Before I knew it he charged down the hill and I had to take refuge in some deadfall. I saw the red tag and knew of his reputation. He saw me at the same time I saw him, and started pawing the ground and bugling. He appeared at the top of a hill about a hundred yards away. I ran into him in the back country a few years ago near Mammoth. In any case, I always thought this onery old guy would go down fighting. Perhaps he just wasn't as nimble as he used to be? Something I can relate to. I am sure that he had crossed that fence dozens of times in the past. Visitors desiring a closer look at animals should use binoculars, spotting scope, or the zoom lens on their still or video camera. Number 10 was last seen in the Mammoth Hot Springs area shortly after the rut concluded.įor safety's sake, park regulations require people to stay at least 25 yards away from most animals and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves at all times.
Number 6 had his antlers removed in August 2004 and again in August 2005 in an effort to reduce the danger he posed to park visitors. Number 6, and his regular sparring partner Number 10, were both ear-tagged several years ago. The aggressive behavior of these animals brings with it a threat to people and property.
Yellowstone officials note that several large bulls with impressive antlers venture into Mammoth Hot Springs each fall to compete for the attention of cow elk during mating season. At his peak, the animal would certainly have been considered a “trophy” by elk hunters. Number 6's rack, though diminished in size from previous years, still gross-scored an impressive 356-5/8 on the Boone and Crockett scale. For comparison sake, elk have an average life span of 13 to 18 years, with bulls typically topping the scales at 700 pounds, they said. Yellowstone officials say an ensuing necropsy indicated that the bull was at least 15 years old and weighed 725 pounds. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks staff members believe the animal tripped while trying to cross a fence and somersaulted onto his back, where he was pinned between rocks with his antlers beneath him and suffocated. Number 6, who got the name from his orange and black ear tag, was found dead Sunday night. Sadly, park officials say old "Number 6" was found dead in Gardiner, Montana, earlier this week, the victim of, ahem, apparently tripping while trying to cross a fence line. But that apparently is behind the death of a bull elk at Yellowstone National Park. It's difficult to imagine an elk being clumsy, especially one that has lived 15 years, carried an impressive rack, and sired who knows how many offspring.
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