Great Morning (Gillette, Sheridan, Jackson: home, to live in, yard)

[eiafjam]

I have for the past 5 years driven from Sheridan to almost Gillette every weekday on my commute to work. This morning I saw 2 elk just above Powder River standing withen 50 yards of the highway. Man Oh Man whjat a sight. Wish I could have got slowed down to stop and take a picture. I think they are probably part of the Fortification Creek herd. Ahh...to live in Wyoming and be home.

Eiafjam

[ElkHunter]

A few years back I was in Buffalo at McDonalds, catching some breakfast. It was September 1, about 9:30am or so. A pickup pulled in the parking lot and they had 2, nice bull elk in the back. They got out and come inside, wearing their camo's with international orange vests and internation orange hats (Camo's, you know, so they couldn't be seen under the international orange.

I spoke to one of the guys and said, "Bow Hunter?" He said, "No, rifle." I thought, there is no rifle season for Elk, this early. He pointed out that the Elk Area South East of Ucross, is a September 1 opener. Until then, I didn't realize there were any elk down in that area. I hauled railroaders all down through that area and never saw an elk. Sure enough, they're there.

[WyattE]

I'm jealous of the both of you! Elk and Buffalo are my favorite animals to watch. Another reason(among many) Wyoming is awesome!

[Brian_M]

Originally Posted by WyattE

I'm jealous of the both of you! Elk and Buffalo are my favorite animals to watch. Another reason(among many) Wyoming is awesome!

Bison are only fun to watch when there's not a Herd of them stopping traffic just south of Moran Jct on the way to Jackson for a doctors appointment. We were 30 minutes late (after sitting stopped for roughly an hour)... my wife still smiles when I mention the phrase "Wyoming rush-hour", though it's a sad smile when we're stuck in traffic around any city.

I think bears are my favorite wild animal to watch, especially the cubs. I had another traffic stop for 2 cubs playing on the road (dirt road) in Montana. Mom eventually wandered across and ushered them along.

[NDak15]

I was surprised to see an elk with her calf near Wright once. That area doesn't seem like elk habitat although elk did originally inhabit the plains. I've also seen elk in the Red Desert which also is probably not what comes to mind when most people think of elk habitat.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by WyoEagle

I was surprised to see an elk with her calf near Wright once. That area doesn't seem like elk habitat although elk did originally inhabit the plains. I've also seen elk in the Red Desert which also is probably not what comes to mind when most people think of elk habitat.

Bit of trivia, you do know that the Red Desert and the surrounding area is home to the Largest Elk Herd in the lower 48. Like you, I would never have suspected that.

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Bit of trivia, you do know that the Red Desert and the surrounding area is home to the Largest Elk Herd in the lower 48. Like you, I would never have suspected that.

I knew it was a big herd but I didn't know it was the largest in the lower 48. Lots of area for that herd to roam.

[ScottStielow]

That would have been a sight to see by the highway a couple of Elk.