Bull Elk Wolf Kill- Yellowstone

[cbond3318]

Happened on an awesome scene this morning in Yellowstone NP. The Lamar Valley pack killed a nice bull last night sometime and were actively feeding on it through this morning!!

Made our day!!

Sorry for the low quality, I just had my phone and Spotter.

[3dsheetmetal]

 

[elkboy]

Long September chasing cows, hard winter, and finally, little energy to outrun the pack...  It's a hard life for a bull elk!  Thanks for sharing these great shots, Cbond.  You're lucky to witness this.  We need these types of scenes in some places in the North American landscape... (But, disclaimer, I am OK if it's not everywhere) 

[cbond3318]

Long September chasing cows, hard winter, and finally, little energy to outrun the pack...  It's a hard life for a bull elk!  Thanks for sharing these great shots, Cbond.  You're lucky to witness this.  We need these types of scenes in some places in the North American landscape... (But, disclaimer, I am OK if it's not everywhere)

I agree!

Feel very thankful to have witnessed this and thankful it is still naturally occurring. (In certain geographics)

[KFhunter]

that one wolf burned or have mange? 

[Bigshooter]

that one wolf burned or have mange?

I hope mange.

[trophyhunt]

I personally hate seeing this, I'm I the only one?  I'd rather the bull lived and those wolves die a miserable death starving! 

[Duckslayer89]

I personally hate seeing this, I'm I the only one?  I'd rather the bull lived and those wolves die a miserable death starving!

 

[cbond3318]

that one wolf burned or have mange?

It looked like it could have been something like mange. The fur was noticeably shorter and extended through his right hind leg and over its back to mid spine.

[fowl smacker]

I personally hate seeing this, I'm I the only one?  I'd rather the bull lived and those wolves die a miserable death starving!

I'm with you!

[teanawayslayer]

I personally hate seeing this, I'm I the only one?  I'd rather the bull lived and those wolves die a miserable death starving!

I'm with you!

 

[dontgetcrabs]

I personally hate seeing this, I'm I the only one?  I'd rather the bull lived and those wolves die a miserable death starving!

 

x3   

[elkboy]

I hate to rehash what has been rehashed on here, again, and again, and again, but here is what I am learning:
-That we ought to violate the law when we disagree with wildlife policy or its outcome, and furthermore, whenever we are given the opportunity.
-That (apparently) wolves are moral agents instead of just another carnivore species, and therefore deserve not just death, but a miserable one.  Clearly they do not even deserve the protections against cruelty that we extend to the murderers among our own species. 
-That there is no place, not even in the Lamar Valley, in a fairly extensive National Park, where a timeless process of predator and prey can persist.  No compromise. 

These are sad lessons.  I wish more of us could see the power and awe in what Cbond is sharing with us, even if it is admittedly a harsh reality of the natural world.  This is a snapshot of the millennial processes that made elk (and all other species of deer, and many more beyond) the incredibly tough, wary, and athletic game animals that we admire and pursue.

For the record, I am for wolf management.  Including lethal options.  Including pack removal if a particular pack is problematic.  Including regulated harvest of them as a challenging game animal.  Heck, even the trapping of them as a furbearer (the Shoshone of the Northern Rockies wore a good bit of wolf fur during the winter!).  Even fully excluding them from sizable areas of the West to prioritize game animal production and ranching.  And I am sorry if all of that is not enough for some. 

 And I apologize if this comes across as a rant-  it is not intended to be.  But I was raised to speak my beliefs, and I hope even those who disagree with me will take it as respectfully done.

[cbond3318]

I hate to rehash what has been rehashed on here, again, and again, and again, but here is what I am learning:
-That we ought to violate the law when we disagree with wildlife policy or its outcome, and furthermore, whenever we are given the opportunity.
-That (apparently) wolves are moral agents instead of just another carnivore species, and therefore deserve not just death, but a miserable one.  Clearly they do not even deserve the protections against cruelty that we extend to the murderers among our own species. 
-That there is no place, not even in the Lamar Valley, in a fairly extensive National Park, where a timeless process of predator and prey can persist.  No compromise. 

These are sad lessons.  I wish more of us could see the power and awe in what Cbond is sharing with us, even if it is admittedly a harsh reality of the natural world.  This is a snapshot of the millennial processes that made elk (and all other species of deer, and many more beyond) the incredibly tough, wary, and athletic game animals that we admire and pursue.

For the record, I am for wolf management.  Including lethal options.  Including pack removal if a particular pack is problematic.  Including regulated harvest of them as a challenging game animal.  Heck, even the trapping of them as a furbearer (the Shoshone of the Northern Rockies wore a good bit of wolf fur during the winter!).  Even fully excluding them from sizable areas of the West to prioritize game animal production and ranching.  And I am sorry if all of that is not enough for some. 

 And I apologize if this comes across as a rant-  it is not intended to be.  But I was raised to speak my beliefs, and I hope even those who disagree with me will take it as respectfully done.

Thank you Elkboy. I was trying to process those exact thoughts without it coming out much more harsh and insulting. It really disgusts me that some sportsman can't see past their own nose and truly appreciate the full force of nature. Something that has been occurring on this land long before our DNA littered the landscape. I am pro management but I also love and appreciate ALL things nature and am not so caught on one side of the fence that I can't sit back and be awestruck by something so rarely witnessed.

[cbond3318]

Here is what I think was the Alpha getting a stretch in before hitting the carcass again.... for those that enjoy, enjoy.

Can someone please rotate the few sideway pics. Thanks.