The hunter that was visiting is truly dedicated to doing so correctly. He came out a day ahead of time, did a lot of walking and stalking, and carried a big telescope of some kind. He watched some mule deer in action, and said he saw a big lone six-by-six bull elk rise off his bed ground, stretch and start grazing. He was hesitant to tell us of this, because he thought that we would think he was blowing smoke.
Although we've never seen any elk on our ranch, they are not that far away on the Rosebud Reservation. He knows what he sees, because he has plenty of experience. Within the past two years, he even went to Africa on a safari. While there, he took eight different African species, and had to add on a room to his house to display the new trophies.
I view the elk sighting with mixed emotions. They are a beautiful graceful animal, but can be terribly destructive. It would be nice if they would stay on someone else's land. It's the old NIMBY (not in my back yard) syndrome coming through. :wink: