The Sheriff after about 1 month's Antler growth. In just 4 months from now the largest Elk Bull in this area will have full antler growth and begin shedding his velvet for the rutting season.
The Sheriff, this areas largest Elk Bull has shed his antlers a couple days earlier than last year. Every Year he seems to shed his antlers earlier as larger Bulls do to get a jump start on growth for the following Rutting Season. It will be incredible to witness this genetically gifted icon entering another Rut this coming Fall!
Arguably the Most Impressive Bull Elk in JNP - Canada's Rockies. Video from yesterday.. the day of dropping his antlers. Bigger Bulls seem to do this earlier, getting a head start towards more mass the following year. This King still Asserts his dominance without His Crown... defending his spaces even at His lowest testosterone levels. After a fresh antler drop, Bulls may tend to and test the immediate wound. New antler growth will be clearly visible within a week.
Older, Bigger Elk Bulls shed their Antlers first, grow first, and polish the velvet first. It's nature's way of allowing the most mature bulls an advantage when entering the Rutting Season. With Rutting season quite a distance from late June yet, this Bull prefers isolated areas with lots of food to pack on as much mass as possible right now. Elk Calves show strong agility and energy by the end of June. While Elk Cows are still protecting their calves, their focus is also on their own nutrition.
Three Bull Elk in the beautiful, lush Rocky Mountains. Lots of rain has fortified food sources for much of the Rockies Wildlife in the last few weeks. This Magnificent Bull Elk will dominate this area during the rutting season, provided he remains safe among the heavy traffic in this location. We are looking forward to witnessing this Bull shed his velvet very soon.
One of the Largest Elk Bulls in the Canadian Rockies Before and After Fully shedding his Velvet. Just one week later his antlers are dry and he is ready for the Rut. Larger, more mature Elk Bulls shed first as their testosterone rises, giving them an advantage on establishing continued dominance early in the Rutting Season.
The Largest Elk Bull in this area, the "Sheriff", sheds his antlers. The larger Elk Bulls shed their antlers first, which gives them a jump on antler growth for the next rutting season.
Here is this area's largest and most dominant Bull(the last 5 Years), in full velvet today. We have not previously captured any moments of the "Sheriff" at this stage, as he packs on more weight just before the Elk rut. Wolves managed to bring down a very big Elk Bull not that long ago and we were worried it might have been the "Sheriff", but are so glad to see him here today! Everyone will be Cheering you on again this Year Big Guy.
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