Heading to the Colorado high country in the late summer and viewing the elk rut is one of the highlights of my year. The bulls are crazed with hormones and ready and willing to take on each other.
They have, on occasion, also taken on stupid humans that choose to get too close and don’t maintain a respectful distance. Almost every year there is a story of someone being attacked by an elk and usually it is because the human did not stay back. Sadly, it is usually the animal that pays the price and is put down as a result.
On this day this past September, there was a herd of elk hanging out on the outskirts of Estes Park. One bull was large and in charge, garnering a lot of attention from folks. Most people kept their distance but one guy just couldn’t help himself and got within 20 feet with his cell phone to take a picture despite being yelled at to stay back.
The bull was clearly agitated having just laid down after having to fend off two competing bulls. The guy got his picture but not much more as the bull stood up and put his head down causing the stupid human to quickly backpedal.
While I suppose the guy thought those motorcycle leathers and helmet might protect him, I suspect if push came to shove, the antlers and hooves would win.
