Hi Sage, it was probably neither. It definately wasn't cat or wolf, which are both here. He probably got trapped by deep snow and just starved. He had good teeth, so wasn't old age. They had anywhere from 12-20 feet of snow in this area last year and he probably yarded up and ended up starving. I need to go back and look at some bucks I shot on film to see if I ever had him, but I doubt it. There are some tremendous deer in here, but you have to have a little luck on your side. They are next to nearly impossible to get. Unlike moose that are attracted to crashing throught he brush, these guys just move on. Its a good hunt. I saw a gigantic bull, probably one of the biggest ever in here (elk) and managed to see and turn down several bucks in the rut, which you can hunt this in the rut. Then I took a decent buck. He has been on here before. Then I sent Hornseeker in there and he didn't see a deer but ran into a moose battleground where there were like 5 bulls going at it. I think that kind of pushed the deer out of there. Anyhow, its thick in there. The animals are known for their mass. that elk was the most massive thing I have ever dreamed of, even in any of the mags. here is a shot of that Idaho buck for those new members that may have missed it. This was a couple years ago and I got him with my pistol.
and him alive prior to the shot....
