my dad and i were about 8 yards from 2 bulls fighting 5 or so years ago. we were bear hunting and heard the bugling. we eased down the hill, my dad raking rose bushes with a 5 pt shed he had found and squealing and chuckling w/o any calls, just messing around. the elk started to answer, so we kept moving closer, wind just right. as we got within about 40 yards, it was apparent there were two bulls going at it, and they had been paying no mind to dad! we were behind a rosebush, uphill from the bulls and we watched them for a while as they fought. they would break apart, pant, catch their breath and go back at it! ultra cool! one bull was super wide and tall, but the tines were kinda short and spindly. probably low 300's. the other was massively heavy, long tined and tall, but not very wide. maybe 42 inches. the heavy bull had blood on 3 tines on the left side where he'd stabbed the other bull. as they fought, they worked their way up the hill. when they broke apart just on the other side of our 'protective' rosebush, dad threw up his hands to scare them off, or we were literally going to be overrun! the looked at us, not being able to catch out wind, trotted off about 40 yards and continued the fight! whole thing lasted maybe 2 minutes.
they were fighting so hard their legs were almost parallel to the ground as they fought for traction. most amazing thing i've ever seen!
that elk season, a guy we know drew one of the bull tags for the area, got permission and shot the long tined, heavy bull. i got to hold his horns in my hands and there is no doubt it was the same bull. our friend may have the horns, but i have MUCH better memories of that bull!
heath
