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| 6x8 In Reverting Meadow |
During my recent trip to Pennsylvania Elk Country I only saw one fairly impressive rack bull on Winslow Hill, but I saw him every morning at dawn. He seldom missed stopping by this apple tree before heading into the nearby woodlands to escape the heat of day. There was a good reason why that he stopped by this tree and it is one of those things that the dedicated nature photographer is always looking for. If you just drive up and snap a photo out the window and then drive away, you usually miss the special moments, but one must often work a situation as long as conditions are good, to capture the special moments. In this instance it was fascinating to watch him use the top of his antlers to knock small apples off of the tree so that he could feed on them.
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| Bull Uses Antlers To Dislodge Apples |
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| Bull Strains To Reach Apples |
This 6x8 is not an exceptional, nor yet a mature bull, but he is a good step above a raghorn. Like all bulls on Winslow Hill, this one is trusting of humans. Two large but completely acclimated bulls have been killed near this spot in elk season during recent years. Now the PGC has launched a public relations offensive in Game News with the last two issues, each carrying a story about Pennsylvania Elk hunting, in an attempt to portray this as a challenging, fair chase hunt, which it may be in some cases but especially not in the areas of Zone 2 on or in close proximity to Winslow Hill . With the license allocation increasing in both Zone 2 and Zone 8 by two bulls each, the chances for this animal reaching an exceptional size are slim.
Originally posted at Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill.
10 comments:
Stunning images.
Very well done images and a very good post to go along with them. The Game News article still amazes me.
Great post, Willard. I always say that we have to take the time to work a scene. Animals do some amazing things if we are just patient enough to observe. Today I was on my belly in the sand photographing a seagull that provided quite a show, too! Patience is key and taking the time to work a scene will pay huge dividends in photography!
Love that first shot with the fog!
I love those types of moments too! So many times, I'm bored out of my mind because nothing is happening, and then...
Congrats!
An interesting insight into this type of behaviour Willard. I'll keep my fingers crossed that 6x8 can stay out of harms way for everyone to enjoy.
I still think hunting is shameful unless the hunter needs and uses the meat to feed himself or his family.
Killing for trophies or sport is just nuts and I think those who do it are shameful people. They should join the Army and let somebody shoot at them. It isn't fun. I know.
Oh, WOW, these are just so good.
Amazing shots!
Excellent article as usual Willard, nice camera good luck with it. Hope to see you and Coy on the hill in September.
This was a very good Post and informative. As far as hunting these majestic animals, I see no real reason to do so. I have no interest in hunting these bulls or to harvest one. Why these animals are hunted is beyond me other than just having a Trophy on your wall. Too me, this is a waste of wildlife that can be more appreciated with a Camera Lens than a rifle.
For a number of years, I have hunted with a Bow & Arrow, shotgun, and rifle. I never did harvest a Whitetail Deer. Just enjoyed getting out in the woods during the Fall Season. Over time, I found that I really did not like Deer meat, so just why was I out there standing in pouring rain, and snow. I stopped hunting years ago. Would rather shoot something with my Camera Lens than anything.
Regards,
Les
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