Not the best photography...but dang cool....

[Hornseeker]

Well, here's some pics I just got emailed. A guy was driving on a hiway near Big Sky here in MT and saw this big bull way out in belly deep snow. He decided to photo him and the bull got nervous and stood up...only then did the guy see this!


So he snapped some more, then the cat let go, looked at the guy and came a few steps towards him. THe bull just walked off...uninjured..??

The guy waved his arms and the cat walked off... Little cat...Big bull...
More

[Skyvalhunter]

Wow some awesome photos. Undoubtedly that bull wont be around this fall. Would make a nice rack for the wall.

[huntnphool]

Amazing a cat would go after a bull that size. I hope the bull survives but that cat would have been mine once he let go Thanks for sharing

[Hornseeker]

I dont know sky?? Its possibly that cat or another may do him in, but I guess he walked off no prob, and frankly, thats a real small, probably 2 year old cat at about 90 pounds and that bull is WELL fortified....

If a bigger kitty stumbles upon him, or a pack of wolves, in that deep snow...yep, problems for sure...

E

[Skyvalhunter]

Well you can imagine that when a cougar gets a grip on an elks throat like that its not going to be good. Especially with their main arteries there. I know they usually get a grip on them and rotate the animals head around breaking their neck. Would be cool to go back there and see if the rack is around.

[Hornseeker]

It would be worth checking!

It actually doesn't take a very big cat to kill a big bull, but it DOES take an experienced cat. That cat is going about it all wrong...thats why I think he/she is pretty young.

We've treed 100 pound females that we started off 6 point bull elk kills we found...and I've seen many other "small" lion tracks leading from nice bulls and cow elk... But...9 times out of ten I'll guarantee they were old females that knew the drill!

Lions generally will hop on the neck like that, but they bite between a couple cervical vertebrae and thats how the "broken neck" happens. No cat, not even a 170 pound tom will "break" a bull elks neck by twisting it around. Think about the strength those bulls have in there necks...

Also, I bet he never hit any arteries...there just isn't any "red" in the photos...

Not trying to start a pissing match, just my .02.

Ernie

[Skyvalhunter]

I am sure your right there Earnie. I watched is wildlife show where this nice sized cat jumped on this raghorns back grab the elk and pop. Then they had one younger cat was trying to get this goat on this rock ledge. That damn goat horned the krap out of that cat before it left. Amazine to watch them in action

[dbllunger]

That bull would be dead if the guy had not showed up.  My guess the bull was in the shock giving up stage, and it was just a matter of time.  Based on the pics and story of he elks actions that cat only needed a little more time. 

[MuleySniper]

Pretty incredible pics. Thats something few people get to see in a lifetime.
MS

[popeshawnpaul]

Amazing pics.  Good find Ernie.

Shawn

[Head-shot]

Cool pics, thanks.

[griz272000]

that is awesome

[boneaddict]

WOW!  amazing pics!   The cat probably went back and finsished the job.  I think the elk was dead meat in the shock stage and the cat would have eventually succombed him.  You are spot on with your observations.  Cool pics

[Hornseeker]

Yep, cool pics.

I have to disagree though.. I really dont think that cat CAN kill that bull. Look at the size. the more I look at it, I think that is probably a 75 pound cat.. He'll get bored and give up... now, if a wolf walks in on the situation, the bulls toast.

So, respectfully.....that bull is still walking.

[Houndhunter]

in that deep of snow that kitty can bite that bulls neck and hold till hes dead and not get touched one bit, theres know doubt in my mind that lion coulda killed that bull. not sayin he would've if the guy didnt show up but that lil kitty is perfectly capable of doing so