Ronald Saffer's Last Portrait of Fred-Bull 36

After learning of Bull 36's death over the weekend, Ronald "Buckwheat" Saffer, Pennsylvania's premier elk photographer, called to discuss his death and his relationship with this animal over the years.  He was one of Saffer's favorite subjects until later in his life, when he began spending most of his time in Benezette and achieved lasting fame as the Benezette town bull.  Buckwheat specializes in photographing exceptional bulls in natural environments and after Fred moved to town so as to speak, he did not encounter him nearly as often, although he still photographed him if he found him on Winslow Hill in a natural setting.  He has graciously agreed to share the last professional portrait that he took of him during the rut this autumn.

Bull 36 At Dudley Property-Along Winslow Hill Road: Photo courtesy of Ronald Saffer

Many were concerned that Fred would be shot during the first few years of the hunt, as he was often found in Hunt Zone 2 during the rut and it seemed possible that he could linger too long in that area and be caught by the opening of elk season.  Also there were rumors of plots to drive him from the No Hunt Zone into the Hunt Zone, but  that never happened.

Some were still talking about shooting him as late as 2007, when he was featured on King's Outdoor World, The article features two still pictures and a video clip titled "What Does This Elk Score?" The following is a quote from that page:

"This bull is a herd bull that is a result of transplanted elk to the east to help build up the herd years ago and therefore has a radio collar on its neck as wildlife authorities keep a close eye on the herd. Don’t let that make you think that it is a high fenced bull. This is a fair chase bull that a lucky hunter could very well get this year through their lottery draw."

The video clip starts with a shot of another bull and then there is Fred chasing a cow. You can hear someone say," I think I could even hit him from here" Some one else says ,"Oh I could probably get one in him"

As it turned out, no one "got one in him" and he lived a long life , bringing pleasure to thousands upon thousands of people. Sadly, unless the current system changes, there is not likely to be another that can survive to attain his status, as his most likely heir apparent was killed during season this year, and it seems that most bulls are now killed within a year or so of attaining trophy status.

Originally posted at Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill

Fred-Bull 36, Dies As Result Of Accident

Fred In 2002-His Largest Classic Rack: Courtesy of Ronald Saffer

Today I am sorry to report that Bull 36, know to most as "Fred" or "Fred Jr." had to be put down by PGC officials on Friday January, 7th, 2011, after he fell down on the ice and was unable to regain his footing. The fall causes a bone or bones to be broken and this along with his age and the condition of the knee joints, made any chance of recovery impossible.

Reports have been circulating all weekend on Facebook about this unfortunate circumstance, but I have been hesitant to make a definitive post about the matter until this point.  I wish to thank noted elk columnist for Endeavor News, Carol Mulvihill, and Benezett Store Manager, Beth Hoffman,  for confirming that initial reports are true.

Estimates of his age range as high as 20 years, but an analysis of his rack size in in 1997, 1998 makes it seem likely he was born no later than 1994 and it is possible he was born somewhat earlier, with 1992 being the earliest likely year..  This was when Claude Nye, more commonly know as "Dr. Perk" was heavily involved with the elk on Winslow Hill and he, Tom Murphy, and Ron Rishel would be most likely to know the true age of the animal.

According to Pennsylvania"s leading elk photographer,  Ron "Buckwheat" Saffer, he first heard people using the name "Fred, Jr". in 1998. That year, Saffer photographed him in mid-August, with a dog leash tangled in his antlers and he and his circle of friends name him "Dogrope", a name which he has used to this day.

Fred or Dogrope  In 1998 With Dog Leash In Antlers: Courtesy Ronald Saffer

I too did not hear the name, Fred Jr. until 1998, when it came into wide usage among the elk watchers and I specifically recall Dr. Perk using that name.   Since I mostly shot video during my early years in Elk County, I have no still images from that period other than frame captures from video.  I am reasonably certain that I did record Fred, Jr. in 1997 and have written about an encounter with him in the saddle that year and used footage from this in "The Truth About Pennsylvania's Elk Herd".

Bull 36 is gone now, but he will be talked about for years to come.

Marci Geise has established a page on Facebook as a tribute to Fred, where persons may share photographs and stories of their experiences with the Icon of Pennsylvania's elk herd.  If the link doesn't work, do a search of Facebook for Fred Jr.#36  and you should be able to find it.  Also visit Marci on Facebook at Elk Scenic Drive for lots of elk photographs and discussions.

Originally posted on Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill.

Fred-Bull 36 Appears In Elk Country Visitor Center Theater Production

Mid afternoon, September 27, 2010 and an old bull elk lies dozing in the woods close by to the Pennsylvania Elk Country Visitor Center near Benezette.  Tourists stop by and snap a few photographs of him as he rests.  This is none other than the famous bull 36 also known as "Fred" or "Dogrope".  Many know him, but few are aware as they gaze at him that this is the same bull that they just saw in the Visitor Center theater presentation, defeating a larger bull in an extended fight that lasted about ten minutes.

Bull 36 "Fred" Resting At Visitor Center

One cannot help but think as the gaze at him if somewhere in the recesses of his memory he recalls a day many years ago, when he was the king of Winslow Hill and he met the mighty Test Hill Bull in combat for control of a harem of cows in the backcountry.  At this time he was not yet known as the Benezette town bull and he would not become bull 36 until he was collared in late 2003 or 2004.

It was just one day and 23 minutes shy of the 9th anniversary of this fight that my brother Coy and I found him resting at the Visitor Center and it brought back a lot of memories to see him there.

Mid-afternoon on September 28, 2001 found me trudging into the backcountry on Winslow Hill.  There was periodic showers and fog that morning, but the elk had really been active with a lot of rutting activity in the saddle area.  This was to be the last year that I carried the Canon L2 camcorder and it was having problems that were exacerbated by the damp weather.  I used a Canon 35-350mmL lens for medium to long distance filming, which required a battery powered adapter between it and the camcorder body and this refused to work on occasion, but one could get it back in action by removing the battery, wiping contact point, etc.  This would figure largely in the events that were about to unfold.  Fred was in this area with a large harem of cows much of that week and true to form, he was there on this day.

Fred In Saddle With Cows September 28, 2001

I was walking the road that followed the tree line along the top of the saddle and had reached a spot where one could see the large meadow in the lower part of the saddle (elk watching veterans will recall the log that was in this spot where the Game Commission would stop and give talks to tour groups).

Scene Of Fight: Taken The Morning Of The Day Of The Fight

Suddenly there was an ear-piercing bugle as a monstrous 6x6 emerged from the State Forestry Land at the high part of the saddle and roared forth a challenge.  I powered the camera up and the adapter immediately died.  I went ahead and filmed the bull at this point which resulted in underexposed footage(it does not look the best but could be manipulated with video editing software to the point that it could be used) .

The Test Hill Bull In The Saddle On The Morning Of The Day Of The Fight

At this point in time the bull was over 200 yards away from Fred and the harem but he started running toward them and I began working frantically with the adapter.  To my immense relief it started working again and I had it back in action before the fight began.  At first the animals circled for a short time, and then locked antlers briefly.  Soon this turned into sustained combat that continued until the larger animal broke contact and walked away.

I used this footage in "The Truth About Pennsylvania"s Elk Herd", which I released in 2008.


Showdown In The Saddle from Willard C. Hill on Vimeo.

I was pleasantly surprised when Magic Lantern, the company that produced the theater presentation and other multi-media displays, for the Elk Country Visitors Center selected this footage as the fight sequence for the theater presentation. (Please note they re-edited the sequence ) Video technology has advanced at an amazing rate since 2001.  Today some flavor of HD is preferred with the field moving toward even higher resolutions.  This footage was shot on Hi-8 tape, which was one of the favored video formats for the independent producer during the mid-1990s.  This was replaced by mini-dv in the later 1990s.  To make a long story short , I would give a lot to have been able to shoot the exact same thing in high definition, but even though I have used HD since 2006, I have not been able to capture a serious fight from beginning to end. I have recorded brief periods of antler contact  and a somewhat lengthy fight between bull 8A and Bull 62, but in this case the fighting was not as serious as that in the showdown in the saddle, and the appeal of the footage was reduced by both elk being collared, and elk viewing area signs in the background.

In this case, even though the format was outdated, the footage told the story of a fight from beginning to end, and it was shot from a tripod with no camera jiggle or bounce to disturb the viewer and these considerations outweighed the negative considerations.  Of course the fight does not last ten minutes in the theater presentation, in fact the entire presentation is less than thirty minutes.  It is edited to tell a story, and the people at Magic Lantern succeeded in telling the story very well.

Early Winter

Early January and the temperatures are often cold with the ground covered with snow.  Bald Eagles may be found cruising the skies or silently perched in trees near the waters edge, either resting or patiently waiting for an unsuspecting fish to swim by.

Mature Bald Eagle Searching For Food

Mature Bald Eagle Resting In Tree By Water's Edge

Other wildlife such as elk may be found where food is readily available.  Animals prefer the sunny, south-facing slopes at this of year as the temperatures are warmer there and as a result snow cover is less making food more easily available.  These areas are often sheltered from the cold northwest winds, making living conditions much more comfortable.

Elk Spending A Cold Winter Day In A Sunny Area

A Stand Of Evergreens Help Shelter Elk From Winter Winds

Winter is often brutal and unpleasant, but there is still much of interest to be found in the great outdoors and while we can escape the elements to a certain extent, the creatures of the wild must endure whatever comes their way.

For more photographs, information, and discussion of nature in Pennsylvania's Elk Country be sure to visit Elk Scenic Drive on Facebook.  A special thanks to Marci Geise for launching this much needed forum.

Originally Posted at Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill