Get-er-done
#18
Hey Camera Guy!!! I know you
already know it, but now you can show you friends how we do think
and reason things out.
On the way back to the camera wagon I had a big smile on my face cuz
now I know in my heart he will make it thru the winter. When I got
back to my camera wagon he had moved up to the next tree and was
reaching up for something to eat. I wished him luck on getting down
to better winter ground and thanked him for letting me get a few
shots, I stopped a ranger on the way home and showed him some of the
shots and then I came home to get a hot shower and dry clothes.
Thanks for taking the time to look Roger |
